The Portland daily press., 1882-10-19
WASHINGTON.
The Jeannette Inquiry.


WASHINGTON, Oct. 18.-The Jeannette board
of inquiry convened this morning. Lieutenant
Danenhower resumed his narrative.
He stated that while aware of everything 60
ing on upon the ship it was difficult to separate
what he knew of his own knowledge from
what was told him by shipmates and as there
were several other witnesses who could speak
from their own knowledge and observation he
would request to be excused from giving any
testimony touching the interval ofihis disability
Witness was then asked if it was the intention
on entering the pack to pass the winter 1879
and 1880 in the ice, and said he could not state
positively that there was no consultation with
officers upon entering the pack. Witness un-
derstood from conversations with Capt. De
Long that he hoped to reach the coast of
Wrangel Land the first season when he pro-
posed to put the ship in winter quarters in
safe harbor and send out exploring parties
during the fall of 1879 and spring of 1880 and
during the summer of 1880 to work TO the
northwaid in the coast water of Wrangel
Land should it prove so extensive as theorists
had supposed. Witness did not believe it was
Capt. belongs intention to winter in the ice
and thought it SHOULD be taken into consider
alton in this connection that two wha'ers were
beset in the ice at the same time to the SOUTH
ward of the Jeanette. Apparently Capt De
Longs object n entering the lead was to force
his way to Wrangel Land as he regarded it
(the lead) as opening between the Siberian and
American packs. Capt. DeLong told witness
his purpose was to explore Wrangel Land and
the Siberian sea and that the possibility of
reaching high latitude depended upon the con-
tinuity of the coast line to the northward, as
having land for base was one of the first
principles of Arctic exploration. DeLong
never consulted with witness nor told him why
he changed his plan in entering the packs
At 2.30 the court adjourned until to morrow.
Soliciting of Political Contributions For
bidden.
Postmaster Pearson having learned the
heads of departments in the post office had
been requested to aid in the collection of
funds for political purposes from employees un-
der them, today issued circular calling the
attention of those officers 20 the fact that by aid
ing in the collection of these funds they were
guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by fine
and by discharge from the service of the Unit
ed States
18th Call for Bonds.
WASHINGTON, Oct 1S-The 11Sth call for
the redemption of bonds of the per cent.
funded loan of 1881, continued at 81 per cent.
from Aug. 18th, 1881, was issued this after
noon. 1t is for $15,000,00O and the call ma
lures Jan. 18th, 1888.
Postal Matters.
The report of the Second Assistant Postmast-
er General is made public. The "annual
transportation or number of miles travelled in
performance of star route service during the
fiscal year of 1882 was 76,s24 1867 miles, at
cost of So 553, ,848. The annual transportation
for 1880 was 995 miles, cost, W, ,321, 449.
The result is 1853, ,872 miles more transportation
and ST. 767 $50 reduction in the cost for 1882, as
against the same items for 1880. This is also
81, 400, ,5CS less than for 1881.
The Navy Yard Commission.
The commission appointed by the Secretary
of the Navy to report the advisability of the
sale of any of the navy yards, organized to-day
by the election of Commodore Luce as presi-
dent. The commission will probably start on
an inspection tour in a few days.
Miscellaneous.
Collector Robertson of New York has issued
a notice forbidding any officeholder in the cug-
toms service soliciting political contributions,
but has no objection tc voluntary contributions.
Notice is given by the Lighthouse Board at
Washington that on and after November |,
1882, the light shown at Lloyde Harbor light
station, Huntington Bay, Long Island, N. Y,
will be fixed red, instead of fixed white, as
heretofore shown.