The New York Herald Newspaper, December 5, 1878, Page 3

WASHINGTON. Movement to Regulate Presi- dential Elections. QUEER ANTICS OF THE SILVER MEN. Effort to Force the Standard Dollar on the Banks, THE HOT SPRINGS COMMISSION. & Side Blow at the Southern Pa- cific Railroad. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT; Wasuiseton, Dec. 4, 1878. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS—-SENATOR EDMUNDS’ BILL-—-HOW THE PASSAGE OF A LAW WAS DE- FEATED THAT WOULD HAVE MADE MR. TILDEN PRESIDENT. Senator Edmunds gave notice to-day that next Mon- day he will ask the Senate to attend to one of the most important pieces of unfinished. business before the country—namely, the question of providing a way for the election of President which shall avoid the dangers and excitements consequent on the election of 1876. If Mr. Edmunds undertakes in earnest to bring this question up tor discussion there is reason to hope that a bill will at least get through the Benate, Mr. Edmunds’ bill, which was reported last May from the Select Committec, to whom the subject was referred, provides that the Presi- dential clection shall be held on the first Tuesday in October, and that the electors siall meet in the different States on the second Monday in January following. This gives more than three months to decide questions of disputed elections in the States, and the bill provides that each State shall regulate for Atself the manner in which such disputes shall be de- termined, and that the determination made according to such regulations in each State shall be final and eonclusive. Congress is to meet on the second Mon- day of February to open the electoral votes andcount them, and the bill provides that where there is but ene return from a State it shall: not be rejected without the concurrent vote of both houses, while where there are two or more returns only that one shall be counted which is received by the concurrent vote of both houses. That is to say, both houses concurring may reject the vote of a State, if objection As made for cause to its reception where there is only one return, but if there are two none can be received ‘without the concurrence of both houses. If the bill once gots fairly betore the Senate It is likely to be debated at considerable length, as the same question has been before. It is a curious fact that several ycars ago Senator Morton got a bill somewhat like this through the Senate and the House was at that time ready to pass it. It would have become a law had not Senator Thurman, after the passage of the bill in the Senate, moved its recon- sidcration. His motion was carried, and, in the subsequent hurry of business, the bill was never again taken tp. Had it passed then, as it would havo flone but for Mr. Thurman’s act, its provisions would A@@ro made Mr. Tilden President on the count of the wote by the two houses in 1877. “AN UNFAVORABLE VOTE ON THE SOUTHERN PA- CIFIC RAILROAD BILL—QUEER MOVEMENTS OF THE SILVER MEN. Both houses adfourned early to-day, there being no business ready to employ them and no disposition eo ter to engage in bunkum or exciting discussions. In the Senate, Mr. Matthews’ motion to take up the Southern Pacific Railroad bill was promptly rejected Dy 22 to 19, and the vote against the bill would have decn larger had it been known that the question was coming up. To conciliate favor for the bill Mr. Matthews thereupon gave notice of an amendment ‘that the guarantee of the government should not be given to bonds for any part of the road which the company neglected to build. The bili must be curiously drawn if it needs this amendment, Two more silver bills were added to Senstor Beck's to-day. His resolution, it will be remembered, in effect requires the Secretary of the Treasury to pay. the interest on the public debt in silver as far as it will go. Senator Saulsbury to-day introduced a bill commanding the Secretary, when he redeems legai tenders, to pay for them seventy-five per cent of gold and twenty-five per cent of silver, Considering the fact that there are only nineteen millions of silver dollars coined, these two gentlemen certainly provide ademand greatly exceeding the supply. But this is not all. Mr. Fort, an Illinois republican, evidently as furious as he is ignorant, to-day introduced 8 resolution providing that the legal tender quality of silver dollars shal] be maintained and enforced, and that if any national bank refuses to receive them and treat them as legal dollars ¢his shall be deemed a defiance of the laws of the United States and its notes shall be withdrawn from circulation. The precedent on which Mr. Fort evidently relies for the defence of this brilliant resolution of his is found‘in the action of the authorities of a South German town during a recent hot summer which. caused great incon- venience to the inhabitants. The Town Council, composed of philanthropic men like Mr. Fort, met and adopted u resolution commanding the people to break up all their thermometers and forbidding the use of thermonmietres until the return of cold weather. ‘The difficulty with the silver men is, however, meatly confessed in Mr. Fort's resolution. They be- gin to eee that though Congress can declare cighty- three cents’ worth of silver a dollar it is powerless to perenade the people that the declaration makes it so. ‘The banks do not propose to refuse the silver dollars which Congress has declared legal tender, but they decline to do business with any one who wants them to give him a dollar's worth of gold for eighty-three cents’ worth of silver. If Mr. Fort will agree to take silver back the banks will take on deposit all he will bring them, but when he proposes to doposit silver and demand gola in return they very naturally de tline bis custom, as they would that of any other over sharp practitioner, and it is, in fact, because silver men like Mr. Fort do not themselves believe in the silver dollar, but want to unload it on other people, that the banks have to protect themselves, If Mr. Fort will get Congress to command the Treasury to redeem the silver dollars in gold the banks will take them at once and in any quantity; but there is no reason why they should do what the Treasury refuses to do, or why they should do what Mr. Fort himself would very promptly refuse, and won!d think any one & rogue or a fool whoahould ask him to do it. It is somewhat remarkablo that so fow silver bills end resolutions have appeared thus far. It looks as though the silver men themselves were a little puz- led, air. Buckner, the chairman of the Banking and Currency Committee, is maturing a bill intended to mako all three kinds of currency—gold, silver and greonbacke—mutually interconvertible at the Treas- ury. That, if the silver men can only see it, willcure their troubles, It will put upon the Treasury all the lors which may result from the exchange, and that is precisely where the loss should fall, cemeeacene eee FROM OUR REGULAR CORREPONDENT. "Wiantweron, Dec. 4, 1878, THE HOT SPRINGS COMMISSION--HOW THK OMISSION FROM