The New York Herald Newspaper, January 24, 1873, Page 3

WASHINGTON. Ben Butler Preparing, to Fight the Syndicates, AND SAVE BOUTWELL FROM HIS FRIENLS, Lefeat of the Bureau of Commerce Scheme by a Heavy Vote. LIBERIA ASKING FOR A LINE OF STEAMERS. A Gross Injustice to the Volunteer Offi- cers of the Navy Likely To Be Remedied.: PASSAGE OF THE NAVY BILL. The Question of an Extra Session of Con- gress Causing Unpleasantness. SEE NO HOPE FOR THE COTTON TAX. The Buell Court Martial Records in Safe Hands— Corrections in the Louisiana Official Docu- ments—Federal Officers and School Boards—The President’s Proclama- tion—The Humbug of the Franking Privilege Bill, WASHINGTON, Jan, 22, 1873, The Vice President Sorrowful, Dejected and Disappointed—Parson Newman’s Condolence—Business in the Senate. | It was not “smiling Schuyler” who called the Senate to order at noon to-day, put Anthony in the chair and then retreated to his sepulchral sanctum im the basement, but a sorrowful, dejected and disappointed man, whose Presidential hopes have faded, who will soon have to vacate the Vice Presi- @ent’s chair, who has not been called to Mount an editorial tripod in New York, and who has miserably failed in his successive attempts to repudiate connection with Crédit Mobilier, Patterson was also absent, and the two writers of good character certificates, to the truth of which they respeetively swore, were the subject. of much bitter comment in the Senate Chamber. ChaplainNewman was prompt to offer his con- golences, buteven he could not, with “his smile that was childlike and bland,” explain away the blunt financial statement of Oakes Ames, who was not disposed to be made a scapegoat any longer. It is significant, however, that Ames should have treated Wilson and Dawes, from his own State, so much better than he did Patterson and Garfleld. To be‘sure, Wilson is soon to be Vice President, and perhaps President some of these days; while Dawes, de- Seated in his desire to become Speaker of the House, Row expects to secure Wilson’s place. #ach one an be useful to Ames and his road, but that is mo reason why the broad mantle he has thrown over them should not have also covered Colfax, Patterson and Garfield, If the venerable Poland so desired, he could elicit a deal of informa- tion from Ames and Alley that they have not yet been asked for. But as an examiner Boland is not worth a row of pins stuck in a red paper. The Senate passed the bil! authorizing the building of ten new sloops-of-war, with a total tonnage not to exceed ten thousand tons, and at a total cost not to exceed four million. of dollars. This will give a guvod deal of patronage, much of which will be bagged by the new iron shipyards on the Delaware. The House having performed their annual farce of pass- ing a bill professing to abolish the franking privi- Jege, which, it was well known, the Senate would not adopt, it was taken up in that body to-day and #0 amended before its passage that the House will not recognize its bantling when it returns. No Congressman wishes to yield this useful privilege, but it cam only be retained by thus whipping the devil around the stump, General Butler Preparing to Fight the Syndicate—Sle Wants to Save Bout- well from His Friends. It is stated to-night that General Butler contem- Plates introducing a resolution requesting the Sec- retary of the Treasury to inform the Mouse as to what propositions are pending before him for funding the bonded debt of the United States, and which ifany of said propositions are believed by him to be most advantageous to the government. The object of this resolution is understood to be to develop the fact that a proposition has been be- fore the Secretary for several days in behalf of re- sponsible bankers in Europe offering to take the whole remainder of the five per cents, with a probability of following with the four-and-a-half and four per cents, on terms substantially better ‘than those yielded to the old Syndicate, and now i imminent danger of renewal. The bankers on whose part this oifer is made insist, however, on tle right to deal directly with the Treasury Department, andgnot with inter- mediates, who would otherwise get the credit of placing the loan, besides receiving a virtually un- earned commission. Nothing has heretofore come Out in regard to this proposal, but the Secretary 4s not responsible for the silence enfolding it, as he has neither said nor authorized anything to be said concerning the offers made him, and is especially annoyed by the inspired report that he intends to venture into the market with only $100,000,000 at a time. Mr. Boutwell is on record to the effect that the financial creait of this gov- ernment is stronger than that of any other Power in the world—and it is this belief of his own, shared by many able men, outside the Treasury, and the Treasury rings, that the Syndicate vperators find to bea present obstacle to the repitition of the former Syndicate ope- rations. Lead: men in Congress are gene- rally convinced that the $135,000,000 dis- posed of through the Syndicate could have been funded at @ cheaper rate had the public been afforded an opportunity of computing upon the dif- ference between the margin of profit afforded un- der the law and that actually earned by the Syndi- cate. Butitis feared that the pressure upon the Secretary from banking interests believed to be sorely in need of the moral and material aid of a government agency may lead to a realliance onthe old terms. This apprehension is enlarged by the action of the Ways and Means Committee, in retus- ing to give advice to the Secretary and to Congress, and herce General Butler is to stand in the breach and prevent the necessitous from overpowering the conscience of the Secretary of the Treasury. Overwhelming Defeat of the “Bureau of Commerce” Bill—Windy Specches on the Sabject, Sheliabarger’s bill to establish a “Bureau of Com- merce” came up again this morning. A discussion arose as to the time to be allowed for debate, when Mr. Beck, of Kentucky, made a palpable hit, and One that caused a general laugh throughout the House, by moving “that the House do now adjourn and that the members have leave to print their Speeches.” As this bil! had been introduced twelve months ago every member who was to take part in the discussion had his part “conned over by heart,” and, as the subject had ali been discussed and gone over time and again in Congress, it was supposed that this motion wouid save the feelings of members, who won't have to listen to the thread bare theories of Congressional lawyers upon a sub- ject about which they know absolutely nothing that could not be controverted by any intelligent arti- zap Or merchant ip the country. But your Cen- Gressional Sir Oracle would commit hari-kari, or some other terrible thing—commission Hoax Ames for instance to Luv stock in the Crédit Mobilier—if NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1873.