The New York Herald Newspaper, December 21, 1878, Page 3

NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1878.--WITH SUPPLEMEN » WASHINGTON. Steamship Subsidies and Free Trade in Vessels Demanded. TRADE WITH JAPAN. An Inharmonioiis Meeting of the South- ern Outrage Committee. ——e MR. BLAINE’S ———_-——_— What Husted, of Westchester, Knows About Mr. Conkling’s Friends. FACTS. SEWARD’S SHANGHAI SCANDAL. {mportant Statements from the Treasury Department. ee FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasutnaton, Dec. 20, 1878. QUESTION OF REVIVING SUBSIDIES FOR STEAM- SHIP COMPANIES AND FREE TRADE IN SHIPS. The special message on commerce with South America raises the question of ocean subsidies once more, and in a form which will stimulate the efforts of the subsidy men. But they will not be able to carry any measure through the present Congress unless they have the good sense to combine a general ocean subsidy bill with a bill granting free ships. If they will do this they may hope to succeed. The friends of a repeal of the odious navigation laws are increas- ing, and it is probable that a bill granting register to all ships owned by American citizens can pass the Present House, and may even pass the Senate. Many of the friends of such #® measure say that they are favorable to a well matured plan for encouraging by subsidies the re-establishment of our steam marine, but they add that to give money for this purpose without at the same time repealing tho navigation laws and allowing Americans to buy ships in the open markets of the world would be simply to establish a monopoly for John Roach ‘The question of ocean subsidies therefore depends on the question of free ships, and these two measures ‘will probably pass or fall together. COMPLETION OF A COMMERCIAL CONVENTION WITH JAPAN—ANOTHER AVENUE FOR TRADE. ‘The convention with Japan, which has been ap- Proved by the Senate, is the beginning of an effort ‘on the part of the Japancse to relieve themselves of the commercial regulations and tariff which were forced upon them years ago by the English, nd which they have felt to be oppressive. In their effort at relief and the recovery of their national sovercignty; they appealed first to the United States. and Secretary Evarts has been wise enough to. aid them with this trade convention, which will be valu- able in strengthening the friendship between the two countries, and assisting us in enlarging our trade ‘with Japan. The convention does not go into effect ‘until others similar to this are concluded with other nations, : FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. Wasuinaton, Dec. 20, 1873. MEETING OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE TO CARRY OUT SENATOB BLAINE’S RESOLUTION FOR IN- VESTIGATING FRAUDS AT THE LATE ELEC- TION—A LACK OF EARNESTNESS EVIDENT. The special committee of the Senate appointed ander the resolution of Senator Blaine to investigate the alleged frauds at the recent elections held its first meeting to-day immediately after the adjournment of the Senate, in the room of the Committee on Claims. Those present were Messrs. Teller (chairman), Kirk- ‘wood and Angus Cameron, republicans, and Messrs. Bayard, Garland and Bailey, democrats. The absent members were Messrs. Hoar and McMillan, repub- licans, and Wallace, democrat. Those present found themselves by the absence of the two republicans and one democrat evenly divided politically, which caused a feeling of dissatisfaction on the part of at least two of the republicans, and there was but little Gisposition manifested to begin the business. A PROGRAMME NEEDED. After a general conversation, which lasted a quarter of an hour, as to the scope of the work the commit- tee should endeavor to carry on, Senator Garland offered a resolution, as a starting point, that a com- mittee be appointed to draft a programme of action for the guidance of the committee. This proposition elicited an interesting discusbion as to the intent of the mover of the original resolntion in the Senate, and expressions were uttered which were not compli- mentary to its author. There was no disposition shown by the republicans to agree to the resolution and so it was withdrawn. SEARCH FOR FACTS. Senator Bayard thereupon offered a resolution to the effect that the President be waited upon by the chairman of the committee, Mr. Teller, and respect- fully requested, if not incompatible with public in- terests, to furnish the committee the evidence upon which he based that portion of his annual message felating to troubles and intimidation at the recent elections in the South. This resolu- tion was the subject of animated debate for three-quarters of an hour, The democratic m bers—Messrs. Bayard, Bailey and Garland—insisted that the President must have the material which the eommittee needed to facilitate its work, and if he was not willing to furnish the counmittee with it after the committee had been organized to carry into effect the Tecommendation of the Message what was the com- mittee to do? The republican members, on the other hand, opposed the adoption of any such resolution as unnecessary. ‘The committee had full authority to gether evidence, and there was no question about the facts being at hand as fast as they were required, The motion to adopt ‘was lost, Messrs. Teller, Kirkwood and Cameron vot- ing against and Messrs. Bayard, Garland and Bailey for tho resolution. SENATOR BLAINE ASKED TO APPEAR, After afew minutes’ intertnission Senator Bailey @aid he thought it would be pertinent to allow Senator Blaine an opportunity of appearing, by documentary evidence at least, inasmuch as the comunittee would not have the benefit of his presence on the commit- tee, and he offered a resblution to the offect that the Senator from Maine be requested to furnish the com- mittee with the facts upon which he based his reso- Jution, This proposition was debated for some time, more, apparently, to allow the republican mem- bers an opportunity of officially — expross- fing their mind, and was finally adopted, only ono member, © republican, voting against it. The committee then adjourned until to-morrow, when the first business will be the dixeussion of a Resolution which will come from Senator Bayard, to the effect that until further orders the sessions of the commitice be held in Washington with open doors. RANGE OF THI! INVESTIGATION, It is understood that the rejablicans will endeavor #0 limit the inquiry to tho elections in Loniaiana, South Carolina and Virginia, while the democrats | will insist that it is the duty of the committee to investigate the whole field, iucluding the conduct of the republicans at the elections in