The New York Herald Newspaper, December 11, 1878, Page 3

“WASHINGTON, Senator Blaine to Speak on the Southern Elections, THE CONSULAR AND DIPLOMATIC BILL. Growing Feeling in Favor of Free Ships. SECRETARY SHERMAN’S CUSTOMS BILL. Rumors Conceming the Retirement of General Devens. DEBATE ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BILL. _— FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. WasHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1878. THE CONSULAR AND DIPLOMATIC BILL-- FEELING FAVORABLE TO FREE SHIPS. The Consular and Diplomatic bill passed the House to-day in the incomplete form in which Mr. Single- ton, the chairman of the sub-committee having it in charge, insisted on bringing it into the House, and with the general expectation and desire on both sides of the House that the Senate shall amend it and that ite amendments shall prevail in the conference com- mittee. Mr. Singleton is, in many respects, an excel- ent man, but he has somewhat crude ideas about the meeds* of the foreign service of the govern- ment, notions in which a great many of his own party do not concur, All the other bills ¥o far passed by the House have made no changes of moment from the same bills of last session, it being generally held that important changes are discussed And passed upon at the long session and that the short session shall accept and follow the rule then made by the House, which consists, of course, of the same members who framed the laws of the long vession. In the course of the discussion on the bill to-day General Garfield made an appeal that the foreign ser- vice, which is of importance to the commercial in- terests of the country, should be liberally dealt with, and Mr. Hewitt secured the adoption of » resolution requesting the President to revise the Consular fee system and make it conform more nearly to that of other commercial nations. He showed that the Con- sulur fees charged in Liverpool on an American ship were at least four times as great as those charged on ® British ship of the same tonnage by British Consuls. He took the occasion to make an appeal to the House for free ships, urging that without Hb- erty to buy ships in any market where they could be got cheapest, American commerce could not have a ® fair chance, and ssying that the American is theonly human being who is forbidden by the laws of his country to buy aship tocarry his own products to market, If one might judge from the manner in ‘which this appeal for free ships was received by the House, it seems highly probable that a bill granting register and permission to carry the flag to all vessels owned by American citizens would pass the House by a considerable majority. - Mr. Beck has already intro- duced such bill in the Senate, and if the friends of this reform are active, such a bill may yet pass at this session. Some of the advocates of ocean subsi- dies privately express themselves ready to join in supporting the passage of a bill giving free ships, on condition that the friends of the latter measure shall -~/uppert their medsure for subsidies for several im- pottant.ocesn routes, and it is very certain that no steamer subsidy bills can pass at this session except . it can get the support of free ships. SECRETARY SHERMAN'S CUSTOMS BILL—PRQ-- TESTS FROM PARTIES INTERESTED. - , Itis.epity that the Secretary of the Treasury can- ‘not appear on the floor of the House to explain and defend such measures and bills as he prepares. The bill changing certain customs duties and re-establish- ing the moiety system, which Mr. Sherman sent in yesterday, is eminently one which ought to receive a general and public discussion. It contains some good and some bad features, and the easiest way to perfect it, and at the same time to attract the attention of the country to it, would be a debate in which the Secre- tary could explain it and meet those who think him, in some particulars, mistaken. As the case stands the bill was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, which will begin to consider it on Thursday, and will spend a good deal of time in giving hearing to merchants and others whose interests are affected. But such a hearing in the committee room does not inform the House, which yet needs to be informed in order to vote wisely on the question. The Secretary's recommendation in regard to sugar duties, which differs from that in his annual report, has been answered by & considerable number of tele- grams from sugar importers and refiners—in fact, from all classses engaged in the sugar business—all of whom unite in protesting against Mr. Sherman's recommendations, because, while his original recom- mendation discriminated — ruinously _ against | the refining interest, the present suggestion discriminates against both high and low. grades of sugar gnd. is disastrous to both commerce and the revenue. The interests at stake in this matter are very great and important, for un- wise legislation could casily throw ont of employ- ment 8 large number of workmen—not less than six thousand men being employed by the refineries of New York alone. Wise and liberal legislation, on the Other hand, could, without injuring the revenue or any interest in the -country, largely and immediately increase onr shipping business and ocean commerce,. and enable our refiners to command the ts of the world with their product. A thorough and public debate in the House on the question would make all this plain to the country and would enable members to vote undcr- standingly. But, though the Committee of Ways ‘and Means is composed of intelligent and conscien- tious men, its methods necessarily stand in the way of intelligent legislation, and at least make it very difficult. A + FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. WASHINGTON, Doc. 10, 1878, SENATOR BLAINE'S SPEECH ON THE SOUTHERN ELECTIONS. Immediately after the morning hour to-morrow, dn the Senate, Senator Blaine will speak in enpport of tho resolution offered by him on the first day of the session im re gard to the election troubles in the South as developed by the President in his Messago to Congress. The fact that Senator Blaine is an- nounced to speak will crowd the Senate to its utmost capacity. The leading members of the House will be present. THE REPORTED RETIREMENT OF ATTORNEY GEN- ERAL DEVENS FROM THE CABINET. A Washington despatch in the New York Evening Telegram of last Saturday, reviving the old story of Attorney Genoral Devens’ retirement from the Cab- inet, appears in the press genorally to-day. It is a fact which has been frequently stated that General Devens has been for some timu desirous to leave the place he now holds, but thoro is no reason for the presont report beyond that. Ho has of late onco more