14, 16, 25, ante, pp. news agents, shall, on and after July first, eighteen hundred and 246, 247, 249. 1884, June 9, ch. eighty-five, be entitled to transmission through the mails at one cent a pound or a fraction thereof, such postage to be prepaid as now provided by law. 73, ante, p. 438. Items in newspapers may be marked. R. S., § 3887. And any article or item in any newspaper or other publication may be marked for observation, except by written or printed words, without increase of postage. * * 1879, March 3, ch. 180, §§ 22, 23, ante, p. 248. 1888, Jan. 20, ch. 2, post, p. 577. for, &c. 1886, Aug. 4, ch. 901, post, p. 511. 1889, Jan. 16, ch. 50, post, p. 638. Special delivery SEC. 3. That a special stamp of the face valuation of ten cents may of letters; stamps be provided and issued, whenever deemed advisable or expedient, in such form and bearing such device as may meet the approval of the Postmaster-General, which, when attached to a letter, in addition to the lawful postage thereon, the delivery of which is to be at a free delivery office, or at any city, town, or village containing a population of four thousand or over, according to the Federal census, shall be regarded as entitling such letter to immediate delivery within the carrier limit of any free delivery office which may designated by the Postmaster-General as a special delivery office, or within one mile of the post office at any other office coming within the provisions of this section which may in like manner be designated as a special delivery office. - hours of deliv ery to be from 7 a.m. to midnight. Employment of persons to deliver ters. SEC. 4. That such specially stamped letters shall be delivered from seven o'clock ante meridian up to twelve o'clock midnight at offices designated by the Postmaster-General under section three of this act. SEC. 5. That to provide for the immediate delivery of letters bearspecial-stamp let- ing the special stamp, the postmaster at any office which may come within the provisions of this act may, with the approval of the Postmaster-General, employ such person or persons as may actually be required for such service, who, upon the delivery of such letter, will procure a receipt from the party addressed, or some one authorized to receive it, in a book to be furnished for the purpose, which shall, when not in use, be kept in the post-office, and at all times subject to examination by an inspector of the Department. Compensation of persons employed to make deliveries. SEC. 6. That to provide for the payment of such persons as may be employed for this service, the postmaster at any office designated by section three of this act shall keep a record of the number of letters received at such office bearing such special stamp, which number shall correspond with the number entered in the receipt books heretofore specified; and at the end of each month he may pay to such person or persons employed a sum not exceeding eighty per centum of the face value of all such stamps received and recorded during that month: Provided, That in no case shall the compensation so paid to any one person exceed thirty dollars per month: And provided further, That nothing in this act shall in any way interfere with the prompt delivery of letters as now provided by law or regulation of the Post Office Department. [March 3, 1885.] March 3, 1885. 23 Stat. L., 404. CHAP. 343.-An act making appropriations for the legislative, executive, and judicial expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and eighty-six, and for other purposes. Pay of officers at. Be it enacted, &c., R. S., SS 3153 * * Hereafter storekeepers, or storekeepers small distilleries, and gaugers, who are assigned to distilleries whose registered capac3157. 1879, June ity is twenty bushels or less, shall receive two dollars per day for 21, ch. 34, §2,ante, their services; p. 267. Limit of number And no collector in any district shall recommend, nor shall there of revenue officers. be appointed or commissioned, more deputy collectors, storekeepers, storekeepers and gaugers, gaugers, inspectors, or other officers, or allowed to remain in commission more of any of said officers, at any one time, than fifteen per centum in excess of the number actually engaged in performing duty at the time and indispensably necessary for the performance of said duty: R. S., 3148, 3151, 3154, 3156. Provided further, That the compensation of the chief of the inter- Compensation of nal-revenue agents shall not cxceed ten dollars per day, and of the internal revenue other agents not exceeding seven dollars per day each; and for per agents limited. diem in lieu of subsistence, while traveling on duty, said agents shall R. S., § 3152. receive at a rate to be fixed by the Secretary of the Treasury, not ch. 125, § 2, ante, exceeding three dollars per day. [March 3, 1885.] * * 1879, March 1, p. 223. CHAP. 350.