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THE NATIONAL TJUBUIfE: WASHINGTON, D. 0., THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1883.
THE NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Loss of Life by the Milwaukee and
St. Louis Firos.
SENATORIAL ELECTIONS.
Events at the Capital and in
. the Departments.
The Senate Military Committeo last Friday
morning considered ami ordered to bo favorably
reported the Logan bill to increase tlio effi
ciency of the army. The bill provides that in
time of peace offenders noapunishablo by regi
mental or garrison court-martials shall be tried
by a summary court consising solely of tho
officer second in command, whoso sentence
shall bo subject to review by his next superior
officer. The number of enlisted men in tho
army, including an engineer battalion of 520
men, hospital stewards and 1,000 Indian scouts,
is fixed at 30,000. The pay of a private in tho
three arms of the service is increased from $13
to $16 per month, and of other men inferior to
commissioned officers in proportion. Commis
sioned officers at military posts apart from
settlements may each employ one soldier as a
Bcrvant, provided tho soldier's consent be ob
tained and his pay bo charged against such
officer. Provisions aro also mado that officers
on duty as judge-advocates of courts-martial
Ehall receive an extra allowance of $2.50 per
day ; that tho secretary may employ civilians
in place of general servico clerks at military
division headquarters ; that the governor of tho
military prison at Fort Leavenworth shall
rank as a colonel; that officers' of tho lino on
duty as acting assistant quartermasters shall
bo allowed 10 extra per mouth; that any
person ruptured in tho army or navy shall bo
supplied with a truss ; that the statute forbid
ding payineut of mileage over land-grant roads
bo repealed, and that the Secretary of War bo
authorized to employ 150 instructors for post
schools, to have rank and pay of commissary
Eergeauts.
The naval appropriation bill rcpoitod to tho
House Monday appropriates $15,200,100 for tho
support of tho navy for the fiscal yer ending
Juno 30, 1&?4. Tho bill provides that when
any commodoro shall reach tho age of GO years,
Eny captain tho age of 55 years, any commander
tho age of 47 years, or any lieutenant tho
ago of 45 years, he shall bo retired by tho Presi
dent from active service, and shall go upon tho
retired list of the navy as of the grade held by
him at the date of his retirement. The bill
appropriates $1,300,000 to bo used in building
tho new steel vessels recommended by the Ad
visory Board.
Mr. Hoar introduced a bill in tho Senate on
Saturday, by request, providing that hereafter
in all elections for presidential electors and
Representatives in Congress tho ballots bo
deposited in the Carey voting machine. Tho
Attorney-General is authorized to contract for
supplying one machine to each voting
precinct in tho United States. Tho bill con
tains specific directious for using tho machine.
The ballots aro pasted together and wound on
a spool in a continuous strip.
According to a statement made by the Secre
tary of War, the number of condemned cannon
on hand in his Department is 652, aggregating
4,693,730 pounds register in weight, estimated
to be worth an average of lj cents per pound.
Of this number 191 cannons have been donated
'jy acts of Congress, covering a period of twelve
years, to forty-nine towns and associations for
monumental purposes, but still remain on hand,
no provision having been made for transporta
tion to their destination.
Tho Supremo Court, on Monday, dismissed
the suit in which Admiral Porter and the offi
cers and men of the North Atlantic sqnadron
claimed prize-money for the capture of several
Confederate iron-clads in tho James river, just
before tho fall of Richmond. The court held
that a claim for prize-money cannot be main
tained for captures on inland waters, or where
captures are made by the joint action of tho
navy and army.
There were 105 clerks discharged from tho
Census Office last week. It is understood that
they will be taken back if Congress makes the
appropriation that was asked for. There arc
150 clerks remaining in the office, and there is
money enough left to pay their salaries for
thirty days. If by that timo the appropriation
is not made the entiro office will be closed, and
the work suspended until June 1.
Ex-Senator Dorscy, Secretary of the National
Republican Committee, has sent a letter of
resignation to Hon. Marshall Jewell, chairman.
He asks to be relieved on the ground of press
ing engagements and an affliction of the eyes,
which compels him to spend much of his timo
in a darkened room.
A board of naval officers, on the 11th inst.;
concluded a series of experiments at the navy
yard to test the efficiency of a new food for Iho
Gatlling gun. Altogether 6,000 rounds wcro
fired. A. great advantage of the now feed is its
adaptability to any angle of discharge, where
the gravitation feed operates reliably only with
in a limited scope.
The most important change proposed by
the Senate Committee on Appropriations in tho
postoflieo appropriation bill is an amendment
fixing July 1, 16S3, as the date when tho re
duction of tho rate of letter postage from 3
cents to 2 cents shall go into effect instead of
January 1, 18S-1, as proposed by the House.
Tho Senate Committo on Post-Offices and
Post-Roads last Friday, favorably considered the
House bill passed July 21, ultimo, providing
for the issuanco of postal notes for tho trans
mission in the mails of sums less than $5, a fee
of three cents to bo charged for each note
issued.
A bill was introduced in the Senate on Mon
day granting a pension of $50 a month to tho
widow of the late General Sidney Uurbank, and
a similar bill, by Mr. Edmunds, pensioning the
widow of the late Admiral John C. Beaumont
at the rate of $50 per month.
The sub-committees of the Senate and Houso
on public buildings have agreed to recommend
that the house iu which Abraham Lincoln died
bo purchased for $15,000, which is $5,000 less
than is asked for it.
Secretary Chandler estimates the cost of cora
pleling and arming the monitor Puritan as
41,668,726; the Amphilrite, $1,29 1,220; the Ter
ror, $1,291,220, and tho Monadnoek, $1,431,439.
President Arthur yesterday signed the civil
service reform bill.
chimks and casuaities.
The alleged abduction, last Saturday week, of
a young lady of St. Louis,, named Miss Zeralda
Garrison, attracted a wide and absorbing inter
est. Upon her return home, a few days ago,
the told a story of having been accosted by a
larjje man with light hair, whose advances she
repulsed and eudeavored to escajK' by flight.
He pursued her, however, and applied a hand
kerchief saturated with chloroform to her face,
after which she lost consciousness. When sho
recovered she found herself a prisoner in a
house on Washington street, from which sho
was permitted to escape by a woman in charge.
