The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-05-10
WASHINGTON.



WASHINGTON, May "a despatch from Ad-
miral Worden dated Villa Francha, April 2;tb.
announces that the Trenton, his flagship, was
expected 10 sail for Smyrna in ten DAYS. He
transferred his flag from the Marion to the
Trenton the 18th of April. The Marion is sent
to Smyrna, Mandolin to Constantinople and
Alliance to the coast of Syria. The Prince of
Wales was received on board the Trenton the
10th of April.
Gen. Devens Not to Resign.
The New York Suns story that ATTORNEY
General Devens was to resign and accept the
ministry to Constantinople is untrue.
Reducing the Army.
The Secretary of War has issued an order di.
rectng that $500 enlisted men of the army be
discharged between this date and the 1st of
July IN order that retained pay and allowances
due them may be paid out of the appropriation
for the current fiscal year. Discharges were
made on account of the postponement of the
extra session of Congress- The amount re-
CURED to pay these men will be in the neigh-
borhood of 100000.
Official Modification of the European War,
Minister Shiskin called upon the Secretary
OF State this afternoon aud gave official Motif.
cation to the government of the United States
that state OF war exists between Russia and
turkey. Secretary Evarts will probably make
the usual formal reply in writing. 1t has not
yet been determined whether a neutrality pro-
clamation will be issued by our govern ment.
Marriage of Admiral Porser,s Dauuhter
The marriage ceremony of Lizzie Porter,
daughter of Admiral Porter and Lieut.. L. G.
Logan OF the navy, took place at the Epiphany
The church was crowded with guests, among
whom were Mrs. Hayes, Gen. Sherman and
several foreign ministers.
Important to Patent LAWYERS.
Secretary Schurz to-day rendered decision
OF importance TO patentees and patent lawyers
affirming the power of the Assistant Commits
sioner of Patents to hear and finally determine
cases under certain circumstances while the
commissioner is present in the city. Secretary
Schurz also refers to the decision of his prede-
cessor in the quadrupex telegraph case of Edi-
son vs.. PRESCOTT, as correctly holding that no
to review the decisions of the Commissioned of
Patents honestly made within his jurisdiction.
Adulferated Vinegar
At a recent investiga BY the board of health
has resulted in the seizure of over a thousand
6arre's OF vinegar, recently received here from
Chlcago, an analysis of a sample thereof made
Dy tne chemist OF the Agricultural Department
showed 1t contained "a 54-100 grains per gallon
OF anhydrous sulphuric acid combined with
lime to form sulphata of lime, equivalent to
III 26l00 grains of gypsum per gallon and
grains OF free sulphuric acid per gallon, A
small quantity of phosphate of lime was also
Secretary sherman's Policy.
Especial to the Boston JournaI.1
r, WASHINGTON, May 9.-Should Secretary
Sberman's visit to New York after the Centen.
NAL exercises be of the nature attributed to it
in inner financial circles, the result may be one
OF great Importance to the financial
world. Under the general legislation enacted
TO facilitate the restoration of specie PAYMENTS
the Secretary of the Treasury is given large
discretion. 1t is claimed that there are now
large stores of gold in this country out of use.
and that the holders would willingly exchange
1t for U. 5. four per cent. bonds. Should this
De found to be the fact, after conference with
prominent bankers in New York, it is onite
possible that Secretary Sherman may annonoce
it to be his policy to commence hoardino sold
with view to restoration of specie PAYMENTS
IN 1879. The boarding of gold is understood to
be Sherman's policy. w
Various Matters.
According to the New York Sun the renort If
Dekraft on the sale of old iron at Charlr stown
IS said to have been one immediate cause of
Naval Constructor Hanscom's removal. 1t ia
PROBABLE that the work of construction and
repairs Will be more economically conducted
hereafter at Charlestown navy yard
PRESIDENT Hayes has declined reception nv
by the Union League Club of New York on the
loth, but will accept one next fall.
fresldent Hayes has ordered all the DEPART
ments closed on Decoration Day.
Hop. Francis r. Punkett will act AZ British
Charge d Affalres during the absence of Minis.
ter Thornton. " -1'ois'
The President, in his message to Conoross
will relterate the recommendation of exsPros'
ldent Grant that an appropriation be made for
the payment OF awards of the United States
and Mexican mixed commission, in accordance
witch the treaty