The New York Herald Newspaper, December 19, 1878, Page 3

WASHINGTON. A Bird’s-Eye View of the Po- litical Situation. \ POLICIES OF THE TWO PARTIES. Republicans Sounding the Old Bugle Call. SECTIONAL AGITATION AND GRANT . Gossip from the Friends and Ene- mies of Mr. Conkling, - 'BLAINE'S AMBITIONS AND PURPOSES Southern Democrats Returning to Sound Currency Views. .FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. WaAsutncTon, Dec. 18, 1878. THE CAMPAIGN OF 1880—arTITUDE OF THE PARTY LEADERS--HOW VICTORY CAN BE BEST ORGANIZED. Although the session has run so far less than three weeks and has been singularly free from exciting events, the gathering of prominent men from all parts of the country has had an important effect upon the temper and policies of parties. There have been no important debates, for the discussion of the Blaine resolutions after the first day attracted little atten- tion, but there haye been numerous and constant private consultations which are likely to bear impor- tant results in the future. THE POLICY AND THE MAN, The leaders of each party are casting about for a policy for 1880, and it is as to policies, and not con- _cerning men, that they are-consulting. Candidates will depend on platforms, and neither party will have, it is well understood, 4 large latitude in select- ing its ticket, The Western democrats speak of Thur- man, the Eastern of Bayard, The Southern democrats are for the present silént, but all are united in de- claring against Mr. Tilden as utterly unavailable and out of the question, He had his chance and flung it away, they say, and he can have no further pretensions. Few democratic dark horses are named, though one hears occasionally of General Hancock. On the republican side General Grant undoubtedly looms up more and more. The President is reported to have said toa friend that Grant seemed to him most probable, because the prominent rivals, Sena- tors Blaine and Conkling, would be able to defeat each other, aud, he shrewdly added, the republican politicians are not likely to risk a dark horse again very soon. LING FOR GRANT (?), The political gossips have been speculating about the meaning of a report which has been frecly set afloat by some of Senator Conklimg’s most faithful friends during the past week. These say that the Senator has told them in the most positive language “that he is not # candidate for the Presidency, but that he is in favor of the nomination of General Grant. They add that he is undoubtedly in earnest in this announcement, and, while they regret his de- termination, they are ready to follow his wish and judgment. This is a malignent and evil thinking world, and it is therefore not wondérful that those whoprefer somebody élxe to Mr. Conkling laugh at this report and meanly suggest that Mr. Conkling forcaecs that General Grant can easily be defeated in the next Convention by careful management, but that he will be able to turn over a very formidable number of delegates to his favorite candidate, and that tit Grant's heir Mr. Conkling would thns have a very good chance for the nomination. Such is the tone of personal politics here, where even in the august | Senate Mr. Blaine was openly accused the other day of being engaged, in company with his famous resolution, in a — “political adventure for the Presidency.” It may be as well to add that the reports that the President is a Grant man are without foundation. He takes no part in personal politics and has no candidate, REPUBLICAN POLICY, But persons are less discussed than policies at this time. The republicans came here pretending to be united for sound currency, and were inclined to make that their platform in 1880, But they presently discovered that not only are they not united on this question, but many even of their professed hard money people are weak in the knees. Messrs, Burchard and Fort, who are attacking the national banks, represent, it is seen, a pretty formidable element of republicans given over to silver and other currency delusions and not inclined to be put down, Mr. Blaine, who travellud extensively through the West and Northwest during the fall, gained prob- ably a realizing sense of this fact, and it is this, per- haps, which Jed him to put himself, and, so far a« he could, his party, upon a revival of sectional agita- tion and suspicion, GOOD ADVICE TO BLAINE. It is part of the gossip of.the day that when Mr. Blaine came here last month he exchanged views on the situation with some Southern «men of influence and sound judgment, and that he was urged by these not to bring in his resolution, ‘but to openly abandon the Southern question, Jend his influence to a reorganization of the Sougtiern wing of the republican party by drawing reer and influential men into its leadership and « himself boldly in favor of reconciliation, told, it is said, that the domoeratic party in many or indeed most of the Southern States is so ready to Split to bieccs that nothing but the inimical attitude of the Northern republicans holds it together; that the appointment of respectable and influential men to the important federal offices instead of such odious persons as Wells, Anderson and others like them, if coupled with a bold and outspoken declaration of sympathy and friendship by a man of Mr, Blaine’s influence in his party, would create at once a formidable and re- spectable new republican party in the South and carry off a large part of the white vote, and that if, ‘on top of this, he should take the lead in a movement for the improvement of the Mississippi levees and a moderate advocacy of ocean subsidies and internal and harbor improvements in the Southorn States, a policy to which he is on general principles believed to be favorable, he could secure for himuelf not only the entire Southern republican delegation in the con- vention of 1880, but the clectoral votes of Ave or six Southern States, and greatly benefit the whole coun- try by ending alarm ond agitation and creating two white parties all over.the South. ADVICE UNHERDED. ‘This report rests on pretty good authority, and it is well known that Mr. Blaine has always been kindly regarded by many Southern men, who believe that at bottom he is not ill disposed toward them and that atany rate, as they often say, he is the best and the most kind-hearted of the republican leaders, But if itis true, surely thero is a great poverty of ideas among the republican