The statement made by a Mrs. Levi, at whoso
house Mis6 Garrison was, is entirely different,
being to the effect that sho came thereof her
own accord, accompanied by a young man who
represented her as his wife.
Edward Tay, of New York, agod 26, a shirt
cutter, made a desperate effort to commit sui
cide last Friday. He lived with his mother in
Last Twelfth street, and became despondent
from lack of work, He became morose and
sullen, and more than once threatened to kill
himself. On Friday he cut his throat. His
mother's screams brought an officor, who,
frightened at the suicide's actions, ran from
the room. Tay theu inflicted about twenty
stab wounds in his side and breast, and, open
ing a window, sprang out four stories below.
He landed in a snow drift, unhurt by the fall.
He was nicked up unconscious aud taken to
Bellevue Hospital.
Tweddle Hall, Albany, was destroyed by fire
Monday. It was a six-btory building, the main
hall being fitted up with stage for dramatic en
tertainments. The building was owned by Mrs.
II. W. Telliughasl, and was valued at $250,000.
The ground floor was occupied by stores, all of
winch were destroyed. The loss will reach
$5'jO,000. Erastus Coming's residence, adjoiu
ing, was on fire a number of times, but it was
fcacd, and with it a large number of valuable
lamily pictures and relics.
Edward E. Shaw, cashier of the broken City
Bank, Jersey City, N. J., to whose alleged pecu
lations and overdrawing of his account tho
Jersey City Bank troubles aro mainly due, was
arrested at his home in Orange Valley, N. J.,
on tho 11th hist. Garrett S. Boice, president
of tho City Bank and treasurer and secretary
of tho Fifth Ward Savings Bank, has been
arrested, charged with misappropriating $21,
500 in bouds, and admitted to bail in tho sum
of $10)00.
A vrcik has elapsed since tho frightful fire at
tho Newhall House, Milwaukee, yet the full
extent oi tho disaster remains unknown. Up
to noon on Tuesday, thirty-one bodies had been
recovered from tho ruins. Tho remains of
three girls', lying 6ido by side, were found in
the laundr.r-rooui. Eight bodies, those of ser
vant girls, havo been found aloug tho west
foundation wall. Ninety-six persons are known
to bo safe, ot't of tho i77 in tho hotel at tho
lime. John Gilbert, tho actor, ono of tho suf
ferers, is reported better. On Tuesday, Gcorgo
Schellcr, lessee of tho bar-room, was arrested
on suspicion of naving set tho hotel on fire.
About eleven o'clock on tho night of tho 11th
inst. a fire broke out in Couigisky's notions and
plunder store, Dt Moines, Iowa, and before
midnight tho store was gutted. Tho flames
spread to Clapp's block, which is 132 feet
square, containing J'lasonic Hall, the Citizens'
National Bank, and many fine stores and nu
merous offices, including the Western Union
Telegraph office. Tho estimafo of tho total
loss is $160,000, half i usurcd. No lives wero
lost, and no ono was set Aously injured.
Scarcely had the country recovered from tho
shock caused by tho terrible Milwaukee fire,
when tho news cauio'of tin burning of another
hotel ; this time in St. Lo."jis. About 5 a. m.,
last Saturday, tho Planters' Hotel in that city
was discovered to be on fire, und so rapidly did
tho flames spread that Dennis Eaponti and Rc
bolo Carlo, Italians, employees of tho house,
lost their lives. Several casuulities wcro also
reported. Dainago to tho hotel, $20,000.
Reports concerning tho northwestern bliz
zard in Dakota. Minnesota, Northern Wiscon
sin, and Iowa say that a number of people
havo been frozen to death and lost in tho snow
storms and that rail travels is much delayed.
Tho largest and most perfect ice bridgo that
ever bridged tho chasm below Niagara Falls
formed on Sunday night. It is over u mile in
length, and will probably remain during tho
rest of the winter.
An accident occurred on tho Hannibal and
St. Joseph Railroad'on Sunday near the Chari
ton River, about 150 miles cast of Kansas City.
An east-bound freight train was on a side
track. As a west-bound passenger trail went
by at full speed a broken rail threw tho smoker
oiftho track, and the car crashed into the cab
of tho freight engine, killing tho engineer of
tho freight train. Tho passengers wcro not
injured.
Mrs. Hcttie Cunningham, a widow, on tho
12th inst. threw her three-year-old boy front
tho suspension bridgo at Fairmont into the
Monongahela River, a distance of fifty-two
feet, and then jumped in herself. Both wcro
rescued after 'floating over tho dam below tho
bridgo and with difficulty resuscitated. No
cause is assigned for tho act.
A bag of gold coin, containing $50,000 and
weighing about 200 pounds, which had been
shipped at tho sub-treasury, New York, to be
sent to tho U. S. fleet on the Pacific, was stolen
at Panama on January 1st from the Panama
Railroad Company's vault where it had been
deposited for sato keeping. Several arrests
have been made.
On Monday night tho nail factory at Cum
niing, South 'Chicago, was burned. Tho firo
was .incendiary. The nail factory was ono of
the largest and best furnished mills in tho
United States. Tho warehouse contained a
stock of nails amounting to at least 15,000 kegs,
and probably a far greater number.
It is now reported, on tho authority of tho
captain of the Goldfinder, which was towed in
the Delaware Breakwater with only the captain
and mate on board, that, tho four sailors died
from " Russian fever." The mato says the dis
ease was yellow fever. None of them was
frozen to death, as was at first stated.
A snow slido occurred on Friday on Mus
quito Mountain, fifteen miles from Leadvillc,
Col. Two miners were caught in tho avalancho
and hurled down a distance of a hundred
yards, and although still alivo when found,
their recovery is doubtful.
Marshall T. Polk, tho fugitive ex-treasurer
of Tennessee, reached Nashvillo on Saturday
and was lodged iu jail. Tho grand jury of
Davidson county has found two bills of indict
ment against him, charging him with tho em
bezzlement and larceny of $180,000.
POLITICAL.
