Capital News

FEOM NATIONAL HEADQUAETERS. WASniNGTON, Aug. 31.- Consul Stevens ot Victoria, B. C. , in his report to the State Department says there are oyer twenty vessels, valued at about $120,000 and employing 4Ö0 men, engaged in hunting fur seaï. Washington, Sept. 2.- Itis reported that the wheat erop of the United States this year amounts co nearly 500,01X1, (XX) bushels. Upon this basis it is estimated that the country'a wheat surplus fqr export this yar will be 135, 000,000 bushéls, against the export of 94,M20,000 bushels last year. Washington, Sept 2.- A petition signed by nearly 10,000 railway brakmen haa been received by the Inter-State Commerce Commissioners asking them to take steps to secure the adoption of automatic brakes and oouplers on the railways of the country. Washington, Sept. 2.- Postmaster-General Wanamaker has a plan tor portal telegraphy whicb contemplatea the delivery of messages through the post office. Deer Park. Md.. Sent. 2. -The foüowing appointments were issued Saturday trom the emnmer Executive quarters: John C. Watson, of Nebraska, Attorney for Alaska; Edward MÏtchell, of New York, Attorney Southern district of New York ; Willis Vandevanter, of Wyoming, Chief Justice; Wheelock G. Veazey, of Yermont, Interstate Commerce Coramissioner. Deer Park, Md., Sept. 3.- The Tresident Monday received a dispatch fróm ex-CongreBsman John R. Thomas declining to accept the positron of United States CommisBioner on the Venezuelan mixed claims commission. The place was at once tendered to ex-Congressman John Little, of Ohio, who has accepted it Señor De Andrade has been appointed as Venezuelan member of the commission in place of the former appointee. Washington, Sept. 3.- The annoancement is made that Representatives of the State of Virginia will push a claim for 0120,000 borrowed by General Washington from that State to build the White House, which was never repaid. The request will be made that the Bum be appropriated to the construction of a National highway from Washington to Mount Vernon. Washington, Sept 3. - The public debt statement issued trom the Treasury Department shows an increase of the debt during the month of $(5,070,(193. During July past the increase in the debt amounted to $1,017,311, ihus making the increase In the the debt for the two months oí the current fiscal year, $7,094,003. The bonded indebtedness has been reduced tlü,3SO,000 during the past month and now amounts to J873,-:)78,3lJi The net cash or surplus In the Treasury amerante to $43,489,909, or $22,:7,180 less than a month ago. Washington, Sept. 3.- The War Department has ordered the abandonment of the military posts at Fort Laramie, Wy. T., Fort HayeB, Kan , and Fort Eyon, Col.