THR SUNDRY CIVIL APPRO- PRIATION BILL OCCURRED—LABOR OF THI SECRET SERVICE BULEAU, Mr. Atkins, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, will lay before the committee to- morrow the report received from the Secretary of the Treasury in reference to the investigation made by the Secrot Service Bureau of the Troasury Depart: tent in relation to the alleged theft from the Suudry Civil Appropriation bill of tho page containing the tlanse continuing the Hot Springs Commission, It DAY, DECEMBER 5, 1878—TRIPLE SHEET. closing honra of Inst session, and covered 130 pages of parchment. ‘The number of curolling clerks had been reduced carly in the session sv that the clerks employed at this work were over- tasked in the closing hours and were not able to fully compare every page of the bill. A large prop tion of it was duly enrolled in anticipation of its final passage, but the Conference Committes made so many changes that it was necessary to destroy & number of pages, and the work was distributed among several clerks. The delay made it also neces- sary to extend the time of adjourning, and when the bill was completed Mr, Rainey, of the Com- mittee on Enrolled Bills, who had carefully comparel most of this Dill, insisted upon finishing the duty devolving upon him, It is said that Mr. Atkins, who had charge of the confer- ence report, insisted it wes not necessary, and so the bill was taken to the Speaker and by him signed, and then hurriedly taken to the Senate by the Clerk of the House and delivered to Mr. Bassett, by whom it was taken to the Vice President, and thence to the President, who signed it. After the adjournment it | was discovered that the page relating to tho Hot Springs Commission was not in the enrolled Dill, Senator Dorsey, of Arkansas, who was specially interested in the subject, at once made public the charge that the omission was due to care- lossness on the part of the enrolling clerks of the House and Clerk Adams promptly denied the allega- tion, making #0 good a defence of his employés that Senator Dorsey sought esplanation of the singular omission in another direction. Mr. Atkins, on behalf of the Appropriation Committee, also sent a request | to the. Secretary of the Treasury to have the seeret service work up the-case and discover if possible who | the guilty parties were if any. It was then that sus- | picion rested upon Senator Conover, who is chairman of the Senate Committee on Enrolled Bills, and it) was known that he had an antipathy to ex-Governor Stearns, of Florida, who was one of the commissioners under the provisions of the bill. Mr. Benson, of the Secret Service Corps, had frequent interviews with Senator Dorsey, and the consequence was that Senator Con- over was believed to have been instrumental in tam- pering with the bill. The eecret service agent even went so far as to declare that he had sufficient evi- dence to send Senator Conover to jail. During the recess Mr. Benson has accumulated a number of stato- ments implicating the clerk of Senator Conover's committee and bearing upon the original suspicion. Senator Conover says that he never saw the bill; that he was asleep when it was taken to the President and knew nothing whatever of the omis- sion until he heard of it ss common report. He has asked for acommittce of investiga- tion and the Senate, in defence of its own dignity, will thoroughly inquire into the matter. On the House side the Clerk has asked for a committee to examine into the enrolling of the bill, and the Com- mittee on Enrolled Bills has also requested a similar investigation in its own behalf. The investigation will at least show the importance of more careful examination of bills rushed through during the closing hours of Congress, and will probably lead to NEW YORK HERALD, THURSI the adoption of better precautions to prevent tam- pering with legislation by unscrupulous parties. THE POTTER COMMITTEE. The Potter Committee will not meet to-day, as in- tended and appointed. Gencral Butler has not re- turned to Washington, and the committee will await his presence before proceeding with the electoral in- vestigation. THE NEW YORE APPOINTMENTS. The New York appointments have not yet been considered by the Committee on Commerce, to which they were referred. Mr. Conkling, the chairman, has not yet returned to Washington. The Senate will probably adjourn from to-morrow to Monday. GERERAL WASHINGTON’ DESPATCHES, ‘Wasurnatox, Dec. 4; 1878, NOMINATIONS BY THE PRESIDENT. ‘The President sent the following nominations to the Seriate to-day, most of them being for confirma- tion of appointments made during the recess of Con- abet E, Paine, of Wisconsin, Commissioner of its. Lewis Wallace, of Indiana, Governor of New Mexico. te capen Richard L. Law, chief of tho Bureau of Yards and Docks, Ni or tment. Captain Earl English, chief of the Bureau of Equip- ment and Reeruiting. Medical Director J. Winthrop Taylor to be surgeon gencral and chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Sur- oerobert C. Walker, of Montana, to be # paymaseter in the army. William L. Foulk to be captain in the Sixth cavalry. Sergeants Leroy E. Sebree and James A. Swift to be Second Lieutentants in the Signal Corps, James S. Wolfe, Collector of Internal Revenue for Colorado. Myron E. N. Howell, of Michigan, to be principal clerk of public lands in the General Land Office. Walter R. Irwin, of Ilinois, principal clerk of Private land claims, General Land Office. United States Indian Agents—John A. Brodhead, of New,York, Meocalero Agency, New Mexico; Henry J. King, of Minnesota, Leech Lake Agency, Minnesota; Hepry C. Linn, of Kansas, Kansas Ayency, Kansas; Henry Rndd, of Arkansas, Hoops Agency, L. M. McKerson, of Oregon, Klamath Agene; 1. M. Kelley, of Dlinois, Los Pinos Agency, Thomas P. Ellis, of New York, Berthold Agency, Da- kota; Joseph A. Stephan, of Indiana, Standing Rock Agency, Dakota; Augustus P. Keller, of Ohio, Crow Agency, Montana; Wyman L. Lincoln, of Wisconsin, Gros Ventres Agency, Montana; Flias H. Webb, of Illinois, Fort Peck Agency, Montana; John O. Keane, of Washington Territory, Tulalip Agency, Washington Territory; Phileman B. Hunt, of Kentucky, Kiowa, Comanche and Wichita Agency, Indian Territory; Laban J. Miles, of lows, Osage Agéncy, Indian ‘Lerritory, and R. R. Mallory, of New York, Colorado River Agency, Arizona. Registers of Land Offices—Dennis =e. of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. ; Thomas M. Helm, of Kansas, Kirwin, Kan.; Melville b. Hoxie, of Nebraska, Grand Isiand, Neb.; Simon W. Switzer, Nebraska, Bloom- ington, Neb., and John B. Neil, Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, Receivers of Public Moneys—Daniel J. Lewis, Louisiana, at Monroe, La.; William H.C. Mitchell, Michigan, Reed City, Mich.; George H. Watson, Ken- tucky, Topeka, Kan.; H. C. Osborn, California, Bodie, Cal., and Alexander Reed, Ohio, Walls Walla, Wash- ington Territory. TRADE DOLLARS—OFFER OF A MILLION TO SEC- RETARY SHERMAN AND HIS RESPONSE. Secretary Sherman has received from San Francisco