The New York Herald Newspaper, January 18, 1879, Page 4

4 “WASHINGTON. naiseeliaes Appraisement of Imported Merchandise. perimioN OF A 7 STEWART & CO. Democratic Leaders Harmonizing Their Differences, _ DEATH KNELL TO SOUTHERN WAR CLAIMS. Ultimate Rejection of the New York Nominations Conceded. —_—__ + FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasuinaton, Jen, 17, 1879, EASTERN AND WESTERN DEMOCRATS IN CONSULTA> TION—A HARMONIZATION OF DIFFERENCES PROBABLE. Mr. Hendricks, of Indiana, has been here for some days in consultation with leading democrats on vari- ous political issues and to compare views, it is be- lieved, with Eastern democrats on the enrrency question in particular, He has found these very stiff and not in tho least disposed to give way to what are supposed to be Western currency notions, aud rumor says thathe has assured his Eastern friends that Wostern democrats will meet the East on ground ace ceptable to the Eastern or hard money wing of the party. He is reported to believe that the Western democrats can be united on a policy accepting resump- tion as a fixed fact, maintaining the issue of govern ment notes, bnt depriving these at an early day of their legal tender quality. This, if he is rightly reported he regards as sound democratic doctrine, holding that it is undemocratic to make paper movey @ legal ten- der, It is supposed that Senator Pendleton will sup- port this view also, and it is possible that the Ohio democratic platform for next fall may on the cur- rency quest take this ground, favoring a con- tinued issue of Treasury notes as a part of the paper currency, but requiring that they be deprived of their legal tender quality. In that case the republicans would probably advocate the entire withdrawal of government paper and the substitu. tion of national bank notes. clined to say anything about silver. Eastern and many Southern democrats, while they do not like the continued issue of government notes or greenbacks, think it a matter of minor conse- quence, if these notes cease to be legal tender. NEW YORK NOMINATIONS LIKELY TO BE RE- ED —COURSE OF COLLECTOR ARTHUR, sto be no reason to doubt that the New York Custom House nominations will be re- jected whenever they are reported to the Senate ad- versely. The letter of Secretary Sherman does not appear to have produced much impression on the minds of Senators. The democrats take very little interest in the question; they say that itis for the republicans to settle among themselves, as they and their administration will be responsible for the management of the Custom House, The republicans, so far as can be ascertained, will almost unanimously support any report which the Committee on Com- merce may make. There is a report here that if General Meritt is re- jected, General Arthur, who in that case resumes the collectorship, will resign the place almost immedi- ately. Those who pretend to know his intentions in the matter add that he desires to resume the collec- torehip only as evidence that the Senate believes that he has been wrongly accused, and that when his gourse has thus been vindicated, he wiil not keep the office, of which he is tired. er FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. Wasuratox, Jan. 17, 1879, THE KID GLOVE APPRAISE! coM- PLAINTS AGAINST THE SECRETARY OF THE ‘TREASURY—PETITION TO CONGRESS OF A. T. STEWART & CO. Mr, Hewitt will offer in the Honse to-morrow and ack unanimous consent to have read the following petition received by him to-day from the house of A.T. Stewart & Co., the object being to have the same printed in the Record, The petition is addressed to the honorable the Senate and House of Represen- tatives of the United States, and is in these words :— The undersigned would respectfully represent that they are engaged in the importation of merchandise of foreign manufacture into the United States, and either party is in- JEC’ ‘There apped —LouD that for the year last past importers have been’ sub- jected to injury by the wrongful action of officers of the United States gov- ernment through the means resorted to by such oilicers in fixing the pretended dnutiable value of certain portions of such merchandise; — that by the perversion of law in its adminis- tration at * port of New York the dicta of government “ers as to the dutiable value of merchandise is substituted for the tre value, and duties. are assessed thereon; that values 80 fixed are fictitions and are arrived at by a simulated observance of forms, while the spirit and intent of the law are violated in such ways as permits of no redress through the courts; that by the terme of the revenue laws the avtual mar- ket vaiue, or wholesale price of merchandise in the principal markets of the country, wherever it is ex- ported at the time of exportation, is to be axcer- the true basis for the assessment luties; that the appraiser of the port of York, a government officer, is charged by law with first fixing such value; raisement, if incorrect, the me nt may appeal tribunal sisting of the general government aiser and one merchant as appraiser selected by lector of the Port; that-in case such general hat from such government appraiser and inerchant appraiser dis- agree in regard valuation of such merchandise the Collector on them: thet the tribunal so constituted consists of govern: ne merchant with the exception of i vointed by th * compo! appraiser and hus ot the been Collector, value as stat tehandise have b nilict with all just ace or judicial purity; as to'a public officer «Las well as at home in aotions of judicial ix and when done and sa it would shake confidence abr the administration of our revenue system, and that in all tree countries public sentiment is much shocked by an interference with judicial duties teuding to warp them, and more’ especially if so made us to be likely ot intiue a pending ques- tion in fayor of those interfering; that it has been decided that the Secretary of the Treasury has no power to contvol the Appraisers or the Collector in their duties. ‘The law gives to their fudgment, skill and discretion the determina- tion of the value ot merchandise, ond the Secretary may not, directly or indirectly, substi- tute his jndgment, sktil or discretion for theirs; that the ‘Secretary “1 the ‘Treasury has appeared through bis perse representative, a special agent of the Treasury, before his subordinate officers at such appraisement in the capacity of an attorney or advocate; that the Secretary of the Treasury has, as weare informed ant belicve, given inatrietion to the acting Collector and