politicians when one of their foremost men lacks either the boldness or the faith to seize xuch an opportunity, Mr. Blaine chose to reject these suggestions and to commit his fortunes to @ new — sectional —_agitation, Ho is # shrewd, but not a far-sighted man, He has done what he could to tie his party to the stale issue of “the South,” and he may have judged rightly in doing so, for the coldness with which his movement was treated by the republican Senators arose largely out of & jenlousy of his predominance, At any rate no republican has opposed him, nor is there among the leading mon of his party here any sign that they mean or even desire to push forward to new policies, or that they are accessible to new ideas. On the con- ‘trary, they display # singular horror of @ new depar- tures they fear all new questions, and, so far as one can learn here, know no other way to win in 1880 ex- cept to alarm and array the Nort® against the South. AMONG THF. DEMOCRATS. Among the democrats there has been a good deal of quiet but earnest discussion about the future. When Congress adjourned last June the Southern democrats had been persuaded that their true policy for 1830 was to ally themselves with the West. ‘The Western democrats, of course, zealously fostered this notion, but they demanded their own terms, which were, that the Southern wing of the party should join them in resisting resum tion, in abolishing the national banks and in the sup- port, generally, of the greenback movement. It was in consequence of this bargain between the West and the Sonth that the Southern democrat: platforms almost all favored the most extreme currency delusions and that so many individual democrats, of whom better things were expected, be- cause they were known to have perfectly sound eur- rency views, surprised and exasperated their North- ern friends by submitting to or standing on green- back and inflation platforms. ‘Mr. Thurman became the head and focus of this alliance, but the fall elections showed the Southern men that he and those who urged him on had totally misled them as to the” strength of the movement. They saw at once that the fall campaign which they had made at the instance of their Western allies for soft money had, in fact, seri- ously endangered the democratic success in 1880, and it is no secret here that Senators Lamar and But- ler, who persistently resisted this moyement, are now acknowledged by their friends to be justi- fied by events. A further Western alliance is now out of the question. The Southern men most of whom were originally for sound money, are returning from their wanderings and are con- sidcring whether they are not surer of prosperity for their own section and of success in 1880 if they shall form an alliance with the Eastern dem- ocrats and unite with these in placing their party firmly on wlfat are called “old democratic prin- ciples.”” ‘THE EAST AND THE SOUTH. The argument is that the East and the South united can control the convention in 1880 and carry a sound platform; that the nomination of an unexcep, tionable man, one in whose character and principles the North would have confidence, on a good platform would give a better chance of carrying the country than any other way that offers, and that, in fact, vir- tue may turn ont to be more profitable than a multi- tude of greenbacks. Privately some of the Southern men acknowledge that they did not comprehend the real meaning of the greenback movement until they found. them- selves part of it. Then they discovered that the grcenbackers meant nothing less than repudiation, ” said one of theee men, “did not mean repu. diation, and the people generally have no such thought, and when I discovered what it really meant I drew out as quietly as I could and made up my mind to have no more to do with the greenback leaders, but to help get the country back to sound money as fast as possible, for this thing is too dangerous to be trifled with.” LESSON OF THE FALL CANVASS, The experience of the fall canvass therefore given the Southern democratic 1 ers cause for serious thought and for earnest consultation. What they will finally agree on remains to be seen, but it is certainly possible that they will see that their true course is a close alliance with the Eastern wing of their party and the adoption of Eastern and not Western ideas and policies. ‘This would include, of course, an abandonment of ali currency delusions, and oppesi- tion to every part of the currency programme of the West, with a union on new policies which ‘would force the old questions out of the wa; THE AVERAGE CONGRESSMAN. Three things mainly prevent the immediate adop- tion of such ® programme, and these are timidity, ignorance and a curious respect for some empty and vicious traditions. It is amazing to see the mud- ied condition of mind inty which the average member of either house and of either party regards the currency question, and how incongtuons and absurd are the expedients 4 suggested. Moreover, almost everybody wants to be re-elected, and stands in the more agonizing fear of what his constituents may think. Leaders of public opinion are few in number, and even they lack bold ness and prefer to wait. Among the traditions which are of the most mischievous character is the South- ern: statesman’s regard for local and State banks, He forgets that the old. social and bust fess system of his section has disappeared, aiid that the State banks, which were all solfd enough a quarter of @ century ago, cannot be revived. He hax @ vague suspicion that the national banking sys- tem must be wrong, mainly because he remembers that Andrew Jackson had a fight with tho National Bank of his day, a totally different affair, and then come the speculators among his constituents and promise him a new era of good times by the help of has real estate, banks, &¢., and so the poor man hesitates. and = wonders if he cannot de- vise some system of hipping the devil around the stump" and having sound money and yet not having sound money, But matters hat, gone so far that there is little doubt that if a bold leader summoned the Southern democrats to follow him for a sound currency and a sound and national policy he could sweep them all in with little difi- culty. So far the lead is lacking and the mischievous return of the republicans to their old Southern sectional policy may, by forcing the South- ern men to a continued attitude of