reminded the Prosident that he would like to be relieved, but the President and all the Cabinet are strongly averso to losing him, and the matter has gone no further. No one, it is believed, has been suggested or discussed a6 his snccessor, and, whilo Mr. Dovens may at any time insist on carrying out his purpose and sending in his resignation, it is cer- tainly not known that ho has fixed upon any time for doing 80, and, according to the best attainable sources of information, he will not do so for some time to ‘eome in say event, and the changais not go that the President is seriously considering the choice of his successor, It is well known that the President anxious to preserve his Cabinet throughout his term of office as he originally constituted it, and Mr. Devens’ fellow members in the Cabinet are very de- sirous that he shall not go out. THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD—COMING REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT DIRECTORS. The Union Pacific Railroad government directors, consisting of Messrs. Charles Francis Adams, Jr.; Buckland, Smythe and Housel, met here to-day, on the summons of the Secretary of the Interior, to discuss with him the report which they have nearly completed, and which will be submitted after the holidays, It is understood that their report will be a practical and critical review of the present condition, management and business policy of the road, without any reference to its past history and without any recommendations or sug- gestions for legislation. pei tne Ae GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasurxaton, Dec. 10, 1878. THE TRANSFER OF THE INDIAN BUREAU—TESTI- MONY IN OPPOSITION TO THE MEASURE--EX- SENATOR MOBRILL’S IDEA, General William H. Lyorg of New York, a member of the Purchasing Committce of the Board of Indian Commissioners, was the first gentleman to present his views before the joint commission having under consideration the question of the advisability of transferring the Indian Bureau to the War Depart- ment at its meeting to-day. He opposed the trans- fer on tho ground that army officers are not educated in the line of civilization. He had a profound respect for the officers of the army, and thought it would be very ungenerous for @ great nation like ours to ask a man who devoted the best portion of his life as @ soldier to accept a posi- tion as Indian agent. Army officers, he thought, might very properly be employed as inspectors of agents. An Indian agent should be a practical farmer, stock raiser, &c, The present reservations he thought too large, and advocated the consolidation of the Indians, and was quite confident that if their lands were divided in severalty they would cause little or no trouble, providing treaties made with them by the government were not violated. He would as readily think of transferring the public schools of New York city to the poiice department because there were some unruly children to be dealt with as to transfer the Indian Bureau to military management. Asa body he considered the Indian agents rather incompetent than dishonest, and said that the majority of reports setting forth their dis- honesty were without foundation. Mr. Barclay White, representing the Society of Friends at the Winnebago Agency, Nebraska, gave his views in opposition to the transfer, which were mainly s repetition of testimony heretofore presented. on that side of the question. Under cross-examination by Generfl Hooker as to whether or not the appointment of an army officer who wouldcontinue the present form of governing the Winnebagoes would retard their progress in any way Mr. White said he could form no opinion as to what the result would be. General Hooker submitted a letter from General Marcy making some important corrections in a pre- vious communication tendered by that gentleman to the commission. Judge Boone desired to incorporate in the testi- mony a report to the Secretary of War by General McFeeley contrasting the costa of various supplies made by the War Department with those of the Indian Bureau. Mr. Van Vorhes, however, thought it better that General McFeeley should appear before the com- mittee, which was finally agreed upon, and for this purpose the committee will meet to-morrow. The ides advanced by ex-Senstor Morrill, of Maine, at yesterday’s meeting with reference to localizing the Indians differs very materially from that of other gen- tlemen who have advocated Indisn localization, Mr. Morrill’s idea being to concentrate the Indians into say two extensive districts of country, of which the Indien Territory shall be one. This plan, he thinks, would beneficially replace the present system of treating Indians as prisoners on the smaller reser- vations, which bya 'tobs querded by troops, and wonld cnable them to take advantage of civilizing in- fluences and means of self-support, as has been done by the Choctaws, Creeks, Chickasaws and other In- dian tribes in the Indian Territory. CERTIFICATES OP DEPOSITS IN AID OF REFUND- ING THE NATIONAL DEBT—SECRETARY SHER- MAN ON MR. woop's BILL. Secretary Sherman was before the Committee of Ways and Means to-day and gave his views concerning the bill heretofore introduced by Representative Wood to authorize the issue of certificates of deposit in aid of the refunding of the national debt. The bill was materially altered, but not in accordance with his views. The bill, as agreed on, is ax follows, which Mr. Wood was authorized to report to the House :— Be it enacted, kc., that the Secretary of the Treas- ury is hereby authorized and directed to issue, in ex- change for lawful money of the United States that may be presented for such exchange, certificates of deposit of the denomination of #10, bearing interest at the rate of three per centum per annum, and con- yertible at any time, with accrued interest, into the four per centum bonds described in the Refunding act; and the money #o received shall be applied only to the payment of ‘the five-twenty bonds in the mode prescribed by said act, and he is authorized to pre- scribe suitable rules and regulations in conformity with this act. The original bill merely authorized the Secretary to issue such certificates, but by an amendment of Mr. Burchard he is directed to do so, and it was also at his instance that the interest was reduced from 3.65 to 3 per cent per annum. The original bill authorized the exchange of certificates for ‘notes or coin,” but this was stricken out and the words “‘ ful money of the United States’’ inserted. Mr. Kelly proposed an amendment, which was re- jected, giving the option to convert the certificates into United States notes. On Thursday the committes will hold a special meeting to consider the Sugar bill. THE CHARGES