, 1876-03-02

merrlment. de hoped they would view
the matter with solemnity. The reso-
luton of the examining committee was
unananimously adopted.
Feb. 26.-Gold closed at IA.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-The Examin-
alton of Gen. Miller, President of the
Alaska Commercial Company, by the
Sub Committee of the committee
on ways and means, was concluded yes.
terday. The questions asked by chair
man Fernando Wood were particularly
directed towards the manner in which
/ the lease of seal islands had been award.
ed. The point of the investigation
turns upon this special inquiry. inas-
much as there appears to be no direct
evidence to show that the obligations
under the lease have not been fulfilled.
General Miller claimed that the com.
pany had not only fulfilled its obliga-
tions, but had done more in the interests
of the Government and natives than is
strictly required by contract: He call
| ed the attention of the committee to the
fact that the Secretary of the Treasury
had power to annul the lease of the
company if it failed to comply with its
conditions, and said therefore it was not
only the desire. but also, the policy of
the company to deal with the governs
ment honestly. That pamphlet which
was sent to the Government in General
Howard's report was a repetition of edi-
torials from paper which had always
been hostile to the company, and every
line of it contained a falsehood. 1t was
issued in a secret manner, and signed
by some person who purports to be
secretary of an association which could
not be found to be existing; that Gen
Howard did not visit the seal islands
! but picked up this pamphlet year after
it had been in circulation and forwarded
it to Washington, without vouching for
its correctness. He claims that the
ccmpany's bid was $4,000 more than
the bid of these parties, and that the
government received $685. more per
annum than was required by act of
Congress, and that the income Of the
government from this source is about
1926, 900 per annum. 1t costs the COM
pany six dollars to put seal skin on
the London market, while they would
only sell tor five dollars when the lease
was taken. The company has raised
the value of skins by close attention to
business, and, by making seal fur popu
lar. Gen. Miller, having answered fully
and satisfactorily all questions put by
the committee, will return to San Fran
cisco. Tomorrow Senator Boutwell,
will be the next witness called.
Postal changes in Washington Terri-
tory. Named and site changed. Black
River, King county. to Renton. and E.
NJ. Smithers appointed Postmaster;
established, Oak Harbor, Island county,
John NJ. Gillespie. Postmaster.
|, SAN Francisco, Feb. 26.-Arrived
steamer China, Yokohama; sailed, bark
Oregon, Seabeck; bark Avo Giuseppe,
Burrard Inlet; steamer Oriflamme, As
toria; ship Grace Darling. Nanaimo !;
steamer City of Panama. Victoria and
Port Townsend.
CHICAGO, Feb. 27.--The Journals 8
Washington special says: The Governs
ment to influence the National Republi-
can Committee to change place of hold
ing National Convention from Cincir-
natl to Chicago is beginning to assume
formidable appearance.
LONDON, Feb. 26.--Robert Waroson
Boyd has completed negotiations for
the four cared boat crew to go to Amer
lea the coming regatta season. Boyd
has challenged any crew in England to
row over the champion course, on the
Thames or Lyme. if their challenge is
not accepted he will assume the title
Champion; the four will then proceed
as the representative English crew.
NEW YORK, Feb. 2S.--The women
here-abouts are going among the en-
ployers 10 have them pay their work
men on Mondays instead of Saturdays.
in order to lessen Saturday night and
Sunday drunkenness.
CINCINNATI, 29.-It is estimated on
reliable Information that the loss by the
burning of the steamer Mary Bell at
Vicksburg, yesterday, will reach over
half million dollars. She had large
number of passengers with valuable
baggage.
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 2S.-A terrible wind
storm, amounting almost to tornado,
struck the northern part of st. Charles.
Missouri. yesterday afternoon, demol-
ishing or badly injuring twenty or more
buildings. The county Jail was unroof-
ed, and the walls blown down, leaving
the iron cells exposed. The Concert
Hall, St. Charles Savings Bank, Gas
Works, and Piper's Agricultural Ware
house were totally destroyed; the First
National Bank was damaged to such an
extent that it will have to be pulled
down. The storm went in the direction
of Portage De Sioux, and is said to lave
DESTROYED several farm houses, injuring
a number of persons.
CINCINNATI, Feb. 28.--A report Of
the tornado, from Princeton, Indiana,
states that eight persons were danger
ously injured, four of whom are not ex-
pected to recover, and over fifty houses
totally demolished, and about fifty more