The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-12-30

debt of about seven OF eight millions of dol
lars.
The New Mexican Legislature has been or
ganized this month with Republicans as the
presiding officers of both branches.
The extent of the Alaska purchase is esti-
mated at 369 $4,000 acres. The price paid
was $1,000 900, or slight fraction less than
two cents per acre.
The sacramento Bee, 7th inst, says: 1.-THE
small pox epidemic is spreading over the Pa
ciic States and Territories; and it is increas |
ing everywhere, while there is not one spot |
mentioned in which it is decreasing. In San /
Francisco, last week, the deaths from it were |
double those of any other week, since its first |
appearance there, now full six months ago"
The Chicago Republican, commenting upon |
the proceedings of the Seymour vigilance |
committee declares that "the criminal laws of |
Indiana are disgrace to the statute books. |
No criminal, who has money enough to en- |
ploy an INSCRIPTIONS lawyer, can ever be con-
victed."
There are now supposed to be 100000 Free
Masons in the world, 1000 of whom are in
the United States.
George Peabody's donations for various pur-
poses amount to more than $10,OOOOOO.
The Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal
church have addressed letter to Gen. Grant
congratulating him on his election.
funny incident happened in church in
Kingston, N. Y, a few Sundays ago. Owing
to the absence of the minister lay member Of
| the congregation was invited to read sermon
at the morning service, which he did very ac-
A. To- Al 80
clergyman from neighboring place occupied
| the pulpit and preached sermon. Oddly
| enough, it happened to be the identical sermon
which the lay member had read in the morn
| ing The congregation was thus enabled to
compare two different styles of delivery.
| A Washington dispatch says there is good
authority for the statement that Hon. +. b.
| Washburne will not accept position in Gen.
| Grants Cabinet Mr.. Washburne's health is
such as TO require the most scientific medical
| treatment which he proposes to seek in Paris
| the coming spring.
| Attorney General Eyarts is doubtful wheth-
er the Presidents latest amnesty proclama-
| ton will interfere with the cases of treason
now pending in court, like that of JEFF Davis.
| 1t is authoritatively cOntradicted from
|
wish for the repeal of the tenure of office act.
Mr.. Senator Sumner, who was expected to
be present at the opening of the winters fes-
tivities in Washington has not made his APP
| pearance.
1t is understood that President johnson in
his recent amnesty proclamation did not in
tend to relieve Arnold, Mudd, Spangler, and
other prisoners confined for completely in the
assassinati on of President Lincoln of the PEN
| atty of their crimes.
| The Richmond Wing says influences are at
work among the highest Virginia circles to or
ganze measures for the ending of sectional
ton, and for the settlement OF any national de-
| Mand that may be made upon the Southern
people.
| 1t is stated that the basis of the discussions
| of the Paris conference is the autonomy OF
| Crete, the suspension of the energetic mea-
| sures enuRciated in the Sultans ultimatum,
and agreement to support the Just demands of
! Turkey. 1t ia confidently asserted that the
Porte opposes the holding of the conference.
| Before the Lyceum of Natural History in
New York Monday evening the announcement
was made of the discovery of metallic hydro
| gen by Prof. Graham of London. The dis
! covery was pronounced'one of the most impor-
| tant of this century. Parker Gilmore of the
! British army also presented some interesting
| observations on forest culture.
The Chicago Times, noticing Mr.. Fisk's re-
| ply to Parton, says, "there is something rotten
in Denmark when Cambridge dares to advo-
cate drinking" and adds, with charming
naivete, that it should not be surprised to see
Massachusetts go Democratic at the next cleo
ton.
General Grant says he Is So much of radi-
cal that he will tear up whiskey, railroad and
other "ripgs" by the roots if he has to fill eve
| ry civil Office in the country with army and
navy regular officers whom he can rely on for
an honest an faithful discharge OF duties. The
President is contemplating retiring all the old
-vcaaAss-nz1ar sis
accordance with section IL of the law approved
July Is, 1862, which says whenever an officer
shall have served forty-fve years, or shall be
of the age of sixty two years, the President
| can retire him from active service.
The advocates of woman suffrage will hold
a national convention at Washington JAN 10,
in which it is expected that Mrs Stanton, Luz
cy Stone, and other leading advocates will
participate.
Congressman Breck, of Kentucky, has tele-
graphed Gen. Breckenridge, now in Canada,
to return at once to the United States. Jacob
Thompson, James NJ. Mason, and Gen. Early
are expected to return at the same time.
On and after January /, 1869, a Cunard
steamer, carrying passengers and mails will
leave Queenstown, ireland, every Wednesday
for Boston. The weekly mail service will
be by three steamers, which will sail every
Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday-two be-
ing of the Cunard and one of the Inman line.
One of the Cunard line comes to Boston, as
above stated, and the others to New York.
The new postal convention between the Uni
ted States and Canada goes into effect on the
first day of January (next friday, and the
rate of registered letters reduced from 20 to Is
cents.
1t is anticipated that the system of ocean
penny postage will be in operation between
this country and Europe before the close of the
year 1869.
Denmark insists that the United States
have gone too far in the st. Thomas negotia-
tions to back out.
Col. Phillip r. Forney, son OF John
W. Eorney, engaged in dispute
with an army officer in front of Wizards Ho,
tel on Friday evening, and mutual friend
| suggested an adjournment to Lincoln Bar
racks. Thither they went, seconds were
chosen, pistols prepared and shots exchanged
and the party returned to the city not much
harmed. President Lincoln appointed young
Forney to a position in the regular army but
he resigned some time ago and was made
a clerk in the Agricultural Department.
| 1t is said that Mason. Slidell, Wigfall, Judah
| z. Benjamin and John G. Breckenridge tele-
| graphed anxious inquiries respecting the ex-
act terms of Mr.. Johnson's amnesty proclama-
| ton.
1t is expected that the President will send
| his veto of the Southern States militia bill to
| the House Immediately on the re-assembling
Of Congress on the fifth day of January. 1t
is said the veto will take ground that as the
| people have the right to bear arms, Congress
has no authori ty on the subject
An attempt was made ON the 26th to as
sasinate General Mckee, Representative elect
from tie fourth Mississippi Congressional dis
trict.
The Gospel Banner says that Miss Olympia
Brown of the Universalst church in Wey.
mouth, Mass, is about to be married and adds;
Perhaps this is the result of the recent saving
Of George Francis Train, that We need more
Olympia Browns"