AGAINST SENATOR MATTHEWS. ‘The Senste committer appointed on motion of Sen- ator Matthows to investigate certain published allega- tions concerning his connection with Louisiana polit- ical affairs, &c., held a meeting this morning, at which, after ‘an intorchange-of views as-to the best mode of procedure, it was decided to defer the adoption of a definite programme of action until the committee shall have obtained from the House of Representa- tives a copy of the testimony given by James E. An- derson before the Potter Committee. Mr. Allison was authorized to offer a resolution to make the necessary request on the part of the Senate and the committee adjourned, subject to tho call of the Chairman. THE NICARAGUAN CLAIMS, The Secretary of Stato has sent to the Senate, in re- sponse to a resolution of that body, a report in rela- tion to the claim of Jonathan G. Kendrick, one of the sufferers by the occurrences at Virgin Bay, in Nicar- agua, on the 19th of October, 1855. Tho report briefly reviews the history of the rebellion in Nicaragua at that date, and says that while Nicaragua admits its responsibility for injuries to non-combatants, the efforts of the United States government for a settlement of such claims of our citizens by a claims commission, as was done with Costa Rica, have been unsuccessful, on account of the insistance by the Nicaragua governmént upon the inclusion of claims against the United States, arising out of the bombardment by Captain Holtons of the port of Greytown or San Juan del Norte. The papers sub- mitted were the report, embracing the correspondence betwoen the State Departient and the United States Ministers to that country from 1855 t6 1871, relative to the claims of American citizens against Nicaragua, THE POTTER COMMITTEE. The Potter Committee held @ meeting to-day, at which it was determined that asub-committce should be sent to Louisiana to continue the investigation there in case a furthor grant of money is made by Congress for the use of the committee, Chair- man Potter is to be one of the proposed sub- committee, and is to select a second democratic member before next Thursday, until which time the committee adjourned, and when the republicans will name one of their number to complete the sub- committee, Nothing was said to-day by any member in regard to “cipher telegrams.’ The only other Dusiness transacted was the appointment of Repre- sentatives Springer and Hiscock to open and report BPonsome formal documents obtained from NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNE DAY, DECEMBER 11, 1878—TRIPLE SHEET. which bear upon questions of the validity of the commissions of several justices of the peace, &e., who certified the correctness of certain election re- turns. THE ROBESON NAVAL INVESTIGATION. The majority report of the House Naval Committee in the Robeson case, which recommends the indict- ment of the ex-Secretary, and which will be signed by all the democratic members, was turne:l over to the minority this morning, who are expected to have their report ready at the meeting of the committee on Friday. FOR THE CUSTER MONUMENT. The House Military Committee this morning agreed to a bill granting twenty condemned cannon for the Custer monument at West Point, NOMINATIONS BY THE PRESIDENT. The President sent the following nominations to the Senate to-day:— E. Platt Stratton, of New York, to be Supervising Inspector of Steamboats for the Second district of ‘New York, Louis J. Sau of Louisiana, to be Appraiser of Merchandise fev" “» district of New Orleans, La, Also a large Be Yr of postmasters. CONGRESSIONAL NOTES. The nomination of Mr. Hillhouse to be Assistant United States ‘Treasurer at New York was considered by the Senate Finance Committee to-day, and it was agreed to report the same to the Senate with a favor- able recommendation. The Senate Committee on Appropriations held two sessions to-day. ‘The Hot Springs bill was agreed to, ax passed by the House, and will be reported to the Senate to- morrow. The clause in the Fortification Appropriation bill relating to contingent expenses in forts was increased $15,000, and the appropriation for the arming of forts, &c., was increased from $125,009 to $250,000, The Military Academy bill was taken up, but not completed. It will probably be finished at to-mor- row’s session and be reported to the Senate during the day. PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. SENATE. Wasuinaton, Dec. 10, 1878. Mr. Spencer, (rep.) of Ala., was in his seat to-day for the first time this session. ‘The Vicz Prestpenr laid before the Senate a com- munication from the Secretary of War in regard to the loss of officers’ property by the sinking of the steamer J. Don Cameron, in 1877. Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Also a message from the President, enclosing a report from the Secretary of State, in answer to the Senate resolution of the 27th of May last, relative to certain claims against the government of Nicaragua by citizens of the United States. It was ordered that. it be printed and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. ‘ Mr. Maxey, (dem.) of Texas, presented the memoria, of the Baptist Association of Texas, asking that certain Indians in that State have homesteads set apart for them. Referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. Bills were introduced and referred as follows:— By Mr. Joxes, (dem.) of Fla.—by request—Granting the right of way to the Florida International Ship Canal Company and authorizing it to build and operate a telegraph line along said canal. Referred to the Committee on Public Lands. CONFEDERATES IN THE ARMY, Mr. SPENcrR, (rep.) of Ala., from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported favorably on the Senate bill authorizing the appointment of Dr. Junius L. Powell an assistant surgeon in the United States Army, and on his motion the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. In explanation of the bill he said Dr. Powell had already rendered services as assistant surgeon, put he could not be regularly appointed because he served in the Confederate army when a minor. During a brief debate on the bill Mr. Bec, of Ken: > gave notice that to-morrow he would introduce a bill to repeal section 1,218 of the Revised previa t of the agra States, Rigen) provides “mo person who served any capacity in the military, n or civil service of the so-called Confederate States, or of either of the States in insur- rection during the late rebellion, shall be appointed to any position in the army of the United States. The bill was read a third time and passed—yeas 39, nays 21—as follows Yras—Messrs. Armet: . Bailey, Bayard, Beck, Barn. side, Butler, flee re "Oe Dao Gauecs ‘Davin. nis, Dorsey. Eaton, Garland, Grover, Harris. reford, Hill, Johnston, Jones of Flo He , Kernan, Lama: MeCreery, MeDonald, McPherson, M: Merrimon, Mor- an, Paddock = it Randolph, Ranso isbury, Spencor, theos. Wallace, Whyte and 8—3Y, Nays—Messrs. Ailison, Anthony. Booth, Camoron of Wis- consin, Dawes. Edmunds, Ferry. Hamlin, Hovwo, Ingalls, Kirkwood, MeMilian, Matthews, Mitchell, Morrill, Oglosby? Plumb, Rollins, Saunders, Teller and Windom—21. Mr. Wryrte, (dem.) of Md., introduced bills grant- ing a pension to the widow of General Robert U. Bu- chanan, United States Army, and to the widow of Captain Edward 8. Winder, United States Army. Re- ferred to the Committee on Pensions. THE HOT SPRINGS INQUIRY. Mr. CamEnon, (rep.) of Wis., of the select committee to inquire what connection Senator Conover iad with the omission of the Hot Springs clause of the Sundry Civil bill of last session, submitted a fesolution authorizing the committee to employ a stenographer and have the testimony printed from day to day as taken. Agreed to. Mr. WaLLacr, (dem.) of Pa., introduced a bill to authorize the exchange of subsidiary coin for trade dollars. Referred to the Committee on Finance. It provides that the subsidiary coins of the Un: States snall be interchangable for trade dollars at the rate of 100 cents for each of said dollars, ani y shall forthwith be recoined into subsidiary coin, and the gain, if any be made, may be used by the Secre- tary of the Treasury to pay the expense of sending subsidiary coin to such persons or banks as may de- sire the same in exchange for other funds. The coinage of trade dollars shall cease from and after the passage of this act. Mr. ALLtson, (rep.) of Iowa, from the select com- mittee appointed at the last session to inquire into certain charges against Stanley Matthews, of Ohio, submitted the following :— Resolved, That the House of Representatives be respect- fully requested to transmit to the Senate a copy of the tes- timony of one James E. Anderson, ing tothe Hoa, & Stanley Matthews, a member of the Senate from the State of Ohio, understood to have beon taken Lefore oue of the committees of the House, Agreed to. Mr. SpeNcER, of Alabama, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported a substitute for the Senate bill to provide for the settlement of accounts with certain Southern railway compsnies. Placed on tho calendar. Mr. Kernan, (dem.) of N. Y., introduced a bill to authorize the issue of certain duplicate registered bonds to the Manhattan Savings Institution. Referred to the Committee on Finance. Mr. Boots, (rep.) of Cal., introduced by request a billto confer on the United States Court of Claims jurisdiction over certain Alabama claims. Referred to the Judiciary Conimitter, Mr. HaMLix, (rep.) of Me., callodjup the House res- olution providing for the Participa ion of Congress in the service to be observed Thursday evening, January 16, 1879, in honor of Professor Joseph Henry, ee secretary of the Smithsonian Institation, Agreed 0. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, The morning hour having expired the Senate re- sumed consideration of the unfinished business, bein 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 and regulate the counting of vote President, and the decision of questions arising thereon, Mr. Monaan, (dem.) of Ala., said after the full and clear statement of principles upon which the bill rests, made yesterday by the Senator from Vermont (Mr, Edmunds), there remained but little to be said by the friends of the bill. He concurred with tho Senator (Mr. Edmunds) as to the wisdom of this measure and had no doubt it would save the country from trouble in the future. The bill was not shaped with reference to the interests of any political party. He then spoke of the present system, and said it was dangerously obscure and fearfully alarming on some occasions. He argned that the bill now be- fore the Senate did not interfere with tho rights of the States or the electors, but it provided such rea- sonable and just rules as to enable cach State to ap- point its electors, He could conceive of no plan which would more closely follow the constitution than the bill now pending. cot State could save its vote if it would do 80. Shonld this bill become a law the States would sce the importance of using their rightful authority to provide tor the settlement of contested questions in the appointment of electors. The country had had some struggles which should admonish Congress to enact laws correct in principle and just in their provisions. Public opinion would then sustain them. Congress should legislate upon this question as far as it could in advance of the next Presidential election to secure a just and fair count of the votes. Nothing could be more disturbing to the country than to aggravate the auxieties of the people in Fegard to the electoral vote, In conclusion he said the passage of this bill would insnre a just count and place the power in possession of the man whom the people may select by their ap- «d agents. , OF FLONMIDA, IN OPPOSITION. rs, (dem.) of Fla., opposed the bill, upon the ground that it left open the question as to the legality of choosing electors after the by of their selection. ‘The constitution provided who should be electors, and there should be no question as to their election after the day of election. Under this bill contests over elections could go rom the first Tuesday of October to the second Monday in Jan- y following. No one would be able to tell who was elected President until after the contests over electors should all be settled. He was well satistiod that it would be tnwise for Congress to thus give its «anc. tion to the settlement of clectoral contests. He re- ferred to the recent election for President, and said he had witnessed the visiting statesmen leaving the of home and fawaing and cringing, pefo! the po of Madison Wells and MecLin in Louisiana and Flo ‘This bill, in his opinion, gave Congress & power bver the election of President which would be most dangerous. It gave Congress power to set aside the vote of tate in the Union it one Senator and one Represent: e could be found to object to the reveption of the vote. Experience taught us that whenever Congress might be called upon to act it would act with a party spirit, and there was the great danger in this whole thing. ‘In his view of the con- stitution there should be no outstanding contests over electors after election day. Mr. Epwunps, (rep.) of Vt.,in reply to the objec- tions of Mr. Jones, said the fourth section of the bill, to which the Senator objected, merely provided for ascertaining the will of the State in case of a dispute and then respecting that will. He denied that party spirit always decided such questions, and