The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-07

rassments they were under in conduct
ing business in Nicaragua, owing prln-
cipally, to what they termed the ar
bitrary and extortionate actions of the
Nicaraguan officials" They CD onplair-
ed particularly against General Tor
res. 1t was asserted that Torres had
been removed as governor OF the Mos
quito country in 1894 upon the de-
mand of the American government, oW-
ing to his failure to punish the muir
derer, Aguello, and it was maintained
that his reinstatement now amounts to
a breach of the agreement on the part
Of Nicaragua. The delegation also told
of the oppressive action OF Torres III
demanding double payment Of duties
On imports, and referred to other ar
bitr9ry acts on the part of the gov
ernment. One of the purposes of their
visit was to secure the detail of d
United States warship for duty in the
vicinity of Bluefields, but the navy de-
partment anticipated their request in
this matter. Secretary Hay will COM
municate with United States Minister
Hunter respecting the matter.
A DECISION ON FLOATING COT
TON RATES.
The inster-state commerce commits
sion today in an opinion by Commits
sioner Prouty, decided the case agains-
the Kansas City, Memphis and Bir
ul1nSQdIn fIdllTOdO Company anu OH
ers, which mainly involved the prac-
tice Of floating cotton" The commits
sion finds that the essential ;rausporta-
ton feature is carrying the cotton TO a
compress, receiving it again in the
compressed state, and transporting IT
to its destination at the through rate
in force from the point of origin. The
question was whether the shipment is
to be considered through and entitled
to through rate, or as local and call
ing for application OF charges in effect
TO and from the compress point. The
commission hold, first, that the carrier
may, as part of a contract for through
shipment, allow the cotton to be stop
ped off for the purpose Of grading and
compression, but tnas the privilege en-
ters into and becomes part Of the Ser
vice covered by the rate, and should
be specified in published tariffs; sec
Ond, that the determinative feature II a
through shipment is the contract, and
if the cotton starts and proceeds upon
a contract for through shipment, as is
shown to be the fact in this case, it
may be considered as a through ship
ment and be given the benefit of a
: through rate.
NEW CIVIL SERVICE RULES.
Assistant Secretary Vanderlip has
issued new regulations governing the
civil service appointments, promotions
ana transfers IN the mlntS ana assay
offices of the United States. The posi-
tions are arranged under five general
schedules-Scientific clerical, mechani-
cal, trade or skilled, positions below
classification and another not yet pro-
mulgated. The scientific and clerical
positions will be filled after cOmpeti-
tive examinations, but without regis
trations, while the mechanical, trade OF
skilled positions will be filled after a
slight educational test, and registra-
tion examination. The education
all test will be letter writ
ing, arithmetic and plain copying. The
registration test will consist of rating
Il, persons according to age, character as
a workman, and range of experience
Physical qualifications will be also
considered. Credit will be given fol-
apprenticeship and work as journey
men. Graduates of technical schools
will be given credit in lieu of an ap-
premiership.