Boston, New York, Philsdeiphia, Pittsburg and Cincinnati, Senator Wallace, it is said, was the only democratic Senator who expressed o desire to be on the committee, aud his object was to bring to the attention of Congress the long standing charge of official corruption in the conduct of tho federal elections in Philadelpiin. The democratic members profess to be a unit in the resolution to make the investigation full and thorough, while the republican members already ap- pearto show a lack of energy in carrying out the plan of Senator Blaine, who is charged with devising the measure to show only the effect of the Presi- dent's policy in South Carolina aud Louisiana. MR. HUSTED IN WASHINGTON—SENATOR CONK- LING’S SUCCESSION ASSURED—THE ‘BALD EAGLE” ON THE SPEAKERSHIP OF THE NEW YORK ASSEMBLY. ‘The presence here to-day of Speaker Husted, of the New York Assembly, gave rise to a report among the New York politicians that his visit concerned the Speakership of the next Legislature and was con- nected also with the question of the United States Senatorship, Mr, Husted denies, however, that he is here for any other than private business, and says as to the Senatorship that Mr. Conkling’s succession is assured beyond all peradventure. , “Why,” exclaimed Mr. Husted when the sugses- tion was made that possibly the adherents of Presi- dent Hayes among the republican members of the Legislature might resent Mr. Coukling’s cavalier treatment of the New York nominations and bolt the latter's selection in caucus, “Senator Conkling is so largely the choice of the party in the Legistature that I believe seventy-five out of the ninety-cight republi- cans elected to the Assembly would persist in voting | for him it President Hayes and all his Cabinet were to ask them to vote for some one else. Oh, no; Mr. Conkling will be the next United States Senator.” In denial of the other report—that he was here to enlist Mr, Conkling in his behalf for the Speakership of the next House—Mr. Husted said he had never ex- changed a word with Senator Conkling on: the sub- ject. His friends were anxious he should again be a candidate, but the friends of ex-Governor Alvord and Mr. Sharpe and other leading members were equally desirous of seeing their favorites sclected, so that in a body of ninety-eight men the successful candidate was likely to achieve the hostility of a minority of forty or fifty men, and be correspondingly unhappy. ‘The Speaker would be better off with a smaller ma- jority for hie party in the House. As it is, he is troubled with an embarras de richesses. “In fact,” said Mr. Husted, “the man who becomes Speaker of the next Houso will leave the chair with less pleasure than he took possession of it. He will necessarily have this minority of forty-odd members dissatisfied with him, and when it comes to the making up of the committees he will most likely displease the majority of his friends. The constitu- tion of 1874 has so done away with the powers of the Legislature that there are virtually only two commit- tees which exercise any influence in public affairs; these are the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Cities. Now, the incoming Assembly has half a hundred statesmen among its republican members, They will all want conspicuous positions on the leading committees, and as there are only two such committees and only one chairmanship to each, the Speaker will have a difficult task to make every- body satisfied. You may rely upon it, the Speaker of the next House will earn all the honors he will take away with him at the end of the session.” EB GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasuinctox, Dec. 20, 1878, THE SHANGHAI CONSULATE INVESTIGATION— SERIOUS PROPOSITIONS FOR MR, SEWARD— WILL HE PRODUCE HIS BOOKS? In the Committee of the Seward Investigation to- day the question came up whether Mr. Seward him- self, who is present, can be required to be sworn and give testimony. It appears that some of the books of the Shanghai Consulate, which the State Depart- ment was required to furnish to the committee, are not to be found among those that have been fur- nished, particularly blotters in which the daily transactions of the office were recorded, and which books Mr. Seward is alleged to have taken with him from Shanghai to Pekin. A subpoena duces tecum was, therefore (at ihe request of the counsel for the prosecuting witnesses), issued and served on Mr. Seward last evening, requiring him to produce all such books, voucher books and papers. This sub- powna was read this morning by the chairman and the answer to it was called for. Mr. Merrick, counsel for Mr. Seward, claimed for his client that such a demand was in plain violation of the constitution and of the common Jaw; that Mr. Seward was before the committee in the position of a prosecuted party; that all the records and archives of the Consulate were in the State Department; that Mr. Seward could not be required to produce books or papers of his own in order to furnish material for his own prosecution (if there were any such), and that a contrary rule would be worthy only of the era of the iron boot, the thumbscrew and the torture. Mr, Carpenter, counsel for the prosecuting witnesses, contended, on the other hand, that Mr. Seward must make a personal response to the sub- pena; that he must first take the oath as a witness, and that he could only plead his personal privilege (not to be compelled to criminate himself) when such a question presented itself. The chairman, Mr. Springer, of Illinois, said, in indicating what his decision of the question would be, the committee will hold an extra session, in which it will formally determine what course to pursue; but, in order that we may have before us, in the extra session, every fact deemed necessary to the full understanding of the question, I desire to state the ‘position which I think the investigation has now assumed, and what is the duty of Mr. Seward with reference to the subpana and to his answer to such questions as may be put to him, On the 27th of April last, while we were investigating this case, Mr. Seward was absent at his post of duty in China, and his counsel requested that he might be permitted to be present in order to enable counsel to cross-examine Mr. Wells, and that Mr. Seward might be able to testify in his own behalf if he desired to do so. The committee took that subject into consider- ation, Some members of the committee thought it best to make a report on the case immediately and to insist upon the close of the investigation at that time, but it was finally decided that another course should be taken, and, in order that there might be no misunderstanding