said it the Senator from Florida (Mr. Jones) would read the pro- ceedings of the Electoral Commission he would see that on some questions there party spirit was not strong enough to divide by party lines the votes of that tribunal. If the Senator would examine the votes of the two houses of Congress given npon questions arising out of the late Presi- ential election he would see instances w party spirit was uot strong cnough to divide the houses by party lines. In conclusion, Mr, Edmunds expressed the hope that the Senate would proceed with dili- gence in disposing of this subject, and that it should be the business of the Senate until finally disposed of, On motion of Mr, Bunystpr, (rep.) of R. I. the Army Comiission was granted pefmission to sit during the session of the Senate to-morrow. @ Senate then, on motion of Mr. Indiana, went into executive session, and when the doors were reopened, at a quarter to three P. M., ad- journed until to-morrow, Waxtr, of HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Wasuinctow, Dec. 10, 1878, The following members were announced by the Speaker as composing the committee to inquire into the causes of the yellow fever epidemic:—Meesrs. Young, Gibson, Hooper, Goode, Hartridge, Morse, Garfield, Harmer and Chittenden. The Speaker also announced the following ap- pointments to fill vacancies in committees Ir, Majors to the Committee on Public, Lands; Mr. Bailey to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, and Mr. Luttrell to the Committee on Post Offices and Roads, Mr. Lurrrewt, (dem.) of Cal., offered a resolution calling on the Secretary of the Navy for information as to the delay in the repair of the monitor Monad- nock, at Vallejo, Cal. Adopted. CONSULAR AND DIPLOMATIC BILL. The House then went into Committee of the Whole (Mr. Springer, of Illinois, in the chair) on the Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation bill. The bill appropriates $1,033,435, being $140,200 below the estimates, and was explained by Mr. Singleton, (dem.) of Miss., who has charge of the bill to be the identical bil] passed last year by the House before it went to the Senate. The bill was then read by sec- tions for amendments. Mr. HAtx, (rep.) of Me., moved to increase the sal- aries of Ministers to France, Great Britain, Germany and Russia from $15,000 each (as provided by the bili) to $17,500, the present salary, Mr. GAR¥IELD, (rep.) of Obio, said that the man who would attempt to get up political excitement on old sectional issues would find himself without the support of the country, but the man who wanted to mn the good will of the country must put himself fi the line of its leading thought, and that was the restoration of business, trade, sound political econ- omy, sound money and the honest payment of public obligations. Foreign trade was the most important factor in the restoration of business, yet here was a piu cutting down unwisely the salaries of the foreign isters. Mr. SINGLETON, of Mississippi, called attention to tho fact that sincé the democrats had had possession of the House they had been Catala cutting down the expenses of the government, and yet the com- merce of the country had been continually increas- ing and foreign intercourse had not been crippled. Mr. Hewrtr, (dem.) of N. Y., trusted that the reso- lution introduced would result in economy. He be- lieved that the diplomatic expenses could largely reduced’ and that many small missions could be con- solidated or dispensed with. But so long as the missions were maintained he was not in favor of paying inadequate compensation. He thought that the sums paid at London and Paris were not suffi- cient. He was not in favor of despre apie but thought that the whole subject should inquired into by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The amendment was adopted—9% to 95, Mr. Concer, (dem.) of Mich., moved to amend by viding for a Minister at Belgium and the Nether- Roads at a salary of $9,500 each, no provision for ‘thene officers being made in the bill Rejected—36 to 95. ‘Mr. Monnor, (rep.) of Ohio, moved to amend b; inserting an appropriation of $5,000 for a Chi WAffaires at Greece. Rejected. Mr. Hewirr, of New York, moved to amend b; widing for a secretary of legation at Brazil. ‘ Font, (rep.) af Dl, moved 46. strika out the pee ore for # second secrotary- at Berlin. jected. Mr. Hewrrr, of New York, offered an amendment providing for a consul general at Athens. Adopted. CONSULAR FEES, Mr. Hewrrr aleo-offered an amendment requestin; the President'to revise the tariff of consular fees an prescribe nearly as. mercial nations for similar services. attention. ‘to. the, fact that American ships had nearly disappeared from the face of the ocean, and said that it was # great amt important question by what process they could be restored. For himeelf he believed that the true remedy was to authori®% Amer- ican citizens to buy ships in the cheapest markets, ‘The only person on the face of the globe who was pro- hibited from going where he could get a cheap ship was the American citizen. But until that remedy was applied the President should be requested to revise consular fees, as under the present system the Ameri- can shipmaster was subject to charges five times as great as the British shipmaster, thereby injuring American commerce. The amendment was adopted. Mr, Wurrrnonsr, (dem-) of Tenn., offered an amend- ment appropriating $50,000 to -be used by the Pres- ident for the purpose of negotiating such treaties with Mexico and the Central and South American States as will promote and facilitate commerce and trade between the United States and those countries, The amendment was rejected, and then the committee rose and reported the bill to the House. The first vote was on the amendment ( to in committee) increasing the salaries of Ministers to Germany, France and Great Britain from The amendment was rejected— $1 yeas 106, nays 118, An amendment to increase the salaries of Ministers to Spain, Austria, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Japan and China from $10,000 to $12,000 had been rejected in committee and therefore did not come before the House. The other amendments agreed to in committee were also agreed to in the House, and the bill was Y..from the Committee of sed. Parr. Woop (dem.), of N. ¥ ‘Ways and Means, reported a bill to authorize the issue | of certificates of deposit in aid of a refunding of the: public debt. Recommitted. Also a resolution distributing the President's Mes- sage among the various committees. Adopted. NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL. ‘The House then, at three o'clock, went into Com- mittee of the Whole, Mr. Harris, of Georgia, in the chair, on the Naval Appropriation