self defence, pre- vent any movement looking to the reformation of cither party. That is what Mr. Blaine's resolution may accomplish, and it is purely mischievous for the country. FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. Wasutxaton, Dec, 18, 1 COMPOSITION OF THE BLAINE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE. ‘The republican Senators will hold a caucus to-mor- row morning to determine who of their number shall constitute the republican members of the select committee: to be appoirtted under the Blaine resolution. The committee i« to be composed of five republicans and{four democrats. The democrats have named as their representatives on the committee Senators Bayard, Wallace, Garland and Morgan. It is generally understood that Senator Hoar will be the chairman of the committes. It is not certain that the democrats named will all serve. SENATOR HILL MISREPRESENTED, Senator Hill complains that the Atlanta correspond. ent of the Henatp, in a recent dexpateh, has mis- represented him, He says the despatch is false so faras it refers to him asin any way inimical to Governor Colquit. Mr. Hill says also that he has no connection with any railroad in Georgia or elsewhere, pleasant or unpleasant, o GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wastttxctow, Dee. 18, 1873, A BOARD OF ASSISTANTS “TO TRE SECRETARY OF | THE NAVY—THRIN DUTIES DEFINED—ptLt, oF | REPRESENTATIVE IATRIS, i. The bill introduced by Representative Harris, of Massachusetts, and referred to the Committee on | Affairs, of which he is a member, was amended by the committee and orderca to be reported to the House, It provides for the establishment of a “Board of Assistants to the Secretary of the Navy," of which the chiefs of the bureaus of yards and docks, ordnance, construction and repair, equipment and recruiting and steam engineering are to be ex oficio members, Five members of the Board are also to be appointed by the Prosident, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, two of whom shall be line officers of the navy on the active list not below the rank of captain—one an expert in naval con- struction, one an expert in steam engineering and the other an expert in naval ordnance, These experts may be appointed from the officers of the navy of the line or the staff, the active or retired list or from civil life at the pleasure of the President. It is made the duty of the Seeretyry of the, Navy to detail an ofhcer of the navy, fo det ag.the secretary of the Board,.whose place of ineoting? whit he in the Navy 0 Board is to be attached to tho office of the Secretary, and under his direction and subject to his M NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDA approval shall discharge such duties relative to the design, construction, armament and equipment of all vessels of the navy hereafter’ to be builtsor exten- sively repaired, end such other general or special duties of such office as the Secretary may require of them. The Board is especially charged with the duty of examining all designs, models, plans ~— and __ specifications of all vessels of the navy, hereafter to be built or extensively altered or repaired, and of the machinery and armament thereof. And their determination, when approved by the Secretary shall be final and conclusive, and binding upon all officers and em- ployés of the navy, and shall not be varied from in exeention without th authority or direction of the Secretary in writing. The Board may, under the direction or with the consent of the Se:retary, invite the submission of models, plans and specifica- tions for naval vessels, their engines, machinery and armament from any and all sources, and may deter- mine what sum shall be paid to any successful com- petitors, and no others, whose models, plans or speci- fications so submitted shall be adopted for use in the navy. The Board is required to take an inventory of stores and supplies, and all found to be unserviceable are to be sold, The Board is also required to exam- ine, or cause to be examined, all vessels not in actnal service at sea, and-vessels at sea as soon as they shall return to any naval station, and report to the Secre- tary such as are unfit for further service, or if the same are unfinished in any nayy yard which cannot: be finished without great and disproportionate ex- pense, If the Socretary shall deem it for the best interest of the United States to sell such vessels he shall ad- vertise for sealed proposalx for the purchase of the same. The vessels are to be sold for cash to the por- sons or corporations “offering the highest price above the appraised valuc, Old material which cannot be profitably used by reworking or otherwise is to be sold at public auction’ A permanent construction fund is to be established, which shall comprise the appropriations made there- for from time to time by Congress, and the proceeds arising from the sale of old or condemned vessels and of old and condemned materials and = con- demned stores and supplies, ‘The funds shall be used and expended by the Secretary, with the aid and assistance of the Board in the construction, armament and equipment of new vessels, and for no other purpose. No vessel now belonging to the navy shall be finished or re- paired where the estimated cost of its completion or repair shall excced forty per cent of the cost of a new vessel of the same size and model, exclusive of the armament and equipment, unless the Board shall recommend such completion or repair. ‘The Board of Assistants, while serving on the Board, and their secretary, shall be entitled to the highest pay of their rank and their actual expenses while travelling on business of the Board. No portion of the’ permanent construction fund shall be di- verted from the purposes of this act, and any officer who shall knowingly and wilfully make uso of or authorize the use of ny portion of the fund for any purpose not author- ized by the provisions of this act, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and 4hall be liable thereafter to removal by court martial or otherwise. The section of the original bill providing for an annual appropriation of $3,000,000 for the constrne- tion <f new vessels, &c., was stricken out by the committee. : THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE LOOK- ING AFTER THE FEDERAL SUPERVISORS, The House Committee on Appropriations to-day agreed to recommend non-coneurrence