an offer of 1,000,000 trade dollars, deliverable there from China within sixty days, and replied that trade dollars will be bought as bullion upon bids each Wednesday, and that no preference will be given to trade dollars over other bullion. The Secretary says: — Thore is a strong speculative feeling springing w to give silver bullion, in the form of es doliere, . value greater than other ballion, thus discriminating in favor of bullion held in China against bullion in the hands of our miners. ‘The total amount or trade dollars coined is $35,959,560; the amount exported is $25,875,960, and the Chinese returning home aro esti- mated to have taken $5,000,000, which would leave in the United States $5,143,410. Those in domestic circulation were coined, like the others, for exporta- tion, but were put in circulation, after they ceased to be a legal tender, by the bullion owners, TRE JURISDICTION OF UNITED STATES COURTS— BILL INTRODUCED BY SENATOR GARLAND, ‘The bill introduced to-day by Senator Garland, “To amend the Judiciary act” as to suits against certain corporations, proposes to amend the act of March 3, 1875, defining the jurisdiction of United States cir- entt courte and regulating the removal of causes from State courts, as follows:—Insert after the first section of this act a proviso that “no city, town, vil lage, county or other municipal corporation shall be sued in the courts of the United States," and at the end of section 2 insert these words :—“Inenrance com- panies existing or organized in one State, but doing business in another State, if sued in the courts of the latter shall not have the privilege of removing the case to the United States courts.”’ ‘The bill was referred to the Committee on the Ju- ary. THE COUNTING OF THE ELECTORAL vorn, Representative Southard, of Ohio, intends at the first opportunity to report for action by the House a bill to regulate the counting of the electoral votes for Preaident and Vico President, the main features of which were agreed upon last session by the select committee of which ho is chairman. Tho bill is based upon the principle that the verification of the electoral votes is the duty and prerogative of the two houses of Congress, It provides that when there is only one return from a State, thie return shall not be rejected, except by the affirmative votes | of both Houses, and when there are two or more te- turns that one only shall be received and counted | of State by th which is affirmatively agreed upon by the two Houses Will baxemembered that this bill was passed in tho.| acting ecparately, Thacommittes is cmpowered. report at any time, and its members are imapressed with the necessity of, prompt action on this import- ant subject to securo its settlement by the present Congress. * THE SUIT AGAINST GENERAL GRANT AND THE CASE OF MRS. MARY OLIVER. The case of Thomas Biggins against U. 8. Grant, action for $100,000 for damages by false. imprison- ment in the insane asylum, and in sending him to Europe, is on the calendar of the Circuit Court tor to-morrow, and it is nnderstood that the plaintiff will be realy to go to trial, The case of Mrs, Mary E, Oliver against Simon Cameron, an action for breach of promise in which $50,000 damages is claimed, is not on the calendar of the Circuit Court for trial to-morrow, us has becn stated, but it will be reached in a few weeks, and the counsel for the plaintiff say they will then be ready to try the case, PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. SENA' WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 1878, The Vick Prestvest laid before the Senate a com- munication from the Society of the Army of the Po- tomac in regard to the publication of certain sketches and data concerning the battle of Gettys- burg. Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Also a comumnication from the Postmaster Gen- val in regard to the compensation of certain post- masters, whose nominations were not confirmed at the special session of Congress beginning October 15, 1877. Referred to the Committee on Post Ofiices and Post Roads. AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS. Mr. Davis, (dem.) of West Va., submitted a resolu- tion instructing the Committee on Agriculturo of each house of Congress to consider the general sub- ject of agriculture, aud report by bill what can be done by the general government to better advance and foster the agricultural interests. Laid on the table and ordered that it be printed. He gave notice that he would call it up at an early day for the pur- pose of submitting remarks thereon. BILLS INTRODUCED. Mr. Doser, (rep.) of Ark., introduced a bill to pro- vide for the settlement of all outstanding claims against the District of Columbia. Leferred to the District Committee, Mr. Ro.uiss, (rep:) of N. H., introduced 8 bill to regulate the jurisdiction of justices of the peace for the District of Columbia and for other purposes. Re- ferred to the District Committee. Mr. GaRuanp, (dem.) of Ark., introduced a bill to amend the Judiciary act as to suits against certain corporations. Referred to the Judiciary Committee. The Vick Preswenr appointed Messrs. Ferry, Davis of Dlinois and Randolph the committee to in- ire in regard to the omission of the Hot Springs suse from the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill, passed at the last session of Congress, said commit- tee being authorized by resolution of Mr. Conover, agreed to yesterday. Mr. Dawes, (rep.) of Mass., introduced a bill to pay $25,000 to George W. Morse for his labors and ex- penses in adapting his system of breech-losding fire- arms and ammunition to the arms of tho United pentee. Referred to the Committee on Military Af- ‘aire. ‘Mr. Kirkwoon, (rep.) of Towa, introduced a bill to extend the letters patent of Daniel M. Cook for im- provements in the processes and apparatus for evap- orating and desiceating cane juice. Referred to the Committee on Patents. ‘TO INTRODUCE SILVER. Mr. Sauisscry, (dem.) of Del., introduced a bill re- lating to the redemption of United States legal tender notes. Referred to the Committee on Finances. It directs the Secretary of the Treasury in redeem- ing United States legal tender notes, as required by the actof Congress approved January 14, 1875, to pay to euch and every person, bank, corporation or asso- ciation of persons presenting said notes for redemp- tion seventy-five per cent of the smount of said notes so presented in gold coin, and twenty-five per cent in legai tender silver dollars, Mr. Eustis, (dem.) of La., introduced a bill appro- priating $5,000,000 for constructing, rebuilding and repairing levees on the Mississippi River in the States of Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, , Miseis- sippi and Louisiana, the money to be expended under direction of the chief engineers of the United States Army. Laid on the table, and Mr. Eustis gave notice that he would call it up Thursday of next week to submit some remarks thereupon. Mr. MircHELL, (rep.) of Oregon, introduced a bill making a further