as to the conditions on which this continuance was had, a letter was addressed to the department on the 27th of April, 1878, signed by myself, Mr. Turner and Mr. Bundy, informing the State Department that the committee would be glad to afford Mr. Seward the op- portunity to appear in person, and suggested that the notification be by telegraph and upon the condition that he be required to bring with him books, vouchers and papery relating to the business of the Consulate General at Shanghai during his incumbency of the office, which were, a8 is alleged, removed by him to Pekin, Onthe Ist day of May thereafter a despatch was addressed by Mr. Evarts to Mr. Stahel, Vice Con- sul General at Shanghai, in the words following :— Inform Seward that sub-committee, on motion of his counsel, consent to reasonable time. for his ap- parance here, Leave granted, and he is required to bring all the books, vouchers and te peed relating to the business of the Consul Gene: at Shanghai, China, including any which may have been taken to Pekin. ‘Telegraph answer. EVAKTS. A request has been made to the State Department to furnish this committee with such books as Mr. Seward has transmitted to it. We have # communi- cation from the State Department this morning from which it appears that the books taken from Shanghai to Pekin are not in the State Department. These books were described particularly in Mr, Wells’ testi- mony, and are stated to be the books of original en- try for the suis of money paid into the Consulate at Shanghai during Mr. Seward’s incumbency of the office. These books were as stated in the evidence (which is not contradicted up to this time before tho committee) taken by Mr. Seward to Pekin, and when the department telegraphed Mr. Seward to come here, he was required to bring with him those very books, among others. These books not having been brought before the committee counsel for the prosecuting witness requested the issuing of a snbpcona duces tecum to Mr. Seward, ordering him to produce theta, and such a subpwna ‘was issued by the committes yesterday, Mr. Seward is here to-day upon leave of absence granted to him by the State Department, and he is required at the sume time to bring with him the books which this . subpcona calls for, ‘This investigation was continted at the request of Mr. Seward’s counsel, on the condition thet Mr. Seward should bring those books. Now, when o subpa@na has been served on Mr. Seward to produce those very books, his counsel answers that the books aro his, and that they advise him not to produce them before the committee and not to be sworn as to their present condition or location, It appears to me that Mr. Seward having been sub- peenaed to testify before this committee touching the matters of inquiry the committee must judge of the propricty of any questions that may be put to him, He cannot refuse to be sworn. A refusal to be sworn is # criminal offence. The Prgsident of the United States cannot refuse to be sworn. If he should come before this committee and refuse to be sworn, he would be guilty of an indictable offence w the Statutes of the United States, und might be indicted in the Criminal Court of the District of Columbia and imprisoned not less than thirty days, So there is no one so high in this country, from the President to the humblest citizen, xs not to be required to be sworn when called upon by the proper tribunal, That is the first step, Now we come to the next step. What is Mr. Seward to testify concerning? The question being put to him the committee will decide whether it 1s a proper question for him to answer. If he claims his privilege, that he cannot answer the question without criminuting himself (and that is the ouly claim which any witness ever had, even in a court of justice), the committee will then decide, and the committee can then ouly determine, whether it will report the witness to the Honse for contempt in refus- ing to answer the question. The question must be set out before the House in hac verba. The House mast know the very words of the question submitted to the witness and his reason for not ‘answering. We can never know whether a case is made out to bring the witness before the House until we have proceeded another step in this case, Therefore, I think that Mr. Seward must now be sworn or refuse to be sworn,” After some further discussion the committee went into executive session, adjourning its open session until to-morrow at ten o’clock. _ TO-DAY’S CABINET MEETING. At the Cabinet mecting to-day there was some discussion upon financial topics, with particular ref- erence to the early resumption of specie payments. The Secretary of the Treasury gave expression to views on that subject, but in no way different from the opinions of that gentleman already published. No action whatever was taken with regard to the mission at Berlin, as it was not thought respectful by the Cabinet to consider any suggestions relative to thia mission at a period so immediate to the decease of Minister Bayard Taylor. The Consul Generalship at the City of Mexico, va- cated by the death of Judge Colburn, was not alluded to, DISBURSEMENT OF STANDARD SILVER DOLLARS. The following is the full text of the circular rela- tive to the manner in which standard silver dollars may be obtained :— TREASURY Sort ‘WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 1879. The Treasurer of the United States has been di- rected, upon the receipt by him from any person of & certificate issued by any assistant treasurer, desig- nated depository or national bank designated as a public depository of the United States, stating that a deposit has been made to his credit on general account of the sum of $1,000 (that being the smallest sum shipped by express at government rates), or any multiple thereof, to cause a shipment to be made from some mint of the United States to the person in whose name the certificate is issued, of a like amount of standard silver dollars, the expense of transportation to be paid by the mint. Until further notice, upon receipt by the Treasurer of the United States of United States notes or national bank notes sent for podem pein. in multiples of $1,000, standard silver dollars will be returned under the pro- visions of this circular. , It is expected that the coin furnished as above will be put into circulation by being furntshed to public disbursing officers and to all persons or corporations who desire it for use or distribution as current money. The assistant treasurers of the United States are also authorized to use the standard silver dollars in their vaults for the general purpose approved in this circular, United States disbursing