by the House inallthe Senate amendments to the Consular and Diplomatic and Fortification Appropriation bills. They also instructed Chairman Atkins to report to the House, with a favorable recommendation, the resoln- tion of Mr, Southard calling for information as to the number of supervisors and deputy marshals em- ployed during the late election, out of what fund they are paid, &c. THE YELLOW FEVER COMMISSION—EXPERTS AGREED UPON. The House Joint Committee on Epidemic Diseases appointed to visit the South and ascertain the cause of the Jate yellow fever outbreak, met this morning and formatly agreed upom®the following named per- sons to be the experts to accompany, in their South- ern tour of investigation, the sub-committees ap- pointed for that purpose: —- Dr. J. M. Woodworth, Superintendent of the Ma- rine Hospital service, Washington, D.C.; Dr. Coch- rane, of Mobile, Ala.; Dr. William Selden, of Norfol Colonel Thomas 8. Hardec, of the United States Army; Dr. Samuel A, Green, of Boston; Dr. W. H. Randall, of Philadelphia; Dr. Jacob 8. Mosher, of New York; Dr. W. H. Murssy, of Cincinnati; Dr..R. W. Mitchell. of Memphis; Dr. L. A. Falligunt, of Sayan, nah, Ga.; Dr. Stanford E. Chaille, of New Orleans. The members of the sub-committees to visit New Orleans and vicinity and Memphiy and vicinity, on the part of the House, will probably be appointed to- day. THE POTTER COMMITTEF, The Potter Committee to-day agreed that the sub- committee to continue the investigation in Louisiana shall consist of Chairman Potter, General Cox, of Ohio, and probably one more democratic member, if another of the majority will consent to serve. ‘They will start for New Orleans soon after Congress ad- journs for the holiday recess, and expect to finish their labors within a week after their arrival in New Orleans, THE STANDARD SILVER DOLLAR. The House Committee on Banking and Currency to-day heard Representative Burchard, of Mlinois, in advocacy of his bill to probibit any discrimination by national banks against the standard silver dollar Representative Chittenden, the Now York member of the committee, made an argument in reply to Mr. Burchard, and the subject was then taken under ad- visement for action by the committee. Gencral Ewing, of Ohio, submitted as a substitute for Mr. Burchard’s and all other pending bills rela- tive to the silver doliar a new measure embracing three propositions :—- First—That any national bank which discriminates against the standard silver doilar shall be placed in liquidation and have its circulating notes withdrawn by the goverfinent. Second—To make United States notes and standard silver dollars interchangeable at the Treasury. Third—To’ provide for the exchange at the mints of standard silver dollars for trade dollars and the re- coinage of the latter into standard dollars, with a prohibition against further coinage of trade dollars of the present weight and fineness, The committee adjourned until after the holiday recess without taking any action, MR. HEWITT'S REPORT ON THE LABOR QUESTION, ‘The statement recently attributed to Representa- tive Hewitt, of New York, that the committee investi- gating the labor question will make nothing more than a pro forma report this session and leave the in- quiry to be completed by the next Congress, is pro- nounced erroneous by that gentleman, The prepara- tion of # report is delayed to await the taking of addi- tional testimony, but a report of an exhaustive and thorough nature, accompanicd with recommenda- tions, will be presented to the present House of Rep: resentatives, PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. : . SENATE, Wasttiseton, Dee. 18, 1878, Mr. Brex, (dem.) of Ky., called up the bill from the table introduced by him on the 16th of November, to repeal sections 820 and S21 of the Revised Statutes of the United States prescribing additional canses of disqualification and cl@llenge of grand and petit jurors in the courts of the United States and au addi- tional oath for jurors in said courts, Mr. MoMIn1as, (rep.) of Minn., objected to the present consideration of the bill. Mr. Brex, of Kentucky, then moved to lay aside all prior orders and take up the bill indicated by him, He said section 820, providing for a test oath, had been repealed by the act of 1871, and was inadvertently Placed in the Revised Statute: Mr. CONKLING, (tep.) of N. Y., said the very subject the Senator now songht to bring before the Senate had been discussed in the Judiciary Committee, and was a matter npon which there was divided judg- ment. The hill should not be acted npon by the Senate without a report from the committed, Mr. Brox said the bill now before the Judiciary Committce contained other provisions than for the fepeal of the sections named. . Mr. Voonuxes, (dem.) of Ind., said seven years ago Y, DECEMBER 19, 1878—TRIPLE SHEET. the law requiring severe test oaths for the quatifica- tion of jurors was repealed. Since then we bad had a revision of the statutes, and in that revision had crept in the repeal of that unjust law. it should be stricken out now immediately, Accidents of this kind rendered the labors of such revision Valueless, Mr. Ganrann, (dem,) of Ark., said in his Stats the test oath had been regarded as at an end, and the courts no longer administered it. Pending discussion the morning hour expit the subject was laid a THR od, and SP LAWS, The Senate then resumed consideration of the un- finished business, being the bill to amend the stat- Utes In relation to patents and for other purposes. Mx. Window, (rep,) of Me,, submitted an xmend- ment that “no recovery of damages or costs shall bi had against the defendant in any snit for tbe all infringement of patents by use of any pate device, process and invention or discovery, it it shall | appear that the defendant purchased the same for his | own private use from the manutacturer th dealer engaged in open sale of the same, shall also appear that the defendant, at th such purchase, had knowled, r actual novis patent.” nf Minnesota, in explanation of his said it was intended to remedy a very great and growing evil in this country, daily per- petrated under our patent laws. It was to prevent | injustice upon hundreds of innocent people. Mr. WavLtiGH, (rep.) of N, H., said the amendment, af adopted, would completely. abolish our whole Patent law, There was no such evil as his friend | from Minnesota (Mr. Windom) complained