appropriation of $500,000 for the construction of the canal and locks around the cas- cades of the Columbia River in Oregon. Referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. Wrraens, (dem.) of Va., submitted a joint reso- Intion repealing so much of the joint on No. 44, approved March 2, 1867, as requires proot of loyalty by soldiers of the War of 1812 and their idows on application for bounty land. Referred to the Committee on Pensions. . EPIDEMICS, Mr. Hannis, (dem.) of Tenn. called up the reaolu- tion submitted by him on Monday last, providing for the appointment of a comunittce of four Senators and five Kepresentatives to investigate and report the best means nen tho introduction and spread of epidemic diseases and other diseases, especially yellow [reed and cholera, within the limits of the tates. Mr. Epmonps, (rep.) of Vt., suggested that the reso- Intion be amended as to the appointment of the com- mittee of the Senate for that purpose, giving such committee power to sit and act in conjunction with any similar committee of the House. He also sug- gested an amendment, that the committce consist of seven Sengtors instead of four. Mr. Edmunds then referred to the importance of this inquiry, and asked under what clause of the constitution of the United States Congress would have power to legislate on this subject beyond a quarantine on the boundary line. Mr. Hannts said he was not prepared to discuss the constitational view of the subject now. The com- mittee would take that into consideration. During his remarks he spoke of aid to yellow fever sufferers, and said the people of every State in the Union, north, south, east and west, responded with # generous and lavish hand. The amendmerts suggested by Mr. Edmunds, above mentioned, were accepted by Mr. Harris, and the resolution was agreed to as amended. THE TEXAS PACIFIC RAILROAD. Mr. MarTuews, (rep.) of Ohio, said the last days of the last session of the Senate he gave notice that on this day he would move to take up the Texas Pacific Railway bill, in regard to which he had the honor to submit a few remarks yesterday. He, therefore, now submitted the motion to take it up. Mr. Monniu1, (rep.) of Vt., said this subject was too important to be pressed the first weck of the session. He was sure it would not lose its place so long a the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Matthews) was here to back it up. The motion of Mr. Matthews was rejected by a rising vote—yeas 19, nays 22. Mr. Mattuews then gave notice of various amend- ments he would submit to the bill, which propose to strike out the part requiring the road to be built on or near the thirty-second parallel of north latitude, and provide that a failure to construct the road at the rate provided (fifty miles per sanum) shall work an absolute forfeiture of all right to the guarantee of the government on the interest of the bonds to be issued for so much of the line as may remain uncon- structed at the time of such default. On motion of Mr. Winpom, (rep.) of Minn., the Military Academy and Fortification Appropriation bills, recently received from the House, were referred to the Committee on Appropriations. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. Mr. Eparcnps, of Vermont, gave notice that on Mon- day next he would ask the Senate to consider the bill to'amend sundry provisions of chapter 1, title 3, of the Revised Statutes of the United States relating to Presidential elections, and to provide for and regu- late the counting the votes for President and Vice President, and the decision of questions arising thereon. He ssid this was a very important subject and he hoped the Senators would examine it 60 as to be prepared to consider it on Monday. ‘The Senate then, ou motion of Mr. Epuunns, at ten minutes to one o'clock, went into execntive session, and, when the doors were reopened, adjourned until to-morrow. nited HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wastttnoton, Dec, 4, 1878, ‘The SPeAKkeR annonneed that the first business in order was the consideration of the Geneva Awan bill, reported last session from the Judiciary Com- mittee, bnt on motion of Mr. Kyorr, of Kentucky, the consideration was postponed wntil Tuoeday next. Mr. Woon, (dem.) of N. Y., offered a resolution ealling on the Secretary of State and the Postmaster General for any information received by them since the last session of Congress in relation to the commercial and postal intercourse between the United States and the countries of South America. Adopted. Mr. Frever, (dem.) of Ohio, offered a resolution call- ing on the Secretary of the Interior for information in regard to the amounts collected at the Hot Springs of Arkansas from taxes and water rents, Adopted. Mr. Seaiercten, (dem,) of Texas, offered a resolu. tion calling on the President for a copy of the de- patch of Octob 478, addreawed to the Secretary United States Minister in Mexico, to- gether with copies of accompanying communications on the subject of the commercial relations between the United States and that country. Adopted, THE HOT SPRINGS RESKRVATION. ‘Mr. Attys, (dem.) of Tenn., introduced a bill cor- recting te error in the enrolment of the Civil Sun- dry Appropriation bill in relation to the Hot Springs reservation and asking for its immediate passage, Mr. Wurrrions®, (dem.) of ‘Tenn., asked Mr. Atkins ff he had any information in regard to how the error had occurred. Grave intimations had been made affecting high officers of the government and em- ployes of the House, dir. Hantnros, (dem,) of Ind., eatd that Me, Rainey had enrolled the Ciyil Sundry bill, and hoped that Mr. Atkins did not desire to cast any reflection on that gentleman. Mr, Axxins disclaimed-any-euch. intentions. On. ontrary, ie complimented that gentleman on ithfuiness and labor on the last night of the stated that the Clerk of the Hous Mr. King, t Snrolling Clerk and Mr. Rainey b: quested that thers should be full investigation ing confident that (hey should be vindicated. Mr, Argrys stated that the present bill contained only the language which had been omitied from the Civil Sundry bill, with the exe n of the provision for the payment of the commissioners front June ast. : Mr. Epry, (dem.) of IL, objected to that provision aud it was withdrawn. On motion of Mr, Hewrrr, (dem.) of N. ¥., dire a pro vision was udded ing the Superintendent of the Hot Springs reseryation to provide and maintain a suficient number of free baths for the use of the indigent. The bill was then passed. Mr. ¥, (rep.) of Pa., offered a resolution calling ou the Secretary of the Treasury for informa- tion as to the deposit of government money in any national, je or private bank on the 40th of Septem- Der and November, 1878, other than deposits made by disbursing aen' opted. Mr. Frye, (rep.) of ntroduced a bill to amend the pension laws. Referred. Mr. Hooker, (dem.) of Miss., asked leave to offer a resolution calling on the Attorney General for in- formation in regurd to the timber depredation pros cutions in Mississippi, but Mr. Conger, of Michigan, objected. . Fors, (rep.) of IIL, asked leave to offer the fol- solution: — hat the logal tender qualit As at st dil of the silver dol- 1 be maintained thance of the laws of the d States, and the Committeo on Banking and Curren is hereby instructed to mature and bring in a bill tor tho wishdrawal,frow circulation of notes of all such banks so offend: ¢ Mr. Brxsr, (dem.) of N. Y.