officers and paymasters who obtain funds for disbursement from assistant treasurers or depositaries are requested to procure standard silver dollars, when practicable, for dis- bursement. Shipments as above indicated, however, will be made only to points in the United States reached through established express lines by continuous railway or steamboat communication. JOHN SHERMAN, Secretary. THE GOLOID METRIC DOLLAR. At the request of Mr. Stephens, chairman of the Coinage Committee, Dr. W. W. Hubbell has handed to that committee a number of specimens of the goloid metric dollar, which were received this morniug from the Philadelphia Mint. This dollar contains 75 centigrammes of pure gold and 12 grammes 75 milligrammes of pure silver, and 1 gramme 425 milligrammes of pure copper. It weighs 1414 grammes, which is a little less than 220 grains. In size it is slightly larger in diam- eter but not so thick as the silver half dollar and is, incapable of being split. It is the exact equivalent of the present gold and silver dollar in intrinsic value; that is to say, $2 of this metric goloid dollar would be the exact equivalent in its intrinsic value of $1in gold and $1 in silver of our present coiu., The reverse of the metric dollar is ornamented by the words “United States of America, 100 cents” within the outer cir- cumference and a chain of thirty-eight stars to repre- sent the States of the Union, within which are in- scribed the words “goloid metric 1 G, 16.18, 1.9, grammes, 14.25" arranged in tabular form. On the obverse are thirteen stars to represent the original States, the words “E Pluribus Unum” and a finely cut figurehead of Liberty, and the figures 1878. THE FOUR PER CENT LOAN—CIRCULAR FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. The following circular will be issued from the Treasury on the Ist of January next:— The Secretary of the Treasury calls attention to the four per cent funded loan of the United States now offered by this department in denominations—viz. for coupon bonds of $50, $100, $500 and $1,000, and for registered bonds of $50, $100, $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000, at par and med interest to date of subscription in coin. ‘The bonds are redeemable July 1, 1907, and bear interest, payable quarterly, on the Ist day of January, April, July and October of each ear, and are exempt from the payment of taxes or dutice to the United States as well as from taxation in any form by or under State, municipal or local authority. Upon the receipt of full payment the bonds will be transmitted free of charge to the sub- scribers. Applications should specify the amountand denom- inations required, and for registered bonds the full name and Post Office address of the person to whom the bonds shall be made payable. The interest on the registered bonds will be pud by check issned by the Treasurer of the United States to the order of the holder and mailed to his address. Tho check is pay- able on presentation, properly indorsed, at the office of the Assistant Treasurer of the United States in New York in coin or United States notes, as the holder muy prefer, or, if desired, in United States notes at the office of the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the United States. All national banks are again invited to become financial agents of the government and depositories of public moneys received on the sale of these bonds upon complying with section 5,158 of the Revised Statutes of the United States. All banks, bankers, paymasters and other public officers and ‘all other nerdous are invited to aid in placing these bonds, They can make their arrangements through national banks for the deposit of the purchase money of the bonds, ‘The money received by depository banks on account of subscriptions will remain on deposit with said banks, but subject to the order of the Treasurer of the United States, aud calls for the redemption of six per cent bonds will issue from time to time as the Secretary may direct. Payments may be made to the Treasurer of the United States at Washington, or to the Assistant ‘Treasurers at Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis and San Francisco in coin, matured coupons, coin certifi- cates or United States notes. The Secretary of the ‘Treasury will also accept in payment culled bonds, certificates of depgsit of national banks specially designated to receive deposits on this account, but the vouds will nut be delivered until the certifi- cate has been paid for by a Treasury dratt or by w deposit of a like amount of coin with the ‘Treasurer or some Assistant Treasurer of the United States, or until other United States bonds of equal amount are substituted in their stead. The Treasurer of the United States will also accept in payment United States coupons maturing within thirty days, or drafts in favor of himecif drawn on New York, which will be collected and the excess, if any, re- turned by check to the depositor. Commissions will be allowed on subscriptions for said bonds only as follows :— On an aggregate of subscriptions of $100,000 and not exceeding $1,000,000 bet: nary 1, 1879, and June 90, 1879, one-eighth Bo gtegate of subscriptions exceedin; exceeding $10,000,000 between t! fourth of one per cent, and on amounts in excess of $10,000,000 an additional commission of one-tenth of one per cent. All blanks or forms or information needed will be furnished by thadepartment without cont. ‘This circular is in lien of all others previously is- sued in relation to subscriptions for four per cent Donuts, consols Of 1977. irs. SHERMAN, Secretary. LEGAL TENDERS IN PLACE OF COIN CERTIFI- CATES. ‘The Assistant Treasurer at New York has been fur nished with the legal tenders of large denominations to take the place of coin certificates, und they will be issued to those who desire them. BALANCE ON LOAN ACCOUNTS TO THE CREDIT OF THE UNITED STATES IN NATIONAL BANES-—— SECRETARY SHERMAN IN REPLY TO A RESOLU- ‘TION OF THE MOUSE. ‘The following is tho letter from the Sceretary of the ‘treasury which was laid before the House of Representatives to-day, with reference to the balance on loan accounts standing to the credit of the United States in national bank: Ihave the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the resolution of the House of Representatives, dated the 16th inst, as follows :— “Resolved, Chat the Secretary of the Tre: divected to inform the House, at the practicable utter the close of the gressional receas, wh on loan account in cover standing to the cvedit of the ‘Treasurer ot the United States in any national banks on the first day of March, 1876, and on the first of euch succeeding month, to