The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-07-27
BY TELEGRAPH.
WASHINGTON.

Engineer Melville on His Way Home.
WASHINGTON, July 26.-Secrstary Chandler
has received cable message from Engineer
Melville dated Tomsk, Western Siberia, an
nouncing that he and his party were on their
way home to ST. Petersburg and authorizing a
continuance OF his wifes allowance at the rate
of 800 per month. This message was in an
swer TO one from the Secretary asking for IN
structions on the subject
The Whiskey Bill investigation.
Mr.. Wiudom says he will before the adjourn
ment of Congress present to the Senate re-
port upon the investigation made by the spec
ial committee of which he was chairman, OF
the charges of improper use of money in pro-
noting the passage of the whiskey bill. and as
there are some matters to be discussed IN this
connection he will probably call meeting of
the committee the latter part OF the present
week
The Guatemala Boundary Questions.
No information has been communicated to
the government here as to any agreement be-
tween Guatemala and Mexico touching the
disputed boundary question. 1t is believed
however, that the matter is in a fair way to
reach an adjustment. TIE President, it is
understood, is unwilling to arbitrate unless re-
quested by both parties to do so, and unless the
question to be settled shall be definitely
agreed upon.
Removal of Belongs Body.
The Senate committee on naval affairs
agreed to-day to report favorably Mr.. Miler's
proposed amendment to the sundry civil bill,
making an appropriation of S25 600 for the
purpose of removing the bodies of DeLong and
companions from Siberia home.
No General Legislation.
The committee also agreed to move recon-
initial of the naval appropriations bill to the
committee on appropriation, with instructions
to strike out all features of general legislation
and report the bill confined strictly to the items
of appropriation.
Our Shipbuilding.
The House committee on commerce to-day
heard Representatives Hewitt, Belmont and
Dingley in advocacy of the passage during
this session of Congress of the pending resolu-
tion authorizing the appointment OF special
committee 10 inquire into the condition and
wants of American ship building. The COM
mittee deferred action until Friday
Nominations Confirmed.
The Senate to-day confirmed the nomination
of Merritt L. Joslin of Illinois to be Assistant
Secretary Of the Interior.
A Good Record.
General Raum's report of the workings of
the internal revenue bureau during the past
year showssentre collections of internal reve-
nue. taxes for the past fiscal year amounting to
S146 $40 II have been accounted for and
turned into the Treasury. During the past
six fiscal years $74S, 1881 ,071.01 have bsen col
lected from internal revenue taxation and
paid into the Treasury without any loss by
defalcation.
Arrival of the Chinese Minister.
Ching Tsao Ju, minister of China to the
United States, arrived this morning accom-
panied by his suite.
Post Office Supervision.
WASHINGTON, July 26.-It is authoritatively
denied at the Post Office Department that the
sending out of commission to examine and
report upon the principal post offices ia the
country has any political or personally disturb
ing significance. 1t has been practice of the
department for several years Especially during
the administration of Postmaster General
james, to send out similar commissions The
object of the present investigation is to gather
such information as will enable the department.
to apportion to the various offices in the ratio of
their actual needs, the gross appropriations
made by Congress to the running expenses
of the offices throughout the whole country.