bill. Mr. CLyMEn, (dem.) of Pa., having charge of the bill, explained that it waa substantially the bill of Inst year as it became alaw. Tho estimates of the Secre- tary of the Navy had been only about $40,000 greater than last year’s appropriation. The Committeo on Appropriations had been able, without detriment to the service and with the concusreficé of the depart- ment, to reduce the amount asked for by $133,134. The appropriation of last year had been $14,161,603, and this bill recommended $14,018,469, The bill had the unanimous approval of the Committee on Appro- priations, and he hoped that it would also have tho approval of the House, Mr. Hane, of Maine, added a few remarks compli- mentary to the gentleman from Pennsylvania in con- nection with the bill. Not single amendment was offered to tho bill. The committee rose and reported it to the House, and it was thereupon passed. This makes four of the general appropriation bills that have already been passed. Bills were introduced and referred as follows :— By Mr. McCook, (rep.) of N. Y.—For the issue of du- plicate United States bonds to the Manhattan Savings wat nk. Mr. Monse, (dem.) of Mass., offered a resolution to pay to the widow of the late representative from Ne- braska (Mr. Welch) the pay of a mamber to the end of the Congress. Adopted. The Srraxen laid before the House tho request of the Senate to be furnished with a copy of James E. Anderson's testimony relating to Senator Matthews; and, on motion of Mr. Potten, the request was com- plied with, ‘The House then, at four o'clock, adjourned, ARMY INTELLIGENCE, UNUSUAL INACTIVITY IN MILITARY CIRCLES— ORDERS. Wasntnaton, Dec 10, 1878, Great anxiety exists in army circles as to the forth- coming report of the Burnside Committee on the reorganization of the military service, For some time there have been no important orders issued from the War Department, and the present indications are that there will be very little activity for some time in this direstion, as there is no little uncertainty as to the future move- ments of army officials, It has not been the case tor a very long time that there has been leas activity in the War Department than at present. From all quar- ters of the country the advices received by the Secre- tary are of the most pacific character, ORDERS, First Lieutenant C. A. Earnest, Kighth infantry, has been ordered to report to the Superiutendent of the General Recruiting Service to accompany # de- tachment of recruits to the Pacific Const The Superintendent of the General Recruiting Ser- vice will cause 100 recruits to be prepared and for- warded under proper charge to Fort Yuma, Cal., for sesignment to the Twelfth infant Te * NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. fIONAL VESSELS —ORDERS. Wasurnaron, Dec. 10, 1878, The United States steamer Saratoga, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Robley Evans, which arrived at the navy yard, in this city, yester. day, from Baltimore, sailed the entire distance and anchored at the navy yard without the use of steam or tug assistance, a circumstance which has not hap- pened in the case of any vessel arriving at the station here for many years. Lientenant Commander C. J. Barclay, commanding “the United States steamer Onward, now at Callao, Peru, in a report to the Navy Department, under date of November 2, states that the Adams was expected at that place on the 2d of November, ORDERS. Paymaster Charles W. Slamm has been ordered to the Norfolk Navy Yard. Pay Inspector Charles H. Fldridge has been ordered to hold himself in veadi- ness for duty as inspector of provisions and clothing at the Norfolk Navy Yard. Lieutenant F. M, Symonds has been detached trom the Minnesota and ‘granted leave of absence for three months. Frailey has been detached from the 1 and ordered to settle nis accounts. Passed Assistant Paymaster J. G, Hobbs has reported his arrival home, having been detached from the Dis- patch, European station, on the 15th of October last, and ordered to settle his accounts. Cadet Engineer W. F. Worthington has reported his return home, having been detached from the Alert, Asiatic station, and hes been placed on waiting orders. Cadet Engineers R. 8. Griffin and G. H. Bull have been de- tached from Quinnebaug and ordered to the Alli- ance, European station. THE CHARTER OAK TRIAL, MOVEMENTS OF N: EXAMINATION OF SECRETARY STEVENS—INQUI- RIES INTO THE FINANCIAL OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY, SALARIES, &C. Hantrorp, Conn., Dec. 9, 1878. The Charter Oak conspiracy trial was resumed in the Superior Court this morning. Halsey Stevens, secretary of the company, continued his testimony, and related the taking of stock by various parties in the fall of 1875 and its subsequent transfer to Furber, Wiggin and White. The prosecution then sought to introduce in evidence the mort- gages of tho New Saybrook and Higganum companies, two disastrous investments made prior to the Furber management, but they were ruled out, together with several deeds relating to proper- ties included in the company’s assets, When ques- tioned as to a loan of $182,456 to Allen, Stephens & Co., and the $800,000 mortyage to Edward Matthews, of New York, on the Broadway or “downtown” pur- chase, witness stated his inability to produce the pa- pers, they, with many others, being in the hands of the company’s legal representative in Chicago. At this point the Court interrupted the prosecuting at- torney with the significant suggestion that if he had anything in the nature of evidence to produce it would e well to do so. To this State Attorney Hamersley responded that he had not sup- posed that the defence would object to the records, and therefore he had not thought it necessary to pro- cure the originals. The State thea closed the direct examination ot the witness, and the defence declined tocross-examine him. A REPORT RULED OUT. Edmund A, Stevens, Assistant Commissioner of the Insurance Department, was called, and was asked for the annual statement of the condition of the Charter Oak Company on the 31st of December, 1875, which, the State alleges, was wholly false and made with the intent of deceiving the Commissioner. The report proved to be signed only by ex-President Wiggin, and the defence raised the point that it was not admissible in evidence, because it was signed by only one of the alleged conspirators. ‘The Court sustained this point and remarked that there must be evidence of a conspiracy between the parties before the declaration of any one of the accused can be admitted in evi- dence. : MR. FURBER'S CONTRACT ON RETIRING. At the opening of the afternoon session the prose- cution met another serious mishap in the refusal of the Court to admit in evidence the contract under