Hon. Robert E. Pattisou was inaugurated
Governor of Pennsylvania at Harrisburg last
Tuesday. The inaugural procession numbered
about 1,000 men. The oath of ollico was admin
istered by Justico Trunkey, of the Supremo
Court of the State, after which ho delivered his
inaugural address. The subjects of needed re
form, as demonstrated by Governor Pattisou,
were: Tho abolition of needless offices; tho fix
ing of official salaries at sums commensurate
with the services rendered; a rigid accounta
bility in tho cxpendituro of public moneys; a
public performance of official trusts, and tlio
raising of the efficiency of tho civil service by
making fitness and integrity alono tho tests for
appointment.
Tho following United States Senators were
re-elected on Tuesday: IJ on. Isham G. Harris,
of Tennessee; Hon. M. W. Ransom, of North
Carolina; Hon. A. II. Garland, of Arkansas;
Hon. Wm. P. Fxye, of Maine, and Hon. Eli
Saulsbury, of Di'Jawarc. The Democratic cau
cus of tlio West Virginia Legislature, on Tues
day night, nominated for Senator Hon. John E.
Kenna, in tho place of Hon. Henry G. Davis,
who declined a muomination. The action of
tho caucus will bo ratified at tho election next
Tuesday. Ballot inz for Senator without result
took place on Tuesday iu tho Legislatures of
Massachusetts, lllinws, Michigan, Colorado, and
Nebraska.
James H. Berry wrs inaugurated Governor
of Arkanstis on Saturday. In his inaugural
message ho devotes considerable) space to tho
disputed thirteen million bonds, ten millions
of which the State Supreme Court has declared
not binding on the State.. He suys if the people
do not owe this money no tax should bo im
posed ui)on them to pay it, and no dishonor
can attach to them for refusing to pay unjust
claims. He desires tho whole matter with
drawn from tho General Assembly and sub
mitted directly to tho people, and, therefore,
urges tho submission at tho next general
election of a constitutional amendment for
ever prohibiting tho levy of a tax to pay the
same.
Tho Democratic m embers of" tho Massachu
setts Legislature held a caucus cm Monday and
unanimously nominated Samuel W. Bowormnn
for United States Senator. Mr. LVwerman was
the candidato for Lieutenant-Governor on tho
Butler ticket. Gov. Butler authorizes the an
nouncement that under no circumstances will
he bo a candidato for tho United States Senator
ship. Charles C. Stockley, tho newly-elected Gov
ernor of Delaware, was inaugurated at Dover
last Tuesday.
Roger S. Green, of Washington Territory, was
yesterday appointed chief justico of the Terri
tory by tho President.
PERSONAL.
Hon. William M. Evarts was elected presi
dent of the Union League Club, New York, on
tho 11th inst.
Among tho passengers who arrived at New
York on tho 12th inst. by the steamer Pavonia,
from Liverpool, aro Ernest Gyo and Madamo
Albaui Gye and tho Bishop of Nassau.
Rev. Dr. Wm. N. Pendleton, rector of Grace
Episcopal Church, Lexington, Va., and chief of
artillery of the Confederate army of Northern
Virginia, died ilonday night, in tho 73d year
of his age.
The commission appointed by tho Ohio Legis
lature to award tho contract for tho Garfield
memorial statue in that State havo selected as
tho artibt Mr. Charles. 11. Mehaus, of Cincin
nati. Mr. Niehans is only twenty-seven years
oi ape, but has htudied abroad and done work
that is regarded as remarkably good.
The suit of Mis? Mary Alice Alwood Living
Eton against Mr. Henry Fleming for breach of
promise and seduction, which had been on trial
in tho circuit court of Brooklyn, N. Y., for
some time past, was concluded on the 11th inst.
by lliejury bringing in a verdict giving $75,000
damages. A motion has been made for a Dew
trial.
Mr. Wm. Bucknell, of Philadelphia, a gen
erous supporter of many public institutions,
yesterday handed to the board of trustees of
tho University at Lowisburg, Pu., (a Baptist
theological seminary,) his check for $100,000,
including his own subscription of $50,000, which
was mado on condition that $50,000 more should
bo secured.
TJio Marquis of Lorno and Princess Louise
reached Richmond, Va., on Monday night, and
occupied the same suite of rooms at the Ballard
Houso as tlio Prince of Wales in his trip in
1S60. On Tuesday tho mayor and prominent
city officials wero received. Her Majesty's
ship Dido has arrived at Charleston, S. C,
whero sho remains subject to tho Princess'
orders.
Mr. Joseph Sailor, for many ycarrs financial
editor of tho Philadelphia Public Ledger, died
in that city last Monday. Ho was in his
seventy-fourth year. From IS 10 to 1S77 ho
continued his editorial labors without inter
rupt ion, and in tho latter year reluctantly took
his first holiday a week at Saratoga. Mr.
Sailer was considered one of the leading finan
cial authorities of tho country. Ho left an
estate valued at $300,000.
Gen. Sherman wrolo, on tho Sth inst., to an
inquiring person as follows: "Please do not
ask mo to write any more on tho subject of tho
Presidency. It gives mo a twinge of pain
every timo I sco my namo in print on any
subject other than my puro official work. I
am not, and never will be, a candidato for any
offiec, aud think I can look ahead with somo
composure to passing tho evening of life in
comparative ease and repose at St. Louis, Mo.
Surely in this land of freedom that much can
bo conceded to an old soldier."
Miss Virginia Cameron, daughter of Senator
Cameron, of Pennsylvania, was married on tho
11th inst., at her father's residence in this city,
to Lieut. Alexander Rodgers of tho United
States Army. Tho ceremony was performed
by tho Rev. John R. Pax ton, pastor of tho West
Presbyterian church of New York City. Tho
wedding reception was attended by President
Arthur, nearly all the mem bore of tlio Cabinet,
witli their wives and daughters, a largo repre
sentation of tho Supreme Court, Scnalo and
House of Representatives, William M. Evarts,
Gen. Sherman, and many others.
Clark Mills, tho sculptor, died at his resi
denco in this city on tho 11th inst., in tho
seventy-third year of his age. Ho was born in
Onondago county, N. Y., and learned tho trado
of plasterer, which ho followed for nine yea re
in Charleston, S. C. Til IS 16 ho produced a
niatblo bust of John C. Calhoun, and in 1852
completed tho equestrian statue of Gen. Jack
son for Lafayette square, Washington. Mr. Mills'
next great work was tho casting of tho colossal
statue of Liberty, from a design by Crawford,
which now crowns tho dome of tho Capitol.