and including the Ist of January, 1879, und the names and locations of the banks whi held such balances, and the amount held by o: at the resp ve dates indicated,” and in reply to state that there were no balances on loan account standing to the credit of the Treasurer of the United States in any national bank from March, 1876, to January, 1 A complete list of national bank depositories, with balances on loan account to the eredit of the Treas- urer ot the United Statea held by ench February 1, 1878, and on the frst of each succeeding month to and including Deceniber 1, 1878, is herewith enclosed, The House wil! be duly advised in unother commu- nication of the balances of January 1, 1879, as soon as the returns from the respective bunks shall have been dat this department. ‘Thesc banks have been ited from time to time under the provisions of departwent circulars inviting all national banks of the United States to become financial agents of the government and depositories of the public inoney for the special purpose of receiving deposits on account of subscriptions to the fundeu , and they were permitted, upon proper security, to hold the amount of any subscriptions made or obtained by them sub- ject to the drafts or orders of the departinent as oc- one required for the payment of called bonds. ma- ured. * * . * * * No coin has been deposited with these banks or any of them by the Treasurer of the United States. These banks represent exclusively coin rec d for subscriptions made or obtained by the respective banks, and left on deposit during the running of the ninety days, as required by law to be given for th payment of called bonds—partly to prevent the rawal of so large au amount from the cham and'partly as an induc t to those banks to act eficiently in procuring subscriptions. ‘The very large balances reported as held by the First National Bank of New York were caused by the temporary deposits of the proceeds of the 444 per cent bonds sold through the syndicate, of which the bank was a member, and also by the very large sub- scriptions of that bank to the four per cent loan, The balances reported as due from the banks on the loan account are, however, to some extent nominal, the bonds furnished as security being largely made up of call bonds, which to all intents are @ payment to their amouat of the balance due, but cannot be credited to the bank until the bonds are carefully examined, the precise amount due on them ascertained and certiticates for the amount is- sued by the Treasurer. It is proposed to continne the same mode of de- wit in aid of the sale of the tour per cent bonds during the next year, and attention is calied to the recommendation in the annual report for 4 dis- cretionary shortening of the period now required tor calls, Very respectfully, JOHN SHERMAN, Secretary. The tabular report of balances in the different banks shows the aggregates for the months uamed, and the amounts held by the First National Bank and the National Bank of Commerce of New York, and by the Maverick National Bank of Boston, to be as fol- lowsi— First Na- National Maverick tional Bank Bank of Nationat 9 Commerce, Bank, Month. Aggregate. New York. New York. Boston. February... $28,078 _ pee . — $50,153 $2,511,631 100,600 20,732,025 9,566,652 351,052 21,104,168 15,865,082 1,004,369 980 32,655,493. 36,875,220 41,914,945 45,097,061 2 o 42 1,973,147 2, “three ‘depositari excepting the above named there are but few in- pence where an amount exceeding $1,000,000 was : POSTAL FACILITIES. The Postmaster General to-day arranged for the placing of postal service upon about four hundred miles of newly constructed road in various portions of the country. The whole amount of service ordered on new roads from the ist of July, 1878, is 1,612 miles. This is only for carrying the mails, and does not provide for any new employés. There are already on file in the department, in addi- tion to the distances hero mentioned, applications for about two hundred miles more of postal railroad service. cCosT OF ARMS MANUFACTURED AT SPRING- FIELD, MASS. ‘The Secretary of War to-day sent to the Senate various papers on the subject of arms, including a report from Colonel Benton, Superintendent of the Springfield Armory, on a memorial to the joint Committes on the Reorganization of the Army, signed by'Ely Whitney, president, and J. i. G@, Rice, secretary of the Association of Manufacturers of Arms, Ammunition aud Equip- ments. The main object of the memorial is to show that the United States government should purchase all of its war material from private manufacturers rather than make it in its own long established and well appointed workshops. The Colonel points out alleged errors of the me- morial in stating the cost of arms made at the Springfield Armory, and then says the cost of making small arms at the Armory last year was much less than any previous year since the manufacture of the present breech-loading arm was commenced. The cost this year will be about the samo as last year. ‘The balauce sheet of the year ending June 30, 1878, which accounts for every cent of money received from the Treasury and article of property used, shows that the cost of each arm was $14 18. Inasmuch as some $50,000 worth of parts of obsolete arms and materials pur- chased during the war was used in manufacturing and is included in the $14 18 per arm, it fol- lows that the actual money outlay for the 13,004 Springfield rifles and carbines was only between $10 and $11 per arm. This includes the cost of proof and inspection, items that do not enter into the price paid to private manufacturers, as the government pays extra for both. A WOMAN CONVICTED OF MURDER. Louisa Wallace (colored), who has been under trial for the murder of her newly born babe, was con- victed this afternoon of murder in the first degree. ‘The penalty ts hanging. The jury has united in an appeal for Executive clemency. PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. SENATE, WAsHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1978, ‘The Vier: Present laid before the Seuate a com- munication from the Secretary of War transmitting acopy of a memorial of the Association of Manufac- turers of Arms, Ammunition and Equipments, and a report of the commanding ofiicer of the Springfield Arsenal on that subject. Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr, ANTHONY, (rep.) of R. 1, from the Committee on Printing, reported favorably the House resolution to print copies of the report of the geological and 6. Ae survey of the Rocky Mountains and the ferritorics., Passed, Mr. Menuimoy, (dem.) of N. C., presented a petition of citizens of Caswell county, N. C., favoring a red tion of the tax on tobacco, Referred to the Commit- tee on Finances. Mr. Donsry, (tep.) of Ari., from the Committee on the District of Columbi: ported a plan tor the in. provement of th age Washington. Ordered that it be printed and recominitted to the committee, Quite a lengthy discussion took place as to the or- der of buviness after the holidays recess, growing out of a motion to make the bill for the relief of Warren Mitchell the special order for January %, but the Se ate declined to make any special order. Mr. Davrs, (ind.) of iL, presented a petition of the President and Board of Trustees of the village of Hyde Park, Cook county, UL, favoring the construction of a canal from the southwest branch of the Chicago River to the mouth of the Calumet Rivet in that State. Referred to the Committee on Commerce, THE PAPERS OF COUNT DE ROCHAMDEAU. Mr, Axruony, of Rhode Istand, subniitted a resoln- tion that the Committee on the Lib: be instructed to inquire into the expediency of purchasing the of- cial papers of General the Count de Rochambean when in command of the French forces in America, and made a brief speech in favor of the resolution, declaring it to be the duty of stay people to preserve the material of their history, The resolution was agreed to. Mr. Conoven, (rep.) of Fia., submitted an amend- ment to the Stindry Civil Appropriation bill appro- riatin, ) for the Peuswcola Navy Yard and 197,044 34 for the Norfolk Navy Yard, the money to be expended at both yards for buildings, machinery, ae, fetred to the Coinmittce on Appropriations, THR TEST OATH. Mt. Becx, (dem,) of Ky., called up the Senate bill to 4,859,434 6,107,675 45 © coming Con- | there were any balances | repeal section 820 of the Revised Statutes reported by nmumittee ou Revision of the Laws yesterday, ‘The section which it proposes to repeal provides that persons sumo! as grand and petit jur be challenged on account of having rendered a: to the rebellion without duress or coercion. The Committee on the Revision of the Laws re- ported an smendment that the statute should apply to alboffences committed prior to April 20, 1871, and all proceedings for prosecution of offences pending on the said 2uth day of April. Mr. Becg, of Kentucky, submitted an additional section to Fepeal section 431 of the Revised Statutes, | prescribing a test oath for jnvors in the United states courts, Ma. CONKLING, (rep.) of N. ¥., sald this proposition to repeal section 421 had never been reported by any committee, but a bill for that purpoxe was now pending betore the Judiciary Committee. Mr. Hoag, (rep.) of Mass., Said he voted to take up the bill iudicated by the Senator trom Kentueky (Mr. Beck), as he supposed it was simply to correct an error in the Revised Statutes. He did not undex- stand that the disputed matter was to be introduced, or he would not have voted totake up the bill, It was evident that it could not be passed to-day. He therefore moved that the Senate adjourn, but subse, quently withdrew the motion at the request of Mr, Edmunds, who moved that the Senate proceed to the consideration of executive business. Upon this motion the yeas and nays were ordered and resulted—yeas 25, nays 25—a tie vote, and the Vice President Voted in the affirmative, so the motion was agreed to. ‘The vote was 4s follows :— ier, Cockrell, Virwinla, Bator ones of Florida, organ, Ran: » Bayard, Bi Coke, Davis of Minoik, Davis 0 Messrs. Armstrong, Johnston, McDonald, Harris and Hereford, who would have voted in the negative were paired with Messrs. Oglesby, Dorsey, Matthews, MeMillan and Mitchell, who would have voted in the aflirmative. ‘Tho Senate then, at five minutes past one P. M., went into executive session, and at five minutes to two, when the doors were reopened, Mr. GARLAND, (dem.) of Ark., introduced a bill to ‘provide for the reappraisement and sule of the abandoned military reservation at Fort Simith, Ark. Referred to Commit tec on Public Lands. ‘The Senate then resumed consideration of the bill to repeal section 520 of the Revised Statutes. Mr, Brck, of Kentucky, then withdrew his amend- ment to repeal scetion 821, and the bill was then passed without opposition. ‘Tho Senate then, at two o'clock P. M., adjourned until Tuesday, January 7, 1879, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WasHInGron, Dec. 20, 1878, ‘The Spraxer proceeded to call ‘the committees for reports of a private nature. Mr. HxNpEnsoy, (rep.) of Il, reported back the Senate bill authorizing the payment of the State of Tennessee for keeping United States military prison- ers, Passed, Bills were passed removing the political disabilities of J. M. Bell, of Georgia; William Ward, of Virginia, and M, Kimbell, of Missouri. The was passed constituting Portsmouth, Ohio, a port of delivery. Also the bill for the relief of Mrs. Louisa Mans- field, widow of General Mansfield. BALANCE ON LOAN ACCOUNTS, The morning hour having expired the SreaKER laid before the House several communications, among them one from Secretary Sherman in answer to the resolution calling for information as to what balance on loan acconnts was standing to the credit of the United States in any national bank from March, 1876, to January, 1879. The letter states that there were no balances on loan accounts standing to the credit of the United States Treasury in any national bank from March, 1876, to January, 1878, and encloses a list of national bank depositories with balances on loan account held from February, 1878, to December, 1873, The banks which held such balances had been made depositories under the law. The large balance held by the First National Bank of New York was caused by the temporary de- fa of the proceeds of the four and 4 hal! cent onds and the large subscriptions of that Daaik tothe four per cent loan. Mr. Hewitt, (dem.) of N. Y.—In order to avoid reading the schedule I would ask to have read the deposit to the debit of the First National Bank. ir. TOWNSEND, (rep) ot N. Y.