which Furber retired from his e company when it came into the management. The defence objected to this on the ground that the contract was made after the alleged conspirators had left the company and that it was signed by only one of them, Furber. The prosecution med that the terms of the contract had been fully agreed upon while all were in office, but the Court remarked that this had nothing to do with the date of the execution of the contract itself, he must rule the document inadmissible. PAT SALARIES, The question of alleged exorbitant salaries was then gone into, and Secretary Stevens, being re- called, showed that Furber, as financial manager, re- ceived $666 67 per month from May, 1877, to July, 1877, and $1,000 for July. White, vice president and treasurer, and Wiggin, t, received $1, monthly during the year. . Waekley jent), recei’ as consulting counsel, $625 per month from May, 1876, to webraaty, 1877. and re; $333 33 per month. lor to the named the records of salaries paid were not produced. OVERSTATEMENT OF ASSETS, The prosecution next called Charles E, Dustin, cashier of the company, who produced certain deeds relating to the company’s purchases through Furber of real estate in New York. These and others were introduced merely for the purpose of showing the value of the aasets in 1875 and 1876, when the annual statements were made, the object being to show that the assets were overstated. This witness was kept on the stand until the adjournment, the testimony be- ing solely as to operations of no general importance. VIRGINIA JURIES, JUDGE RIVES EXPLAINS HIS BURWELI-REYNOLDS DECISION—STRICTLY FOLLOWING THE LAW OF CONGRESS AND CARRYING OUT THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Dec. 10, 1878, Your correspondent had an interview this evening with Judge Alexander Rives, of the United States Court, whose recent decision in the case of Burwell and Lee Reynolds has occasioned so much comment in all the newspapers of the country, and is now under consideration in the Legislature of the State, Judge Rives was quite willing to converse with refer- ence to the matter, and in response toa question as to what he thought of the action of the Legislature he said that he was not surprised. He was aware that the questions involved in his decision were grave, novel and delicate. The law on which the application of the parties is founded is not familiar to the iar quaesétty, ond ter. leas to the putilie # lange; hence any action under itis liable to be misunder- stood and mixrepresented. SIMPLY ENVORCING THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, Judge Rives expressed nis regret that there should be any conflict of jurisdiction between the federal and State courts, and aii ae they ought to be avoided whenever possible, the consideration of the case in question, had he consulted his own peace and the public repose, he would have denied the peti- tion of the prisoners, but paramount to such con- sidefations was his dtity and deterinination to ex- ecute the Jaw of Congress in behalf of the humblest, 80 as to secure the equal rights of all citizens as uaranteed by the fourteenth amendment. Judge Rives was tree to say that he regarded the law of Con- @tess. as anomalous, but at the same time as explicit and constitutional. He therefore felt constrained to grant the petition of the condemned men. LET THE LEGISLATURE SECURE A CHANGE, “But what will the Legislature do about it?” in- quired your correspofdent. Jndge Rrves—I do not know. T have no complaint to make of the Legislature. The legislation of the State has been all right, requiring the juries to be summoned without reference to color. The fault is in the courts and oflic my own court I have always ordered mixed juri have not discovered that harm has resulted from it; on ths contrary, the lawyers seem to prefer them. Judge Rives evidently holds that negroes by white men exclusi ind that the diffi- culty admits of remedy by the State. That remedy is to be found, he thinks, in such legislation as will compel courts and their officers to recognize their full duty under the constitutional amendments, Then there will be no possibility of interference which of- fends the dignity of the State and arouses the indig- nation of her people. FRAUD BY is unfair to try TOWN OFFICERS. [sx TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Pur..irspuna, N. J., Dec, 10, 1878. The Citizens’ Committee who have been at work uncarthing frauds in the management of the Phillips- burg town affairs to-day discovered evidence of sys- tematic stealings by ex-town officials. The amount so far ascertained reaches over $5,000. Gas bills amount- ing to hundreds of dollars had been paid and ropaid, with interest added; police, street and incidental orders have been found that were doubly paid. $2,000 worth of coupons were stolen from the town sate and twice paid by the Treasurer. Tho ex-oficials, who have been arrested, will be tried at the next term of the Warren County Court. SUICIDE IN JAIL Over [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE WeRALD.] Hacxnstown, Md., Dee, 10, 1878. Benjamin Long, a well known citizen of this county, at one time quite wealthy, but who has been reduced to poverty by continued litigation for the past twenty years, and was confined in jail under in- dictment for burning the barn of Samuel Claggett, about ocket hand- two years ago, hanged himself this morning, two o'clock, i his cell, kerchiefs fastened to tix ished his purpose without attracting attention. . WR. STEWARTS REMAN, New York Detectives Following a Clew in Virginia. BOATMEN. MYSTERIOUS A Box Taken Ashore and Planted A'ong the Rappahannock River, STATEMENT OF° “NEGRO HUNTERS, (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Frepenicxspuna, Va., Dec. 10, 1878, The question now agitating the minds of the few initiated people here is, Does a certain box, supposed to be hidden somewhere on the banks of the Rappa- hannock River, contain the missing remains of the late A. T. Stewart? This question is suggested by the presence of a brace of New York detectives, whose movements have been clouded in the most impene- trable mystery, but the object of whose visit has been ascertained by your correspondent, after a great deal of trouble and careful inquiry. The story as devel- oped is, to say the least, a little remarkable, whatever it may finally result in. A small sailing craft was seem at dusk last Saturday night in the Rappahannock River, about three miles below Fredericksburg, by two negroes who were coon hunting along the river bank. The barking of their dogs attracted the attention of the two men, who were in a boat, slowly towing the vessel up the river, for there was acalm atthe time, As soon as the negroes