to the general appraiser im regard to the decisions expected to be rendered by them, and that the acting Collector, subservient to the will of the Secretary of the Treasury, ha trary to law, dictated to the general apprai valiation he should Ax upon merchandise; that by seb unjust and nulawfal action of the appointing power false fictitions appraixements have been substituted in the place and stead of trae valuations; by sneh unjust actions both the letter and the law have been violated, and duties not shave been axsessed in the place and haat the tri- imposed by la tituted, and to wh appeal in cases of wrong, tbordinates of the Secretary of the ndent upon his will for. thei a fit tribunal tor the adjudicat of questi ne between merchants and the government and would not be tolerated by the pub- lic in transactions between individuals; that such tribunal can in uny given case be made an instru ment in the hends of the Secretary of the Treasury the assess for substituting his dictam for law in ment of duties; that merchant sult and lows by being compelled to yo before w tri- NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1879--TRIPLE SHEET. bunal and submit to decistons that may be dictated by the power that makes and dismisses the judges. We would therefore respesttully ask that a commit- argeable with such duties, be in- ‘our honorable body to make full inves- 1 the tacts and evidence adduced in the appraisements of kid yloves at the port of New and that they have power to send ior persons prs, in order that all the facts may be made sa, and that some fitting change may be made in law for the ascertainment of values, whereby & petition of the wrongs done by government officers under the simulated forms of law may be avoided and made impossibie in the fumre. And your petitioners will ever pra} ALT. STE) New Yous, Dee, 23, 1878. A similar petition was presented in the Senate this afternoon by Senator Keruan and referred to the Committee on Commerce without being read. A QUIETUS PUT UPON SOUTHERN WAR CLAIMS, ‘The recent signal defeat of the bill for the relief of | tec, proweely | structed by c. WART & CO, William and Mary College, coupled with the prospective defeat of the pending — similar bill for the relief of the ivfax Episcopal Seminary, is regarded as having been a quictus to everything like aclaim for damage inflicted by the war. Both of these measures had features in: the shape of professional and religions considerations, valonlated to secure them favorable action at the hands of Congress if there were @ disposition to do anything at all in the way of helping individuals or associations injured by the war. Their rejection is, therefore, regarded as the death knell of all the so- called Southern claims. The greater number of Northern democrats voted against the College bill on the ground that their people would not have any money appropriated even for snch cases as this in the shape of war claims. NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE-—THE PRESI- DENT DISCOUNTING THE COMING DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY. Rg It is understood that the President does not want to convene the Senate in extraordinary session at the close of the present Congress, and to that end all the business requiring the action of the Senate is being promptly sent to that body. Among the nominations sent to the Senute to-day were several postmasters whose terms of office will expire during the month of March next. In order to secure action by the present Senate, with a republican majority, it is said the President will continue to send in for confirmation the names of all federal officials whose terms of office will end prior to the regular meeting of Congress next December. ‘This is all the President can do, and by now securing the confirmation of appoint- ments of nominees whom he wishes to remain in office he will lessen the opposition which such ap- pointments might encounter if they were reserved until the democrats are in a majority in the Senate. This list of nominees will inelnde ap- pointments in all the departments of the govern- ment requiring the approval ot the Senate. Of course the President can renew the commissions of all federal appointees during the recess of the Senate, but the obligation to send in their names to the Senate in December would remain, and in the event that the Senate should fail to take action upon the nominations then they vould mertly fall with the close of the session and the incumbent of the office wonld continue until rejected by the next Senate. THE REPORTER OF THE SUPREME COURT-—RIS DUTIES AS DEFINED BY THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. The House Judiciary Committee has agceed to re- port favorably the bill defining the duties of the re- porter of the Supreme Court of the United States, fixing his compensation at $4,500, and providing for the publishing and distribution of his reports. It provides, among other matters, that the Supreme Court shall cause to be reported, with as much brevity as practicable, its decisions, whether made in the disposing of @ motion or otherwise, that deter- mine any theretofore unsettled or new and important, or modifies any theretofore settled question of law, or that gives construction to any statute of the United States or of any State or Territory, or of any treaty made by the United States with any foreign nation or Indian tribe, to- gether with such other of its decisions as may be deemed of public interest and importance. It then provides that the public printer shall sell the Supreme Court reports to such persons 2s may desire to pur- chase the same at a price not exceeding ten per cent in excess of the cost of printing and binding them, provided no person shall be permitted to pur- chase said reports for resale unless he shall give bond that he will not add to the price for which he may sell the same an amount exceeding twenty-five per cent of the cost price. It is estimated that this bill will bring down the price of the volumes of these reports from $5, the present price, to about $2. SMALL BILLS OF THE NATIONAL BANKS, The National Bank Redemption Bureau in the ‘Treasury Department is carefully assorting the one and two dollar bills of the national banks which are fit for circulation and returning them to the banks. Under the law forbidding a new issue of notes of these denominations the onesand twos unfit for reissue are destroyed and legal tender notes of those denominations sent in exchange. It is esti- mated that it will take fully a year to call in the six