—As a proposition to declare that disobedience to the law shali be decmed defiance of it. Several objections were made and the proposition was not received. The House then, at five minutes past one, ad- journed. TRANSFER OF THE INDIAN BUREAU. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JOINT COMMISSION—EVI- DENCE OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS AND OTHERS OPPOSED TO THE TRANSFER. < Wasuinatoy, Dec. 4, 1878. The Joint Commission having under consideration the proposition of transferring the Indian Bureau to the War Department met at ten o'clock to-day. The first witness was Dr. A. C. Barstow, of Providence, R. I., chairman of the Board of Indian Commission- ers, and representing the Congregational Church in behalf of the education and conversion of the Indian race, He said in his judgment the proposed transfer was unwise; that if effected it would certainly work adversely to Christian operations now in progress. He had consulted many of the leading representa- tives of the various religious denominations now la- boring with the Indians with a view to civilizing and converting them, and it was almost the unanimous opinion that the change is inadvisable. He recited at length many interviews had with army officers on the subject, and said those favoring the transfer ap- peared to have but one reason therefor—namely, that. the War Department paid better salaries for similar duty than did the Department of the Interior. He thought it impossible for the body of Indian Commis- sioners to work in harmony with army officials as it did with civilians, and gave as his reason that the army was formed for war, to subdue enemies and re- tain the peace rather than to promote civilization, re- ligion and friendship. DEPRESSING EFFECT OP THE MILITARY. “Post officers,”” he said, ‘express the opinion that the military had a very depressing effect upon in- dustry, and that they were always glad to sec them withdrawn.”’ Asa case in point he cited a converas- tion between himself and the post officer at Fort Worth, Texas. He advised the disbandment of In- dian tribes and of placing them upon settlements or homesteads as soon as they became sufficiently civil- ized and industrious to care for themselves and families, thereby doing away with the numerous GO orp vent reservations. iu reply to General Scales Dr. Barstow said in his ‘inion in five years’ time, under the supervision of Christian discipline, the entire Indian race could be civilized for one-half the amount of money which would necessarily be expended in the event of their being placed under the ruling of the War Department, and under the former plan, in the time mentioned, he was sure the aid of military to keep the Indians peaceful would be no more required than it is at pres- ent in our States. He considered that there are some very good men in the army, but did not think them adapted to the requirements of Indian agents, and was positive that they are incapable of promoting religion, civilization, &c. UNIEWS OF MR. F. My = E.. M. Kingsley, of New York, a member of the Board of Indian Commissioners aud representing the Yterian sect, also chairman of the purchasing committee, was the next gentleman to present his views to the commission. In commencing his re- marks he said he did not mean to state that the trans- fer would result in extermination, but he thought it would naturally have a tendency to bring matters to anend. In his judgment, as the American people had crowded themselves upon the Indisn domain, they are in duty bound to continue the practice of educating and civilizing them. Much upon elevating the domestic life of the Indian. Under the existing administration this could be effectu- ally accomplished, but army officers, he thought, are entirely untit to promote this necessity. The army, in small numbers of course, is needed in the Indian service, but eighty per cent of the Indians are infinitely better off without any army whatever. Continuing, Mr. Kingsley said:— “We need an army with hoes and spades for the Indians, rather than with swords and rifles.” If the Commission #0 desired he would produce the books of his office for every expenditure made by the Board and where purchases were made, where for- ried and the disposition made of the same. He nded the Indian agents as a body, and said their wholesale abuse" was unwarranted. With refer- ence to the creation of contracts by the Indian Bu- rean he said he did not accept the criti- cisma of the Department on the subject, and considered it ‘‘poor grace” for that department to offer it, ‘considering the rascally contracts which — rough the hands of its officials during the jate war.’ The great mass of religions denominations throughout the country favored the continuation of the existing peace policy. Upon being questioned by Judge Boone, regarding the work done by the Board, and what difference it would make to them whether they acted in connection with the army or with civilians appointed by the Interior Department, Mr. Kingsley said:—‘Should the transfer be made the Board would not feel that they had any active «ym- pathy. The good work done by the Board had in many instances been demoralized by surrounding military posts.” To his knowledge there was no ex- isting antagonism between the various religious de- nominations. The committec then, after a few unimportant ques- tions, adjourned to mect on Friday next, when Secre- tary Schurz and Indian Commissioner Hayt are ox- pected to appear and give their views on the subject. APPLICATIONS FOR PARDON. NO HOPE FOR JAMES M'DONNELL OR MARTIN BIRGIN—JACK KEHOE ALLOWED TO BRING NEW EVIDENCE. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) 5: Haumspura, Pa., Dec. 4, 1878, The State Board of Pardons has considered fifty- four applications for executive clemency in the past two days, twenty-nine of which it decided favorably and thirteen of which were refused. In the case of James McDonnell, convicted of the murder of George K. Smith in 1963, in Carbon county, the Board refused to recommend a commutation of the death sentence to imprisoument for life. Similar action was taken in the case of Martin Birgin, who murdered Patrick Burns in Schuylkill county in 1870, Both will be hanged on the 19th inst. unieas writs of error should taken out, which would supersede the death warrants, A CHANCE FOR JACK KEHOR. Argument was made before the Board this sfter- noon by dack Kehoe's counsel. In the evening he made affidavit stating that he had hopes of finding » witness who would demonstrate that Kehoe beyond doubt was not a participant in the Langdon murder in 1862 Thix witness he had been led to believe had died several years before the trial; but recently he had obtained informa. tion leading to the belief that he was living and could be found. He accordingly requested a special meeting on the Lith inst. for hearing the tee timony, if he could befonnd and a deposition «e- cured. ‘The Board took the following action in the case “Ordered, if by December 13 the deposition of absent’ witness be taken, on notion of hours given to the Dis. Schuylkill county, a copy of h member of ther, and an twenty-four trict Attorney of which deposition shall be furnished the Boata, who will correspond with cach if the facts warrant, an entertainme: will be given the counsel for defen ing to hear an application to open the case.” hoo’s execution is fixed for the 18th inst, YALE ALUMNI JUBILEE. ‘The Yale alumni gave their third annual jubilee at the Union Teague Theatre Inst evening, the little auditorinm being crowded with scholars who smoked like chimneys and leughed and sang like a lot of plantation darkies, The entire performance, it was announced, was under the snpervision of & member of the faculty. The fret part of the programme consisted of minstreley, one of the jokes it contained being" W atidents vot inst the Liquor jaw like their Porter and their tittlé J 1 the Yale Because tavy ry.” Mr, Taane H. Bromiley, of theclaas of ‘53, read a poem and the entertainment cloeed with @ farce ontitled “A Turk- | the children I was going to the City Marshal’ WIFE MURDER. Conclusion of the Trial of William Henry Devlin tea DRUNKEN BRUTALITY ——--— Matement of the Prisoner to Officers and on the Witness Stan, a THE CASE GIVEN TO THE JURY. ———+— [SY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] Bosrow, Dec. 4, 1878, The trial of William Menry Devlin, of Lowell, tor the murder of his wife, was continued in the Su- preme Court, at Cambridge, to-day, and considerable testimony was taken. The court room was crowded witi interested spectators, and considerable excite- ment was created by some of the evidence adduced. Devlin seemed to enjoy the smart things said by counsel as much as anybody present. Daniel M. Hayes was the first witness called to-day, He is the officer who arrested Devlin. His testimony was as follows :-— I Iollowed Devlin to North Chelmsford, Ayer Junc- tion and Bellows Fails, Vt., where L arrested him on. December 10, 1877; found he had bought a ticket for Rutland; went to Bellows Falls and arrested him; he was in the lock-up; he told me he went home Saturday evening, or late in the atier- noon, and found his wife sitting in the rockin; chair with the child in her arm, the child’s hea hanging over her arm; he told his wife, he said, to get up out of the chair: she didn't; he slapped her og the side of the face; she then got up and went to te hallway, through to the front stairs, and went up three or four steps, when he took hold of her and either pulled her or threw her down stairs; he told her then to get up; she didn’t; he dragged her into the kitchen, and, he said, kicked her three times in the head: he said that the second time he kicked her he told her to get up; she raised her head the second time and he kicked her; the third time he kicked her he told her to get up, atl she didn’t, and he said he supposed that was the time he killed her; Tasked him where he kicked her the third time, and he said back of the ear; he sat ona chair beside me while he was saying this; he jumped up, kicked the chair over and said, “My God! whero are my children 7’ Itold him they wero safe with their grandparents; I then said to him, “Billy, they accuse you of killing the child, the baby ;" he waited & moment or two and then said, “I suppose I did,” but, later, he said he fed the child before he left home he asked me what [thought he was going to get; I told him I didn’t know. A COMPANION’S STORY. James Deylin testified:—Went to Devlin’s house and saw the three children; the baby had a shawlon it, and I asked him who was taking care of it; he said his wife was drunk in the next room; I went in and saw her lying on her side on the floor; I asked him why he didn't lift her od we got her on her feet, but she couldn't stand; she was moaning; he ain; she will get over her © put some clothes under ot her lie there; she will get over it by and hy;” Icouldn't tell whether she was drunk or not; he didn't tell me what he had done to her and I didn’t ask him; I saw blood on her face and a wound over her eye: Devlin and I went out and had a drink together. DEVLIN’S CONFESSION. William H. Clemence, Chief of the State Detective Force, testified :—Was Chief of Police at the time of this occurrence: Devlin made a statement to me after his arrest; I told him that whatever he told me would very likely be used against him; that he was under no obligation to tell me anything; he then gave me his narrative; he said he would like to tell me the whole story; I took his narrative as he gave it to verbatim, and I have it here in writing; id what caused the difficulty in the first place was the quarter of a dollar; on Nig f night previous to tae murder, he said, my wife sui “I have five or seven cents, shall I send out for some beer she v* Teaid, “No, I have left off drinking beer, and I hope you will do the same; saw she was pretty full; finally [consented to drink the beer; I drank the first glass and she drank the second; she fell down three or four times and I slapped her; when my wife went up stairs with the child in her arms I went after her and took the child; she started after.me and fell; I broke her fall with my arm, but she fell past me; Llay the baby on the bed and tried to get her up; straightened her part way and tried to pull her into the bedroom; threw.a basin of on to bring her to, but could not make anyt gout of her; James Deviin came in; told him she was dead drunk; I said, ‘‘Lesve her there;” we went out and drank a glass of whiskey aptece; came back and found my wife lying there; fed the baby with cornstarch and milk; ¢ouldn’t get my wife up; it so provoked that I kicked her on the head and left her lying there; went out and got another glass of whiskey; came back and tried to get her up but couldn’t; then ore her a kick in the back with my boot; fed the bal y and got in béd with the children; stayed there until morning and got up and warmed some food for the baby and fed it; we all got back in bed and stayed there all day; my wife was all the time lying on the floor of the bed room; didn't look to see whether she was dead or alive; we all stayed in bed until Monday morning, fed the baby and then went out and looked at my wifeanud found she was dead; didn’t know what to do when I saw she was de: finally gave my boy ten cents, got $20 and went off, and was afterward arrested at Bellows Falls; upon recollection raised pond wife by the hair of the head two or three times, when she fell back on the floor; have the impression that it cut her head; it bled pretty freely. James Devlin was recalled, and testified that he was arrested as an accessory at the time