The Newtown bee., 1879-04-15
From Washington.

The nominations of President White, of Cor nell university, minister to Germany, and of Cornelius A. Logan minister resident In Central America, have been confirmed by the Senate.
 The Greenback members of the House have held another caucus. Those present were Jones, of Texas, who presided Lowe, of Ala bama Forsyth, of Illinois, Gillett and Weaver, of Iowa, Gocum, of Pennsylvania, Ford, ot Missouri, Murch and Ladd of Maine, and Kel- ley, of Pennsylvania. Messrs De La Matyr, Barlow and Wright were not present, but sent word that they would abide by the decision of the caucus. A resolution passed that the Greenback members of the House sustain a motion to strike out of the appropriation bills those portions known as political Legislation"
 The President has nominated David T. Cor bin, of South Carolina, to be chief justice of the supreme court of Utah. Corbin was the Republican contestant for the seat now occu- pied by Senator M. c. Butler.
 The Secretary of the Treasury has issued the ninety fourth call for the redemption of $l0,- 000, ,000 in 5-20 bonds of 1865, consols of 1867, principal and interest to be paid on and after the Sd day of July next.
 Among recent combinations by the Senate are the nominations of Clarence King, of New York, director of the geological survey, and Dr. John B. Hamilton ot Illinois, as supervis- ing surgeon ot the United States marine hospi- tai service.
 The National Board of Health recently held their first regular meeting, and effected a per manent organization by the election of the following officers: Dr. James L. Cabell, of Virginia, president; Surgeon John s. Billings, U. S. A, vice-president, and Medical Director Thomas J. Turner, U. S. N, secretary. An executive committee was elected as follows: Dr. James L. Cabell, Surgeon Billings, Medi- cal Director Turner, Dr. Stephen Smith, of New York, and Surgeon P. H. Bailhache, 0 the marine hospital service.
 The four per cent. loan has been closed On the last day the subscriptions amounted to $s59, ,502, ,750, of which 40,000,000 were sub- scribed by the New York Bank of Commerce. The Secretary of the Treasury has issued calls for the balance of the 5-20s of 1867 and the whole of the 5-2Cs of 1868. This closes the whole of the series of 5-20 bonds. The two calls amount to the sum of Ss59, ,565, 700. The aggregate calls including these, since January amount to $349, ,565, 700, making annual saving of interest of $6, ,99l ,314. No further subscriptions will be received for the four per cent bonds except for the $10 certificates, until further notice.
 In 1873 Congress passed law providing for the erection of durable hendstones over the graves of soldiers of the regular and volunteer forces of the United States whose remains inferred in the national military cemeteries. This law has been carried out. At the instance of the War Department Congress has recently authorized the erection of similar headstones over the graves of the Union soldiers who buried in private and village cemeteries. This will be done as soon as the necessary arrange ments can be made. All persons having any knowledge of the burial places of soldiers in private cemeteries whose graves are not marked are requested to communicate the fact to the Quartermaster-G General and give regiment, com pany and date of death if known. Of course it is not intended to furnish headstones tor graves xx,Li ,a,,tc haua al haaY, erected.
 The Secretary of the Interior has decided that at least one years residence on homestead land is necessary to obtain a patent.
 Foreign News.
 News has been received in London from Jel- lalabad that q squadron of the Tenth Hussars, while crossing the river near that town, were carried away by the swift current and sixty of the troops were drowned. This squadron was a portion of a small force which was being sent as the advanced guard of the projected expedi- ton for the capture of Cabul, the chief city 0 Afghanistan.
 A dispatch from Lahore says the British force under Captain Cough has defeated body of 5000 Afghans, killing 400. The British loss is three officers and three men killed and thirty one wounded.
 The English government has protested against the seizure of the African island Mata- cong by France England claims possession since 1826 and France asserts that the island was ceded to her in 1878.
 A fire broke out at midnight in the center of the town of Miragoane, Hayti, and in less than three hours there was nothing left of the place but ruins and rubbish.
 Lord Chelmsford has sent dispatch to Eng land stating that King Cetywayo says his forces were attacked without warning at Rorke's Drift, South Africa, while on their way peace fully to the British camp. The Zulu king de- clares that he desires peace. His army has