Tho last work on which ho was engaged was
tho model of Guitcau's head, produced by him
self and son whilo the trial of tho assassin was
in progress. Ho leaves a widow,' two sons
(both sculptors), and a stepdaughter, Miss Eva
Mills, the well-known singer.
THE OLD WORLD.
Something About What is Going on In Other Lands
Than Ours.
A dispatch from St. Petersburg, Russia, givc3
an account of tho burning of a cireus in Beidot
sobelf, Russian Poland, last Saturday, in whieh
over 150 persons lost their lives. The fire broke
out towards the end of a performance, and was
caused by tho careless handling of fireworks on
the stage. From tho curtain tho flames spread
rapidly to tho walls and roof. Tho audience,
which numbered about S00, mado a-rush for tho
main door, which, however, opening inward,
was rendered useless, and the windows became
tho only means of egress. Tho orchestra wero
the first to fall victims. The horses and prop
erties wero destroyed. Edwin Booth, tho
famous American actor, made a highly success
ful appearance iu Berlin last Thursday.
Emperor William has increased his contribu
tion for tho relief of sullerers by the floods in
Germany to 600.000 marks. Mr. Pigott
charges that $100,000 of tho land league funds
aro unaccounted for. Famino is threatened
in tho flooded districts of Hungary. Tho city
of Grau, on tho Danube, is flooded. Tho re
mains of Gambutta havo been interred at
Nice. Patrick Higgius, one of the murderers
of tho Huddys, was hanged at Gnlway on Mon
day. A statue of tho late Prince Imperial of
Franco was unveiled at tho military academy
at Woolwich by tho Prince of Wales on Satur
day. Tho Roman police havo arrested 125
sympathizers with the lato Ovcrdauk. Tho
mussclmans in Eastern Roumelia havo re-
volted.
-Tho Journal des Debats of Paris
says that England has practically taken posses
sion of Egypt. A manifesto issued by Prineo
Napoleon, (Plon Ploi,) criticising the present
situation and claiming tho Napoleonic inherit
ance, was placarded in Paris last Tuesday.
During tho afternoon tho Prince was taken
into custody and 1'igaro seized by tho author
ities. THE MAGAZINES.
Harper's Magazine for February is quite up
to tho usual high standard. Tim frontispiece is
an engraving irom Geo. H. Boughton's Royal
Academy picture, "Tho Frozen Fountain."
Mr. Wirt Slices, in a paper effectively illus
trated, describes tho wild Welsh coast, after
which comes the second part of Geo. If. Bough
ton's "Artist Strolls in Holland," also profusely
illustrated by Boughton and Abbay. Prof.
Herbert Tuttlo discusses tho German Parlia
ment under tho title of "German Political
Leaders," and Geo. M. White contributes
"Load Associations of Whittier's Poems."
Black's "Shandon Bells," and Miss Woolsou's
"For tho Major" aro continued, and there aro
also poems by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps and
Julia C Dorr, a sketch by Ernest Ingersoll.au
essay by Phil Robinson, and other article?.
Mr. Gcorgo William Curtis makes the "Easy
Chair" as enteitaining a3 usual.
Tho February number of tho North American
Beriew opens with tho second article on tho
Revision of Creeds, to "which Rev. Drs. Henry
C. Potter, Howard Crosbv, J. B. Thomas. J. O.
Peck, G. F. Krotel, aud T. W. Chambers aro
contributors. Tho experiment of Universal
Suffrage is discussed by Prof. A. Winchell, and
tlio Decoy of Protestantism, by Bishop B. J.
McQuaid. 1'orhaps tho most important paper
of tho number in that on the Political Situa
tion, contributed by Horaf io Seymour and Geo.
S. Boutwell, and of scarcely less interest, in
that it touches tho monopoly question, is Sen
ator J. N. Camden's aud John (3. Welch's dis
cussion of Tho Standard Oil Company. Dr.
D. A. Sargent's treatise on Physical Educa
tion in Colleges will also bo read with interest.
DeworcsVa Monthly Magazine for February
contains the usual complement of bright and
entertaining literature. It contains, among
other articles, " Proposals of Marria-je," " A
Visit to the Home of Paul Hayne," "J low We
Live in New York," by Jennie June, "Society
at tho Capital," French Weddings," " Artistic
Dressing," and "The Young Hero of Fashion."
Several short stories appear in tho department
of fiction, and another installment of Airs.
Alexander's serial, "Tho Admiral's Ward," is
given. Tho "Poet's Corner" and "Current
Topics" will also bo found iuteivsting depart
ments. Tho illustrations aro numerous and
artistic.
Tito Michigan Union PrfeouoiV Association.
The annual meeting of the Union Prisoners
of War Association of Michigan occurred Jan
uary 0 at Detroit. Tho following officers were
elected: President, C. G. Hampton, Detroit;
First Vice-President. C. W. Wnkemnu, G rattan ;
Second Vice-President, J. F. Wojtrin;', Ogdcn;
'Secretary, B. R. Finlayson, Detroit; Treasurer,
E. (). Hodge, Detroit; Chaplain, Rev. Jos. E.
Preston, Lyons. Much interest was evinced in
the organization, thcro being representatives
from nearly every section of the State. The
National Tuiuune was heartily indorsed,
and its course in the interest of Union prisoners
highly commended. The annual Reunion oc
curs in Juno in tho ce.ntral or western part of
tho State, of which due notice will bo given.
Every Union prisoner in the State is requested
to apply for membership.
..I.. 1m i. .. -
Congress Should Act on this Huggo-stlon.
From the Nclifh (Nd.) Jtopulilicnn.
Commissioner Dudley advises such a revision
of tho pension law as will givo the. same
amount of p-nsion for the sume wound or
disability regardless of rank. The suggestion
should bo acted on and the revision made.
There is no reason why ono man should bo
treated better, or enjoy privileges that are
withheld from another, in a republic. Tho
man who fought on foot with a musket should
receive .'is much for !iio loss of a leg as hu who
wore gilt buttons, rude a line horse and flour
ished a cheese-knife.
lUieuiinitlsm 1'osltivcly Ourcd.
