Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-09


The President today appointed Geo. V. N.
Lothrop of Michigan to be envoy extraordi-
nary and minister plenipotentiary to Russia
Boyd Winchester of Kentucky. to be minis
ter resident and consul general to Switzer-
land; John 4. w. Thompson of New York.
to be minister resident and consul general to
Hayti. A. Swineford of Marquette, Mich,
was appointed governor of Alaska. Swine
ford IL the editor of the Marquette Mining
journal, has served as member of the iegis-
laiure Of his State, and was a candidate for
lieutenant governor two years ago.
The Robert E. Lee camp of veterans of
Richmond, Va, to the number of l25, called
at the White House this afternoon and were
introduced to the President. Gen. j. K.
Cook, who served on the Confederate side
during the war, was at the head of the delega-
ton. They were cordiallo received.
President Cleveland will hereafter receive
no callers on Saturday. He finds it necessary
to devote at least one working day each week
to the transaction of public business without
interruption.
Alexander 2. Morse of this city, late con-
sui If the French republic, before the French
and American claims commission, will leave
Washington shortly for Paris to repre- sent the
Interests and claims of American attorneys
and resident beniticiaries in the awards, by
the commission in favor OF ciizens of France
The aggregate amount of claims involved 10
about SOU, 200.
Admiral Jouett recently ordered a court of
inquiry at Aspinwall to investigate the
charges made against Commander Kane TO
the effect that he did not perform his duty at
the time of the burning OF that place The
finding of the court which has been received
at the navy department, concludes as follows !:
THE conduct of Commander Kane, was, in
our opinion, eminently proper. he acted
with judgment, with discretion, with firm
ness, and in accordance with orders. Had
Commander Kane acted otherwise than he
did there is no doubt thar the lives Of the
American citizens imprisoned by Preston
would have been sacrificed with no benefit to
the other foreigners, either in the saving Of
life or property. The burning OF Aspinwall
would have followed vhe murder of Preston's
prisoners, and in all probability other Amer
lean citizens would have been made victims
of Preston's malignant fury"
The May report OF the Department of Ag-
riculture relates to the progress of spring
plOwing and Of cotton planning, and to the
condition of winter grain. Cotton planting,
though comparatively late, is well advanced.
Fully fOur-tiths Of the proposed area having
been planted. The usual proportion seeded
on the first of May is probably five per cent
greater. The season of blowing is every
where late. Last year at this time it was es-
timated to be two-thirds done. This year it
scarcely six-tenths. The estimated average
of q series of years exceeds seven-tenths.
Less than half of this work is done in East
ern states, New York, Ohio and Michigan. A
much larger proportion is finished in the
Northwest, wnere core, potatoes, and other
late planted crops are grown in smaller propor-
ton. The injury to the winter wheat crop was
greater than appearances indicated the LIST of
April Roots werelkilled in the central belt
even worse than was supposed. In New
York the snow protection was ample except
in spots, and in Michigan no material
injury occurred; but in the Ohio valley and
in Missouri, reports of the condition are
much reduced. In the South slight i'm
provemept in the prospect has occurred. The
average condition in the principal wheat
growing states is Us follows: New York, 50
Michigan, 100; Ohio, SO; Kentucky, 45; In
diana, 20; Illinois, AZ; Missouri, 60; Kan
sas 62. The general average is 70, instead of
II in April, q reduction OF about per cent.
The reducing indicate the production Of win
ter wheat to about 24O, ,000, 900 bushels. The
condition of rye is also lower than reported
in April, yet it is much better than the wheat
the average being Sc. The moving lands
promise nearly an average crop of hay, the
average condition being 80. The pastures
look nearly as well, condition 80.
The secretary of the navy today received
the following telegram from Admiral Jouett
at Colon: The force which came in the
Acapulco sailed in the Colon yesterday. ALI
is quiet here"