-An act to amend section fifteen hundred and fifty-six of the Revised Statutes, giving longevity pay to certain officers of the Navy. March 3, 1885. 23 Stat. L. 436. Passed assistant Be it enacted, &c., That from and after the passage of this act the passed assistant engineers of the Navy shall receive during the third engineers of Navy five years after the date from which they take rank as passed (first) to have increased assistants, when at sea, two thousand four hundred and fifty dollars; R. S., § 1556. on shore duty, two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars; on leave 1874, Feb. 24, or waiting orders, one thousand nine hundred dollars. During and ch. 35, ante, p. 4. after the fourth five years from such date, when at sea, two thousand seven hundred dollars; on shore duty, two thousand three hundred and fifty dollars; on leave or waiting orders, one thousand nine hundred and fifty dollars. And section fifteen hundred and fifty-six of the Revised Statutes is hereby amended accordingly. [March 3, 1885.] CHAP. 353.—An act amending section seven hundred and sixty-four of the Revised Statutes. Be it enacted, &c., That section seven hundred and sixty-four of the Revised Statutes be amended so that the same shall read as follows: March 3, 1885. 23 Stat. L., 437. Appeals to Supreme Court in habeas corpus cases. Substitute for "From the final decision of such circuit court an appeal may be taken to the Supreme Court in the cases described in the preceding R. S., § 764. section". [March 3, 1885.] R. S., § 763. 1891, Mar. 3, ch. 517, post, p. 901. 114 U. S., 564. 117 U. S., 241. 119 U. S., 586. 121 U. S., 89. CHAP. 355.—An act regulating appeals from the supreme court of the District of Columbia and the supreme courts of the several Territories. Be it enacted, &c., That no appeal or writ of error shall hereafter be allowed from any judgment or decree in any suit at law or in equity in the supreme court of the District of Columbia, or in the supreme court of any of the Territories of the United States, unless the matter in dispute, exclusive of costs, shall exceed the sum of five thousand dollars. 1891, March 3, ch. 517, § 15, post, p.905. SEC 2. That the preceding section shall not apply to any case wherein is involved the validity of any patent or copy-right, or in which is drawn in question the validity of a treaty or statute of or an authority exercised under the United States; but in all such cases an appeal or writ of error may be brought without regard to the sum or value in dispute. [March 3, 1885.] March 3, 1885. 23 Stat. L., 443. Appeals, &c., from D. C. and Territories only when amount ex- except where patent, copy-right, or treaty, is involved. 130 U. S., 210. 137 U. S., 280. March 3, 1885. 23 Stat. L., 478. Details from Revenue Marine Cost of survey * * CHAP. 360,-An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and eighty-six, and for other purposes. Be it enacted, &c. [Par. 1.] The Secretary of the Treasury for Fish Commis- is authorized to detail from time to time for duty under the Commission. R. S., & sioner of Fish and Fisheries any officers and men of the Revenue 2747-2765, 4396. Marine Service whose services can be spared for such duty. * * 1888, Jan. 20, ch. 1, post, p. 577. [Par. 2.] That hereafter in all cases of the survey of private land of private land claims the cost of the same shall be refunded to the Treasury by the claim to be re- owner before the delivery of the patent. funded. R. S., § 2400; 1875, March 3, ch. 130, par. 10, ante, p. 73; 1876, July 31, ch. 246, par. 1, ante, p. 115; 1891, March 3, ch. 539, § 10, post, p. 921. Tests of iron, * [Par. 3.] Testing-machine, Watertown Arsenal; * Provided, steel, &c., to be That hereafter the tests of iron and steel and other materials for reported to Con- industrial purposes shall be continued, and report thereof shall be made to Congress: gress. Signal Service * * And provided further, That in making tests for private citizens the officer in charge may require payment in advance, and may use the funds so received in making such private tests, making full report thereof to the Chief of Ordnance; And the Chief of Ordnance shall give attention to such programme of tests as may be submitted by the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the record of such tests shall be furnished said society, to be by them published at their own expense. * * * [Par. 4.] Signal Service: * Hereafter the work of no other not to duplicate Department, Bureau, or Commission authorized by law shall be R. S., §§ 222, 223, duplicated by this Bureau. work, &c. * * 1195, 1196. 