—TRIPLE SHEET. he 41d net get a chance to explode his pent-up elo- quence. before a full House, like @ boy with bis Fourth of July crackers, Beck’s motion therefore failed, and the speeches went op, though the bill was doomed to defeat from the first. In fact, if a vote had been taken on it after Shellabarger’s speech, it would have met withthe same defeat that it received to-day, when nearly two-thirds of the Honse voted to lay the bill on the table. The speeches were all against the bill and were made by Potter, Kerr, Wood and Farnsworth, Kerr, as usual, made an able argument and appealed to the judgment of the House with unanswerable statis- tics in defence of bis position. He and Wood made the best speeches of the @cbate against the bill, which is now buried until some future Congress, when the whole subject will again be rehearsed for the benefit of the Congressional! Printer and the mu- tual admiration society in the House. There is one gleam of hope, however, in the defeat of this measure, as it ts looked upon as the avant courrier of the numerous plundering schemes for steamship subsidies which are hatching in the committee rooms and lobbies-of the Capitol, and its defeat is considered a forerunner of the fate that awaits the entire brood, unless, indeed, members should yield to more convincing arguments than words. But it is hoped that the Crédit Mobilier exposure will have asalutary influence upon members who are sup- posed to be open to the whisperings of the tempter. A Gross Injustice to the Voluntecr Naval Officers—Hopes of a Remedy. Considerable anxiety is felt in naval circles in re- gard to a question which has been recently sub- mitted by the Secretary of the Navy to the Attorney General for his official opinion, At the close of the late war Congress, to show its appreciation of the services of ihe volunteer ofiicers, passed an act authorizing the transfer to the regular service of a specified num- ber of volunteer officers, who were to be selected from those who had shown conspicuous gallantry in the war and whose qualifications fitted them for the positions. In order to have an impartial test a board of experienced officers, seniors in rank, was detailed for the examination of those who desired to remain in the service and forwarded applications for the purpose. A8 a large number of these efficers were in active ser- vice in squadrons afloat the examinations had to be at detached periods as the officers returned from cruises, and thus it was nearly two years before the final report of the Board was made. In the meantime, as vacancies occurred, the young grad- uates of the Naval Academy were promoted to fill them, and thus these volunteer oflicers, many of whom had responsible commands during the war, found themselves placed under those who were their juniors in age and service. They claimed that the intention of Con- gress was to transfer them at the date of the pas- sage of the act and give them all the benefit of thei continued service in the navy. Instead of which the young regulars were promoted to the additional places thus created, and the volunteer oMcers were commissioned to take rank at the date of exa\aination of the iast volunteer officer who returned from sea, which made the differ- ence of two years in their rank in the ser- vice. These oMcers came from the merchant ser- vice, had been masters and mates of ships and are vonsidered as among the very best navigators in the navy. Governor Cox, of Ohio, late Secretary of the Interior, is the counsel in the case and they have many warm friends in Congress who feel that it is the old jealousy of the regulars against the volunteers which has been the cause of this mis- placement in rank, The volunteers are confident that the Attorney General will decide that they are entitled by jaw to the places on the Navy Register which they claim, Webb's Pacifie Subsidy Amendment Kept Back. The agents of Webb’s Pacific line had not the courage to offer their bill as an amendment to tio bill for the construction of ten sloops-oi-war after the explanations which General Burnside has made to prominent Senators. Whether they will seek to tack it on some other bill as an amendment remains to be seen. ' President Grant had decided not to call an extra session on the 4th of March, as be fecls competent to “run the machine,” but the Senators insist that they should be in to be consulted on tire new appointmen' made, ‘by their advice and consent,”? It will be dificult fer the President to withstand this Senatorial pressure. The Cotton Tax Refunding Scheme To Be Killed. The Ways and Means Committee resumed to-day the consideration of the cotton tax resunding | scheme, without reaching aconclusion, it is al- most certain that the committee will at their next meeting report unanimously against all the Cot ‘Tax Refunding bills presented. All the memb« of the committee except Kerr and seck are un- compromisingly opposed to the scheme, Mr. Kerr thinks that the cotton tax was illegal, but does not favor payment on the ground of impracticability. Mr. Beck is of opinion that about thirty millions ought to be refunded for the tax paid on cotton actually exported, The New Orleans Coup d@Etat—An Im- portant Correction. Judge Elmore, of New Orleans, has telegraphed Mr. H. V. Ogden that the statement in the oficial document recently sent to Congress is erroneous in saying that on the morning of the 22d of Novem- ber Judge Elmore proceeded with an armed mob and seized the Eighth District Court be- fore the hour to which it had adjourned. Judge Elmore says:—‘‘Having been duly elected Judge of the Eighth District Court by & majority of over ten thousand votes, commissioned and sworn, I opened the Court with. out objection, There was no mob present, armed or unarmed, About half an hour afterwards Judge Dibble appeared, with ex-Sheriff Sauvinette, and attempted to take possession of the Court, where- upon Iordered Harper, the recognized Sheriff of the Court, to eject them. This was done, and Harper is the recognized Sheriff by all the Courts,” Liberia Wants a Line of Steamers. At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the American Colonization Society to-day a committee Was appointed to urge the government to establish a line of steamers to Liberia, as all the trade of Western Africa, by means of weekly steamers from England, is now going to that country. Three