Write for free -10-page pamphlet to R. K.
Tlelphenstino, Druggist and Chemist, Wash
ington, D. C.
THE WORK OF CONGRESS.
Eighty-Six Millions Voted for Pensions
by the House.
FITZ-JOHN PORTER'S CASE.
Tne Mexican "Veteran Pension
Bill to "be Considered.
In tho Senate, on Thursday, tho 11th inst.,
tho bill for tho relief of Fitz-Johu Porter was
taken up. The amendment reported from the
Committeo on Military Affairs providing that
Porter shall receive no pay or allowanco prior
to his reinstatement in the army was agreed to.
Mr. Conger moved to indefinitely postpono
the bill.
The motion to jiostponc tho bill indefinitely
was lost ayes 24 noes 31.
Tho bill was then passed yeas 33, nays 27:
Yeas Messrs. Barrow, Ueclc, Brown, Butler, Call,
Camden, Cameron Pn.). Coekrcll, Coke, Davis
(W .Va.), Fnrlcy,Giirl.snil,Gcorgc, Gorman, Groome,
Hampton, Hoar, Jackson, Jonas, Jones (Fla.), La
mar, Maxey, IMorg.m, Pendleton, Pugh, Ransom,
iSunlsbury, fciewell, Slater, Vance, Vest, Voorheca,
and Walker 33.
Nays Messrs. Alriridi, Anthony, Blnir, Cameron
(Wis.), Clulcott, Conger, Davis (111.), Dawes, Kd
inmids, Frye, Hale, Harrison, Hawlcy, ilill, In
gulUs, Kellogg, Logan, iVJebill, McMillan, Miller
(Cal.), Miller iNr. Y.), Morrill, Plntt, Plumb, Rollins,
Sawyer, and Winclom 1!7.
Three Republican Senators Hoar (Mass.),
Scwell (N. J.), and Cameron (Pa.), voted with
fho Democrats in tho affirmative. Senator
Mahono (Va.) did not vote.
Tho bill as passed authorized tho President
to uominate, uudwith tho advice and cousent
of tho Senate, to ajipoint Fitz-John Porter, lato
a major-general of United States volunteers
and a brevet brigadier-general and colonel of
the army, to thepositiou of colonel in the army
of fho United States, of tho samo grade and
rank held by him at tho time of his dismissal,
and, in his discretion, to place him on the re
tired list of tho army as of that grade, tho re
tired list being thereby increased in number to
that extent; provided that said Fitz-John Por
ter shall receive no pay, compensation, or al
lowanco whatsoever prior to his appointment
under this act.
Among tho bills introduced was ono by Mr.
Plumb (Kan.) to revive and extend the timo to
January 1, lb75, for the prosecution of claims
for pension of persons, not enlisted soldiers in
tho army, serving for the timo being as mem
bers of tho militia of any State under orders of
an officer of tho United States. Tho limit
fixed by the act of March 3, le73, was July 4
1S74.
Tho resolution offered by Mr. Ingalls direct-'
ing tho Committeo on tho Judiciary to inquiro
what legislation is necessary to provido for as
certaining tho existence and tho termination of
presidential " inability," and to report by bill
or otherwise, was agreed to.
Tho remainder of tho session was dovoted to
the consideration of tho tariff bill.
ficiday's proceedings.
In the Senate, on Friday, tho 12th inst., Mr.
Ingalls (111.) introduced a bill to provido for
determining the existence aud the removal of
tho inability of tho President of tho United
States to discharge tho powers and duties of
his ollico.
The bill provides that whenever two heads
of Departments shall state iu writing to the
Chief Justice of tho Supreme Court thatf tho
President is.unablo to dischargo the powers
and duties of his ollico, if the Court be not then
sitting, tho Chief Justico shall, within ten
days, convene it to hear and determine sum
marily the question of tho alleged inability,
and if, upon said hearing, it shall appear to
said Court that such inability exists, they shall
certify their decision to tho Vice-President,
who shall thereupon dischargo tho powers and
duties of tho ollico of President. Tho second
section makes a similar provision for determin
ing the removal of the inability, and provides
that upon tho ascertainment of tuch removal
tho President shall resumo tho dischargo of
tho powers and duties of his office.
'fho bill to suppress gaming in tho District
of Columbia was amended aud passed.
SATURDAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
In' tho Senate, on Saturday, tho 13th inst.,
tho session was devoted to a discussion of tho
bill providing that the farmers of tho country
bo represented in the Cabinet by a Secretary
of Agriculture. Speeches in favor of tho bill
wero mado by Messrs. Plumb, Williams and
George. It was urged that tho farmers wero
suffering from tho operations of middlemen
and speculators; that no agricultural interest,
except sugar and rice, had been fostered by tho
Government; that the transportation interests
of tho country had been dealt with as though
the only peoplo to bo consulted wero the men
of Wall street. It was said that tho leading
countries of Europe all fostered agriculture.
The debate was not concluded.
Mr. Ingalls (111.) introduced a bill providing
for tho appointment of a commission to con
sider the subject of railroad transportation.
It provides that tho President, with tho ad
vice of tho Senate, shall appoint seven omniis
sioners from civil life, whoso dulv it shall be
to investigate tho subject of railroad trans
portation in relation to the agricultural, com
mercial and industrial interests of tho country.
Tho commission is to inquire generally into
tho grounds of complaint against the railroads
resulting from unjust discrimination, exorbi
tant or unequal rates, insufficient facilities for
trallic or unlawful combination, and in what
manner existing evils can be remedied by legis
lation, and to report to Congress not later than
, the first Monday of December next. Tho com
pensation of tho commissioners is to bo $10 per
day and reasonable expenses, and they may
v'ait such portions of the country as they deem
advisable.
TJio bill was laid on tho table.
MONDAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
In Iho Senate, on Monday, tho loth inst., Mr.
Voorbees (lud.) presented a petition, signed,
ho said, by many of tho most eminent men in
Indiana, including ex-Governors Raker and
llondri'-ks, in favor of legislation putting an
end to the monopoly of medical employments
under lio Government by tho "regular school,"
and making all qualified physicians equal be
fore the I.iw in the. Government servico.