of the tragedy. THE CASE FOR THE DEFENCE. The government rested its case here, and the open- ing for the defendant was made by Mr. William H. Anderson,-who, after defining the different degrees of murder, argued that the defendant was so much under the influence of liquor at the time of the com- mission of the act as to be unable to be in a state of aod to commit the offence of murder in the first jegree. THE PRISONER'S TESTIMONY, The defendant was next placed on the stand, when he gave the following story of his life:—Was born in Dublin, Ireland; am thirty-seven years old; was in the service of this country from 1861 to 1865; was wounded es <4 times; received a sabre cut on the head, from which a piece of bone came out: was hon- orably discharged on account of injuries received in the service; draw a pension; since my discharge have been affected several times with dizziness; when I drink anything I get wrong in my head; my head would got so that I didn’t know what I waa doing; the heat of the sun also aggravates the trouble; was married July 3, 1865, at St. Albans, Vt.; came to Lowell eleven years ago. Witness detailed the vari- ons persons for and places in which he had worked, When I came home, just before the edy, I found my wife sitting in a rocking chair with the babe in her arms; she was under the influence of liquor; told office 10 live, as T would not stand their nness ; drank about ten drinks before I went ‘home; I was pretty drunk when I went in,,at about haif-past four, and my wife was asleep in a rocking chair with echild in her arms; woke her up by giving her a siap; she got up and started for the door; she started to go up stairs; took the child ont of her arms; she went up stairs and I asked her come down and get my supper; she started to co: down and fell; I was atthe bottom of the stains tried to save her with my rightarm; she fell and I took her into the bedroom: never used a knife on her; have no recollection of it; at the time she fell down stairs the t' oys were in the house; the girl to get them a place mother's deni ‘was out; went ont and fot half a pint of liquor; went ont with James Deviin and drank two hotties of whiskey; after a while T sat down in a chair “snd = went to sleep; then went to bed and stayed there till eleven o'clock Sunday morning: got up, took a drink and went back to bed and stayed thers until Monday morning; was not per- fectly sober then; looked at my wife then and found she was det thought first of giving myself up; then thought I would go to my sister's, at Rutland, Vt: had some liquor with me after my arrest at Bellows Falls; Police Officer Hayes, of Lowell, was entlemanly enough and kind enough to let me drink on the way; was somewhat intoxicated when 1 made my statement to Officer Hayes and to Mr. Clemence; was somewhat intoxicatet when I arrived in Lowell. On cross-cxamination the accused contradicted himeelf several times, but in the main held to bie original statemen He said he had no re Ieetion he night she died, although was compell fleage that he had been arrested once for abusing her; he further stated, don't remember anything about it: didn’t feed the baby Sunday morning: the children fed it; don’t remember anything about my wife from Saturday night wntil the following Monday morning; woke be- tween ten and eleven o'clock Sunday morning, but didn’t notice my wife; aat on the side of the bed, took adrink ont of a bottle in my pocket and went to sleop again; wae at the battle of Ball Run. “Where did you ran to ? red Attorney General ‘Train, “Lean to Washin said the prisoner, convulsed ahter; “and you would, too, if you lad been The quickness and point of the anewer el for an instant with a flitting «mile the nudges, jury, counsel and cnrions gazers, and then each face assumed its wouted air of due solemnity. ‘The prisoner was remeved to the ante-room and his head examined by Dr. Harris, but no evidence of a sabre cut was found. After one or two witnesses had been recalled the couneel for the defence announced that all their tostt- mony Was in and a recess was taken, At two o'clock the arguments were made SUMMING UP. The Court came ina sittle before two o'clock and the arguments for the ¢ nee were made by W, B. Gale, Who admitted that the nrurder had been com- mitted by the prisoner, but claimed the evidence had not shown that it was with a deliberately premod- tated. intent ox that it was a eat atrocity and cruelty, an! was, thorofore, not muriet first degree. rney General Train followed, taking the ground murder had be with malice sht, wud that i ‘of extreme ity During his argument se edly when he pre and pathetic picture of the death of Mrs. n and the utter indifference of her bus- band to her desolate condition, He said that for | thirty years he had prosecnted criminal cases, and | this was the last one in which he should appear ix Mr. scapied one hour and twenty minutes in his argument and the Attorney General one hour and Lfteen minutes. NOTHING TO SAY. After the charge to the jury by Ames Devlin was asked if he wished to ra He replied | in a wavering voice, “1 have to say, Your Honor. I jeaveit to Your Honor's discretion and the utlemen of the jury for iny mere; During the he broke Gown completely ‘aud wept like a It was the first time since his arrest that he showed any evidence of fecting. At ten minutes past five the jury took the case and retired, IMPORTANT AD TO THE TRENTON CONVENTIONIMPORTS FOR FIFTEEN YEARS—~ HOPE YOR THE YUTURE—WHEN SHALL WB MANUFACTURE PERFECT CERAMICS RENTON, Dec. 4, 1878. The United States Potters’ Association resumed jts convention in this city to-day. Several commit. tees made lengthy reports. The Executive Commit tee made an elaborate report relative to the quostion of tariff, recommending that no change be made in tariff rates, giving reasons therefor, which were REPORTS supported by argument based on the state- ments of English manufacturers before the Board of Arbitration in England. Mr. Dallas, chairman of the Labor Comittee, submitted a report showing that the relations existing between manufacturers and cmployés were amicable. The Committee on Raw Materials made a report demand- ing a rc ion in prices. ,,_ The report of the Committee on Statistics, through the chairman, Mr. J. Hart Brewer, was as follows:— IMPOLTATIONS OF POTTERY. Importations of earthenware and china (figures taken from official sources) for the last fifteen years, ending June 30, 187 1803 + $4,007,218 + 4,372,607 4,388,771 + 4,681,37€ $25,771,899 6,015,925 7 ++ 4,882,355 1877... $28,480,803 era; 1878, $4,051,786. It will be noticed that the average value of goods imported during the past six years ($4,746,300), is $1,090,000 in excess of the last year’s importations ($3, 741,72 From these figures it will appear that the American product of earthenware and china dur- ing the past ten years has not only kept pace with the increase in population and its corresponding consumption of wares, but that during the fiscal year, 1876 and 1877, ending June 30, has roduced the average importations over twenty percent. I estimate the American production of white granite and “C. C.”" and china for 1877, to be $2,975,000. The production of the yellow and Rockingham manufac- turers is not put in this estimate, because so few belong to our association, and most of them are not known by us. AMERICAN POTTERIES. Number of potterics in the United States, all kinds, T77; steam engines employed, 8; horse eight water wheels, power, 122 6,116 ital invested, $5,294,398; yearly wages paid, $2,247,173; value of the products, $6,045,536. It will be noticed from these figures that a vast amount of these wares are produced in the United States. It is also evident that almost in- credible strides have been taken in the past fifteen ears, or, more properly speaking, since the tariff of 861, so that to-day we have in operation potteries enough of all grades to produce twice the quantity mported from Europe and Asia last year. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President—J. Hart Brewer, Trenton. Vice Presidents—Thom: Maddock, Trenton; William Brunt, Jr., East Liverpool; M. Tempest, Cincinnati. Secretary—George W. Oliver, Geddes, N.Y. Treas- urer—John Moses, Trenton. Executive Committes-— Homer Laughlin, East Li ol; John M. aylate Liverpool; Thomas C. Smith, Greenpoint, N. Y.g Davenport, Trenton; Isaac Davis, nton. PRESIDENT BREWEL'S PRACTICAL SPEECH. On taking the chair the nowly elected president, Mr, J. Hart Brewer, made # speech in which he congratu- lated his fellow potters on the number and tone of the Convention and said the attendance of so mauy trom a distance should be reciated and come mended. To leave business home for a whol@ “week, ‘ing the profit of ome and com- forts of the other, is no small matter, Why are the potters of the United States willing to make these sacrifices? Why are these meetings so well attended? Does not the answer t@ these questions tell us of the value and importance of these meetings? Some, perhaps most of us, have asked what good are these meetings? I can answer that question. They are as good as we ourselves will make them, and there is no limit to the good we can do the pottery industry if we strive to do it Differences of opinion of necessity must and out of those differences will spring our benefit, All that is necessary for us is to discuss all ques tions pertaining to our business without reserve, and in a considerate, calm and catholic spirit. Bar the discussion of no question connected with our indus- try. Only two thin; are necessary to control them—manhood and moderation. “To err is human, to forgive divine.” We have learned this lesson by heart. We have a motive in it— harmony, profit, success, friendship, progress. There is a kind of patriotism and national pride which we all have. We are potters, not only by pro- fession, but by fascination. There is no industry so full of excitement and experiment. We become wedded to our business, profit or no profit. What we seek is light—something better. e came to gether here to learn and, as we learn, to raise the standard of American wares—to do all in our power by encouragement and example to elevate and promote the potter's art. The manufac- ture of artistic ceramics will, undoubtedly, become one of the important industrial features of this country. To-morrow (Thursday) the visitors will be taken through all the potteries in this city, and in the afternoon, at five o'clock, will be banquetted at the American Houre. JUSTICE PINCKNEY'S CASE. HEARING BEFORE 0, P, BUELL, REFEREE—CLERE ANTHONY TELLS A CURIOUS STORY, After many adjournments, and on account of the illness of Judge Pinckney, an investigation was yes- terday begun before the referee in the Corporation Counsel's office, Staats Zeitung Building. It will be remembered that Judge Pinckney presides over the Seventh District Civil Court, and serious charges of misconduct have been made | him, such as in- toxication and appointment of illegal officers. Moasra, Cardoza, Newcombe and Bush, counsel for the Judge, who had heretofore so strenuously ments, were not present, but Mr. Pinck waa present in person and represented by J and Alexander H. Reavy, Mr. C. 2. Miller the Prosecuting attorney. The day was entirely taken up by the testimony of Mr. Patrick Anthony, the Clerk of the Court, wha had been removed by Judge Pinckney, but wha carried his case up to the Court of Appeals and was by that tribunal reinstated in his position. He tes. tifled as to the affairs of the Seventh District Court from voluminous memoranda, beginning with June, 1877. He gave the number of trial days in each month, the days court was held and the times of the absence of the Judge; in most of the months there were thirteen trial days; in June the Judge waa ab- sent ten days, Judges fromthe other courts being obliged to act in his place in order that the business hould not overwhelmingly accumuiate; in Jt he vas absent two days; August, nine days ; 9: 7 ight days; October, nine days; November, ning December, twelve days; in January of this r he was illand away from court every day; in vebruary, four days; in March there were nineteen trial days, and three days during this period there was no court held. Up to the time of the witness’ removal in June last Mr. Anthony enumerated the number of absences from duty on the rh. Mr. Anthony testifled that he sat within cightess inches of Judge Pinckney on court days and had seen him drink liquor while adjudicating cases—“Sante Cruz rum ond gin, Lshould think; it waa of white color.” ‘The question was asked how this liquor was | procured and the answer was that it was brought by one of the oftivers, Testimony was also given as te | the changing of legal papers in an irregular manner, | the appointinent of one Davies to be dixpossess clark, an office unknown to the law, and the witness de clared that this person charged $2 for punching # hole in the side of a paper and similar extortions. After a good deal ot wrangling between counsel if ‘Was agreed to continue the case to-day at three o'clock and every day thereafter at the same hour, THE SMUGGLING CASES, Mr. B. G. Jayne, the ex-special Treasury agent, sends tho Hrnaty ao statement in reference to alleged irregular transactions by Special Treasury Agent H. L, Williams, accompanied by @ masa ot letters, telegrams, affidavits and checks, ‘The ist of tho matter scems to be that (pro- vided the. documents tranamitted by Mr. Jayne are al) true copies of originals) Special it Wi 8 tool’ such steps as he deemed justifiable in ferreting out the mode of smnggling goods into the United tee from Canada and in detecting the principal operators, In this he was working not alone in the interest of the govern: t, whose officer he is, but of the honest mereantile community, which suffers greatly trom the successful operations of expert smugglers, tn bringing rognes to ju it is sometimes necessary to assume the charactor of WM gg whose deteo- tion and punishment ate soug’ Thia ia about ail there is ot Mr. Jayne’sletter, and we therefore decline to pnbliah ity .