of, In cases of infringement the manufac r was always sought. During his remarks Mr. Wadleigh referred | to the muny articles in thix country patented, and suid it wax because everything was patented that we were enabled to maintain headway against foreign manufacturers and to obtain a monopoly of the manufactures of the world. Mr. Hoan, (rep.) of Mass., moved to add to the amendment of Mr. Windom the words, “or has con- | tinued to use the same after such notice.” Rejected— yeas ‘21, nays 31. time of | » of the | ndments to that of Mr. Windom were NpoM then moved to modify his amendment so ax to provide that it should nat apply to pur- chasers from foreign manufacturers or dealers, and the question being on the amendment as modified Mr. More pt Alabaina, a member ot the Committee ntx, Opposed the ‘amendment and argued that : committee had gone as far as it could probably go to protect all parties and prevent vexatious suits. Pending discussion the Senate, on motion of Mi Davis, (ind) of Dil, at twenty minutes to four P. went into executive session, and w reopened Mr, Hannis, of ‘Tennessee, called up th House joint resolution appropriating $50,000 tor th purpose of paying the nec expenses. inet by the committees of the Senate and House in tigating into the cause and prevention of epidemic diseases, Passed. THE POSSE, COMITATUS CLAURE. Mr. Pappock, (rep.) of alled up the bill recently reported from the Committee on Military Affairs to amend the posse comitatus clause of the Army Appropriation bill for the present fiscal year so ax to provide that it shall not be construed to apply to any part of the army or portion thereof e gaged in the protection of ‘life und property in the States and Territories subject to Indian insurrection. The amendments were agreed to so as to name the States of Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada and the Territories subject to Indian insurrections, &c. The bill was then read a third time and pi d. On the motion of Mr. Wrixvom, of Minnesota, the Senate insisted upon its amendments to the Consular and Diplomatic, and the Fortitication Appropriation bills, and committees of conference on those bills were ordered. On motion of Mr. Beck, of Kentucky, the bill di cussed during t prning hour to repeal sections. 520 and X21 of the Revised’ Statutes was referred to the Committee on the Revision of the Laws. Mr. Wixpom, of Minnesota, called up the Pension Appropriation bill, and said the Committee on Appro- priations had added nothing to the bill. They pro- posed several amendments, merely transposing cer- tain clauses of the bill, to facilitate the bookkeeping and to better classity the subjects. The amendments were agreed to, and the bill was read a third time and passed, Mr. Dorsey, (rep.) of Ark., called up Honse bill to amond the act of June 20, 187s. and to fix the rate of interest on bonds authorized by said act to be issued by the District of Columbia, but Mr. KERNAN, of New York, and others objected to its present con- sideration, and it was laid aside. ‘The Senate then, at four P. M.,on motion of Mr. Anthony, of Rhode Island, adjourned until to- morrow at twelve o'clock, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wasuixeros, Dec. 18, 1878. Messrs. FreeMay, (rep.) of Pa., and O'NxIL1, (rep.) of Pa., presented resolutions of the Board of Dirvctors of the Vessel Owners and Captains’ Association, of Philadelphia, protesting against any change in the navigation laws detrimental to American shipping, | the Senate to-day : | he was made aud which would be in the interest of foreign hulls in internal and coastwise trades. Referred. On mation of Mr. Woop, (dem.) of N. Y., the Senate -amondment to the resolution extending the recess from December 20 to January 7 (instead of 6th) was concurred in. On motion of Mr. Baker, (rep.) of Ind., and Mr. SINGLETON, (dem.j of Miss., respectively, Senate amendments to the Fortification and Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation bills were non-concurred in. Mr. YounG, (dem.) of Tenn., from the Committee on Yellow Fever Epidemics, reported a joint resolu- tion appropriating $50,000 for the expenses of that committee, one-half the amount to be expended by the Senate and one-half by the House, Mr. Arkrs, (dem.) of Tenn., offered an amendment providing that no more than seven experts should be employed by the committee. After a short diseus- sion the amendment was withdrawn and the joint resolution passed. Mr. ATkiNs, of Tennessee, chairman of the Com- mittee on Appropriations, asked leave to report back the resolution calling for information as to the num- ber of supervisors and deputy marshals em- ployed during the late clections, out of what fund they were paid, & ir. GARFIEL (rep. INDIAN Al at Ohio, objected. PROWRIATION BE ‘The House, at fifteen minutes past one P. M., went into Committee of the Whole (Mr. Ligon, of Ala- bama, in the chair) on the Indian Appropriation bill. ‘The amount appropriated by the bill ix $4,710,000— a reduction of $200,000 from the estimates. Mr. Sparks, (dem.) of Ill, who has charge of the bill, explained that it was stibstantially the bill of last year and was the unanimous approval of the Appro- amendments. considered Mr. Tnockmontos, (dem.) of Texas; moved that it be reported back to the Mouse, for the pur- pose of postponing its further consideration until after the recess, in order to give the committees who have been charged with inquiry into Indian affairs a chance to recommend some changes in the law rela- tive to the Indian Office. It might be that an amend- ment would be recommended for the transfer of the ndian Bureau to the War Department. Mr. Se, (dem.) of N. C., opposed the postpone- tending to delay the business of Congress. TooKER, (dem.) of Miss., tavored the postpone- ment, in order to give the joint committes in regard to the transfer a chance to make its report. The motion was defeated, Mr. Hooxen, of Mississippi, offered an amendment authorizing the payment of expenses incurred by the Osage Indians incident to the execution of a trust created by the treaty of 1465, such payment to bo credited against the interest bearing credit ot said In- dians in possession of the United States. Mr. Sranks, of Illinois, raised the point of order that that would change the existing law. In the course of the discussion Mr. Pace, (rep.) of 1., characterized the claim as an attempt to extort 22:30,000 from the