1882, Aug. 7, ch. 433, par. 7, ante, p. 380. 1890, Oct. 1, ch. 1266, post, p. 879. Annual report [Par. 5.] And hereafter there shall annually be submitted to the by managers of Secretary of War a detailed statement of the expenses of the Board Volunteer Sol of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, R. S,, § 4825. who shall submit the same to Congress at the beginning of each 1875, March 3, session thereof. *[March 3, 1885.] diers' Home. ch. 129, par. 6, and note, ante, p. 71. * Jan. 6, 1885. 23 Stat. L., 516. Per diem em Government to re RESOLUTIONS. NUMBER 5.--Joint resolution providing for the payment of laborers in Government employ for certain holidays. Resolved, &c., That the employees of the Navy Yard, Government ployé s of the Printing Office, Bureau of Printing and Engraving, and all other ceive pay for cer- per diem employees of the Government on duty at Washington, or tain holidays. elsewhere in the United States, shall be allowed the following holi1879, Jan. 31, days, to wit: The first day of January, the twenty-second day of ch. 38, and note, February, the fourth day of July, the twenty-fifth day of December, ante, p. 210. and such days as may be designated by the President as days for 1886, June 30, national thanksgiving, and shall receive the same pay as on other ch. 572, post, P days. [January 6, 1885.] 499. 1888, Aug. 1, ch. 722, post, p. 600. March 3, 1885. 23 Stat. L., 520. NUMBER 19.—Joint resolution to provide for printing the annual reports of the Smithsonian Reports of Resolved, &c., That the annual reports of the Smithsonian InstiSmithsonian In- tution shall be hereafter printed at the Government Printing Office, stitution to be in the same manner as the annual reports of the heads of Departprinted at Government Printing ments are now printed, for submission in print to the two Houses of Congress. [March 3, 1885.] Office. R. S., SS 3798, 5579-5594. 1874, June 23, ch. 455, par. 1, and notes, ante, pp. 41, 42. 1884, July 7, ch. 332, par. 8, ante, p. 469. FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS-FIRST SESSION IN THE YEAR 1886. January 19, 1886. 24 Stat. L., 1. In case of death, &c., of President and Vice-President, who to act as President. R. S.,§§ 146-151. CHAP. 4.-An act to provide for the performance of the duties of the office of President in case of the removal, death, resignation, or inability both of the President and Vice-President Be it enacted, &c., That in case of removal, death, resignation, or inability of both the President and Vice-President of the United States, the Secretary of State, or if there be none, or in case of his removal, death, resignation or inability, then the Secretary of the Treasury, or if there be none, or in case of his removal, death, resignation, or inability, then the Secretary of War, or if there be none, or in case of his removal, death, resignation, or inability, then the Attorney-General, or if there be none, or in case of his removal, death, resignation, or inability, then the Postmaster-General, or if there be none, or in case of his removal, death, resignation, or inability, then the Secretary of the Navy, or if there be none, or in case of his removal, death, resignation, or inability, then the Secretary of the Interior, shall act as President until the disability of the President or Vice-President is removed or a President shall be elected : Provided, That whenever the powers and duties of the office of Congress to President of the United States shall devolve upon any of the persons named herein, if Congress be not then in session, or if it would not meet in accordance with law within twenty days thereafter, it shall be the duty of the person upon whom said powers and duties shall devolve to issue a proclamation convening Congress in extraordinary session, giving twenty days' notice of the time of meeting. SEC. 2. That the preceding section shall only be held to describe and apply to such officers as shall have been appointed by the advice excluded in cerand consent of the Senate to the offices therein named, and such as are eligible to the office of President under the Constitution, and acting. not under impeachment by the House of Representatives of the United States at the time the powers and duties of the office shall devolve upon them respectively. SEC. 3. That sections one hundred and forty-six, one hundred and forty-seven, one hundred and forty-eight, one hundred and fortynine, and one hundred and fifty of the Revised Statutes are hereby repealed [January 19, 1886.] be convened. Officers named tain cases from so Repeal of R.S., SS 146-150. CHAP. 22.