or seven millions of the small bills of the national banks, so that their withdrawal from circulation will not only be gradual, but scarcely felt. THR APPROPRIATION BILLS. ‘The Senate oceupied the entire day in debating the Patent Law bill, which goes over as unfinished busi- ness to next Monday, and will in all probability consume the better portion of next week. But one appropriation bill has as yet become a law—the Military Academy bill. The Pension bill as amended by the Senate is now before the House. The Fortification bill is in conference, and also the Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation bill. ‘The Indian appropriation has gone back to the House and the Naval Appropriation bill is still before the Senate. The Legislative, Judicial and Executive, the Army, River and Harbor, Post Office and Deficiency bills have got to be reported to the House. GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES, WasuixGrox, Jan, 17, 1879. THE NEW YORK CUSTOM HOUSE SQUABBLE— AN ADMINISTRATION VIEW OF THE SITUATION, ‘The sepublican, to-morrow, will publish an article on the New York Custom House, which is claimed to be “an administration view of the situation,” and in which the following is asserted :— From certain expla ns made in administration cireles, it appears th: press and the public have been misled regarding some mater facts in the New York Custom House squabble. These explanations are made still further to the effect that the Senate Commerce Committee did -not make a request of any kind upon the President or Secre- tary Sh for the reasons why Coll tor Arthur had been suspended. If suc a request had been made, however informally, it would, in a spirit of proper courtesy, have been re- plied to by Secretory Sherman, who is as cognizant of Par! requirements and official proprieties be after a service in the Senate which antedates that of Conkling several years. ‘The executive meesage sent to the Sonate regarding this «ubject was prompted by frequent publications in the newspapers that the Commerce Committee was about to take up these nominations and dispose of them finally; also, by information to the same effect received from members of that committee. ‘The Secrewry, it is known, waited anxiously for wome request of the kind ‘in question from the committees, and would have responded to it without delay; but, recelving none, he sent di- e exotte- claims to the strictly reetly to the Senate—or to its presiding officer 80 much He ion and that message which has create ment and — political that this is in strict requirements of the situation, speaking, all communications intended for the imformation of either house from the Ex- ecutive departments, regarding oflicial business, should be sent to its presiding officer. When such communications are gent in reaponse to the requests of committees, the sending is an act of courtesy or in the nature of a private right, the same as any response that may be made to the demand of an individual Senator or private citizen. ‘The article further declares that tho Message in question does not impute to General Arthur any corrapt or improper mo- tive; but “simply arraigns him for in attention to duty in such a manner as to leave the inference that ho was guilty of # near approach to criminal neglect, It is further intimated that if the ponding nominations should be rejected the Senate will un- doubtedly be called upon {to pass upon the nominations of other gentlemen, some of whom, the Republican adds, “will presumabiv be more obnoxious to Mr. Conkling than either Messrs, Merritt, Burt or Graham.” POLYGAMOUS MARRIAGES—MORMON WOMEN PLEADING FOR THE WIVES AND CHILDREN or UTAH. Tho House Judiciary Committee to-day granted a hearing to Mra, Emeline B. Wells and Mrs. Seina Young Williams, of Salt Lake City, Utah, upon the various petitions now before the committee relating to the laws effecting polygamy. Mrs. Sara E, Spencer, of this city, introduced the ladies, sayin You have given heari to large numbers of gen- = you for fegisia. tlemen upon this question aski: tion which will work terrible ipa upon women and children. Will you not hear these women in their own behalf? It is in your power to enact new legislation workin; still greater hardships or to amend or rope existing laws so that the chief sufferers, conscicn- tious in their religious convictions, may not be hunted down as outlaws and outcasts; or it is in your power to do as you have with our larger ques- tion—all the rights of all women—let it alone. Mrs, Wells, who first addressed the committee, said:— We have been driven westward from State to State, and at last took refuge on soil not belonging to the United States but to Mexico. We were thought unfit to live under the free American flag, and we took that wilderness in which to build up a civilization of our own and to worship God according to our con- sciences. When the United States took posscs- sion of our ceenitory we were again hunted down by Gentiles who followed us there, and who saw that we had comfortable homes, good husbands, and were seanteg. children in our talth—good chil- dren—owned and blessed by their kind fathers, These men have stirred up the Christian women of our country, who in appealing to you to further afflict us know not what they de. We have no dramshops, no paupers, no outcast women, no illegitimate chil- dren, Euforce this cruel luw, let the Gentiles rule that Territory and you must build prisons for our husbands and almshouses for our children, and we, what shall we be before your law ? Mrs. W.lliams said :— My father, Brigham Young: loved his children, owned them and provided for them, Will the United States make these women outcasts who are now hon- ored Wives and mothers, grown gray in rearing sons, good citizens of the United States?) We thought the constitution of the United States would protect us in the free exercise of religion, and that the law would be pronounced unconstitutional. Now that the Sn- preme Court has decided otherwise we come'to you or protection. We are United States citizens, born on American soil. We are a strength to this nation. Nowhere will you find braver, truer men than our husbands and the sons we are rearing. We ask justice at your hands. We ask deliberation, that you may know every phase of this question before you do us any greater wrong, Mr. Conger inquired of Mrs. Spencer what definite action the committee was requested to take, ‘Mrs. Spencer said:— You are requested to frame a better bill than this now on the calendar from the Committee on Terri- tories, which punishes