Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 October 1885 — WASHINGTON. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON.

The Postmaster General has decided that guarantee associations cannot go on bonds for postmasters. The reason given for this decision is that it is frequently necessary for the sureties of a postmaster to take charge of the office, and as guarantee associations have not agents in all places, they could not in all cases take charge of the offices when necessary During the first two months of the current fiscal year the internal revenue receipts show a falling oft’ of $1,146,327 as compared with the first two months of the preceding fiscal year. In nearly all items the receipts show an increase, but in the tax on spirits distilled from grain there is a falling off of $1,631,894. There is a small gain in fruit spirits, and the net gain in cigars and tobacco is $220,911, aud in fermented liquors, including taxes, the gain is $237,599.... .A Washington special says: Bishop Ireland, of Minnesota, has been here fqj.a few days. Ho made some interesting statements in relation to the Catholic university to be established in this city. In reply to the question how much money there was on hand for the project, he said: “Six hundred thousand dollars, half of which was received through one gift and the rest through voluntary subscriptions. One gentleman from New York subscribed $5,000 to-day, and not a dollar has been begged. The work of solicitation has not yettbeen begun, but I have no doubt we shall have $1,000,000 by the first of the year. It is the intention of the directors to proceed at once with the erection of one wing.” A Treasury agent just returned from an inspection of custom-houses says the one in Chicago is in the worst condition of any. He recommends that the use of electric light in lighting it be abolished on account of expense, and that gas be used instead.