The Northern Pacific farmer., 1885-03-26

-ov. Mr.. Smell, accompanied by Rev. Mr..
Miller, visited the murderer of his wife and
family at Grand Forks, OAK, and in the pres
ence of the jailer had a long interview with
him. Under the most scrutiniZing examina-
ton by both these gentlemen Miller persist
entity adhered to his previous story that with
out instigatiOn, prOvOcatiOn or premeditatiOn,
but while semi unconscious through drink he
committed the horrible crime of which he is
guilty.
Col Blair, the new commissioner of pen
sions, held levee at the pension Office. Ow-
ing to the NAMED condition of the colonel, he
was unabla to visit the several divisions of his
department., and the clerks therefore called at
his Office to pay their respects Col Blair
greeted his callers pleasantly and had words of
sympathy and encouragement for those who
exhibited on their persons evidences of having
served their country on the field of battle. The
bearing OF the new commissioner maGe ia.
vorable impression upon his subordinates.
NominaHons:-MiltonJ J. Durham, Kentucky,
first controller of the treasury; William Gar
rard, Nevada, superintendent of the mint at
Carson City, New; James R. Ryan, Nevada,
coiner of the mint at Carson City, New. NAL
colin Hay, Pennsylvania, first assistant post
%sst'c gs Marn t BaVa B
er, Jr., Rhode Island, United States attorney
district of Rhode Island; Benjamin H. Hill,
Jr., Georgia, United States attorney Northern
district of Georgia.
Secretary Whitney has directed that q list of
naval officers on shore duty be made out with
q view to ascertaining how long they have been
on such duty and whether changes of assign
ment would not be beneficial! to the naval SER
vice. he proposes as far as possible to equal
ize matters by giving officers who have had
easy berths for years, taste of sea service,
relieving the many officers who have been kept
on active service for long periods. This reform
of CommodoreJ. G. Walker, chief of the bureau
of navigation.
The first state reception given by President
Cleveland was given Tuesday night the 18th
inst To the diplomatic corps, judiciary, army
and navy and senate and house of representa-
tives. It was one Of the most brilliant affairs
of the kind ever held in the White House. The
president, assisted by Miss Cleveland, M1s. r!
cott, Mrs. Whitney, Mrs. Villas and Mrs. La
mont, received the guests in the blue room.
All the members of the cabinet, except Attorney
General Garland, were present Mr.. BAyard
presented the members of the diplomatic corps.
The secretary of the navy is besioged with
applications of naval officers and their politi-
cal friends for detail or restoration to desir-
able duty. Secretary Whitney says he has re-
ceived over one hundred applications of Of
fcers to have their orders, which were issued
during the past few months, revoked. At the
navy department it is stated that great many
officers who believe they have q grievance
against the late secretary are here claiming that
they were detached from congenial duty or put
under ban by Secretary Chandler for their
Democratic proclivities.
President Cleveland will have the making OF
several high army officers during his term.
Brig. Gen Augur, who is now in command of
the department of the Missouri, will be retired
in July, 1885, and in July, 1886, he will be fol-
lowed by Maj. Gen. Pope and Ger. John New
ton, chief of engineers, and in August by Sur
geon Gen. Murray. Two vacancies will occur
in the list of brigadier generals When Gen.
Pope is retired, Gen. Terry or Gen. Howard
will succeed him as major general; and in Feb
ruary, 1888, Gen. Hancock will be retired, thus
promoting another brieadier to be made major
genera, and masking : second vacancy in the