all Mormon women for no crime (they have not married several husbands), and which punishes all Mormon men forthe only redeem- ing feature in their peculiar institutions—claiming and recognizing these women as wives. Thut is the crmme men see in Utah, not living with several women but honoring them and claiming them as wives. Enact a law, if at all, which will have power to penens these women and their children, and re- peal whatever does them wrong. AMERICAN REGISTRY FOR FOREIGN BULLT SHIPS— ARGUMENT BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMERCE COMMITTEE. The House Committee on Commerce to-day heard arguments on the bill heretofore introduced by Rep- resentative Harrison, of Illinois, which proposes to amend the Revised Statutes so as to allow the pur- chase and registry of foreign ships by citizens of the United States. Mr. Codman, of New York, briefly addressed the committee in fayor of the bill, and was followed by Representative Hale, of Maine, in opposition to it. He took the ground that there was no demand for the repeal of the Navigation laws, and that no- body eppeared here for that purpose except Mr. Codman, of New York, who represented British ships. The American ship building interest, he said, had struggled against the competition of cheaper built foreign ships for eighteen years, and at last had reached a point when it conld build better shipsthan the rest of the world could supply and at as cheap rates. This interest should be given a few years of this condition to prove itself; but if the ‘Navigation laws were repealed we would let in hun- dreds of British ships, which now lie idle, and glut the market, Do this, said he, and you root out the entire shipbuilding interest and send to other vocations thousands of the best skilled mechanics in the world, and if yon do it you will obtain little benefit, as the money would not go into American pockets. Let European complications result in a war in which Great Britain would be surely worsted and the British commercial marine wonld be transferred to the hands of agents, factors and purchasers in our large cities who represent British houses, and while the sale would be nominal every dollar earned under the pro- tection of our laws would go into the pockets of British owners and the golden opportunity afforded us to resume our ascendancy on the seas be forever lost. Give our sbhipbuilders a chance to compete under the present cheap rates. They have not yet had a favorable opportunity, but are just on the eve of obtaining it; and, therefore, nothing should be done to interfere with their future pros- perity. In the course of his remarks Mr. Hale referred to the fact of the Russian cruisers coming to our shores during the recent threatened troubles with England, and observed that, in the event of war between Rus- sia and England, English commerce would have been swept from the seas by hostile privateers, Such was the danger of depending on a foreign Power to sup- ply ships. Representative Ward, of Pennsylvania, emphatically denied an assertion made by Mr, Codman that Amer- ican shipbuilders could not build as good ships as those of England, and said that when the committee were ready to report this bill to the House they would be ready to drag down the wages and condi- tion of American mechanics to the level of foreign laborers, Referring to an allegation that the ship- building interest was too small to command national attention Mr. Ward quoted from documents to show that during 1878 there were built on the Delaware River alone 25,000 tons of iron ships of the value of $5,000,000, Of this at least $4,000,000 represented wages paid for labor, in the various stages of construction from the mine and the tree to the complete vessel. There was no industry in which labor formed so great an element as ship building, nor one whose destruction would more disastrously affect the working classes. Moreover, the present navigation laws provided that American officers should command the vessels registered under them, so that true and loyal men should be on deck when danger threatened from either foreign or domestic foes. Representative Harrison, of Tlinois, said the gen- tleman from Maine (Mr. Hale) had argued that as we could notin the past ‘build ships to compete with England because labor here was high we should now De allowed to do so because of the cheapness of labor. ‘This argument reminded him of the story told in Atsop’s fables. A countryman paid a visit to asatyr, who sat before him a bow! of soup. The countryman blew the on soup, whereupon the satyr asked him why he did so, “To cool it,” was the reply. “Thon why,” asked the satyr, ‘did you blow upon your fingers when you came into my but?" ‘The countryman responded, ‘fo warm them.” “Then,” continued the satyr, “I see you blow hot and cold with the same breath.’ So, when labor was high, said Mr. Harrison, the shipbuilders demanded protection from the paupor labor of Europe, and now, when labor is cheap, they asked for an opportunity to compete with the ship- building interest of the world, Our shipping interest had not grown up under the protection of the navi- gation laws, as had been claimed, but in spite of them. It was because of the abundant supply of timber from our forests and the ingenuity and skill of our mechanics, The ships we built sailed with the wind, while European ships floated with the tide, so superior were our vessels in fleetness, We have in this way eclipsed thecombined world in shipbuilding and gained a vast amount of the carrying trade of the world, Our ships went to England, sailing thence to China, returning with silks and teas. When England commenced building iron ships we could not com- pete with her; but we can do so now, owing to out facilities and the cheapening of labor, As to the navigation laws, they protected only a fow thousand persons of the States of Maine and Delaware, who were bere in full force to sustain those laws, What was everybody's interest was paiticularly nobody's interest, and therefore there were no persons here to fieht for free shins but the gentleman from New York (My. Codman) and himself (Mr. Harrison). Be- fore 1856 American bottoms carried two-thirds of the American commerce; but to-day nearly three-fourths of American commerce was carried in foreign bot- toms, and we have to appeal to foreign shippers, To-day money was worth from two to four per cent in our great money centres. Many of the holders of this money would be glad to seck investments in ships, but now when they wish to do so they have to go to John Rouch