thousand applicants are now on the books of the society waiting passage, and 300 will leave on the 1st of May. Most of the applicants are from Florida and Georgia. Exceptions in the President's Proclamation. Hon. Charles O'Neill, of Philadelphia, called on the President this morning and had a conversation with bim relative to his recent prociamation ag affecting members of school and educational boards and directors of public schools, The President said he did not intend his procla- mation to apply to members of such boards and school directors who held national offices, and that such need not resign them. He also said that, if necessary, he would modify his proclamation to reach such classes, his desire being that those in- terested in our public school system should not diminish their laudable and unrewarded exertions in so good a cause, The Records of the Bucl! Court Marti: Safe. Mr. Benjamin Pitman has arrived in Washington, bringing with him the retranscription of his phonographic notes of the Buell Court of Inquiry, the original record of which, it willbe remembered, very mysteriously disappeared from the War De- partment. It coatains a historical record of military operations in Kentucky and Tennessee during 1862 and 1963, and makes 3,361 pages of legal cap, averaging 225 words to the page, Mr. Justice Miller Bereaved. Mr. Justice Miller, of the United States Supreme Court, willbe absent from the bench during the next fortnight, in comsequence of the death of his daughter, who was the wife of Colonel Corkhii, Clerk of the United States Circuit Court of lowa, She died here to-day. Judge Miller's other daugh- ter, Mrs, Stocking, will start with the remains to- morrew, for Mount Pleasant, lewa, in company with her father. Iiiness of Mr. Brooks. ‘The Hon. James Brooks has been ordered by his physicians to quit ail work of any kind, He has not been im his seat either in the Houge or on the Wave Recent and Means Committee for over two weeks. He is suffering severely trom attacks arising from: bis Summer journey around the world, The Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections will commence the examination of Louisiana mat- ers to-morrow morning and resume the Caldwell investigation next Saturday, The committee did not hold a meeting to-day. A New Light in the Detroit River. ‘The Light House Board gives notice thaton and after the opening of navigation in the Spring of 1873 a light will be exhibited from the brick tower recently erected in the village of Gibra:tar, Mich., on the western side, near the mouth of the Detroit River, The Great Paper Contracts for the paper to be used during the coming year at the Congressional Printing OMece are to be awarded to-morrow, and geome of the leading pa- per manufacturers are om hamd to-night with their proposals. Treasury Balances. ‘The balances in the Treasury at the close of busi- ness to-day were as follow: pe posits oI egal tenders ior G demption of certificates of deposit. DOIG as taceaslsxaesnae oaee Including coin certificates. . FORTY-SECOND CONGRESS. Second Session. SENATE. Wasuincton, Jan. 22, 1873. Y., called up the House joint Mr, Fenton, (tib.) of N. resolution tendering & THANKS OF CONGRESS 4 to Captain Day Ritchie, commander of the revenue steamer Moccasin, and to the officers and men under bis command, for their humane and heroic conduct in sav- ing the lives of forty-two human beings and rescuing seventeen dead bodies from the wreck of the Metis, in Long Island Sound, in August last. Passed. Mr. Wxsr, (rep.) of La., presented a petition of the mer- chants of New Orleans, asking the national government to assume the construction and care of THE GRVERS OF THE Mississrrrt. Mr. Craaty, (rep.) of N. H., from the Committee on Naval Affairs, reported the House bill to abolish the grades of Admiral and Vice Admiral in the United States Navy. Passed. Mr. Cragin, trom the same committee, also reported favorably the House bill to prevent the employment of officers on the retired list, and the bill to promote the securing of eficient seamen for the navy. Mr. Trrron, (rep.) of Neb., from the Committee on Pub- lie Lands, reported a bill granting the right of way to the Denver, Georgetown and Colorado Railroad, and to the Denver, South Park and Colorado Railroad. Mr. Buckinauam, (rep.) of Conn., from the Committee on Indian Affairs, re ported a bill to authorize the Seerctary of the Interior’ to negotiate with the Creek Indians for a portion of the lands occupied by them. Passed. Mr, Stewanr, (rep.) of Nev., {rom the Committee on Pacific Railroads, reported, with an amendment, the bill supplemental to the act incorporaling the Texas !acitic Railway Company, which was passed. M’MILLAN’S AND RAY’S CREDENTIALS, Mr. West presented the credentials of Mr. M. Mc- Millan, elected Ly the Warmoth Legislature to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Kellogg as United States Senator from Louisiana; and also the credentials of Mr. John Ray, elected by the Kellogg Legislature. The cre- dentials of both were reterred to the Cominittee on Prvi- leges and Elections. ir. EDMUNDS, (rep.) of Vt., from the Judiciary Commit- tee, reported a substitute for Mr. Morton’s bill fo regulate the distribution of THE GENEVA AWARD. ‘The substitute authorizes the President to appoint five commissioners, to be called the Court of Commisstoners of the Alabaina Claims, one of them to be called. the pre- siding judge. The court is tomake and publish its own rules of procedure—contorming ay far as possible to the modes of practice in the United States Circuit Courts— and is to have the same power to compel the attendance of witnesses and production of testimony. Special pro- vision is made that books and papers deemed material to the consideration of any claim must be produced. ‘The salaries are as follows:—Judges, $6,000 each: a clerk, to bo aynointed by the President,’ $3,000; shorthand re> porter, $2000. The President 14 specially authorized to “@ person to.actas counsel tor the United States jore the commussioners. The sittings of the court are tobe held in Washington City, and it is to exist for ene {our from the, date Of first convening, and wx months longer If the President deems it necessary, It shall be the duty of the court to receive and examine all claims no excepted, as hereinafter stated, directly resultin, " beri caused by the Alabama and Florida ‘and tenders, and by the Shenandoah her rture froma Melbourne Februai to decide upon the amount such claims accerding to the merits and in conformity with the provisions of this bill, No claim shall be admissible or allowed tor any loss or damage for or in respect to whic! arty