Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-13

Delano lett for Mt. vernon, Ohio, last evening,
to attend the funeral of Hon. Rollin g. Hurd,
father of Mrs. John s. Delano) who died at
that place yesterday, after long and painful
illness.
NAVAL OSDERs.-Capt. John g. Febiger has
been detached from command of the Omaha
and placed on waiting ord ers Mate Joseph
Reid has been detached from the Boston navy
yard and ordered to the Gettysburg; Mate VIM.
l.. Gilley detached from the Gettysburg and or
deTed TO the Boston maynard.
Mr.. Jos. WILLIAMS, president of the Board
of Fire Commissioners, was before the House
Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds
to- day, advocating appropriation of $4,000
to aid in the construction of a new fre-alarm
telegraph. The subject was referred to a sub
committee, who were ordered to examine into
II and report at subsequent meeting.
The MORTALITY in the Executive Depart
ments OF the government is evidently small.
This morning Postmaster General Creswen was
asked by the House APPROPRIATION Committee
"HOw many clerks fell off last wear below the
maximum provided by law )" to which he replied
''none fell OFF save those the Lord took oil, ami
they were precious few"
TIE WELLS HAT-BODY PATENT CASE was
before the Senate Committee on Patents again
to-day. Mr.. Henry F. French of Boston, de-
hvered an argument in behalf of the remon
strants, and Mr.. f. y. Dickerson of New York
replied for the petitioner. The parties were
given two weeks in which to file papers relating
~ the case.
THE Senate Commmittee on Public Buildings
and Grounds met to-day especially for the pur-
pose OF hearing parties who feel aggrieved by
the alleged short comings of the Washington
Gas Light Company. The officers of the com
pany were present, but as no one appeared to
testify against the company the committee
AFTER uansacting some miscellaneous business
adjourned.
SPECIAL MAIL TRAINS RECOMMENDED
Postmaster General Creswell was before the
House Committee on Appropriations this morn
ing. advocating the establishment on all the
railroads OF the United States of a special mai
train, 10 be run at high rate of speed, for the
sole p1NDe 9 transmitting mail matter. The
system 10 amends lie somewhat similar to
that now prss0eed in Europe.
GIRLS REFORM SCHooL.-The board of trus-
tees of the Girls Reform School and their
friends had hearing to-day before the House
Committee Oh Public Buildings and Grounds
Mrs. Sara j. Spencer, Hon. A. q. Riddle, and
MIR. VIM X. Lincoln, of Baltimore, presented
powerful arguments in behalf OF Congress ional
aid for this cause, and so impressed the com
mittee that they fastened to assure them of
their intention to leave effort untried to Sc
cure for them what they asked
The PRESIDENTS FUTURE HoME-Presi-
| dent Grant has recently purchased a lot of
/ ground containing nearly 1900 square feet
Il anu WHICH IEOnS the Circle at the intersection
| OF and 18th streets and Vermont and Rhode
/ Island avenues, and extends l33 feet along the
| latter and 143 feet along the former avenue
| The price paid $50 per square foot
amounting TO so, $3.50. On this lot the Presi-
dent proposes TO erect fine residence, in which
/ to make his home when he retires from the
/ Presidency.
| LANDS FOR THE MKNNoNITEs.-The Senate
| Committee on Public Lands met to-day ami
considered Mr.. Cameron's resolution, setting
apart certain public lands for a colony of 80, 900
1 MenDonites, who propose to emigrate TO this
/ country from Russia. MIR. Cameron with dele
| cation of four OF the sect, from PENNSYLVANIA
| appeared before the committee in behalf of this
| resolution. The committee took no final action
but are disposed to regard the proposition with
4 favor. The Mennonites belong to the religions
denomination OF Friends and hence are opposed
10 bearing arms, and IN consequence of their
| refusal TO do military duty the Ozar of Russia
Aas given them until 1851 to leave his dominions
| The GOAT ISLAND TRKAsURR.-The Senate
Committee on Public Lands to-day heart Mrs
| L. G. Curtis one of the signers OF the petition
printed in THE STAR of yesterday. praying per
mission to dig hole i'll the ground on Goat
island, in San Francisco bay. She said the
mineral deposit the petitioners expect to find il
| gold, which, she said, the petitioners believe
| from evidence IN their possession is buried in
great quantities at the point Indicated. She
was referred to the Secretary of War to obtain
the req uisite permission. Many persons heIiaye
mat the petition Is the result Of so-called spir-
| ltual communication.
CONTRACTS PoR PAPER.-The Joint Com
mittee on Public Printing having examined the
proposals for the supply of paper which was
| called for by advertisement, yesterday made
| the awards, and authorized the public printer
TO enter into contracts with the parties desig-
mated tor one year. John A. Shober, of Ian
| caster, Pa, received the largest contract for
25 600 reams, "A by IS inches, weighing 45 pounds
| TO the ream OF 500 sheets, at 11.37 cents per
| pound. George Hill, jr., OF Georgetown, re-
sci rod q RnnfW nRf for x Gafe HA
| class at 1lH cents per pound. Smaller con-
tracts were awarded other parties.
CHANGE OF STATIONS OF QuARrRRMAsrERs.
on the recommendation of the Quartermaster
Seneral the following changes in the stations
anu duties OF officers Of the Quartermaster's
| uePaitment are made: Major y. j. Dana.
general, depsrtm S report o 70 the commanding
ment, TO relieve Major @. Chandler OF his dufies
IN that department. Major Chandler win report
| department OF Arizona, relieving Captain A
| Y. Rockwell, who on being relieved viii report
to the DEPARTMENT commander for assignment
Captain VIM. ID. Hughes is relieved from duty
/ in the department OF California. and will re-
| port TO the commanding general, department. or
| California.
| THE "CUTTISG Down" PRooEss.-Commis-
soner Watts, of the Agricultural department
added his testimony to every other bureau
| officer who has been Interrogated by the House
APPROPRIATIONS Committee, as to reducing the
force. He says: Gentlemen, IL Ia simply i'm
possible for me to revise my estimates for cier-
/ ical labor. want two hundred thousand dol
/ Iars more than have asked for.n The COM
mistee have, 1t 10 said, concluded to seek no
/ ngnt hereafter from the heads Of departments
4 anu bureaus In reference to the cutting down of
cleiicai estimates, a. all attest that it IL impos-
| npie except Mr.. Ella, Who IL willing to part with
1 one temsie copyist- Toe committee propose 70
So sn s; ana cut down, and "let the CALLED