The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-12-27
WASHINGTON.


WASHINGTON, Dec, 26.-At the Proteus court
OF inquiry to-day Gen. Hazen submitted
series of kilograms sent by him from Washing
ton Territory last September to Capt. Mills
then acting chief signal officer. The loss of
the Proteus and the return Of the Darlington
party we're then first made known and the OBJ
ject of the kilograms was to have sledging
party sent from UperEavik with food to meet
Greeley at Littleton Island.
The first reply received by HaZen stated in
effect that the secretary of war had con-
sidered the matter and would send the aid sug-
gested. The second stated that the project
examined to-day. The court then adjourned.
The Fostune BAY Award.
The balance of the Fortune Bay award, re-
naming in the United States treasury, is to be
paid out to claimants in the proportion of
about seven per cent of the amount received
at the first disbursement, that being the
balance in the treasury after paying lawyers
commission, 5 per cent interest on previous
award and other expenses.
Representative Dissatisfied.
Mr.. Cox of New York, who was appointed
chairman of the House committee On naval
affairs, says he will positively decline to serve
on that committee. The reasons assigned for
refusal ara that the committee will have COM
paratively little before it during the present
Congress, and that % years service in the
House entitled him to the craftsmanship of the
foreign affairs committee.
Mr.. Springer, who desired the chairman
ship of the committee on elections but who
was made chairman of the committee on ex-
penditures in the department of JUSTICE also
contemplates declining, giving as a reason
that both he and his constituents have been
insrlted by bis omission from all the iK portant
committees.
Mr. Bland and the silver Question.
Mr.. Bland, chairman of the House commit
tee on coinage, says he favors the recoining of
trade dollars into standard dollars and thinks
the present coinage of the latter should not be
stopped.
Obseqaies of ex-esOvernor Lowe.
The funeral of Ex-Governor Lowe of Iowa
took place at II o'clock. A large number of
prominent citizens and distinguished friends of
the deceased were present. The services
were conducted by Rev. DR.. Sunderland and
the burial was at Glenwood. Thepall bearers
were ex-Secretary Belknap, Justice Miller,
Hon. M. A. Cord, Col. M. Cowie, H. J,
Frost and General Dunn.
Meeting of tie Committee ON Appropria-
fions.
The House committee on appropriations had
its first meeting this morning. 1t was decided
to prepare if possible the pension, fertilization,
consular and military academy appropriation
bills during recess SO that they may be pre-
seuted when the House assemblies.
POstofsices Raised TO the Presidential
Grade.
Under provision of the last postofice ap-
preparation BILL that when the compensation
of any postmaster of the fourth class reaches
$3.50 for four consecutive quarters exclusive of
commissions on money order business be shall
be assigned to the Presidential grade, the fol-
lowing among other fourth class offices have
been placed upon the list of presidential offices
with the salaries of the postmaster as stated