Mr. Davis (W. Va.) spoko in favor of tho
passage of tho bill to enlarge tho powers and
duties of tko Agricultural Department. Tho
prosperity ur.d, indeed, the life of a country de
pended largely upon its industrial pursuits, tho
chief of whieh wero agriculture, mining, manu
facturing and commerce, and it was necessary
that there should be a separate departmonc of
the Government vo care for tho greatest of these,
agriculture.
Mr. Davis embodied in his speech several in
teresting tables. One of these showed, ho said,
that about fc() per ceut. of our exports is derived
from agriculture. Another showed that the
average duty on articles used by the fanners of
the country was about 40 per cent. From an
other it appeared thai the value of our corn,
hay and cotton crop alor.'o for a single year was
one billion four hundred million dollars, and,
according to tho estimate of the Rureau of Agri
culture, the entire farm products in 18dl wero
worth about three and ouv-'ialf billions moro
than our entire national debt.
Tho lemaiuderof tho session was occupied
with the consideration of tho tariff bill.
TUESDAY'S I'liOCREVtNGS.
In the Senate, on Tuesday, tho Ifith inst.,
Mr. Logan (III.), from tho Mili'ary Committee,
reported favorably, with an amendment, tho
bill to authorize the sale of tho liaton Rougo
arsenal and grounds.
At tho clo.-;e of tho morning business tho
Senate, on motion of Mr. Jones (Vev.), re
sumed the consideration of tho bill for the ro
liefof Ren. Ilolliday.
Mr. Cockrell (Mo.) moved to reduce the
amount named in tho bill from $330,000 to
$10').0()0. Lost yesis 21, nays 31.
At the closo of tho morning hour tho bill
went over.
The Senate theu resumed the consideration
of the tarill' oill. Tho pending question was
on tho amendment offered by Mr. Gorman
(Md.). to make the duty on bichromate of pot
ash ."i cents per pound.
A long debate ensued, in which Messrs. Reck
(Ky.), Sherman (O.), Morgan (Ala.), and
others participated, in whieh tlio merits of
specific and ad va'orem taxes figured largely.
Mr. Gorman's amendment, was then rejected.
WEDNESDAY'S IMtOCEEDINGS.
In the Senate, on Wednesday, the 17th inst.,
the postollico appropriation bill was discussed.
Tho amendment striking out tho Houso pro
vision relating to the compensation to be paid
to tho Pacific railroads for mail service was
agreed to.
The Senate then proceeded to the considera
tion of the tarill' bill.
HOUSE.
THURSDAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
In the House, on Thursday, the 11th inst., tho
shipping bill was again taken up, the section
under discussion being tho "drawback" sec
tion, for which tho committee substitute is
I pending, limiting tho amount of " drawback "
to tho amount of tonnage collected. Io this
substitute Mr. Candler's free-ship amendment
is pending.
Mr. Uolman (Ind.) offered an amendment to
tho original section providing that fifty per
cent, of tho drawback received by any ship
owner shall t)e paid to the artisans employed in
the construction or repair of a vessel.
Tho debate on the eighteenth section was
then closed, and tho House proceeded to tho
vote upon the amendment.
Tho first amendment was that offered to tho
original section by Mr. Holmau, and which
provides that fifty per cent, of tho drawback
shall be paid to the laborers employed in tho
construction of any vessel. It was rejected
yeas 101, nays 128.
The question then recurred on Mr. Candler's
(Mass.) free-ship amendment to tho proposed
substitute, and it was agreed to yeas 12G, nays
101.
Mr. Cox(N. Y.) then offered to substitute his
freo material amendment, limiting it, however,
to materials to bo used in tho construction of
tho vessels for tho foreign trade, and it was
agreed to yeas 123, nays 10G.
The House then, without coming to a vote on
the substitute, adjourned.
FRIDAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
In tho House, on Friday, tho 12th inst, the
consideration of the shipping bill was resumed,
and tho committee's substitute limitiug the
amount of drawback to tho tonnage tax col
lected in any one year aud providing for freo
ships aud freo materials was adopted yeas
131, nays StJ.
The section exempting vessels engaged in
tho foreign carrying trado from State taxation
haying been reached, 3Ir. Page moved to strike
it from tho bill. The motion was agree to.
Mr. Reed moved to strike out sections IS, 19
aud 20 of the bill, which contain the freo ship
and freo material provisions, and tho machinery
for carrying out tho.ic provisions. The motion
was agree to yeas lo9, nays 51.
The bill was then passed.
SATURDAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
In the House on Saturday, the 13th inst., tho
session was mainly devoted to the consideration
of pension bills. The regular pension appro
priation bill was laktm up and after being
amended by adding "3,000,000 to the amount
appropriated for any pensions, w;is passed
yeas 17G, nays 3. It appropriates in round num
bers $30,000,000, making with tho $13,000,000
which the Commissioner estimates will remain
unexpended at tho end of the present fiscal
year, a total of $101,000,000 for tho next fiscal
year.
The fortifications bill was also passed. It ap
propriates $173,000 for tho n pair aud $100,000
lor tho armament of fortifications, aud $30,000
for torpedoes for harbor defenses; total, $325,000.
The Houso then proceeded to the consid
eration of the following bill relating to the ad
judication of Pensions:
Be it enacted, 0c, That tlio Secretary of tho In
terior be, and is hereby, authorized and directed in
the adjudication of all claims tor pensions now
pendinjj or hereafter tiled to treat the declarations
that have been verified before any officer or officers
authorized to administer oaths as if the same had
been verified before a court of tecord, or before
some officer thereof having custody of its seal, as
provided by section 4714 of the .Revised Statutes;
and t hat the said section is hereby amended accord
ingly. Mr. Joyce (Vt.) in explanation of the bill
said : "Tho subject was brought to the attention
of tho Commissioner of Pensions when he began
to executo the arrears of pension law. It was
then found that in a great many cases men who
wero honestly entitled to arrearages of pensions
had made their declarations before a justice of
the peace or a notary public or somo oflicer-of
that character, aud not before an officer of a
court of record, and of course when tho papers
come to io examined they had to bo thrown
out, and uho man by this means was deprived
of his arrears of pension.