were dis- covered the hawser was let go and the boat ap- proached the shore, while the occupants hallooed te the negroes to come down to the water's edge, A STRANGE DIALOGUE. ‘The following conversation ensued :— BoaTmax—How far to Fredericksburg? Necro—'Bout three miles. * BoatmaN—How far to the head of tidewater? NzGro—Dunno what dat is. BoatmaN—How far up the river can we take ouy ularly atter that ‘vessel? Necro—'Bout half a mile "bove Fredericksburg. Boarman—Are there any cliffs or woods clos¢ above Fredericksburg? Nereno—Dar ain’t nun closer den de dam, BoatmaN—What dam ? NeEGro—De big dam what runs all de mills round town. Boarmax—Does any one live near the dam ? NeEGnro—No, sir. Boatman—Thank you. The boatmen returned to the vessel, when 3 con- sultation was held with the man at the wheel. The negroes determined to watch the movements of those who had interrogated them. CARRYING A SUSPICIOUS LOOKING BOX. About midnight the boat hitched on to the vessel and continued its passage up the river, closely fol- lowed by the negro hunters. They passed through the city unobserved until the rapids were reached, near Falmouth. Finding it impossible to follow the stream further they landed near an old un- tenanted mill. Two men took from the vessel @ box which was easily carried on their shoulders and proceeded along the river bank, They had not gone far when lights were seen in the * celebrated Bridgewater Flouring Mills, owned by Fik~ len & Sons. The busy life within and around the mills induced the party to leave the river and seck the open fields. They contimued their course until the abutment of the dam was reached. Finding it impossible to reach the shore, for they had been fol- lowing the road that led along the canal, they stole the boat belonging to the Waterworks Company and put into it the box they had been carrying, and, crossing the canal, succeeded in eluding the negroes who had been following them. THE BOX LEFT BERIXD, Inman hour's time they returned, from the ‘cliff, where, it is supposed, they deposited the box. They returned to their vessel and jeft Fredericksburg as quietly and mysteriously as they came. For atime it was supposed the detectives who were here came because a corpse was brought here last week, but the present solution is that they were on the track of those who had come up the river. so mysteriously, They have been very reticent, and, while their pres- ence is known to only, one or two ‘persons here, they have been closely watched. They remained in the city Sunday night, and early Monday morning seemed to be in possession of all the facts known by the negroes, About noon on Monday the detectives visited the cliffs near the dam and remained there the rest of the day, vainly searching for the hidden box, At least no one is aware of their finding it, DETECTIVES ON THE SCENT. Your correspondent asked the Chief of Police what information he had concerning these strangers, and the only information he could obtain from him was that he had heard of their presence, but had not been consulted by them. They were seen in the city last night, but their conduct showed a determination not to be questioned. There is no doubt that they are still in the neighborhood in search of the box and its contents. I have endeavored to ascertain what be- came of the vessel, but can learn nothing of her whereabouts. She is supposed to have run into some of the numerous creeks along the river during the day and’ to have sailed only at night. By this time she and her crew are. lost amid the many small crafg in Chesapeake Bay. THE CHESTERTOWN MYSTERY. TRIAL OF MRS. DODSON AND THE TWO YOUNG, MEN, NEWCOMB AND VINCENT, FOR ATTEMPT® ING TO KILL THE NEGRO JONES. (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ] Newcastue, Del., Dec. 10, 1878. Shortly after ten o'clock this morning, and fully an hour after onr miserable little Court House had been crowded to its full, the Court of General Sessions opened with the trial of Mrs, Amelia Dodson, Phillip Vincent and William Newcomb. The Bench consisted of Chief Justice Comegys and Judges Houston and Wootten. As the prisoners were conducted to the dock they calmly bore the question- ing gazo of the public. In front of the dock sat Mrs. Dodson’s daughters, Miss Dora ond Mrs, Alice Prettyman, the latter accompanied b; her husband. Mrs. Dodson sat next to t o oneanest for the defence. The Ee | ladies were dressed in rustic fashion, gaudy, colored ribbons being expeotally conspicuous, Mrs. Doason wore a plain black suit, with dark bonnet and a brown muff. The men were neatly attired and seemed quite confident of the total failure of the Pevigies med ty them, Attorney General Pennington opened the case, ing the circumstances as in the Heranp at the time of their occurrence. He felt confident that they would easily and clearly prove the intent to murder against the prisoners. ‘TESTIMONY FOR THE PROSECUTION, James Jones, now fully recovered from his bullet wounds, an intelligent negro about thirty-two years of age, testified to the iy published facts, hia scourging, being tied with ropes and conducted on a horrible midnight ride to the lonely woods near V1 Dyke Station, where Mra. Dodson, with fiendish malice, ordered Newcomb and Vincent to shoot him, which they accordingly did, leaving him for dead. Jones’ brother-in-law corroborated his statements aa to his arrival, wounded and weak, in the dead of night at his house, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE sTony. Mr. George Gray, counsel for the defence, stated that they did not contradict Jones’ allegations regard- ing the scourging, which was administered for the tearful ying | scandals set afloat by him through malice, but they could prove that the prisoners wero all in Mr. Dodson’s house at the timo of the alleged occurrence, AN ALIBI SWORN TO, Mrs. Alice Prettyman, the eldest daughter of Mrs, Amelia Dodson, lives in Philadelphia, but was on a visit to her parents on the 19th of November. Sho and her sister, Miss Dora, testificd that the negro, having admitted that his reports about them, were false, was tied, scourged and locked up until seven o’clock in the evening, when they hunted him away, he promising never to return. After this time Vincent and Newcomb accompanied them to their sitting room, where company with their mother until half, ‘The family retired for the night, but Newcomb remained until m in the being no unusual occurrence, 1 Court urned. in is believed that this averment will be damaging, Is ita probable story that two hard working yout men, only half a mile from their own home, should remain, one on @ lounge, the other sleeping in a chair, all night? The ladies’ testimon; conrotoreten Jones’ story up to the moment that took him states then,