Osage Indians, Mr, Towssenn, (rep. ment, ot N, Y., favored the amend- The Osage Indians employed Colonels Adair to defend them when the United States had | to defrand them of their lands. The | nf those gentlemen had amounted to: millions, but they had voluntarily reduced it to $230,000, After further debate the amendment was ruled ont. Mr, Hooker, of Mississippi, offered an amendment providing that the interest ¢ to the Winne' indians shall be paid to the authorized chiefs of the nation. Mr. Letrrent, (dem.) of Cal, supported the amend- ment. It was high time that Indians who were com- petent to manage their own affairs should have a chance to do so, He was in favor of turning the whole management over to, such, m men and Crook, instead of leaving it in the hands of mien who robbed. and’ phindered the poor Indians, ‘The head of the Indian Departmetit, Mr. Hayt, knew no more of Indian affairs than a hog did of cholera, Mr. Baxen, of Ind opposed the amendment, If the n was given to the Indians they would be immediately swindled out of it—We robbed by the border men, He defended Mr. Mayt trom what he characterized as the vulgar attack of the gentleman from Californ Mr. Luvern ifornia, replied that if Mr. Hayt had tal ice from persons who were ac- quainted with Tudian affairs there would have been no Indian troubles last summer, The amenlment was rejected, The committee then rose without further action, Mr. Boose, (dem.) of K: wd & joint reao- Intion extending until the Ist of February the time within whieh the joint committee on the transfer of the Indian Bureau may report. Passed, Mr. Woon, of New York, asked that the 15th of Jan- uary be set xideration of bills reported Ways and Means, yurrh, (rep.) of Pa.—On what bill? Not a tariff ‘That is satisfactory. Phe order was then made as requested, On motion of Mr. Wrrrrnorss, (dem.) of Tenn., leave was given to the Naval Committee to sit during the recess, Mr. Hewrrr, dem.) of N. ¥., said that in the New York papers it was stated, in reference to postal service, that that service was restricted to what it been on December 1, 1477, and comments made thereon. He wished to call attention to the fact that ives restricted to what it had beon on December 1, 78, The House then, at a quarter to five P, M., ad- jJourned, CHIEF JUSTICE OF NEW MEXICO. NOMINATION OF L, BRADFORD PRINCE, OF NEW , Doc. 18, 1878. The President sent the following nomination to —L. Bradford Prince, of New York, of the Supreme Court of New to be Chief Just Mexico, SKEICH OF MR, PRIN . Bradford Prince, who wes yesterday ap- President Hayes Chief Justice of the 1 known citi- © of New York, wh hus represented the First atorial district in Albany and has 1 prominent in connection with “Civil Service form.” He is a descendant of the rated G ernor William Bradtord, of Maytlowe 1 grandfather and reat grandfather were srnors of Rhode Island. Mr. Prince was born at Flushing, Long Island, July 3, 1840, and was in hix boyhood an active politician, having com- menced working and writing in favor ot the republi- cau party as long ayo as 1856, the very year of the birth of that party, when he received a vote of thanks from the Fremont Club at Flushing, His paternal ancestors were noted horticulturists, and has always taken great interest in ornamental as well as utilitarian gardening. In his youth he spent several years in the Southern States for reasons of heulth. He graduated at the law school of C in the war times, taking the $ he became a tec of Queens county, of Which he was subsequent the president for several years; became an acti political speaker in varions portions of the Stat was a delegate to the Chicago > Convention. of 1868, became # me Committee in 1 and was elected to the Asse in 187 a majority of 1,415, due to his pe popularity, the distriet by npreme ( wn of the He made his mark in th one of the ablest of the new inembers, sted in 1871, in i ‘and in in i this time by an almost unanimous vote, leclined a nomination to the Senate, and was strongly supported for the republican caucus nomination for the Speaker- ship, but defeated in a perfectly friendly contest by General Husted, Ro-clected to the Assembly in 1874 Tu that year condneted the and MeCunn. nt of special legislation, wrote a pamphlet in recommendation of the constitutional amendments of 1874, lectured and wrote on legislative and governmental reform, and was author of a popular work entitled “4 Piuribus Unum, or American Nationality.” He was a prominent Mason, having served several termsas District Deputy Grand Master for Suffolk and Queens counties. He was for two years director of the Queens County Agricultural Society and for many years an officer of the Long Island Historical Society. In 1468 he was the orator for the alumni ot Columbia Law School and has since been President of the Alumni Association, In 1875 he was elected to the State Sen- ate, in which body he took a prominent position; was chairman of the Committee on Mi Corporations, and a member of the committees on Agriculture, Literature and the Judiciary. It will be remembered that a few months ago he was nominated forahigh postin the customs department of this city, but rejected by the Senate through the exer- 4 of Senator Conkling. Should he accept the jn- dicial post now tendered him he will probably within few years take a seat in the United States Senate for Mexico. THE POSTAL CAR SITUATION, A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN ON THE FINANCE CONDENSING BOURBONS. {From the Washington Post, Dee. 18.] Hon. Alfred M. Waddell, of North Carolina, chair- man of the House Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, met a minion of the Jost last night and was asked :— “What do you think of the proposed action of the Post Office Department in taking off the fast railway mail service on the Ist of January? “That it will be exactly right. Itold them last winter in the House when Mr. Key sent in his esti- mate that he was right, and that if they expected him to keep up that ort of service they should give him the money to do it with.”” “Will the House grant the appropriation before the Dh, the Lord only knows, I don’t,” said Mr. Wad- dell, with a frank acknowledgement of the superior- ity of the Almighty’s knowledge. “Your committee has some control of the matter, has it not?” “Not the least.”” “Does not the Committee on Appropriations act on your recommendations?” “No; they