The Portland daily press., 1882-07-22
WASHINGTON.
Egyptian Affairs.

EEypIlan AIIalrS.
WASHINGTON, July 21.-It is stated at the
navy department. to-day that Rear Admiral
Nicholson at Alexandria, Egypt, was instruc-
ted to look after the protection of American
interest there and thatif he mixed up in the
war further than that it was entirely upon his
own responsibility. Nothing official has been
received from him since the bombardment be-
gan when he announced that fact and also
acknowledged receipt of the departments in
structions to look after American interests;
nor has the department communicated with
him since that time. Secretary Chandler is
not prepared to say that Nicholson exceeded
his authority in assisting the British in patrol
ling Alexandria and in certain other acts un-
til he has been officially advised of the attend
ing circumstances.
Immense Saving ia Star Route Service.
Assistant Postmaster General Elmer reports
that the star service in the Pacific section is
now IN operation at cost of 497S-l00 per
cent. cheaper than under the former contracts,
and also that the cost per mile is 40 39-100 per
cent. less These figures represent saving of
over 50, ,000,000 annually in a contract term of
four years. The section of country referred to
above embraces the localities the star service
for which is now under discussion in the star
route trials. Gen. Elmer furnishes the fol-
lowing comparative table: Annual cost June
80, 1881, $4,019, ,S24; cost July l. 1882, $2,018,-
635; cost per mile, June 80, 1881, $14 30; cost
per mile, July 1, 1882. 81 80.
The Northern Pacific Land Grants.
The House Judiciary committee considered
the statement of the minority in regard to the
Northern Pacific land grants which is being
prepared by Representative Knott and others,
and which, as heretofore etated, will declare
that it should be the policy of the government
to withhold any further patents to that COM
pany and to declare forfeited all grands be-
fore made which have not been earned under
the provisions of the granting acts. Judge
Knott offered to read the substance of the
statement, but there being no time to hear it
the committee adjourned.
Texas Pacific Land Grants.
at meeting of the House Judiciary COM
mittee to-day memorial was real from j. j.
P. Newell protesting against the passage of the
bill continuing land grants to the Texas Paci-
fic Railroad on the ground that passage of the
original land grant bill by the Senate in june
1870, and the House in March, 1871, was
secured by fraud and bribery. He AYERS $780,
600 in cash and $2C00C0 in first mortgage land
grant bonds were raised for division among
senators in consideration for their votes and
100000 in bond executed by one Of the COR
porators for guaranteeing the issue Of the first
mortgage land grant bonds to be used for
similar purposes in the House. The memorialst
further says arrangements were made with 30
Congressman to vote for the bill and the
books Of the Texas Pacific Company will show
their names and sums received by each. The
COMMITTEES decided to hear Newell next Tues
day morning.
The Quorum in the House.
1t is not certain that it will be possible to
continuously keep quorum in the House for
sharply contested business The Sergeant-at-
Arms last night reported three Republican
Representatives sick, and two of them had to
be taken home, they were SO overcome with
heat or weakness. The object in attempting
to bring forward the amendments to the rules
is not to facilitate the transaction Of any
further business at this time, for it is expressly
proposed that the new rules shall not take eff
feet until next December. IL the Republicans
shall succeed, however, in adopting these rules
now, the effect will be that in the short session
a great deal of important business can be-
transacted which otherwise will fall with this
Congress.
The Ntcaraugua Canal.
The House committee on foreign affairs tc-
day directed Representative Kasson to report
to tho House with favorable recommendation
the substitute agreed upon by the committee
for Representative Rosecran's bill sto incor-
porate the Maritime Canal Company OF Mica
raugua" A minority OF the committee while
favoring the Nicarauguan route will take the
ground in their report that the bill sheuld not
pass until the question of foreign interference
shall have been definitely settled.
The Facilltation of Business.
The House finally adopted temporary rule
for the facilitation of business for the remain
der of the session. 1t provides that any
measures upon the calendar may be brought
up in the absence of objection from four mem
bers.
Miscellaneous.
A Communication was received to-day by the
House committee on foreign affairs from ex-
Secretary Blaine requesting permission to sub
nit supplementary statement on the Chilli
Peru matter but the request was denied.