-An act to increase the pensions of widows and dependent relatives of deceased soldiers and sailors March 19, 1886. 24 Stat. L., 5. Pensions to wid ows, minors, and dependent rela Be it enacted, &c., That from and after the passage of this act the rate of pension for widows, minor children, and dependent relatives now on the pension-roll, or hereafter to be placed on the pension-roll, and entitled to receive a less rate than hereinafter provided, shall be $12 a month. twelve dollars per month; tives increased to 4695, 4702, 4703, 4707. And nothing herein shall be construed to affect the existing allowance of two dollars per month for each child under the age of sixteen years: 1878, March 9, ch. 28, ante, p. 154. 1888, June 7, ch. 369, post, p. 589. 1890, June 27, ch. 634 §§ 1, 3, post, pp. 760, 761. To apply only to Provided, That this act shall apply only to widows who were marwidows married ried to the deceased soldier or sailor prior to its passage and to those heretofore or dur- who may hereafter marry prior to or during the service of the soldier ing soldiers' service. or sailor. And all acts or parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed. Claim agents not SEC. 2. That no claim agent or attorney shall be recognized in the to receive compen- adjudication of claims under this act, nor shall any such person be entitled to receive any compensation whatever for services or pretended services in making applications thereunder. [March 19, 1886.] sation. March 29, 1886. 24 Stat. L., 8. Receiver of na tional bank may purchase property in which bank has equities. R. S., § 5234. 1876, June 30, ch. 156, ante, p. 1882, July 12, ch. 290, ante, p. 353. 107. CHAP. 28.-An act additional to an act entitled "An act to provide a national currency secured by a pledge of United States bonds, and to provide for the circulation and redemption thereof," passed June third, eighteen hundred and sixty-four. (1) Be it enacted, &c., That whenever the receiver of any (2) national bank duly appointed by the Comptroller of the Currency, and who shall have duly qualified and entered upon the discharge of his trust, shall find it in his opinion necessary, in order to fully protect and benefit his said trust, to the extent of any and all equities that such trust may have in any property, real or personal, by reason of any bond, mortgage, assignment, or other proper legal claim attaching thereto, and which said property is to be sold under any execution, decree of foreclosure, or proper order of any court of jurisdiction, he may certify the facts in the case, together with his opinion as to the value of the property to be sold, and the value of the equity his said trust may have in the same, to the Comptroller of the Currency, together with a request for the right and authority to use and employ so much of the money of said trust as may be necessary to purchase such property at such sale. Approval of SEC. 2. That such request, if approved by the Comptroller of the Comptroller and Currency, shall be, together with the certificate of facts in the case, Secretary of Treas- and his recommendation as to the amount of money which, in his ury required. judgment, should be so used and employed, submitted to the Secretary of the Treasury, and if the same shall likewise be approved by him, the request shall be by the Comptroller of the Currency allowed, and notice thereof, with copies of the request, certificate of facts, and indorsement of approvals, shall be filed with the Treasurer of the United States. Comptroller to therefor. SEC. 3. That whenever any such request shall be allowed as heredraw from funds inbefore provided, the said Comptroller of the Currency shall be, and is, empowered to draw upon and from such funds of any such trust as may be deposited with the Treasurer of the United States for the benefit of the bank in interest, to the amount as may be recommended and allowed and for the purpose for which such allowance was made: -to make pay- Provided, however, That all payments to be made for or on acments direct with count of the purchase of any such property and under any such approval of Secre- allowance shall be made by the Comptroller of the Currency direct, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, for such purpose only and in such manner as he may determine and order. March 29, 1886.] tary. NOTES. (1) The act of 1864 here referred to is incorporated into Revised Statutes, §§ 5133-5243. (2) For acts relating to national banks, see note to 1882, July 12, ch. 290, § 4, ante, p. 354. |