injured, his agsignees or legal representatives shall have recelved >onsation or indemnity from any insurance com- y, oF otherwise; but allowance may be wad lifterence between iosses suffered and insur ‘y 18, 1865, ‘and ‘validity "of rinciples of law and their No claim shall be admitted or allowed tor unearned Ireighis, gross treig' prospective protfis or for officers’ and scamen’s wages for a longer time than one year from the breaking up of any voyage. No claim shall he admissible or allowed on behalf of any insurance company or insurer either for themselves or as assignees of the Fights of parties insured, unless such ¢laimant shall show to the satisfaction of sald Court that during the late rebellion the sum of its or his losses by War risks exc i led the sum of its or his premiums or reason of war risks, and incase ot any vance the sum shall not exceed such excess or Joss. No claim shall be allowed in favor of any insurance company not lawtully existing at the tine of the I er the law9 of some State of this Union, or in favor of on not at the same time entitled to the protec- the United States in the premises, or in favor of any person who did not at all times during the late rebel- lion bear true allegiance to the United States, IN ESTIMATING THE COMPENSATION | toclaimants the Court shall ascertain and certify to the Socretayy of State, with the judgment, the amount of in- terest at four per cent per annum upon the actual loss sustained irom the respective dates in each case when it was sustained by the claimants, Five per cent of the judgment shall b total amount of the retail he Treasury tor the reim! Ymited States of d the rei ve per cent shall vot th said, unless the a prove insufticie pro rata, Mr. Axes, (rep.) of Miss., from the Committee on Fi- nance, reported an original bill establishing $4 86.65 as the Custom House value of the sovereign or pound sterling of Great Britain and the par of exchan The bill also rovides that all contracts made after the Ist day of January. 1874, based on an assumed par ofexchange with Great Britain al fifty-tour pence to the dollar, or $4 444-9 to the pound. sterling, shall be nulland voul, And itis ally that case claimants shall ve paid also provided gei THE V as expressed in the money ot acco shall be that of pure metal of such coin of standard value, i the vaiue of foreign standard coins in circula’ in this country shall be estimated annually by the Director United States of the Mint, and promulgated on the Ist day of January | by the Secretary of the Treasury. PASSAGE OF THE NAVAL BIT. At the ex on of the morning: hour the unfinishad business bel pill to provide tor the construction of six new sloops of war, increased by amendment to ten, was resumed, and the amendment offered by Mr Sher man, of Ohio, yesterday, providing that neither of the Vessels shall’ be commenced until complete plans, modely and specifications for it shall be prepared, was 0. ERMAN, rep.) of Ohio, offered an amendment would Virtually repeal THK RIGHT-NOUR LAW, so far as the construction of these vessels was concerned. Mr, Craaix, (rep, of N. H., expressed the hope that he would withdtaw the amendinent. Mr. Cassxuny, (det) of Cal., also asked him to with draw it, saying that there was reason why @ special discrimination should be made against the men who should work upon these vessels, Mr. Sienwan then withdrew Mr. Monntt, (rep. viding that the Board of Survey having power to au thorize changes in the plans for the vessels shall esti mate the cost of such changes, and that the contractors shall be bound by such estimates. Agreed to, Mr, Cassenty moved to substitute the main points o! the House bill for the bill reported from the Committee on Naval Affairs. The bill was then passed—Yeas 39, nays & Mr, Ramsey, (rep.) of Minn., moved to agsign next Mon- day for the consideration of THE POSTAL TELPGRAPH BILL, Mr. ConKLING, (rep.) of N. Y., said he would object to fixing any day’ tor the feration of that bill until some action should first have been taken to abolish the tranking privilege. r, which the amendment. The Senate then resumed consideration of the calen- | dar, and several bills granting pensions were passed. ALAS, POOK WOMAN! The bill to allow women to vote and hold office in the Territories was indefinitely postponed. ‘On motion of Mr. Ratnsey the bill to abolish the franking privilege was taken up by a vote of yeas 25, nays 13, the following Senators voting in the nega’ tive —Messrs, Ames, Bayard, Carpenter, Edmunds, Ham- jiton of Maryland,’ Hill, Johnson, Lewis, Machen, Nor wood, Pool, Kobertwon and Stevenson. Mr. Moneitt, of Vt., offered an amendment, providing that no allowance siiall now or hereatter be made to members of Congress in liea of the franking privilege Without this, he said, the abolition would be a farce, Mr, Hamuin, (rep.) of Me., said. that to give the country the full benefit of the abolition of the franking privile the bill onght to be so amended as to reduce wnd limit | the amount of public printing. Mr. Purtinanuysen, (rep.) of N. J. did not favor the abolition of the franking privilege, because he thought it undesirable that there should be any tax imposed by the government upon communication between the people and thelr representatives, To him personally it would be 4 relief to be deprived of the franking privilege; but he looked upon It #8 a privilege valuable to the people, atid of which they ought not to be deprived because it’ was d. The abuses of it, however, should be corrected, teould be best done by limiting the privilege to Postal matter weighing not more than one ounce. and by the preparation of a single compendium in one volume of the information about public affairs most fiecessary and useful to the people, Mr. Ebaunps spoke of the bill as an utter delusion. The abuses of the franking privilege ought to be cor: rected, but the benefits of the privilege belonged to the people And not to members of Congress, and the people " y ou HOWEVER TE ae ought to bear, the burden of it. It, ishiny at honestly by this ball. He ing the question r. Mr. and completely, ai nf weed oped no oue woilld accuse hina! shi Are you for it or aj inst it? ps—l ain against al nlishing it, most de e the Senator understands me, —1 do no’ . i (Laughter, Mr. Tieton, (rep.) of Neb., said he would vote to cor- ish it, rect the abuses of the privilege, but not t Mr. Witson, (rep.) of Mass., said he did not regard it as a privilege at all, and he was willing now, ashe had al Ways been. to relinquish it unconditionally ; but he was Hot sunguiite as to the saving to be effecved: by abolish ite it. . Httt, (rep.) of Ga., gave notice that when the Legislative Appropriation bill should come up he would offer an amendment increasing the compensation of members of Congress, and he moved that inthe mean- time the pending bill the table. Lost. ‘Th ment offered by Mr, Morrill, of Vt, was me " 1. PASSED, On motion of Mr. NTRR, (rep.) of Wis, the bill was then so awended as to simply abolish the ‘franking to be avolished, he was in favor of abol- | accuse himot shirk | | are six in number, with four furnaces to ed ) of Vt., offered an amendment pro- | ' | tain George Ernst, who is vice commodore of the paper and telegraphic controversy in the matter, privilege on the Ist of July next. The Dill was then Pe techs Ave’ mikaies past four F. M. the Senate. 