The Portland daily press., 1882-01-30
WASHINGTON.
Conscientious Scruples Against Wearing
Mourning Badge.

a Mourning bauS6s
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28.-Capt. John p.
Walker, u. s. A, the question of whose sanity
occupied the attention of the courts here for
a long time was sent to his regiment, 1t will
be remembered, upon a decision of a board of
medical officers of the army that he was sane.
He has been acting queerlyd, off an on since he
went back to his company His latest freak is
a refusal to wear the badge of mourning on his
left arm for the death of President Garfield, as
ordered of all officers of the army His refusal
to obey the order was reported to the war de-
partment. Capt. Walker has written very
peculiar letter in explanation of his conduct.
The burden of it is that he has conscientious
scruples against the badge of sorrow.
The Garfield Memorial Services
The Joint committee on the death and me-
mortal services upon the late President Gar
field held meeting to-day, and decided upon
programme substantially the same as that
adopted for President Lincoln. The eulogy
will be delivered on February 27, as heretofore
stated.
Illicit Distilleries Destroyed.
E. M. Brayton, internal revenue collector at
Columbia, S. c., telegraphs to Deputy Col
lector Stolbrand and reports the destruction,
last night, near Panther mountain, OF four il
licit distilleries in full blast, 800 gallons sin
glings and 5000 gallons of beer. Three prison
ers were arrested and brought to Greenville.
A Denial by the Jurors.
The four jurymen whose signatures are al
legged to appear on the margin OF copy of an
extra critic appended to affidavits filed by the
defense on Saturday with their motion for q
new trial, deny most positively that OF a copy
of that or any other paper was ever in their
apartments at the National Hotel and declare
they never had pen in their hands during
the whole course of the trial except to write
autographs for outside parties and that this
was always done in the room occupied by the
bailiff and in the immediate presence of these
o4Sn Tha INN vr;f
who have examined the matter is that it is a
clever piece OF forgery.
Embezzlement of Over $50, 900.
The Treasury department is informed that
the investigation now being made into the af-
fairs of the 18th lighthouse district in Calf
fornia reveals an embezzlement of over $780,
600 on the part of John V. Best, one Of the
clerks, who is now in custody.
Aid for the Jeannette Survivors
Secretary Hunt to-day telegraphed to the
navy department agents abroad to Pay all
drafts drawn by the Jeanette survivors.
Sergt. Mason's Caae.
1t is thought that Sergt Mason, whot shot at
Guiteau, will be brought before recently ap-
pointed court-martial for trial.
Notes.
The President to-day signed the census de6c-
iency bill.
The United States steamer Powhattan ar
rived at Portsmouth, Va, to-day, from Boston.
The circulation of standard silver dollars for
the week ending to-day was $133,996, against
| $107 AT for the corresponding period of 1881.
The statement that Public Printer Dufrees
had rendered his resignation and been request
ed to withdraw it by the President is positively
denied at the White House.
1t is said at the postoffice department. to-day,
that the nomination of George Bryant to be
| postmaster at Madison, Wis, has been deter
mined upon. This was the office for which
| Mr.. Reyes was an applicant.
| Up to the close of business to-day United
| States bonds have been redeemed as follows:
Under the 105th call, $40 800; lO6th call,
$14046, 800. This last call was for $4,000 600,
and the date of maturity is Jan. 20. 1882.
| The statement that Special Agent A. nj.
| Gibson had been discharged from government
employ is denied on authority of Attorney
| General Brewster. The publication of the
false report is generally believed to be part OF
| plan to misrepresent the government in all
its proceedings in regard to the star route cases.