"This b,'ll is intended to cover and correot
that difficulty. It provides that tho declaratioa
of an applicant for pension may bo sworn to
before a notary public or a justico of tho peace:
and tho amendment provides that the official
character of this officer, whether a notary pub
lic or a justico of tlio peace, must bo certified
by an officer of a court of record who has a
seal."
After somo discussion it was passed.
Mr. Joyce then called up tho following bill :
Br. it enacted, &c, That the provisions of an act
entitled "An net to revise and consolidate the stat
utes of the United in force December 1st, lS7u," ap
proved June -'2, J87S, be, and the tame are hereby,
no amended that from and after the passage of this
net every person entitled Irj law to a less pension
than hereinafter cpeeiiied, w?io, whilo in the mili
tary or naval service of tlio 'United States, nnd in
tho line of duty, by di.ease. contracted or injury
received, shall have loft tho si.ht of ono eye, bhall
bo entitled to leecivea pension of $12 per month;
and in cases in which the injury to the ono eyo
manifestly affects injuriously thv sight of the other
eye he shall be entitled to nn equitable increase in
his pension, not to exceed, in tue whole amount,
Simper month; and all thoe who, under like cir
eumstr.necs, have lost the sijihtof tyie eye, the sight
of the other having been proviomly lost, shall bo
entitled to a pension of $r0 per monlSi; and all those
who, while in the military or naval service of tho
United Mates, in tho line ot duty, by nijnry received
or disease contracted, shall have lost the hearing of
both cars, shall be entitled to receive a pension of
SUo per month ; and for any loss of hearing less than
total deafness, iu one or both ears, they phull receivo
an equable portion of the full pension.
It was debated at somo length, hut finally
passed yeas 127, nays 35. Tho next bill called
up was ono to extend for two years from July
4, 1S74, tho time allowed for filiug claims of
Stato militia or non-enlisted men for pensious.
After considerable discussion it was .rejected.
MONDAY S PROCEEDINGS.
In the House, on Monday, tho 15tl;t inst., Mr.
Rragg OVis.) asked that tho Fitz-Johu Porter
bill bo taken from the Speaker's table for tho
purpose of reference, but Messrs. Taylor and
Dawes (Ohio) objected.
Among the bills introduced wero tho follow
ing: Ky Mr. Relford, (Colo.,) to authorize vtho-Sec-rotary
of War to loan tents to the Craml Army
of tho Republic for use during tho'Natioial En
campment at Denver, which was read a first
and second time, referred to the Committeo on
Military Allaire, and ordered to be printed.
By Mr. Spaulding, (Mich.,) to donate four
condemned cast-iron cannon to tho Phil Mc
Kcruan Post, iso.p, (.'rand Army of tho Re
public, of Mason, Mich.; which was read a first
and second time, referred to the Committso on
Military Affairs, and ordered to bo printed.
Ry Mr. White, (Ky.,) a resolution roeLting
allegations that a well-urganized lobby rushed
tho bonded whiskey extension bill through
tho House on April 3, lbS2, and calling on tho
Secretary of the Treasury for his views as; to
tho effect which the passage of that billf as
amended by the Senate, would have on tho
public revenue.
By Mr. Gibson, (La.,) to convene tho Forty
eighth CougreS on the first Monday in March,
18H3.
Ry Mr. Xeal, (O.,) devolving the duties of tho
chief justice of the Supremo Court of the Dis
trict of Columbia on the second associate jus
tico in case of the absouco of the chief justice.
Ry Mr. Barn, (Pa.,) a resolution calling on.
tho Commissioners of the District of Columbia'.
for information as to the names and number of'
men now on the police force, the various du
ties assigned to each man, whether tho force
has been reduced by suspensions, dismissals or
discharges, and whether any men aro employed
who were not honorably discharged from the j
army or navy.
Mr, Sherwin, (111.,) from the Committeo on
Education and Labor, moved to suspend this
rules and adopt tho resolution makiug tho bill
for tho support of commou schools a special
order for the 20th inst.
After debate the resolution was agreed to
12!) to 20.
Mr. Rice, (Mo.,) from tho Committeo on Pen
sions, moved to suspend the rules aud adopt a
ns ilution making tho bill granting pensions
to the survivors of the Mexican and certain
Indian wars a special order for the first Tues
day in February. Agreed to yeas 137,
nays 01.
TUESDAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
In tho House, on Tuesday, tho lGth inst.,
Mr. Kusson (la.), from the Committee on For
eign Affairs, icportcd the joint resolution pro
viding conditionally lor the termination of the
treaty of tbo United States with tho Hawaium
government, signed .Fune 3, Ls75.
Mr. Rico (Mo.), chairman of the committee
on additional accommodations for the Congres
sional library, reported a Trill on that subject,
and it was ordered printed and recommitted.
It provides for the erection of a fire-proof
building on any of the Government reserva
tions in Washington which may be selected by
a commission, and provides that the cntir
cost of tho building shall not exceed $1,500,000
of which $300,000 is appropriated by tho bill.
Tho Houso then proceeded to the consider
ation of tho special order, being Mr. Culber
son's bill amending tho act regulating tho
removal of causes from State to Federal courts,
which was passed, after debate, by a vote of
134 to G7.
Mr. Kelley (Pa.) reported the tariff bill from
the Committeo on Ways and Means, and it was
referred to the Committee of the Whole. Ho
then, under direction of his committee, offered
a resolution declaring that in view of the pro
longed discussion of tho tariff at the first ses
sion of this Congress, tho brief period remain
ing of the present session, and the public anxie
ty touching the probable action of Congress on
tho subject, which was deranging the ordinary
course of trade, general debate bo limited to
one day, and that the Houso proceed on Tues
day, 23d of January, to consider the bill.
Mr. Tucker (Va.) said that the Committeo on
Ways and Means had called upon tho Secretary
of tho Treasury for certain information, and
until that was obtained it would be impossible
for tho minority to present their views. Ho
was, therefore, constrained to object to the
resolution.
Tho House then went into Committeo of tho
Wholo (Mr. Ryan, of Kansas, in the chair) on
the state of tho Union.
Tho first bill on the calendar was one appro
priating $230,100 to reimburse the Stato of
Massachusetts for certain expenditures for coast
defense during the late war.