64- journed. ss. nl HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wasninaron, Jan. 23, 1873, After some preliminary business of no public import ance the bill for the admission of Colarado asa State came up as the business of the morning hour, was dis- cussed and went over without action, On motion of Mr. Ganrmupx, (rep.) of Washington Ter- ritory, the bill to amend the actgranting the right of way tothe Walla Walla and Columbia River Kaitroad Com- pany was taken up and passed. cages tthe intr itch iat Ville, Tenn., was concurred in, oi BUREAU OF COMMERCE BILL DEFRATED. ‘The House then took up the bill for the creation of Com- alesloners of f Commerce and tor giving bounties to Amer- ican sl re. Atter hes against the bill by Mesars. Potter, of New York, Kerr, of Indiana; Wood, of New York, and Farns- ‘of Miinois, Mr. Cox, o: New York, moved to lay the table, dnd that ‘motion was Carried—yeas 121, Nays! 2p the bill was defeated. Mr, Ganvixcp, (rep.) of Ohio, from the Appropriation Committee, reported a bill appropriating $113,500 to supply the deficiency for the expenses of the United States Pixel, Comu.ssion on American and British claims. Mr, Lyncu, (rep.) of Me., from the Committee on Com- merce, reported a bill to amend section 12 of y ‘THR SHIPPING COMMISSIONRRS’ ACT, t, explained that it was simply to take out of the opera- mn ofthe between rt Mir no tat twelith section vessels engaged in the trade the United Siates and the Ni American pos: sessions, and the West India Islands. It was to correct anerrorin the amendinent of the law which passed a jew Axo. Mr, Porter, dem.) of N. Y., said that the effect of the amendment referred to was. Cy ad transfer half of the “satlors-of the United States from the control of the Ship- ing Cominissioners to that of sailor bearding-house ecpers. He was glad it was in operation and he hoped the House would not pass the bill. After a briet discussion of the bill it was passed. ym the President VETO BY THK PRESIDENT. ‘The Speaker presented a me: f vetoing an act reducing from two years to six months the ime in which new trials ma; on mowion of the United tales granted in the Court of Claims. The President Jailed to see any advantages in the proj Jaw, and re- F tas tending to fucilitate the perpetration of frauds on the United States, ‘The message was referred to tne Judiciary Committee, _ The House, at twenty minutes past four o'clock, a Jjourned. THE ORPHANS? BALL. Tad A Splendid Display at the Academy of Masic—Charity and Pleasure Com- bined-—Material Aid for the Lonely Lit- tle Ones. Some seventeen years ago, when the annual ap- peal was made for aid for the large number of orphan children in the Catholic Orphan Asylum, several young gentlemen, well known in Catholic society throughout the city, conceived the idea of giving a grand ball, the proceeds of which should be devoted to the good work of maintaining those whose natural guardians had been taken from them by death, The idea then conceived was carried out with gratifying results; the young men were so en- couraged that they formed a permanent organiza- tiom under the title of the Young Men’s Associa- tion, and regularly each year, the “Orphans’ Ball,” as their reunion is called, is leoked for- ward to by man as @ feature of the festival season, and by many others as the means of bringing to them material aid. Last evening the sixteentn annual ball of the Associa- tion was given, and it may safely be said to rival any of its predecessors for numbers present, style and taste displayed in the dresses and general beauty and brillancy of the surroundings. As the ballis given for charity no useless expenditures were induiged in, and the only attempt at decora- tion were the monagram and title of the organiza- tion at the stage end of the Academy in letters of fire. Shortly alter nine o’clock the guests began to arrive, and, although the coaches came in an almost steady string, owing to the efficient manage- ment of Captain Leary and the promptness with which his directions were carried out by his officers, there was no delay and no confusion, The street immediately in front of the house was in the same pitiable plight as was noticed on the occasion of the ‘Twenty-second regiment reception, Thestreet cleancrs‘had not been around, and the Academy opie apparently did not think 16 worth while to have the roadway placed tn decent condition, On the ball itself it 18 unnecessary to dilate. The company Was—as a young lady present remarked— “really nice; the music was in Grafulla’s best style. Good nature prevailed on allsides, and was helped along by the jolly-faced John 3urke, who, as chairman of the floor committee, had nis hands full of work, but, betng well assisted by the veteran Thomas J. O’Brien, got through his arduous duties in good style. Mr. Maurice J. Powers performed the duties of receptionist with all the art he is known to possess, and the President of the Association, Mr. Jeremiah Quinlan, seemed to be almost nbiqui- tous in his efforts to make the aifair a grand suc- cess, The ball of last year netted the Asylum some nine thousand dollars, and, judging from appear- ances, the receipts irom the ball Jast night will be fully up to, if not more than, those of any of its pre- decessors, NEW IRON STEAMERS, Sethi a A Fine Vessel of the Bremen Line—The Mosel, Her Dimensions, &.