Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-06

}. c., SATURDAY,
Washington News and Gossip.
THERE are 1919 new advertisements in THR
STAR to-day.
GOVERNMENT RECEIPTS To-DAY.-Internal reve.
nue., $40 1868. .86: customs 1884, ,056N.
SECOND CONTROLLERS UPTON states that a pro-
motion in his Office, made twenty days ago. proba-
bly, gave rise to the story that he had made an
appointment, instead of making promotions in
the office; that he has not the slightest authority
70 make any appointments ana none nave been
CAPTAIN A. p COOKE informs the Navy depart
ment that he relieved Captain Henry Nilsson Of
the command OF the U.S.s. Lackawanna at Callao
on the 9th OF September.
GENERAL HANCOCK continues to improve. The
abscess on his knee is healing rapidly, and the dis
charge is free and healthy.
FROM PENsACoLA.-The Acting Secretary Of the
Navy to-day received telegram from Com
mandant Welch, OF the Pensacola navy yard, stat
ing that there have been no new cases of yellow
fever and no deaths at that yard since last report
APPEAL FOR Observation-Disclosures
Horace E. Mullan, late commander OF the United
States steamer Ashuelot, which was lost on the
coast OF Asia, will make an appeal to Congress
this winter for reinstatement in the navy.
SECRETARY LINCOLN is expected to return to
Washington tonight
RECKLESS STEAMBOAT OFFICERS - Inspector
Starbuck, OF New York. reports to the supervising
inspector general OF steam vessels from Albany
under date of October 4th, the continuation of the
investigation into the explosion OF the boiler OF
in his report OF the day before that the disaster
Was due to the recklessnesS OF the captain, engt-
neer and fireman OF the tug. He says: "They all
knew. evidently, that the safety valves were
loaded so as to carry an excess OF steam beyond
what their certificate OF inspection allowed" The
wreck OF the vessel he reports, has not yet been
raised. He thinks the investigation will be con-
cluded to-day.
chills and fever.
COMMISSIONER MARBLE. of the Patent office, has
not yet resigned, Notwithstanding reports to that
effect. 1t is not probable that any change will be
made In the Office until the President returns.
THE FOLLOWING VIRGINIA PosTMAsTERs were
commissioned to-day: Marion G. Caldwell, Eakin
county, and Joseph H. H. Winston, SnOwvllle,
Pulaski county. The two first named are new
Offices.
GREENBACKs ARE NOT PoIsONoUs.-The story
that several government employees who handle
national bank notes have been poisoned from the
arsenic used in the manufacture of the green Ink.
which comes off on the fingers OF the counters on
account of their using wet sponge, is pronounced
untrue at the Treasury department..
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION is sending out to
candidates for the general departmental service,
examined during August and September, the usual
notifications showing their standing the board OF
examiners having completed the work Of revising
the papers.
The SANTA FE COLLECTORsHIP.-The commits
soner ofinternal revenue decided to-day not to
move the Office of collector of customs from
Santa Fe to Albuquerque, New Mexico, as he had
been to 90 by citizens Of the latter
vice call for such change.
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSIONERS THoMAN will. 1t IS
expected, leave tonight for Detroit to arrange
for the examinations to be held theree4Ahe.aata
instant.
THE VALIDITY OF CONTINUING CoNTRAcrs.-The
first controller OF the Treasury has been called
upon to decide the question whether q contract
made for the construction OF government work,
binding the contractor to continue the construc-
tion during period OF years. to the extent in
each year OF the annual appropriation, 1s valid
under the law. The case in point Is that of the
contract for the Boundary sewer In this CITY, A
dispute having arisen between the contractor and
the suretieS his bond, the latter have appealed
to the Commissioners OF the District to know
whether they can be held liable for the perform
ance OF the work for more than one year. The
Commissioners think this raises the question OF
the validity OF contract extending over one year,
and have referred the matter to the first con-
trOller.
The CoREAN EMBASSY, escorted by Lieut. Mason
and Mr.. Lowell, secretary Of legation visited the
Interior department to-day, and In the Secretarys
office were introduced to all the department
consisting Of Chief clerks Duree. .; the Patent
office, and Harrison OF the land office; j. Stanley
Brown. OF the geographical survey, and Thomas
Hampson. OF the bureau of education, who took
them all through the department Though not
able to do much talking with those around them,
the members of the embassy examined all the fea-
lures OF the department closely and took many
notes.
NAVAL ORDERs.-Assistant Paymaster John 8.
Carpenter, to the Yant1c: Passed Assistant NJ. D.
Jones, detached from the naval hospital, Wash
ington, and ordered to the naval hospital, Brook
the naval hospital. New York and ordered to the
Colorado; Assistant Engineer G. H. T. Babbitt,
from the Yantic and placed on waiting orders;
Passed Assistant Engineer G. F. Nagle, from the
Yantic, and granted three months leave: Passed
Assistant Paymaster G. NJ. Ray. from the Yantic,
and ordered to settle accounts and wait orders
RARE FIsH.-The signal corps station at
Barnegat City, N j., reports as follows: very
rare specimen of the Mesoplodon, or battle nose
whale, has been washed ashore at this station.
Professor True and Mr.. Palmer, OF the Smithson-
ian Institution. are now here taking plaster cast
OF the carcass and gathering the bones prepara-
tory to moving them to that institution. Prof.
True says this will be the second specimen ever
prepared. The only one now known is in the
Paris museum. The body is 10 feet and inches
long, and will probably weigh two tons. The cast
has been made very successfully.
PRESIDENT ARTHUR's BIRTHDAY.-Yesterday was
President Arthur's tifty-third birthday. There
were no preparations made to celebrate it at the
Fifth Avenue hotel, New York. where he is stay
ing during his visit to that city and there was
nothing to indicate that he appreciated the privl-
lege Of reaching this age other than dinner
which he ate last evening with Surrogate Rollins
j. c. Reid, c. A. Arthur. Jr.. and Mr.. Phillips He
passed the entire day-wlth the exception OF
short ride in the afternOon-in his rooms in the
hotel. ard received the large number OF visitors
who called to congratulate him In his reception
room. Among the more prominent of his visitors
were Gen. Grant, John Jacob AstOr Edward Pier
repont Secretary Chandler, Chief Justice Waite,
John j. O'Brien, Senator Aldrich of Rhode Island,
Senator Blair OF New Hampshire, Commissioners
OF Emigration Starr, Stephenson and Taintor,
Alexander Taylor Jr., H. H. Hollister, W. Il. Elroy,
Commissioner Hess, Bernard Biglin and Police
Commissioners SteDhen r. French md Sidney