After debate, Mr. Bragg (Wis.) moved to re
port tho bill back with a recommendation that
tho enacting clause bo stricken out. This was
agreed to yeas 05, nays 53.
Mr. Hammond f Ga.) from the Committeo on
tho Judiciary, submitted a Report on tho mat
ter of the contingent member from Nebraska.
WEDNESDAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
In tho House, on Wednesday, tho 17th inst.,
Mr. Rico (Mo.) called up the special order
being tho joint resolution providing for a new
mixed commission in accordance with the treaty
of April 25, 15GG, with tho United States of
Venezuela, and spoko at length in regard to it.
Mr. Brown (Ind.) presented the credentials
of Charles T. Doxey as Representative from tho
9th Indiana district to succeed the late G. S.
Orth, aud Mr. Doxey appeared at the bar of the
House and took the oath of office.
Mr. Pettibone (Tcrni.;, from the Committc on
Elections, submitted the unanimous report of
that committee in favor of the claim of J. T.
Cain, to ho admitted as a delegate from tho
Territory of Utah, and Mr. Cain appeared at
tho bar of tho House and took the oath.
THE HUE AND CRY.
Another Collection of Newsjiapcr Attacks on
tho Soldier.
Another Suspicious Editor.
From the Bloomington (III.) Leader.
It will soon cost tho Government more to
support tho pensioners than it did to maintain
its armies during tho war. There is a suspi
cion that extensive frauds upon the good-will
of tho people towards its a eterans are being
perpetrated. Tho cure is to publish a list of
pensioners in tho newspapers. Honorable
wounds are meritorious, and the man who
receives a stipend for disabilities actually in
curred in the service is not a pauper, but simply
receiving a tithe of his just dues. Tho Treasury
should be protected from false pretenders, how
ever, and when it is known who they are their
punishment will he swift. 3y aU means pub
lish tho pension list.
Tho Arrears Bill a Political SIh.
From the X. 11 Evening Post.
When the arrears bill wa3 passed many Be
publicans undoubtedly thought that theii
party could not afford to oppose a measura
which, as they thought, had tho "soldier ele
ment " behind it. Whatha3 been the result?
Has the Arrears bill in any way served to save
tho Republican party from defeat at the lata
elections? On tho contrary, tho Arrears bill,
for which tho Republicans wero in a great
measure held responsible, was one of tho most
prominent items in the eataloguo of Republican
cins. Tho people aro in a sober and inquiring
mood about theso things. The old catchwords
will no longer justify wholesale depletions of the
public treasury. Even tho demagogues in.
Congress, if they are shrewd, must have found
out that they can no longer make anything for
themselves by serving the claim agents.
TTants Eentley Dsclc.
From the Bratllcboro ( Vt.) Eeformer.
Tho colossal mistake of President Garfield in
removing an honest and painstaking Commis
tiioner of Pensions liko Bentlcy to make room
for a mero politician from Indiana, Dudley, had
its full proof in tho report which the latter
worthy mado public last Saturday. Our pen
sion list is now the largest in the world; noth
ing like it was ever heard of before. The num
ber of ex-volunteers who now draw or havo
applied for pensions under tho demagogic act
of ,lo3 is put by Secretary Folger at 453,553;
the number of pensionable relatives of soldiers
now dead at 297,566. In other words, moro
than three-quarters of a million persons repre
senting nearly c ue-third of the soldiers who
ever enlisted or fought in the Union army have
applied for support. It needs no argument to
prove ithat thero cannot he such an enormous
number of claimants, .that those who are al
ready drawing pensions fraudulently or unde
servingly must be numbered by tens and per
haps by hundreds of thousands."
Is This JIalico or Stupidity.
From the A". Y. Witness.
The neighbors of many of tho claimants
know quite well about tho frauds going on,
but aro not willing to volunteer information,
and Commissioner Dudley (that unfortunato
nomination of President Garfield's) wanted a
law to punish those who gave falsa (?) evidence
against pension claimants, as if any one could
have any interest but that of the public in giv
ing information against a claimant. Claim
agents ami pension brokers are masftrs of the
situation. Tliny incite, direct, and hep claim
ants, real aud pretended : manufacture public
opinion in their favor, and virtually control
Congress aud the Pension Bureau. It is doubt
less in anticipation to admit finally tho soHiers
of the rebel armies to pensions, in order to ton
tinue the revenues of the claim agents.
Hundreds and Thousands of Frauds.
From the Cleveland leader.
It is difficult to imagino why objection should
be mado to a publication of the Government
pension lists. If the country is interested in
rewarding the deserving among its defenders it
is equally interested in the prevention of frauds
upon the public purse. There arc nearly three
hundred thousand pensioners now drawing
money from the Treasury, while tho iucreaso
in the number of applications is simply enor
mous. It is seriously alleged that thero aro
hundreds and thousands drawing pensions who
were never in the army iu any capacity, people
who have been forced upmi the lists by mem
bers of Congress who combine to vote their
favorites money under false pretenses. Whether
this charge against Congressmen bo true or
false there can bono uncertainty as to tho great
impositions being practiced upon tho Govern
ment through tho Pension Office. Thero aro
not a few men who, whether having served in
i ho army or not. aro taking money to which
they are not entitled. They are hale, hearty
fellows, quite able to maintain themselves with
out Government assistance.
An .Utack on tho Right of Petition.
Fromthe Philadelphia Times, Ind.
It is proposed to increase tho rate of a largo
class of pensious, and to effect this tho old
method of circtriating petitions, first resorted to
successfully in theurrcarsbjll.has been brought
into operation. These petitions arc aliko iu
form and substance and had their origin, it is
said, with thy disreputable order of claim agents
who infest Washington. They havo been scut
broadcast over tho country with the request to
fill them up and forwiurd them to members of
Congress. This is a vary familiar game and
was carried out so successfully in tho an oars
act that the country wUl pay at Ipast iivo
hundred million dollars as the singlo tangible
result of its experience. Tbo country is now
bound for as large a sum in pensions as can
justly be asked of it, and its ability to pay i-
taxed almost to the limit, lfc will be well if
this is recognized before it is" asked to enter
upon any new and blind obligations.