—The China Steamship Surprisc—From the Far East Via Suez, The new steamship Mosel, belonging to the North German Lioyd Company, is now lying at her dock in Hoboken, having accomplished her initial pas- sage across the Atlantic in the short space oi twelve days and six hours, The Mosel is a larger boat than the other vessels in the line, and was buiit by Messrs. Caird & €o., at Greenock, on the Clyde. She is an iron propeller and lr dimeusions are:— Length, 365 feet; beam, 40 feet; depti of hold, 35 feet. She has a flush hurricane deck; her gross tonnage is 3,500 and her bunkers carry 1,000 tons of coal. She is full brig rigged, carries eight metallic lifeboats and two gigs, and her decks are of East India teak. Her ma- chinery is powerlul and fine, being imverted direct acting engines of 800 horse power nominal, with the capacity of working up to 2,500. She has two cylinders, 72 inches in diameter, with 4 feet stroke; has surface cendensers, and is furnished with all the latest mechanical improvements, her starting gear being worked by steam. The boilers ch; the shafts are all of steel and 16}, inches in diameter. Her screw or fan has four blades, ts 17 feet 6 inches in diameter and has 30 feet pitch. During the passage her machinery worked simootiily 0 well, despite the severe weather encountered. crew is composed of 14 officers and 95 subordinat ‘The saloons of the Mosel are splendidly furnished, the panels being of highly polished maple, with mouldings of rosewood and black walnut, and the pilasters and cornices richly gilded. Fine oil paint- ings of scenery on the Mosel, an elegant piano and library also adorn the main saloon, while the one devoted to the ladies and also the smoking room is beautifully fitted up. The berths have everything requisite to premote the comfort of passengers. ‘The vessel is heated with steam throughout, and the second cabins, which are between the main and lower de can be ventilated by a new and unique proces: ‘The Mosel can accommodate ninety first class, 126 second class and 680 steerage passengers. Pnea- matic bells are attached to ali the rooms, the pan- tries and galleys are marvels of cleanliness and or- der, her ice house holds forty tons and her water tanks 16,000 gallons. She is commanded by Cap- | tine. The new British steamship Surprise, belonging to the China line of E. De Bussene, arrived from Shanghae yesterday morning, having come via the Canal. She is an iron vessel of 1,233 tons, is in length, 34 feet beam, 23 feet depth of hold and 21 feet draft. She Has three decks, five water-tight bulkheads and is fitted with ma- chinery of the finest make and material. She was built at Renfrew and is commanded by Captain Shaw. She left Shanghae on Octover 1, Amoy No- vember 10, Singapore November 20, Point de Gaile November 30, Suez December 16, Port Said December 18, and Gibraitar January 3. She is con- signed to Peabody, Willis & Co, THE BILLIARD CHAMPIONSHIP, Dion, of New York, vs. Whasscy, of New Orleans. New York, Jan, To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD :— Cros#-challenges having passed between Mr. Whassey, of New Orleans, and myself, and I being especially desirous of testing the skill and prowess of that gentleman, and wishing to end all news- 1873. respectfully present the following as my ultimatum in regard to a series of contests between us: I will play Mr. Whassey two matches, each tocon- sist of a series of three games, to be played en con- secutive nights; the first match to be the four-ball American game and the second the thkree-ball French game, and each match to be for $2,500 side, The first match to take place in the city of New Orleans, consecutive nights during the last week In February; the games to be of 1,500 points and of the same character, and to be gov- erned by the same rules as the matches for the championship of America, The second match to take place in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., On consecutive nights in the month of April next; the games to be of 500 points and according to the established American rules, In cach case the winner o1 two games to be the winner of the mateh, The $2,500 deposited by me with A. K. Samuells, of Brooklyn, on the Lith inst., Still remains in that gentieman’s hands, and I have this day deposited a like sur of $2,500 with amuells, the whee now awaiting Whas- sey’s reply. AS 800N a8 these stake they will be deposited with Say posit company mutually agrees over to the respective winner. I trast that Mr. Whassey and his friends will now ir. are covered bank or safe de- upon, to be paid OAKES AMES’ CONFESSION. | Revelations of the Financial Adviser and Pawnbroker of Congress. Damning Facts Brought Out by Poland’s Committee. a “THE STOCK AND SHARE LIST.” a Names of the Implicated Congressmen, the Shares Allotted to Them and the Amounts They Received—Secretary Boutwell Not To Be Bribed. WASHINGTON, Jan, 22, 1873. Judge Poland’s Investigating Committee had an eventfal sitting to-day. Oakes Ames continued his confession, which made sad havoc of the testimony given by Vice President Colfax, Representatives Garfield and Ketley, while it indirectly gave tne finishing blow to Senator Patterson, who might as well, politically, give up the ghost, In the light of Ames’ evidence these gentlemen are placed in a very unenviable position in view of their past as- severations, Oakes Ames acted during the whole sitting as if he were goaded on to say what he did; and his exposé of his own schemes and those of his colleagues were #0 ample as to suggest the thought that he no longer wished to vindicate himself, but to drag his confederates down in his fall. His tes- timony has excited great sensation, and will bring down upon his head the concentrated wrath of THE EXPOSED CONGRESSMEN AND THEIR ALLIE! He seemed to realize that he was not preparing for himself a bed of roses; but uncomfortable as he has been made by the recent events before the committee, he did not seem to be of that benevo- lent disposition that would make him suffer in silence in order that he might save others, ‘The committee room was crowded this morning at the opening of proceedings. Vice President Colfax, with an anxious look upon his face, sat just back of Judge Poland, From the fact that not once during the sitting did he give one of his elastic, far- reaching, soul-pervading smiles, one might have inferred that some secret troable was gnawing on his vitals. Shortly after ten o’clock the venerable Poland signified his intention to go through the list of accused Congressmen with Mr. Ames, to see how their statements compared with his side of the story. They began with Colfax. Ames? story was a simple straightforward one, and during its recital Colfax was the unhappiest-looking man in the room. THE ARROGANCE OF EXCESSIVE VIRTUE fled from his face, and he began to look more like a Congressman than he has for some time. Ames sald he bought twenty shares for Colfax at his request; Ames advanced the pur- chase money. Shortly after the transaction there was an eighty per cent dividend declared in Union Pacific Railroad bonds, These he svid at ninety- seven and applied the proceeds to the credit of Colfax, aiter deducting interest. Colfax then gave him a check on the Sergeant-at-Arms for $534 72, the balance