—Let us have it all. Objection was » » to the reading. Mr. Hewrrr—Will the gentlemen allow me to recall the amendment ? Objections were made. Mr. Hewrrr, of New York (speaking amid great confusion and cries of ‘“Order’’)—What I want the world to know is this, that there have been for six months an average sum of $30,000,000 to the credit of the United States at that bank, as near as Ican make it out, Mr, SPRINGER, (dem.,) of Til. (alluding to the con- fusion), hoped that Mr, Hewitt’s words should be read at the Clerk’s desk in order to give the House a chance to hear them, as they were # serious arraign- ment of one of the departments. ‘The communication was then referred to the Ways and Means Committee. Mr. Fixtry, (dem.) of Ohio, asked leave to have printed testimony teken in regard to the government priuting offices, Mr. GaRrriey, (rep.) of Ohio, objected. Mr. TownsEND, of New York, moved to Agreed to—yeas 94, nays 75—and the Speaker at two Pp. ma pronounced the House adjourned until January 7, 1879. CHARTER OAK CONSPIRACY TRIAL. adjourn, AN UNEXPECTED ENDING OF THE TESTIMONY FOR THE STATE—-EVIDENCE FOR THE DE- FENCE, Hantrorp, Conn., Dec. 20, 1878. In the Charter Oak insurance conspiracy case to- day the evidence for the State came to a sudden and unexpected termination. The prosecution spent a couple of hours during the morning session in putting in evidence to show that the property of the New River Car Company, including the Quinnemont iron furnace, all owned by the Charter Oak, had been very largely overvalued in the annual state- ments of the condition of the company made by the accused, Surveyor Thurman, of Fayette county, W. Va., testified at length ‘as to the low appraisal of the property, but on cross- examination admitted that he had valued the lands mainly as to their valuo for timber, &c., rather than as ore lands, and that he knew nothing as to the cost of the furnace and buildings. John A. Carson, sur- yeyor of Alleghany county, Va., testified to ap- praisals of a large tract of ore land, nearly three thou- sand acres and another tract of 5,960 acres. ‘The lat- ter, with buildings, was sold at auction afew years ago at about $40,000, THE VHREF MILLION CONTRACT. J. G. Batterson, president of the Travellers’ In- surance Company, presented and testified as to a memorandum of the contract by which Furber ob- tained from Matthews the “downtown” property, the transaction being that known as “the $33,000,000 pur- chase.” The figures were the same as those testified to by Special Insnrance Commissionor Cleveland, as found on 1 dum furuished him by Furber at the time « tigation of the company’s affairs, and witness was not cross-examined, MISSING WI Me a{Tho State Attorney at this point informed the Court that he had but two more witnesses to call— Messrs. Taylor and Fernald, of New York—-who had appraised the New York “downtown” property at the request of the special State Insurance Cominis- sion, They had appraised it at $1,460,000 as against the $3,030,000 valuation, at which it passed into the company’s possession, by the transier from E, Matthews to Furber, as financial manager. Upou this reduced appraisal the report of the special com- mission was largely based, and the evidence of the appreisers was of inuch tinportance ‘to the State in proving, ax a moans of conspiracy to detraud the policy “holders, the overvalnation of assets, ‘The State Attorney informed the Court that Messrs. Tay- and Fernald had agreed to come to Hartford when uted, but they had tatled to tae to his request for them to be present this week. Therefore he would ask a continuance to next week, when he would put them on the witness stand and close the testimony for the prosecution, ENING OF THE DEFENCE. red an earnest protest against any en, in reply to an inquiry, the State aimitted that there was no certainty that the witnesses would come at all and could not be com- pelled to, of course, Judge Hovey remarked that while he distiked to cut off material testimon, it was unjust to everybody to postpone on such uncertaiuty as wos admitted. In concluding his re- marks he directed that the testimony for the detence be proceeded with, Tho detence without any delay opened their testi- mony with that of Samuel Coit, of Hartford, presi- dent ot the New River Car Company, which had opened up and improved the West Virginia mining lands, now owned by the Charter Oak. His evidence ‘was used to offset that of the appraisers produced by the prosecution, aud he gave a full state- ment of the large sums which had been expended in purchasing land, erecting buildings aud developing the mines of coal and iron, He specified the buildings and improvements, and estimated the Quinnemont property improvements worth about $250,000, The coal mines which supply the [nrnaces have a productive capacity of 300 tous dnily, and the furnaces can reduce fifty tons of ore daily, He believed that the whole property now held by the company in West Virginia is worth $500,00U, ‘The Court adjourned to two ‘k Monday. FERRYBOATS SEIZED, The Forty-second street ferryboats Midland and Roslyn were yesterday seized by Collector Dobbs, of Guttenberg township, N. J., for non-payment of taxes. The boats ate the property of the Weehawken Transportation Company, which recentl; Renee into the hands of Keceiver Jourden, of the Mi land Rail- Froud, Constables are now im charge of the ferryboats, ad Wi! BULGARIA'S BEGGING CROWN. A CHANGE FOR BACKUS, To Tug Eprron or tak Heraty;— Send Charlie Backus to Bulgaria. Great heaa, Just fit for a crown. GIVE US A REST, New Yous, Dee, 20, 1878, KI pIxOR OF THE HERALD :— I have hit upon the pr tor Bulgaria—Jay Gould, He is especiully a leader of the Bazouks. Do send him. He could “bull” the Russian Bear and “bear’* the English Bull. He conld bring Gortschakoff up “short” and send Beaconsfield to the “long’? ac- count. He could ‘put’ “k i"* Abdul Hamid. He is always r flyer.” His tact at “scalping” would insu) rsonal safety. He To rue is just the man to that throne, Let him go at sellers’ + WALL STREET, New Youx, Dec, 20, 1878, A BOSTON DIVINE PUL FORWARD, see some abler mag nominate the only proper candidate for the Bulgarian throne, but there isa point beyond which patience ceases to be a virtue. The Bulgarian King shouid know everything and be determined to tell it, and the only American who maply with such a demand is the Rey. Joseph of Boston, VINDEX. TWO BRILLIANT WASH ‘ONIANS OFFERED, To re Eprtor or THE HEtaLp: Permit one who knows whereof he speaks to sug- gest the name of Colonel Stilson Hutchins, of Washe ington, as eminently fit for the high position of King of Bulgaria. We want to “put him where he will da the most good,” and that is peculiarly the place for our Stilson. Though we shall miss him it will be a pleasure to know he has becu transferred to a land that will appreciate his greatness, We have an- other—the handsome A, M, Ciapp—who would “fill the bill.” His beaut utitles him to superior recog: nition, and if a newspaper editor is to be appointed let the mantle of honor fall on one of these men, The King ought to hail from Washington, if from the United States at all, and the poor and overs worked editor ought to be considvred along with the dozens of other professions. CAPTAL, Wasu 20, 1878, 32ON, D. C., Dee. HOBOKEN'S TREW MAN, ‘To tHe Eprrox or rae Heratp:— As nominations are in order for