and other shipbuilders who could give them omy eight or nine iron ships annually, whereas if the world were open to them a vast amount of sur- plus money would go into shipbuilding, The result of the passage of the bill before the committee, be- sides other advantages, would be to give employment to thousands of American seamen, and thus tend to nurture seamanship to be employed in the event of foreign wars, Mesers. Fitzpatrick and Laurence, representing the Vessel Owners’ Association of Philadelphia; Calkin, of New York, and Goodall, of California, spoke in opposition to the bill. Mr. Cramp, of Philadelphia, was also present. The Committee on Commerce will resume the hearing on Tuesday next. COST OF PLACING UNITED STATES BONDS— RESOLUTION INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE BY MR. S84 JLSBURY. In the Senate to-day Mr. Saulsbury, of Delaware, in- troduced the following resolution :— Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby directed to inform the Senate of the amount of commissions or other compensation id to bankers, firms, companies, syndicates andin- ividuals for servicesin negotiating the sale of bonds and other obligations of the United States from the year 1862 uutil the present time; when and to Whom such commissions or compensation were paid; and, when paid to syndicates, firms, corpora- tions or companies, to state the namea the persons composing the same, and also to inform the Senate whether any, and, if any, what amount of commissions or other compensation, have been paid to bank- ers, brokers, firms, companies, syndicates and indi- viduals for services rendered in refunding any of the bonds of the United States, and, if any such Pra. ments have been made, to state when and to whom made; and, also, whether interest has been paid on called bonds at the same time that interest waa accruing on bonds sold to redeem the same; and whether such double interest has been upiforn paid while the refunding operation was in progress, or on bonds sold for resumption purposes, specity- ing whether there has been any exception to such payments of double interest, aud who was Secretary of the Treasury at the time o¢ such exception, and how much double interest has paid on euch class of bonds and the total amount thereof; and whether the money received for bonds sold by any bank or syndicate has in all cases been allowed to remain on deposit with tho na- tional banks, acting 98 government depositories pending the call of bonds, specifying the names during ‘which, the ‘proceeds of the. bonds sold uring whi ot e bon 80] have p iy left on deposit with each bank; and whether at any time any gold coin has been delivered by the Treasury to any parties concerned in the ne- yotiation of United States bonds or otherwise, in ex- change for or upon the security of the United ‘States bonds, or in advance of the payment thereof, pend- ing any call of bonds on which interest was allowed or paid up to the date of the maturity of the call; and also whether sny money in the Treasury held for the payment of overdue called bonds has been left on deposit without interest in any government depository, and what was the largest amount thereof at any ove time, stating the names of the banks in which such money was deposited and what security the Treasury held for the payment thereof when demanded, Mr, Morrell, of Vermont, objected to the present consideration of the resolution, and it was laid aside. THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONTESTED SENATORSHIP. ‘The Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections held a meeting to-day, which was called for the pur- pose of taking action on the memorial of Mr. D. T. Corbin, who claims to be entitled to the seat in the Senate now occupied by General Butler, of South Car- olina, Senator Wadleigh was ready to submit a report in favor of the admission of Mr. Corbin, which has informally received the sanction of the re- publican members of the committee, but Senator Hill had not completed the preparation of the paper, which is to be presented a8 a minority report, and action upon the whole subject was, therefore, post- poned until Monday, THE REBATE PLAN MEETING OF THE MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COM- PANY'S POLICY HOLDERS. Provipence, R, L., Jan. 17, 1879. The third meeting of the policy holders of the Mu- tual Life Insurance Company of New York was held this evening. Addresses were made by John T. Clark and James B. Niver, of Boston; William Allen, of Connecticct; B, F. Thurston, of this city, and others, ‘The following resolutions were offered by ex-Mayor Clark and adopted :— Resolved, That maring heard the rebate plan re- cently introduced by the Mutual Life Insurance Company fully and ably explained and defended by Mr. Andrews, trustee of the company, and Judge Yuilerton, of ‘New York, a8 counsel for the company, and having carefully considered the explanations and arguments made, we have arrived at the conclu- of #—~That no adeqnate reason has been shown for making any change in the past methods of conduct- ing the business: and Necond—That the rebate plan is a gross injustice to the old policy holders, those who have retired and are daily retiring, as well as those who remain, and ought to be discontinued. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to rep- resent the interests of the Rhode Island policy hold- ers, and expecially to co-operate with the policy hold- ers’ committees of New York, Boston and other cities: in such action as may be deemed advisable in pro- tecting the interests of the members. ‘The meeting adjourned sine die. has not yet been announced. The committee NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. REAR ADMIRAL WYMAN ASSUMES COMMAND— THE PORTSMOUTH TO BK REPAIRED—THE FORTUNE SENT TO FIGHT THE ICE IN JAMES RIVER. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] Norvrorx, Va., Jan. 17, 1879. Rear Admiral Robert H. Wyman, who succeeds Admiral Howell in command of the North Atlintic squadron, arrived here by rail from Washington to- day, and hoisted his pennant on the flagship Pow- hatan at noon, The flag was duly saluted with een guns by the frigate #ranklin and the Pow- Bathe training ship Portamouth will be placed in the drydock ov Monday and have her bottom overhauled and repaired, ‘The steamer Fortune, tender to the flagship Pow- hatan, was despatched up James River to-day to force her way through the ice with provisions and stores tor the monitor fleet at Lower Brandoa, CHANGES IN THE DUTIES OF OFFICERS. Wasntxoton, Jan, 17, 1879, Surgeon Thonias Highland is ordered to the Lackawanna. Passed Assistant Surgeon George C. Lippincott is ordered to the Navy Yard at New York, Passed Assistant Surgeon M, ©. Diennan is ordered to the naval station at New London, Chief Engineer A. H. Able is ordered to duty on board the r-ceiving ship St. Louis at League Islaud. Passed Assistant Surgeon Dwight Dickinson is detached yrom the Naval Hospital at Chelsea and ordered to the Adams. Passed Assistant Engineer A. C. Engard is detached from the receiving ship St, Louis and placed on waiting orders. COLLIERY STRIKES. PortsviLLe, Pa., Jan. 17, 1879. In addition to the strike of the miners at the Con- ner and Hammond collieries, at Girardville, the nen at the Preston mines, Nos, 2 and J, ana the Girard Colliery, turned out this morning, claiming two months’ back pay which is due them, The five collieries now idle comprise the en- tire Girardyillo district and are all operated by the Philadelphia and Keading Coal and Iron Company, employing about fitteen hundred men and boys. WORK RESUMED, Work in the Continental Colliery, lately purchased by the Lehigh Valley Hailroad, will hegeesrt-4 be re- sumed by the Ist of February. This colliery has been flooded since the heavy December storms. PAID ‘OFF. ‘The men employed in the North Ashland Cote? at Centralia, operated by the Philadelphia and le ing Coal and lron Company, were paid to-day, No further strikes have beon reported. AYRSHIRE BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION. Unica, N. ¥., Jan, 17, 1879. The Ayrshire Breeders’ Association, by # vote of 51 to 10, have resolved to drop from the herd book the names of all animals whose pedigree is not traced dirsetly to importation. William Birnie, of Springfield, Providence, and Road Obadiah wih, 0 wel Campbell, of New York Milis, vice presi- . French, of North Andover, secretary, wn. of Providence, treasurer. has been elected FEDERAL AND STATE RIGHTS, THE VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE RESENTS AND PRO- TESTS AGAINST THE REMOVAL OF A MURDER TRIAL FROM A STATE TRIBUNAL TO THE UNITED STATES COURT—REPORT OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE. (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Ricumonp, Va., Jan. 17, 1879. In the case of the two negroes Reynolds, brothers, on trial for murder in the State Court, and taken’ out of that court by Judge Rives, of the United States Court, the special committee of the Senate and the Committee on Federal Relations of the House of Delegates have this evening agreed upon a joint report, which they will make to-morrow to both houses and have fixed as the order of the day for Wednesday. LIMITATIONS OF FEDERAL AUTHORITY. ‘The report, which has been prepared by Senator Johnson, is an exhaustive examination into and analysis of the powers of the federal government, and shows how those powers have been enlarged or otherwise affected the war amendments. It ‘claims that under federal scheme and Pn? of government the United States have their luties to perform and the States their functions and duties, the former being allowed only to exercise the powers delegated to them, while the latter can ex- ercise all other powers which have been reserved to them or to the people, and that any attempt by the United States to perform the duties of the tes, or by the States to perform those of the United States, ave alike usurpation, unconstitutional and void. BEKERVED RIGHTS OF THE STATES. The report also shows that the States have reserved to themselves the right to protect the lives, liberty and prosperity of their own citizens by their own laws, execu by their own officers, through their own courts, and that therefore the attempt of Judge Rives to try men charged with murder un- der the laws of Virginia is a grave usurpation of authority. It denounces the Civil Rights it and Entorcement acts a6 unconstitutios and calls on all the States to join Virginia in bringing the govern- ment back to its constitutional limitations and re- strictions. The report concludes with a long set of States rights resolutions, and recommends their adoption, It will be signed by all the members of the both committees, SHOT IN THE STREET. PROBABLY FATAL RESULT OF A JEALOUS QUAR- REL. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Prrrspuna, Pa., Jan. 17, 1879. On Thursday night Mrs. Charlotte Jacoby, who under her maiden name of Charlotte McAleese was once Well known a8 an oarswoman, and rowed in a famous sculling match on the Monongahela in 1871, made an appointment to meet Frank Small, a noto- rious thief, who has been in the Penitentiary for bur- glary, at alow saloon in this city. The couple were drinking wine in a back room when Nicholas Jacoby, the woman's husband, came in. A fight took place. he men were separated and Jacoby and his wife lett the saloon and walked toward home. They quar- relled bitterly, but did not come to blows. AMBUSHED AND SHOT, At the corner of Fifth avenue and Chestnut street @ man, who came out from behind a porch, stepped up to Jacoby and saying, “You have got hold of the wrong perry. placed a large revolver at Jacoby’s left side and shot himthrough the abdomen. The mouth of the revolver was 80 close to Jacoby that the flash burned a hole in his coat. His wife carried him home, and when the police came she would not tell who did the shooting-for some time. SMALL ARRESTED. At last she went before the Mayor and swore it was Frank Small, who was arrested and is now in jail, Smell was engaged to her for several years, even while in the Penitentiary. It is thought Jacoby will probably not recover, SUICIDE BY A LAWYER. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] Macon, Ga., Jan. 17, 1879, A decided sensation was created here to-day by the suicide of Colonel R. W. Jemison, @ prominent law- yer of this city, who shot himself through the brain with a Derringer pistol, blowing his brains ont. He died instantly. Cause, temporary mental aberration, COLUMBIA COLLEGE ALUMNI. The alumni of Columbia College held their annual dinner last night at the Union Square Hotel. There were about one hundred gentlemen present, includ- ing Messrs, Goodwin, Sage, Ridabock and Eldridge, the winning four at Henley. Among the others pres- ent were Dr. Drisler, who presided; President Bar- nard, of Columbia College; President White, of Cor- nell; Mayor. Cooper, Frederick de Peyster, Bishop Seymour, Henry B, Renwick, Colonel W. Jay, Profes- sor Van Amsing, ex-Judge W. Mitchell and Charles A, Silliman. Mr. George Reeves, an American gentleman, who graduate? at Cambridge University, England, and who was one of the Trinity crew that first won the cup which the Columbia boys now hold, was also among the guests. The dinner was excellent, and, after the eatables had been disposed of, the three regular toasts came on. ‘he first ‘Alma Mater—Her Past and Future,” was res) to by General Geo: Payn Quackenbos. the next toast, ‘Con- gratulations to the Crew,” brought Mr. Charles A, Jackson to his feet, and the merits of the college oarsmen were fully discussed, Mr. William Mitchell responded to the toast, ‘The Alumni Association,” @ party did not break up until midnight. YALE ALUMNI. ‘The third social meeting for the present season of the Yale Alumni Association was held in Delmonico’s, Fifth avenue, iast evening. Professor Thomas A, Thatcher, of Yale College, delivered an elaborate discourse giving his recollections of Yale for the past forty years, in which he embraced pleasant memorials of Dr. Dwight, who presided twenty years; also of Profeseors , Goodrich, Silliman, Kingsley, Fitch, Olmstead, Woo sey and Stanley. Alex. H. Clapp made a humorous introduction to a vote of thanks to Pro- fessor Thatcher, which was rapturously indorsed, ‘The tellers annonnced the result of the bal- loting tor officers chosen for the ensuing ear as follows:—President—Charles Tracy, ‘32. ‘ice Presidents—E. C, Stedman, °53; William 0, Whitney, '63. Secretary—R. W. DeForest, '70. Treas: urer—Joxeph C. Jackson, °57. Executive Com- mitttee—Charles Holt, '59; J. F. Kernochan, ‘63; iyman H. Bagg, ’69; Williom C. Gulliver, '70; Arthur UNITING AGAINST TAMMANY. A meeting of the joint conference committees representing the Irving Hall, city and county democracies was held at the Westminster Hotel last evening. Among those present were Mr. Jerome Buck presiding, and Colonel E..B. Hart, Hubert 0. ‘Thompson, R. B, Mooney, J. B. Haskin, N.J. Water- bury, M. J. Power, J, D. Coughlin, Thomas Costigan, Tim Shea, James O'Brien, John Fox, Henry P. O'Neil, Michael Norton, F. A. Ransom, Seth C. Doug- las, Joseph Biumentnal, T, J. Creamer, Washing- ton Hadley, H. H. Moore, Theodore Arnold, Thomas MacKellar and Dr. Fieodore Mierson, The session Insted for several hours and the chief topic of dis- cussion was the teed of enrolment in each Assem- bly district of all democrats who are oppored to ‘Tammany Hall aud also the basis of representation for each Assembly district in the General Committee, district committees and the Executive Committee, "The mecting ordered the publication of a call inviting the democratic republican electors in favor of the free and independent action of the people and opposed to the control or dictation of any ret society or irresponsible power to enroll them solves in their several Assembly districts on January ‘27 and 40 and February 3, 6, 10 and 13, meeting agreed uuauimously on three commissioners of rolment for each district, whore names will appear in the call, The enrolled electors are on # subsequent day to elect three inspectors of election under whose supervision @ wags committee equal to twice the number of election districts in each Assembly district shall be chosen. The cull also makes provision for subsequent enrolment, Assembly district committecs: and other matters of election routine. GERMAN REPUBLICANS. The annual meeting of tho German Republican Central Committee took place at No. 295 Bowery last night, and the following oMcers for the ensuing ear were elected :—Prosident—ex-Judge A, J. Dit- hoefer (re-elected), Vice Presidents—Frederick Bernhurd and Gustay Ratz, Recording Secretary— Freed — La nage rng J Secretary-—Emifle lieber, Treasurer—Dr, Louis Naumann, Serg at-Arms—Jacob Knobloch, en SPRANG OVERBOARD. When the Westfield, of the Kast Shore Staten Island ferry, was off Robbins’ Keef on her #ix o'clock trip from New York last evening, & man was noticed climbing on the starboard after rail, A passenger who saw the man ran toward him; but before he roached the spot the man threw his hat on the deck and sprang overboard, Tho alarm was immo- diately given, the boat was sto; and @ search begun, It was unavailing, however, as the man was never seen to rise to the strface. He is described as about thirty-five years of age, about five feet six inches high, and was dressed in a dark bust- ness suit, The hat which he throw on the deck is & dark Derby, with a broad ribbon and white Laie, on we “Made which is printed a trade mark with the words * ‘ ae 0 nted ‘The suicide also left to order’ and “Copyrighted.” ® briarwood pipe with # black stem, which, her with the pela tuken to the Staten Island Police Headquarters on Beach street, Stapleton. THE STATE CAPITAL. More Talk About Reducing Expenditure. ONE CENT FERRIES DEMANDED. A Bill to Reform the Corporation, Attorney's Office. - Axpayy, Jan. 17, 1879, ‘The Senate and Assembly, after a short session, have adjourned over until Monday evening, when the cau- cus for United States Senator will take place. ‘The democrats propose to go through the farce of hold- ing a caucus on their side of the house, and Lieuten- ant Governor Dorsheimer has been mentioned in connection with the empty honor of a nomination, Of course, nobody gives any thought to the most ree mote possibility of a contest. THE UNION FERRIES IN NEW YORK. Another attempt is to be made to compel the Union Ferry companies to reduce their fares to Brooklyn to one cent at all hours of the day and night. The fare for vehicles and freight will also be reduced about twenty per cent if Mr. Sheridan’s bill introduced toe day in the Assembly becomes a law. THE EXCISE MANIA. Bills “rogulating the sale of intoxicate ing liquors’ continue to pour into tha House. The latest comes from Mr. J. Pe McDonough, of New York. The bill gives an- thority to the Excise Commissioners to grant licenses. to all persons of good character, and fixes the fees at from $30 to $150, All measures of this character are sent to the Committee on Internal Affairs, of which: Mr. Wakeley is chairman. This committee is sup- posed to be organized in the temperance interest, bué the members might be induced to report a proper excise measure before the session is much older. CORPORATION ATTORNEY BOYD'S OFFICE, Mr. Seebacher wishes to reform the office and) powers of Corporation Attorney Boyd. His bill pro ' poses to compel all actions for violations of Corporae tion ordinances to be commenced in the districtet where the violators reside and prevents the obtaining of judgments where it can be proved by the defenced that the cause of complaint was removed. ‘THE INSURANCE INTEREST. It is apparent that aspecial raid will