The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-01-07
New Sections suggested are
Mr.. BIaine's Odd Brother.
despatch to St. Louis GlObe-Democr.t

lDeSpatcn 10 81. LOUIS 6lODe-Democr-t
WASHINGTON, January "A few days
ago there came from Salem, Ore, the an
nOuncemeat of the death of Melville G.
Lane" brother Of Secretary of State Jas.
G. Blaine. There was something apparently
incongruous about this statement. Not only
were the names of the men thus alleged to
be brothers entirely unlike, but it was not
generally known that Secretary Blaine had
a brother in that section of the coun-
mystery was asked of the secretary, he vol
unteered nothing further than mere ad
mission that Melville G. Lane was his broth
er. Mr.. Walker Blaine was subsequently
asked to explain the matter. but he was ev-
en- more secretive than his father. A friend
of the family, however, clears up the mys-
terry. lie was not only acquainted with Mel
vile q. Lane, but he saw him few months
ago while on visit to Salem. "Prof. Lane"
as be was known in Oregon, was brother
OF the present Secretary of State. Like his
illustrlous brother, he was born In Pennsyl-
vania, but many years ago he went West.
Melville appears 70 have disliked some of the
members OF his family, and upon his depart
ure for the West, while yet young man, he
changed his name from Blaine TO Lane.
Dr. Dorchester. the superintendent of In
dian schools, who recently visited the Salem
school, mad report highly complimenting
Prof. Lanes work. He expressed the
highest appreciation of Prof. Lanes servic-
es, and stated that, although 62 years of age,
he was one of the most efficient instructors
in the Indian service. Prof. Lane had not
seen his brother, the Secretary of State. for
many years, but it is explained that their re-
latlons were friendly. Melville, however,
never asked his brothers political influence,
bat depended solely upon himself and his
oregon friends When DR.. Dorchester was
In Salem, Prof. Lane asked him kindly
about Secretary Blaine and sent friendly
message by the superintendent to his dis
tinguished brother in Washington.
The Hat Trimmings Case.
WASHINGTON, January 6-The Supreme
Court today rendered decision in the we'll
known Edelh0tf customs case, originally
tried in 1886. Merchandise imported by
Edelhof, composed partly of silk and partly
Of cotton, the government c0ntended was
dutiable at 80 per cent as a manufacture of
silk. The importers held it was dutiable at
only 20 per cent as hat trimmings. Judge
Coke directed verdict for the plaintiff,
Edelhoff. as to part of the goods. and for the
defendant as to another part. The Supreme
Court holds that silk and cotton ribbons,
BILE at 20 per cent. The government will, by
this decision, be compelled to refund about
S6,Cco,0C0 to importers in Philadelphia, New
York, Boston and other places.
Judge srewer Sworn In.
WASHINGTON, January 6.-Judge David
Brewer was sworn in as associate justice of
the Supreme Court of the United States at
noon today and Immediately took his seat
upon the bench. The ceremony was per-
formed in the court room in the presence of
large audience Immediately after the as
sembling of the court.
Washington Notes.
Five new war vessels, the Philadelphia,
San Francisco, Concord, Bennington and
Vesuvius, will be put in commission this
year.
Il is expected that Secretary Windom's
silver bill will be introduced in Congress in
a few days.
Secretary Window has la grippe
1t is stated that Mr.. Reed proposes in the
new House rules to I'M est the Speaker with
the power of declaring a quorum present
when it is apparent to the view that such is
the case, even though members by abstain
ing from voting should prevent the presence
OF quorum being made known by roll call.
The Secretary of the treasury has appoint
ed Walter Dolilve first assistant keeper at
the Mt. Desert Me-. light station.
Senator Frye, who is Chairman of the
special committee which has been investiga-
ting the bonding of the Pacific railroads, will
report before long, as the result of his in
quiries, the Union Pacific funding bill of
the last session, substantially without any
changes. This provides for fifty years
funding of the Indebtedness at per cent
Mr. Bynum of Indiana, introduced reso-
luton yesterday for special committee to
investigate the charges of suppression of tes-
timony by the district attorney at Indianap-
oils against Col. w. w. Dudley in the
blocks Of five'' cases.