Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-10
Washington News and Gossip.

Washington News and Gossip.
GOVERNMENT RECEIPTS To-DAY.-Internal reve-
nue., ssos5s7 g; e:.-. e..e 8! e.77 .aas!. 81.
Much ADO ABOUT SLAF.-Naval Constructor
FaTnay, at Norfolk, Va, has a small son who was
slapped py clerk for interfering at his desk. a
complaint was made By the indignant father to
iho comm ,ndant; asking for the clerks civilian
the papers to the Navy department., where they
arrived this morning 1t is not likely that any ac-
non VIII be taken, as young Varnay hollis no ofn-
elal position In the navy.
DEATH OF A NAVAL OrFIcER-A private dis
patch was received In this city to-day announcing
the death OF Passed Assistant Paymaster j. Lewis,
U.S.N., at Frankfort, KY, last evening. He had
been sick for some time.
MEXICAN MAILS-Po5tmaster General Gresham
has mailed letter to the director general Of posts
OF Mexico, calling his attention to the railway
facilities lately acquired between his country and
in all cases where practicable mail matter be sent
by rail, instead OF by steamer, as at present,
at Vera Cruz in the yellow fever season may be
avoided, and quicker communication secured.
GENERAL sHEnMAN's TRrr-Colonel Bacon, Of
General Sherman's staff, has received q letter
from General Sherman dated at Occur d'Alene,
Idaho, July 80, In which he states his purpose OF
leaving In day or two for Fraser river and Van
for Occur dAlene in ambulances down the Spo-
kane to its very mouth. 9lOid miles. thence to
lSsy 5 GGy G Sron rs,0s 100 me ssa asHe
to packs and saddle horses for a
couple OF hundred miles through mountain and
some houses and is full OF people. and is therefore
losing its former interest. All the party 1ncluk
ing Justice Gray, are well and hearty.
SARCASTIC Iowa woMAN.-It is customary
when printed matter is held at the city post office
On account OF insufficient postage to notify the
party TO whom the paper IS addressed of the fact.
card containing such notice was sent to wo-
man In Iowa, whose reply was received to-day.
1t said simply: "When pumpkins are ripe / will
send you one that has more brains than ever had
the man who made this ruling on paper postage"
THE HILL INVESTIGATION TRANSFERRED TO CHI
CAGo-The firm OF Bartlett, Hayward Co. hav-
Ing requested the Hill investigating committee to
send, at their expense, an expert to Chicago to
examine the heating apparatus for the federal
building there, have been Informed by Chairman
to secure a competent and disinterested expert to
make the necessary examinations at Chicago, and
that the expense would be borne by the govern
nenf. The Oner OF the firm was therefore respect
fully declined. 1t is understood that Judge Law
renee has decided that the Treasury fluid for the
examination of accounts is available for this pur-
pose. and 1t is probable that the expert will be
paid out of that fund. MIR. New, who started for
his Indiana home yesterday afternoon. Will poss1-
bly, be present at Chicago when the examinations
are made The committee have arranged to sub
nit their report to the Secretary OF the Treasury
on the 25th inst
DECISION AGAINST A STATE WAR CLaIM-Attor-
ney General Brewster has written an important
opinion In reply TO aquestiOn submitted by Secre-
money borrowed by the state OF New York during
the war OF the rebellion for the enrolment, sub.
sistence and clothing OF troops Pennsylvania,
Ohio and several other northern states have pre-
Sented claims OF similar character which involve
hundreds Of thousands OF dollars In taxes The
Attorney General, after careful review Of the
act or July "a, 1851 which provides for the pay
ment by the Secretary OF the Treasury, out Of any
money not otherwise appropriated, 10 the COVER
properly incurred in raising its troops for the sup
preston OF the rebellion, says that the claim for
interest paid by the state Of New York on money
borrowed for this purpose does not come within
the province OF the act. The opinion affects all
claims pending Of this nature, that OF New York
case. The only means by which these claims can
now be collected Is through an act Of Congress
making aspecifc appropriation.
THE FIRST CIVIL SERVICE LETTER CARRIER
Postmaster Conger has appointed Chas X. Allen
as substitute letter-carrier. Mr.. Aliens name
Wa WAS 81, taken irom the list OF elgbes furnished
the first man appointed IN the city post Office
under the civil service law.
THE LATE MAJOR PIERcE-Ma1or Henry II.
Pierce, the intelligence OF whose death at Foster
Creek, w. T., has come to hand. was an eminent
scholar and brave soldier. In 1861 the deceased
fantry. and was In active service until the end of
the war: He distinguished himself during the
siege OF Petersburg. and for his bravery was
thanked In orders and was given the brevet of
major ''for conspicuous gallantfy." When the war
came to an end Major Pierce practiced law for a
time In Connecticut; but afterwards applied for
and received the commission or lieutenant In the
regular army. He served as professor OF milii ary
science 10 three different states, and afterward
a m W no Mo- Dor
palgn Ia 1877, taking part in the celebrated march
from Vancouver to the Missouri river At the time
enti1c expedition through the mountains between
the Columbia river and British North America
LIGHTHOUSE REPoRT.-Major O. E. Babcock, in
charge Of the fifth lighthouse district. has sub
mitted his annual report to Admiral Rowan, chair
man OF the lighthouse board. He describes the
condition OF the service In detail and says 1t was
intended to construct range lights at the mouth lf
tne Potcmac river as provided by Congress, but
the appropriation being too small screw-pile
llg hit Was erected, which woun serve the purpose
sea at Cape Charles, Nd is endangering the safety
or the lighthouse at that point. Since 1867 three
nunarea n Iees OF land have been washed away. and
the town. The water line has been advancing at
the rate OF thirtygeet year, and unless the inva-
dOned In few years A syst. m Of Jetties, costing
about $4,000, Is recommended to protect the light
turned from the Catskills to Long Branch
Rev. DR.. Sunderland was among the arrivals at
Saratoga yesterday.-Mrs Eiw1n Green and
daughter Julia arc spending couple OF weeks at
orado.-MrsI J. s. Anderson and Miss Gertie E.
Becker have gone to Cranberry, w. Va, for
months sstay:--Colonel Fred. Grant has taken
house at MorriStOwn, n j., and will live there In
future"Mr: L N. Saunders has gone to western
New York to be absent a couple Of weeks-Mrs.
c. S. Ramsberg is spending a month in Mineral
county. West Va.-Susan B. Anthony is spend
ing August in Scotland, the guest, at Hunt
ley Lodge, Edinbarg. Of Mrs Elizabeth
Pease Nichols, one OF the most earnest
OF the old anti-slayery Friends in England.-
Mr. 7. B: Connery has returned to New York from
Europe. but Will not resume his Old position as
managing editor of the Herald as has generally
been supposed he would.-Mr. Charles Lyman,
cniel examiner OF the Civil Service Commission,
has gone TO Bolton, Conn.,, for months vacation.
Mrs George NJ. Rowe is spending a few weeks
IN IN ontario county, N:Y.-Mr. A. r. Fillebrown
mas goIe frem Atlantic City to Spring Lake, M.
MT. John G: Anderson has gone to Scottsville, Va.
lantic Hotel Ocean City inclnde the foilowino