the Bulgarian throne I would respectfully submit for the approval of the Bashi-Bazooks of that country the name of Walter Heury Redmond Trew. He would make an excellent monarch, especially at the present time, as he is believed to be @ prince in disguise, and destined at some future time to donacrown., Why not give him this one ? Hoboken comes s her row one whose power is great. Walter y Redmond Trew. Hopoken, Dec. 19, 1878. SUBSCRIBER, A CANDIDATE READY IN THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD. To THE Epfror or THE HERaLD:— Yous together with that fellow who signed himself “Old Soldier,” are the cause of much excitement in Washington. When Major J. L. Broome’s name was suggested, on the 17th inst.,as a candidate for the Bulgarian throne, the Navy Department was rife with glee and merrymaking. The good old gentleman, its secretary, saw his: way cleay, as he thought, to disse pose of the Major in a very nice sort of way. A suite able crown was purchased and orders issued that the scow plying between the Cob Dock and the New York Navy Yard should be held in readiness to convey the King across the raging deep. Everything being sete tled, the honorable secretary folded his arms, and, for the first time since holding his office, looked a pertect model of peace and contentment. Alas! man proposes and God disposes. Your blazing editorial of the 18th inst. inopportunely suggested the namo of Sitting Bull. Bulgarian stock at the Navy Depart. ment went down caflumix, and the mirth, gayety and hilarity of our bureau were suddenly transterred to that of the Interior. Hon. Carl Schurz was Ys A Boynton lite preserver and a pair of gum shoes were put in commission for the new King. Everything was in readinss, but whero was Sitting Bull? Records were dragged from dusty pigeon holes, and, commencing from 1867, a search was made, with the assistance of maps, charts, &c., &c., for the missing Bull. The clerks dashed after the Bulgarian candidate, tracing him through every nook and crevice of the American continent. The search was fruitless, Acertain clerk was heard to say, “Mine Got vot for ce call dot man Sitting Bull ven he don't got still one little minutes.” Interior Clerk (who thinks he's got a point for See retary Schurz) :— Those man mit Dot can't pe H If Major Broome ist Sitting Bull Keli catch dot Bull right soon, f Major Bull don’t got found twill dot HR#ALD say ? Sitting Broom all dot crown, Jer Bull he run avay, Mr. Secretary Thompson (the good man sees his way clear at lust for the disposition of the jor)— Mr. Schurz, Lowe you a thousand apologies. conscientiously performing the duties of imy office I have inadvertently interfered with yours? Sitting Bull has been found on the reservation at the Brooke lyn Navy Yar1 barracks, where he bas been eleven years. Take him, Carl, and in caahange. give me your forgiveness. LD SAYLOR, WasHinaton, Dec. 19, 1878. THE PORTSMOUTH’S RETURN. ‘The United States ship Portsmouth, Commander A, 8. Crownenshield, arrived at the Brooklyn Navy Yard last evening from Havre, whither she sailed on March 16 last with 500 tons of goods, including the art ex. hibits for the Paris Exposition. The art exhibite were to have been sent by the steam sloop-of-war Wyoming, but to insure against any injury from dampness were sent by the Portsmouth. Among the officers is Ensign Lucien Young, one of the survivors ot the Huron disaster on the North Carolina coast ® year ago. ‘The Portamouth sailed from Hayre on November 1, and stopped at Madeira, leaving there on November 14. She came by the southern passage and made good weather until she lett the trade winds, 250 miles south of Hatteras, when she encountered the gale of December 10, which prevailed on the North Atlantic coast with severity at that time. Since then she has had bad weather until nearly up to Sandy Hook, She will be uit out of commission in a few days, At Havre ieutenant C. P, Wood was detached and Lieutenant Richard Wallach, of the marine corps, and Midships man ‘Tempiin M. Een to her, The family 08 Captain Crownenshield came home as passengers, “Phe following is a list of her officers :— Commander—-A. 3. Crownenshield. Erecutive Oficer—Lieutenant F. August Miller, Navigator—Lieutenant C. B. Gill, Purser—Passed Assistant Paymaster John W. Jordan, ‘Surgeons--Passed Assistant Surgeon Howard Smith, Assistant Surgeon u. G. Beye i ies Marine Oficers—First Lieutenant Aulick Palmer, gcoond Lieitenant Hichard Wallach, Watch Officers —Lieutenants Herbert Winslow, F. 8. Bassett; Master C. A. Clarke; Ensigns Lucien Young, James ‘A. Smith; Midshipmen Templin M. Potts Waldemar D, Rose, Washington J. Chambers, DeWitt Coffman and William Brannersreuther, Boutswain—Joshus McDonald, Carpenter—Thomas MeGlone, Saiimaker—Joseph Jones, LOST OVERBOARD. The cry of “Man overboard!” filled every heart om board the Williamsburg ferry boat Nevada as she entered the ferry slip, at the foot of Broadway at five o'clock last evening. And when, a mdghent later, i was revorted that the swift tide had carried the poor victim to corporate parsimony beyond the reach of assistance, a shudder of 8; passed through the dense throng in the cating anh @ feeling of indignation was ex against the New York and Brooklyn Ferry Company because they have not put gates on the boats similar to — now in use on the Jersey City and Hoboken erries, ‘The poor unfortunate who was so suddenly hurled into eternity was standing on » truck at the stern of the boat. The tide was runuitig down very '. causing the boat to collide with some consi force with the side of the slip, and the shock harled the man into the river. His sh) was heard plainly by all on the rear of the boat and his fall hae seen by many, but it was impossible to save him aad he was carried down with the tide. ‘The erection of a gate at the end of the boat would have prevented this accident, THAT JERSEY ELECTION, Tho trial of tho suit of Patrick Malone agains® David C. Joyce, to vacate the latter's seat in theJer- sey City Board of Police Commissioners, was con-+ tinted yesterday before Judge Knapp, in the Hadson County Cirenit Court. John one of the cletke in the Second precinct voila paca testified thas he and Judge thirty ia the poll book of tien some of were deul and others in the Penitentiary, and votes were cast in their names. Henry nee aod Patrick Carberry, Whose nantes had been vot testified that they did not vote at al. John whore name had been voted on, testified vote because he was confined in th eit recent the petitioner, Pathck Mal tworn, t roves tl ' lone, was but < testimony was Cee | ail hearaay After re cess the case was opened tor detonec and the court adjourned for the day,