The Portland daily press., 1869-03-20
The News.

The Tribune says that ex-Secretary Stanton
could have had any office under the new ad-
ministration that he desired, but that his
health and vgor were so much impaired by
his arduous labors in the War Department
that he assured his friends that he would not
under any circumstances accept office.
During the past twelve months the French
Custom House returns show that 100000
francs worth of velocipedes have been export
ed. Surely the world is suffering from veIoci-
pede ON the brain.
Andrew johnson intended to remain in
Washington till the close of the debate on the
tenure-of-ofice act but hearing that Garrett
Davis, of Kentucky, would speak, left Wash
ington by the next train.
A Boston dispatch says that contributions
to the National Peace Musical Festival in
June are being made with great liberality and
its success on that point is already secured.
Among the latest contributors are Josiah
Bardwell, $1,000; the Boston & Albany Rail-
road Corporation $4,000, and large number of
individual subscriptions in sums of $500 and
$1,000 each. Hon. Alex. Fl. Rice is chairman
of the Executive Committee and Eben O. Jor-
dan, Treasurer.
Mr.. Dana, of the New York Sun, is one of
the innumerable candidates for Collector of
New York
1t is said that the Senate Committee on Com
merce, having considered the nomination OF
Longstreet to be Surveyor of the Port of New
Orleans, is decidedly opposed to his confirma-
alton, and will report the nomination back to
the Senate for that body to take such action in
the premises as it deems proper.
Gov. Hartman, of New Hampshire, feels
sure of being Consul General to Canada
Mrs. Grant has given her personal supervis-
ion to the refurnishing of the White House,
She was warmly attached to the residence she
has just left; and she remarked few DAYS
since that she should 60 to the White House
with reluctance. She proceeded to remark =
81 intend to make Mr.. Grant comfortable
there, and shall no doubt soon feel at home. 1
am told that it has been economy to have the
Commissioner of Public Buildings superintend
the household to a considerable extent but
don't desire to have any gentleman do that for
me- Fshall also engage the steward and SER
wants, and as the stewards salary is paid from
the treasury, l shall exercise great care in Sc
lecting him-as, under the tenure of Office act
1 shall not be able to get rid of him.
The death of Capt Armstrong, of the emil
grant ship Jamss Foster, Jr., is said to have
been occasiouedby remorse at the newspaper
accounts of the cruelties practiced on his yes
sci.
Dumas, ST., and Dumas, Jr., are on friendly
terms and often write to each other, but they
seldom meet Each speaks of the other as the
second great French romancist, himself being
first There appears to be not more than ten
years difference in their ages. The younger
Dumas could pay his fathers debts and still be
wealthy.
The next public debt statement will show
the condition of the Treasury books at the
close of business ON the 31st inst, instead of
being withheld for several days, as formerly, to
await returns from New York and other i'm
portant points. This is radical and impor-
tant change, and'it is thought it will commend
itself to business men generally.
1t is now thought that Congress will adjourn
next Friday, as proposed by the House resolu-
ton
Rumor says that Attorney General Hoar is
dissatisfied with his position, and will return
to Massachusetts, before great while.
( A small boat, containing twelve boxes of nj
tro glycerine was discovered under wharf
at the foot of Whitehall street, New York, on
Thursday, enough, it is said, to blow the lower
portion of that city and Brooklyn to atoms.-
The stuff was taken beyond the city limits by
the harbor police.
President Lopez, of Paraguay, had collected
an army of four thousand Paraguayans and
was fortifying Grasse, a town in the interior.
VIM A. Richardson was nominated for As
sstant Secretary of the Treasury Thursday
the only nomination made.