be mado this session upon insurance companies. Mr. Braman’s bill provides for the payment of a penalty of $200 for; each offence, where requisite bonds are not executedg as specified in the statutes, by companies not organs ized under the laws of the State of New York, buf doing business therein. These penalties are to be #p= plied to the use of the Fire Department in each city! and village. Mr. Terry introduced ‘An act for the distributiom of the funds now in the Insurance Department which stand to the credit of the National Life Insurance Company, of New York, for the benefit of its policy holders.” This bill directs the Insurance Superine tendent to sell, within six months from the passage of the act, all securities in his pos@sion which stand to the credit of the company and distribute the proceeds thereof among its policy-holders. The Sue perintendent is further authorized to apply to the court for a referee in the matter who shall determine the parties entitled to such distribution. Section 3 provides that “the court shall not appoint as such referee any person named by the Superintendent of the Department of Insurance.” This is a blow at Mre John F, Smyth. A JUNKETING PARTY. ‘The Committee on Military Affairs of the House has been appointed to proceed to Bath, Steuben county, on the 23d inst., forthe purpose of takingy part in the dedication of the Soldiers’ Home, in that locality. The chairmanship of the committee hag been changed for the time being from Mr, Langbeim to Mr. Trowbridge, of Brooklyn. This change was made by Speaker Alvord, it is said, for the purpose of punishing Assemblyman Langbein, the regular chaiy man of the committee, who is understood to havé kicked vigorously in the traces in disappointment af not being given charge of the internal affairs. Thora is no doubt Langbein feels very vexed over this dew Fett eracamna THR COURT OF GRNERAL SESSIONS. Mr. Brooks has opened upon the Court of General Sessions. To-lay he int juced the following reso- lution Whereas some of the inferior courts judg York are in receipt of from $12,000 to i as salaries, and whereas three of these inferior court re atten: y six clerks in receipt of salaries of trot $1,000 to $1,200 each, and thirty-six attendants in these three courts, whose salary for oach person is 1,200; rhat it be duty of the Committee on Cities to ‘and report, in the interest of economy and emedies to romove thess and all oth ewing out of the administration of juss w York, Mr. Strahan wished the phraseology of the resolue tion changed. It reflected in advance upon the mane agement of these courts. The resolution, giving rise to debate went Saad under the rule, the storm being thus allayed for time being. CUTTING DOWN EMOLUMENTS OF COUNTY CLERKS. Mr. J. Sherman presented a bill in the House which to authorize boards of supervisors to fix the annual compensation of county clerks, acting as clerks of courts and “for the performance of such other duties as are by !aw acounty charge.” The bill concludes by enacting that ‘this salury shall be payment in full for all services performed by said cone clerks which are by law chargeable to tha several counties.” THE USUAL ROW OVER EXPENDITURES. The “open” reformers have come to the tropt very early in the present session. Whether they practico what they preach is a difficult question to answer. Im the t Assembly, it ap . we are to have face tions of the republican and of the democratic parties ade vooating economy, the former led by Sloan, of Oswego, and the latter by Erastus Brooks. Tho ball was opened, yesterday in the Axsembly on the aoe of the Com- mittee on Expenditures in favor of the appointment of @ superintendent of mail and express matter. The salary of this official is $6 per day. Mr, Charles R. Skinner, of Oswego, & Sloanite, objected to the appointment, and made a mop bn speech in support of he necessity of reform in such expenditure. He ‘was supported by Mr. Erastus Brooks, who moved to pecinnthonn be ter bed ike aie aoe to the bape appointed to inquire into the ex, jency of juciug the expenses of the House, ie’ asid the minori here were disposed to further any measure intend to effect practical reform and luction of expenses It was well known that gross abuses in the number of bony re go here bad grown greatly within the fow rs jast past. In 1845 the entire number e1 ye in this House was twenty: at a cost of $1 In 1477 the number was increased to 133 at a cost of $73,963. In the Senate in 1445 nine Leg tanga all the work at a cost of $4,104, In 1877 the number was incre: to sixty-five at a cost of $50,211, and im 1878 it was seventy-three at a cost of $52,302. be Fone to the bap Nod the paren | majority” by ing @ parallel ween the expend tures in 1871, under Tweed’s “brilliant” dementia administration, and the present time. Atter another out! from Skinner and some tinent remarks from Sloan as to the wnparliament ry position of the debators, the report was referred f consideration to the special committee appointed og reduction of expenditures. 18 THERE A NIGGRR IN THIS? Mr, Pearse introduced Ey, po Ben ly asda uliar in its provisions might operate in givin, Pormincion to run railroads throngh highways a in the without prone he de” ica a "ihe bra plank road or turnpike come have ‘and is authorized to lay ir. a wh yo vel 7 ip "erolniition ix inserted as tose of steam." remaining sections of the bill regulate the issue of atoak ‘anil also the points governing charters foe such com) BANK IN’ ENTS. {VEST M! Mr. W. F. Wheeler's Bank bill authorizes a bank to 7: stock, or bonds or interest bearing obs javest 10 io United Staten, State of New York of any city, county, town or village of the State. suthorixing ‘the expenditure of $200,000 bill ex, tna Gommineary General for better equipment the National Gnard of the State passed in the Senate without # dissenting vote, Senator John ©. Jacobs introduced @ resolution: directing the Superintendent of the eget Depart= ment to inform the Senate how many banking inett tutions have failed within the er ten years, the names ot — feenntee gy ben ben ms nig oe the names of vers ointed, w such 4) intments were made nd the number aud names oe institutions now in the hands of receivers. Another resolution offered the same Senator calls upon the Superintendent of the Insurance Dew ment to furnish similar information concerning ife and fire insurance companies. Both resolutions were unanimously adopted. On motion of Senator Rockwell 1t was resolved thag next, at tweive o'clock, the Senate wil ate adjourned the Seni next, at seven o'clock, *