disregard our recommendations, and snub us at all times. Last session, after our com- mittee had aat npon measures for ix weeks, and pre- sented carefully prepared bills, they were cc isly thrown aside, without consideration, rful committee.” hat is your committee for, then 2” ike a great many others, ornamental, I presume. The Committee on Appropriutions has abkorbed all of the power of the House, The rost of us have but comparatively little to say in legislative matters,” said Mr. Waddell, ax he paraded aw NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. Wasurneton, Dec, 18, 1878, Commander R. W. Meade has been ordered to hold himself in readiness to take command of the Van- dalia, and Commander F. M. Bruce to take command of the Marion. Passed Assistant Engineer H. N. Ste- Yonson has been assigned to duty at the Morgan ‘Iron Works, New York, and Passed Assistant Engineer James has been detached therefrom for duty at 'y yard, Mare Island, Cal. EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY “DENIED. Wastinetox, Dec. 18, 1878. The United States Marshal for Arkansas has been notified by the Attorney General that the President declines to interfere in the case of the Creek Indian, Joseph Postoak, who is to be hanged for murder on the 30th inst. Meyerbeer’s grand opera, which piqued curiosity successfully by its first production in an. exception- ally complete and sumptuous manner by Mr. Maple- son's troupe, cannot, as was proved last night, be included in the limited list of storling operatic at- tractions. ‘The performance was altogether the best that has been given here, for never has a more satis- factory trio of prizgipals been brought together in the work here than Miss Hauk, Signor Campanini and Signor Foli, The secondary and minor parts are thoroughly well given, and the chorus, orchestra, ballet, with the imposing spectacular features, far Surpass any preyions representation of the opera in America, But the work docs not quite suit our pub- and, lik» “Der Freixehity," it ix not to be de- pended ‘upon to erowd the house. Mixs Hauk, last night, as Alice gave one of ber most brilliant 'per- formances of the season, Shé has not been equalled in the réfe by any of her predecessors here, and her two great airs in the second act, in which she twice gave the high C, were incomparably rendered, and aroused the andienc an enthusiastic demon- Signor Campanini sang and acted Roberto n render this diffieult role in the second act was si was in good voice and lacke re t and variety in his action. Mile, Lido sang 1 xweetly, but not powerfaily, and Sig- Ithough uneven, did such good work in the opening of the second act as to receive an oncore, Mile. Palladino was inore than good as Elenea, and mado a decided siecoss. Signor Arditi, who is liter- ally a master leader, again showed his rare «kill in deftly shading the accompaniments to the styles of the different singer! stration. as he ale in the Signor Fo! DRAMATIC NOTE. Mr. E. A. Locke has been substituted for Mr. Whif- fen in the character of Le Blane in the extravaganza of “Evangelin now running et Booth's Theatre. Mr. Locke at least knew the words of his part, and in tha. respect appeared to better advantage than Mr. Whiffen. But that is about the best thing that can be said of him. A nonsensical part is often enjoyable when made really amusing and laughter provoking by a good comedian. Mr. Locke, judging by his per- formance of Le Blane, is a very poor comedian. The best things in the piece are the clever representations of Ben Butler by Mr. Tooley and of the Lone Fisher- man by Mr. Maffit. The female parts are inthe hands of ladies who appear to have no fitness for them, However, the performance seems to give pleasure to crowded houses, Chacun d son joit, WEDNESDAY MATINEES, To Tum Eprron ov tae Herat In the language of Rip Van Winkle, we all swear by you cn music, opera and all other matters, Will you arrange the following :— 1. Give us Wednesday matinées as well as on Satur. ay. 2. Stop the everlasting visiting and chattering of our city cousins during the performances of Pro- fessor Arditi’s snperb orchestra in the overtartes, 3. Give us the ballet again in full torce, and, 4. Last, not least, give us Marie Roze'in dramatic opera, thus giving # greater variety performances, 5. Give a special benetit to Minnie Hauk (our Ameri- can ptima donna) and relieve her of the Pike polo lawsuit. Woe will give her a bumper, 4 CUUNTRY COUSIN, * the celebrity, and | 3 BULGARIA'S VACANT THRONE PRINCE COMAN, LATE OF CITY HALL, Yo run Eprron or THe Henanp:— Before you close the polls to ke a serutiny of the plebiscite for a King of Bulgaria I would offer the name of hix Xiuc Lom Coman, ex-President of the Board of Aldermen, alternate Justice of the Peace Keoper of Acconuts and Discounts. He was born in Cashel City, ‘Lipperary county, Ireland, known as “Cashel of the Kings," from the number of kings it supplied to Tara Hull, I saw ‘Tom other day. He has been ont of a » for some time; indeod r since the overthrow of that lamented monareh—Tweed. By birth Lom is a prince, as you know. Bulgaria must, after the ruin caused by the late war, need many re forms. He could take the Archduke Michael Norton aud Prince Harry Genet with him. John Kelly cag supply the rest of the royal cabinet. T. WEED, JR, NOMINATED BY ACCLAMATION, To THe Eprror or THe Heraup:— Nominated by a large majority—Anthony J. Com stock for the Bulgarian throne, What a wide field for his labors! YUM-YUM, A HARRISON FROM CHICAGO, To Tar Eprror or tHe Heratp:— As you are looking for a King for Bulgaria, T don’t see why you should not look outside of New York, Have you anything to say.against Chicago furnishing king? Irovresent the sense of a large part of our | population when I respectfully suggest that you shall ‘take our Carter. I mean the Hon. Carter H. Harri- son. He isa good fellow, our Carter: and he would make a king and a half, He would undertake king over a much bigger country than Bulgari n spare him. Don’t neglect yours, DecemBen 16, 1878, and CHICAGO. A SPENCER AND NOT A DISPENSER. To THE Epiror or THE HeraLp:— Different candidates have been suggested thus far for the throne of the Bulgarians, but none, as it seems to me, would suit better for that place than our worthy ex-representative, Attorney-at-law Colonel Charley Spencer. You ask his abilities? Excellent; superb, No talker would dare approach him, for Charley could