of the purchase money, The Vice President here broke in with a set of ques- tions, which did not materially help his case. He asked Ames whether he had not come to him and begged the money, as he needed it badly, He also queried WHAT BUSINESS OAKES HAD TO SELL the bond dividends if they were his (Colfax’s). Ames replied he had probably given him the usual statement of indebtedness furnished to stock. holders. He supposed he did not deliver the stock, however, asit was not demanded. In June there was a cash dividend on the Crédit Mobilier of $1,200, which he gave to Vice President Colfax, by a chee payable to “S.C. or bearer,” drawn on the § geant-at-Arms, Colfax’s thin story of his offer or the money, given by check, a8 a present to Ames on account ef his failure, was simply laughed at by Oakes, who said that he would not even take the trouble to deny so absurd a story. THE VICE PRESIDENT EXOIDED. Mr. Colfax at this juncture became excited, and said in a nervous way that he gave Mr. Ames no- tice now that he would prove tke negative of his assertion about the $1,200 dividend. The Vice President saw in the recesses of his memory that oft-repeated assertion made during the campaign, “I have never owned any shares nor received one cent of dividend of the Crédit Mobilier,” and it now came up before him in such a crushing way that he saw it was necessary to move all his ener- gies to avoid the blow. He then examined Ames very sharply, and asked him about a conversation between them, when he (Colfax) had said that “the Crédit Mobilier business was off.” Ames replied he could remember nothing of the sort. He had always regarded Mr, Colfax as the owner, He had the shares with him and was ready to turn over to Mr, Colfax is property then and there, After Ames had finished his story, which left the Vice President decidedly tame and humble, he had | to submit to a series of imploring questions from Mr. Colfax. The President of the Senate asked THE FINANCIAL ADVISER OF CONGRESS why he had not corrected him before in his state- ment, when he had said that he never owned any Crédit Mobilier stock ? Ames’ reply was signifi- cant. He said he had hoped he never would be called upon to contradict the Vice President. He would let the matter go over if possible. Another important point elicited in the cross-examination was that the $1,200 dividend had been paid before the time that Colfax claimed there was a talk of the business being ‘off... The check of Ames, | payable to “S.C.” was a damaging proof, which Mr. Colfax couid not shake. Mr. Ames said he had not mentioned it before as he had not the neces- sary memoranda to support it. He now had, THE VICE PRESIDENT TURNED PALE AND LOOKED LIKE A BAFFLED MAN when he saw that the testimony of the Sergeant. at-Arms would nail Ames’ evidence beyond his power of shaking it, Ordway, the Sergeant-at- Arms, was then interrogated. He was exceedingly considerate and gentle, but told the truth, which undid the tale Mr. Colfax had woven. He remem- bered in Ames’ account one check, at the time mentioned, drawn payable to “S. C.,” or bearer; | but, as he was not the paying teller, he did not know who had drawn the money. But the fact of his having seen the check, which coincides with | Ames’ statement, completely crushed Mr. Colfax’s testimony to the contrary. He stared blankly be- fore him; he saw the result of his deception and | the light in which he must be regarded hereafter. “BEVERY MAN HAS HIS PRICE,” During all this talk between Ames and Colfaxy | the former drew forth a huge red leather poc book an@ fished out a card on which he had memo- | randa of cash dividends that he had paid to Con- gressmen or holders of stock. ‘The paper read as | follows :— Henry Wilson. $1,200 Garfield . $829 Scofield, 26th. 800 Dawes . 600 Patterson. 1,000 Kelley . 329 Bingham.. 1,200 Wilson, 2 Collax, June 12..., 1,200 Allison, 600 This list was neither incorporated in the evidence nor made public. ALLEY’S AWFUL FORGETFULNESS. Asa drowning man catches at a straw Colfa Jos called up the incorruptible Alley, who came shuf- fling forward, The Vice President asked him whether he did not remember hearing Mr. Ames once say that his (Colfax’s) version of the trans- action Was substantially correct, Alley replied in his apologetic, humble, cringing tone; but he did not remember anything that could satisfy the yearnings of Colfax’s soul. He had heard Ames say something of that sort about a statement Colfax once made in private conversation, but never about his statement before the committee, Alley roiled up his eyes in his usual deprecatory way at Mr. Colfax as he planted this last sting of forgetiulness, and hobbled back from the witness stand, When he came to reviewing the case of ex-Rep- be convinced that I mean business, and that tur- ther controversy, except in the arrangement of prejluniuaries, is superfuous, JOBEPH DION, resentative Allison he gave @ funny account of how Allison, becoming frightened at the suit against Ames, wanted to get rid of his stock in name only, awe mers berceias #0 a8 to avoid any imputations being cast upon his character. He parted with it to Ames fora mere nominal sum, with the understanding that it was to be returned, McCrary saw an opportunity here to distinguish himself, and, tugging at his little tuft of whiskers, said, “How much was paid, abouta nickel?” “Some where in that neighborhood,” replied Ames, When Ames was called upon to say what he knew about Representative Garfield's transaction With the Crédit Modilier, he presented a statement Of facts that but poorly agrees with the explana tions of THE IMPECUNIOUS CHAIRMAN OF THE APPROPRIA+ TIONS COMMITTE! Garfield has in his statement laid himself open as badly as Colfax, In reaching after imaccessible heights of virtue botm have slipped and fallen. Oakes Ames to-day has made their situation in this matter utterly hopeless of satisfactory explana- tion, Garfleld has sworn he never owned any stock, and that the only business transaction he ever had with Ames was to borrow of him $300, How does that compare with Ames’ version of the affair? Ames says he sold him $1,000 worth of Crédit Mobilier stock, as he sold them to Colfax, allowing him to purchase and leave the dividends towards payment for the siock at par. There wero TWO DIVIDENDS ON GARFIELD’S TEN SHARES, ‘rhe first was $776 and the second $600; deducting $1,000 and $47 interest, there remained due to Garfield $329, which Ames says he paid him by check on the Sergeant-at-Arms, The following is a transcript of Ames’ books in the matter:— J. A. G, ar., Jannary, 1868, tem shares of Crédit Mobiller, $1,000; interest, $47; June 17, to cash $320—total, $1,376, Credit—By dividends of $1,000 Union Pacific bonds at 98, $776; cash dividend, $600—total, $1,376, In view of that account, Garfleld, trusting to Oakes Ames’ silence, insisted on calling those aloan. His desire to appear in a better light than the rest of the unfortunates has led him to this blunder. Gartleld’s friends claim for him that the statement he made to the committee isno new matter, but has been known to them for the last three years. It was published in the Capital, of, this city, last Summer, Then that booming patriot, Kelley, whose very whisper is a subdued roar, who has so often during the campaign and in the House thundered DEATH AND DESTRUCTION TO CORRUPTION, he, too, has been tripped up, like his colleague, ‘arfield, Their statements are duplicates except in the name at the top. -Alas, poor Kelleyt One can imagine him since this forenoon to roar you as gently as a cooing dove on this subject of Crédit Mobiiier. In Kelley’s account was also found that in the Sep- tember following Ames had lent him $750, Kelley had added the $329 profits on Crédit Mobilier, and generously called it @ $1,000 loan after the trouble began, sweetly ignoring the petty $79. This real estate patriot from Philadel- Phia made a most excellent stump speech before the committee the other day. Ho will now have toeat his own words, and to swallow all those glowing phrases of virtuous egotism, ‘This will surely make him il} indeed, At this junc~ ture an open-cyed bird ef prey, who calls hims: Ifa journalist, but who, if riclitly dubbed, would be called THE SWAMP ANGEL OF THE CAPITOL, for he heads a Lowry gang of lobbyists, wag dragged into the investigation, as his namo was in Ames’ memoranda, The venerable Poland asked Ames about the bird of prey—whether the stock was given to influence votes or whether he bought it. He replied he bought it. The Swamp Angel, who was present, rolled his eyes at this and chuckled. Ames said the Swamp Angel held the stock for himself and no one else; a quite needless assertion, a8 one could well believe what once got into the Swamp Angel's clutches would not stray far. Judge Merrick then read over the following LIST OF STOCK ASSIGNED Wilson, Henry, 20 shares; Scofield, 10; Patter- son, 30; Dawes, 10; Bingham, 20; Coliax, 20; Kel- léy, 10; Wilson, J. F., 10; Allison, 10; Garfield, 10; Swamp Angel, 20—total, 170 shares, “Where is the residue of the 343 shares originally assigned to you for distribution’ asked Judge Merrick. “They are disposed of outside of Congress,” said Ames, adding, in an under tone, “I don’t think [ will ever have any more stock transactions with Congressmen, if I know it." At the close of Ames’ testimony he said he had never been able to persuade Boutwell to enter into the project. Niblack congratulated him when he fnished on having done much better than the day betore. “That was because I had better data,” re- marked Ames. That New Hampshire patriot, who complained yesterday of the libellous press which slandera” good and true men, Senator Patterson, is still far, ther injured by to-day’s testimony. He asserted yesterday that he did not go outside to negotiate A LOAN TO INVEST WITH AMES. Then how sad it is that the money lender who accommoda ted Patterson should appear upon tho stand to-day and swear positively to making him the loan, and state at the same time that the rea- sonthe Senator gave tor borrowing the money was that he -wanted it to invest in stocks with Ames, Patterson is down on the incorruptible Ames. He remarked to-day, “LT used to think Oakes Ames an honest man, but I now believe hima liar, He is a man who would seduce a virtuous girl and then turm round and brand her with infamy.’ He added ener- getically, “ He is only doing this to save his own bacon.” The distinguishea Senator rambled on and could not find expression for all his sentiments in condemnation of his seducer, Oakes Ames, who has been a sort of Congressional pawnbroker, giving stock or loaning money to his impecunious col- leagnes and accepting their virtue as a pledge, has now found out to his disgust that he has placed his stock on a very slippe curity, By the light of his past transactions with Congressmen one might fancy seeing three goiden balls suspended above his desk in the House, enticing such impecunious patriots as Garfield, terson and Kelley to the road to 1uin. ~ OOK FIGHTING. New York vs. Westchester—A Main of “Stags” Excite the Country Boys— Eleven Battles for $50 Each and $300 the Odd Fight—Westchester Badly ‘Whipped. ‘The lovers of cock fighting in the upper portion of New York and of Westchester county metina pit, afew miles up the Hudson, last might to note the result of a main of “stags,"? made between the vet. fancier, Uncle John Cummings, of this city, and a gentieman from West Farms. The agree- ment was that each should show thirteen chickens from 4 lbs, to 4 Ibs, 14 oz, and fight all that fell in fer $50 a battle and $300 the main, Eleven couple fell in. The birds showed by the New York party were tn better condition than their opponents’, and Gotham had the extreme satisfaction of winning nine out ofeleven battles, Westchester was in much bad luck, and, added to this, they sent in three or four runaways, which told y seriously upon their backers. It was rumore birds that showed the ‘white feuther bred and raised by Messrs, Mclntee and McGinnis among the “brick yards” up the 1 The handlers are tolerably well known in the business, and Mr, Joe Hutton nade a satisfactory referee. SUMMARY. ——New Fork—< West hester—— ‘Lbs, Os Color, Lhe, Oz Won I 4 O.-Brownered... 4° 0......8, —Blue -pyl 4 14... Brown-re . Y S—Red- pyle 410... Brown N.Y 4—Biack-red 4 9... Black-gray N.Y 5—Black-red 4 6... Brown-red N.Y. 6—Black-red ¢ Dene Ww. 7—Black-gray.... 4 1 N.Y. A-Black-red......4 2 WwW. 9—Salmon-pyie... 4 1s N.Y. 10—Black-red 47. N.Y. —Browa-red..... 4 10 ..-Ginger-red. m % Won by New York—score 9 to 2. GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. Evmira, N. Y., Jan, 22, 1893, The annual encampment of the State of New York Grand Army of the Republic met at Stanclii? Hall, in this city, at noon to-day, Commander Barnum and nearly ail the: department oficers being present. The reports of the officers show the Order to be in a flourishing condition, At the evening session Colonel Stephen P. Cor+ lies, of Albany, was elected Department Com- mander for the ensuing year. Alter the adjournmerit this evening a splendid banquet was given at the Rathbun House to th: visiting comrades by Baldwin Post No. 6, of thi city, Mayor Flood presiding. The Encampment wil) meet again to-morrow morning at nine o’elock finish the business belore it, j