The Indianapolis journal., 1899-07-15

TO an unstamped check presented for pay
ment is hereby revoked. This instruction
was given TO meet an emergency immedi-
ately preceding the taking effect Of the
stamp act on July ], 1888. in order to obvi-u
ate the necessity of returning by the banks
thousands of unstamped checks issued by
drawers in ignorance of the law The law
being now generally understood there is no
further need OF such permission"
This action was taken upon information
that certain banks had adopted the practice
of not requiring stamps. as an advertise
ment TO secure patronage as against rival
banks
The Cabinet meeting to-day was brfef and
unimportant. Attorney General Griggs and
Secretary Wilson were absent and Secretary
Alger left before the meeting adjourned in
order to catch a train for Long Branch.
where he goes as the guest of Vice President
Hobart. The condition of postal affairs in
Cuba and Porto Rico was discussed, and
Postmaster General Smith announced that a
scheme for the reorganization of the service
in those islands had been perfected 1t
contemplates the return OF many of the
Americans now connected with the service
and the employment OF natives in their
stead. The franking privilege has been
abolished In both islands, but a very lin
tied number of administrative officers are
allowed TO use penaAy envelopes. Post
master General Smith thinks the service in
both islands viii be self-sustaining.
Charles H. c. Blue has been appointed
sub-letter carrier at Muncie.
Charles j. Bliss, Elkhart; Charles S. Nc
Kown, Greenfield, and Otto S. Martin Rus
sia, were to-day appointed railway mail
clerks.
DR.. W. T. Day. chief mineralogist of the
Geological Survey. has received from George
F. Kunz the surveys expert, the annual
summary Of the gem industry in the United
States. There were no native diamond finds
recorded for this country, but the importa-
ton Of uncut diamonds increased greatly
and there was corresponding development
in diamond cutting in the United States
One of the most important domestic develop
ments was the finding of rock crystals at
Moketumne hill, California, Of such size
and purity as to almost rival those of Japan.
These crystals have been cut up to diam
eter OF seven inches, remarkable size for
that class of work. The crystals are used
in ornamental work and for fine grade of
optical lenses. There has been a decided
increase in the output of the sapphire mines
of Fergus county, Montana. Fine blue
gems, up to carats, have been found. In
the came locality new fields have been
opened and beautiful stones Of wide range
Of color produced The turquoise mines of
New Mexico have continued their develop
ment, and new fields have been opened in
Nevada. The production OF turquoise fell
off slightly between 1857 and 1898. but prom
ises to more than recover this year. There
have been finds of magnificent green tour
maline at Paris Hill. Maine, and Dams Neck,
Connecticut. The total value of the gem
output of the United States for 1898, cover
ing forty varieties. was si60.920. Among the
most important were sapphires, S55,
quartz crystal, $1,000, and turquoise, $4,000.
Mrs. Rich is to be surrendered to the Mex
ican authorities, to be tried for the murder
of her husband. For days past kilograms
and letters have been coming to the Presi-
dent and Secretary Hay, some alomst hys-
terical in the strength OF their protests
against the extradition of the woman. 1t has
| been represented that she is insane; that
there are impending physical obstacles; that
she is innocent Of the crime charged against
her. and finally that it would be an act of
the mercy of Mexican law and officialism.
All of these considerations have been
weighed. and it has been decided that unless
Mrs. Rich is surrendered there can be no
hope of securing the surrender to our off,
and criminals who punder on our side OF
the line and retreat into Mexico, so the
precedent will be established.
In accordance with instructions from the
postmaster general, a circular letter has
been sent to postmasters of the first and
second classes directing that whenever ac-
ton is contemplated looking to the removal
of a sailor or soldier of the civil or Spanish
war all the facts in the case are to be
communicated to Washington before action
Is taken. This Is in accordance with the
| direction of the President.
First Assistant Postmaster General Heath
to-day announced his decision sustain
| ing the previous action in the case OF
Superintendent Robert J. Lusk, of Station
G." of the New York city postoffice, whose
reduction to an ordinary separator's place
at 600 was made civcil-service issue by
the Civil-service Reform League. The de-
cision has important general bearing.
Mr.. Heath holds that, after investigation,
the department finds nothing in the civil
| service rules relative to reductions. except
| that. they cannot be based on political or
religious opinions or affiliations. In the abb
sence of any rules the department has de-
cded that changes in rank or compensation
Of any persons within the classified service
| is within the discretion of the head of the
department. subject to this political or re-
| ligious limitation. Section of Civil-service
Rule III is held to clearly imply that a re-
duction in compensation or rank is not a
REMOVAL as contemplated by the rules,
and that all required of the appointing off,
Ger is to state upon his record the reasons
for such changes. and he is not required to
| furnish the individual a statement and op-
| portunity to answer.
Joaquin Yela, jr., charge d'aff; ad
| interim Of Guatemala, to-day wired AS
| sociated Press that he had just received the
| following official cablegram. dated July 13.
| from his home government: Peace and
perfect tranquility prevail all over the
country"