verbally flagellate through all the sfrom the notes of the roaring whang-doodie le lispings of a maid t legal light. In military matters inferior only to Von Moltke. Looks like Osman Pacha when in unitorm. Admira- ble combination of talent and beauty. Bulgaria will never have such @ chance again. Do take him. A SPENCER AND DISPENSER, To Tur Eprron or tHe HeraLy:— As Bulgaria is in want of a king, and all the celebrie ties in this city have been tendered the crown through the kindness of your journal, and wishing to assist you in procuring a ruler for that far distant coyntry, I submit to the people, through your paper, the name of Sandy Spencer, and that he be titled King Sandy I. “Long live Sandy I.!"" would be the cry from the multitude. GRANDFATHER'S CLOCK. HOW WOULD EUGENE HALE ANSWER? To tur Eprron or THE HERaun:— I have no doubt you will agree with me at once when I recommend to your favorable consideration as a proper King for the Bulgarians my young friend, the Hon. Eugene Hale. Hale is a statesman, every inch of him, high heeled boots and all. He could soon learn Bulgarian, and he is accustomed to publia employment, and if you were to send him out thera his constituents, who have meanly left him out, would know what they had lost. Yours respect fully, G.N.P. WasHinatos, Dec. 17, 1 A SECOND CALL FOR ‘DR. WALKER.” Sew Yorg, Dec. 17, 187% To tHE Eprror or TH HeKaLp:— Aking! a king! a kingdom for a king! Is shouted through Bulgaria's land; And still no welcome answers ring To gladden all this kingless band. Pray, search again among your men For a thoroughbred,New Yorker; But if you think you're short of them, Why, send us Dr. Mary Walker. LF. B A POTTER TO MOULD THE HEATHEN, To THe Eprror or THE HeraLp:— Tadvise you to nominate for King of Bulgaria my elegant friend, the Hon. Clarkson N. Potter. He would be glad to serve, I think, as a way of getting rid of ths Potter Committee. Bulgaria must be at least ax pleasant a place as New Orleans, to which he is about to fly for refuge from the irksome and dangerous labors of his committee. Mr. Potter knows almost everything, except how to get out of his proxent serape, and although he is a democrat he would make an exquisite king. Yours, i Wasurnaton, Dec. 16, 1 ANOTHER EARNEST PLEA FOR COUNT GEORGE, To rar Eprror or THE Henato:— I have failed to sce on the list of noted worthies whom the Hena.p has mentioned from time to time as fit candidates for the vacant throne of Bulgaria, the name of one who is so pre-eminently suited for the place that IT am = astonished at the shortsightedness your “Warwick” in over- looking him, Among all the brilliant names presented there is not one that can compare with my nominee, the world renowned gcholar, the orator, the author, the Admirable Cricht6n, the man learned in the law, the citizen of the world, the Bava- rian nobleman, the accomplished George the Count Joannes, of Hupreme Court, LL.D., &e., ke., ke. Here is the man who has often donned the imperial purple on the mimic stage in the Bowery. Let him be invested with the kingly robes of Bulgaria, placed on the vacant throne to gladden the hearte and astonish the vistial organs of the Bulgarian people, Tam quite certain, now that Ihave repeated to the Henatp the name of the distinguished Count, that the question of the most fit and proper person to sit on the Bulgarian throne is settled, for the Count is so far in advance of all the other gentiomen named that their diminished heads will appear ss if in a dissolving ‘view in the light of his great and wonderful abilities. So your “Warwick” may, with the great Archimedes, say “Eureka!” So mote it be CORNELIUS VON CRUISKEEN LAWN, 78. of CATTLE FOR GREAT BRITAIN, WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 1878, The Secretary of the Treasury has to-day issued @ circular to the collectors of the several ports that they are authorized to cause an inepection to be made of cattle proposed to be shipped to Great Britain and to give to the shipper a certificate that the cattle shipped are free from disease. This is im aceordapes with # telegram recently received from Great Britain announcing that cattle imported into Liverpool will be slaughtered at that point unless they are accompanied by a certificate of health from the place from which they are exported, MUNICIPAL NOTES, ‘The Board of Apportionment will hold its final see sion to-morrow for consideration of the estimates for carrying on the city government during 1879, It has held a number of meetings on the subject since the middie of last month. The main items of all the departmental estimates have been published from time to time, and the oficial announcement of the entire sum to be raised by taxation will be made in the early part of next week. Comptroller Kelly will to-day pay the inspectors of election, poll clerks and landlords in the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh ye! districts. Tne spectors are paid $3750 each for five days’ labor, landlords, $35 for five days’ rent; poll clerks, $7 50 for one day's work. There were 569 election districts in the city at the last election. Itis understood that an attempt will bo mado at the next mecting of the Board of Aldermen to pass the Boulevard railroad resolution over the ‘a veto. PERILS OF OUR STREETS, : A runaway team attached to a heavy truck dashed up Broadway last evening, and, suddenly turning into Canal street, came in contact with a lamp- post, smashing it to pieces. Maggie Smith, a com. positor, fifteen years old, and residing in Hudso near Hubert street, ha) ed to be passing at the time, when she was knocked down and severely in- jured about the head and body. She was taken to a neighboring store, where her injuries were attended: to, and then removed to the Chambers Street Hose pital in an ambulance, JUDGE PINCKNEY, In the proceedings in the case of Judge Pinckney Judge Fowler yesterday arose and said that he was obliged to be absent and that his colleague, Mr. Reavey, was quit ‘k. He therefore requested an adjournment. Mr. Reavey said, “Mr. Buell, I am satisfied I cannot go on—T am ill," The referee res plied that he thought it was a waste of time: “if, ‘ihe, “you will show me one authority for this de 1 will grant it.” “We have subpanaed several witnesses; three of said Mr. them are here no’ 5 wey; “but my 7 condition is such that L cannot go on.” cage UnS teferce fin: I to nc Hy decided to adjourn {dl oneo' i