The New York Herald Newspaper, February 12, 1879, Page 3

/ WASHINGTON. The Officeseekers’. Plot. for an Extra Session. ACTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS. —-— ---- ition of Prominent Senators and Representatives, TRANSFER OF THE SURVEYS. Another Movement for the Regulation of Interstate Commerce. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasurxaton, Feb, 11, 1879. IHE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS—BINDING FORCE OF ITS ACTION NOT RECOGNIZED—VIEWS OF PROMINENT SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES— OPPOSITION TO AN EXTRA SESSION, * The binding force of last night’s democratic caucus {sto-dey plumply disowned by aconsiderable majority of the democrats of both Houses. It will bind nobody, and any attempt to base legislation on the second caucus resolution will be resisted openly and at once by. the most respectable and influential democrats ‘and will fail. There will therefore be no extra ses- sion, and the real object of the secret promoters of the lest of the two caucus resolutions, which was undonbtedly to force*an extra session, has already broken down. OBJECT OF THE MOVEMENT. ‘There is very good reason for the statement that this whole movement, which has been simmering tor some weeks in occasional so-called caucus mect- ings, attended by from fifty to ninety persons, and which suddenly came to the boiling point last night, 1s nothing more nor less than an attempt of tho sutlers’ brigade to assume command of the demo- tratic camp and rule matters in their own interest. The new Congress, whenever it meets, will choose a multitude of new officers and subordinates for both Houses. Thero are here o number of ‘peo- ple who hops to fall into these places, and who have more or less influence at home, which they can bring to bear on their representatives. Naturally they arc impatient for the division of the spoils to begin, and an expectant messenger or doorkeeper fancies that an extra ses- sion in May would be a good thing for the country, because it would give him a chance of office a little parlier. Besides these anxious patriots the lobby would Wlso like nothing so much as an extrasession. The present Congress has been very discouraging to the lobby. The jobs of which it is guilty aro very few in number and very insignificant in amount. The fobs it has repelled, rejected, laid on the table, are pumerous and the disappointed promoters of these undertakings would feel much more comfortable if they could get an early session of a new Congress tontaining many new men. ‘THE FEDERAL ELECTION LAWS. All these people believe that it is an unendurable outrage that the Federal election laws should any longer cumber the statute book. They haye Miscov- ered too that the country cannot get on‘even until ext December if these laws remain. They appeal to Northern Congressmen in the name of an injured, degraded and down trodden South, and they close Qhe mouths of astonished Southern men by the wematk that it‘ is surely not for them to oppose or delay the repeal of bad laws about which have long complained. Thus this purely patri- otic movement for an extra session gained. headway, and last night by s sudden movement it ran through the caucus, Senator Thurman, to everybody's amaze- ment, putting himself at the head of it, probably under the impression that he was leading a popular rally. To-day, when Senators and Representatives have had time to compare notes on the subject, it is discovered that nobody, probably not even poor Mr. Thurman, understood the machinery. WHAT THE DEMOCRATS SAY. ‘The Sonthern men say very frankly :—‘‘We did not press this thing; we are content to wait; we cer- tainly hope to see the test oath laws repealed at this session, but about that there is so gencral an agreo- ment that the republicans, it is understood, will not refuse it. As to the rest, we ask nothing and wait for our Northern friends to decide when the time is ripe to repeal these laws. But when Northern men get up in caucus and tell us they demand that it shall now be done at all hazards, we may not think them wise, but it wold be very embarrassing to us to stand up and oppose what they strongly urge.” Northern democrats, on their part, say to-day:— “Wedid not think the movement wise or proper; it is untimely; wo cannot justify ourselves to the country if we consent at the bidding of Sonthern men to force an extra session of Congress by the violent expedient of tacking an irrelevant and need- Jess measure to an appropriation bill at the end of the session. We desire tho repeal of the test oaths, but we have no reason to doubt that the republicans in the Senate will grant this, If they would also agree to repeal the federal clection laws we shouid be happy to help them, but probably they ‘would not, and wo certainly do not see the pressing nocessity for this repeal, which can be done at the next regular session. RESULTS OF INTERVIEWS. These are summaries of actual conversation held by your correspondent to-day with a number of prominent and influential Northern and Southern men. They represent fairly the opinion on this question of almost all the democratic Senators and of probably nearly a majority of democratic Repre- sentatives, and this is a sufficient commentary on the nature and causo of the ridiculous attempt in last night’s caucus. No doubt « large proportion of those who voted for and advocated the repeal, at all of the Etection laws, last nigat, did ao with- ‘put knowing the precise character of the forces which moved them to this course, for the movement was earefully eugineered and the preasuro often seemed to come from a Representative’s constituents or in his home paper. But there seems to be no reason to floubt that the real object of the secret promoters was not the repeal of bad laws but to force an extra * pension. SENATOR THURMAN'S ATITFUDE. The chief puzzle that remains is, how came Sen- stor Thurman to lend himself to this movement. It le tolerably certain that he had not consulted with other prominent Senators about it. His speech in the caucus was a surprise to most of his friends, Senators Bayard and Kernan expressed, in opposition to him, the real views of almost the whole body of Southern as well.as Northcrn Senators, and several Southern Senatora last evening, after the caucus adjourned, openly washed their hands of the whole matter, saying that they had no concern init, did not Bpprove of it, and wanted that understood. On the whole, it is plain that Mr. Thurman has once more biundered. INTERSTATE COMMERCE—RESOLUTION OF SENA- ‘TOR CAMERON, OF PENNSYLVANIA, Senator Cameron, of Ponnsylvanin, to-day offered fan important joint resolution providing for a com- mission of two Senators; two Representatives and five experts to consider the whole qnestion of inter: state commerce and the relations and duties of tho mont iv the premises, and to inquire generally into tho condition of commerce among the Staten carried by land and water routes, and particu- lnrly as effocted by the rates charged for trans- portation, and the system of discrimination prac- tised in referenco thereto, in order to ascertain what Durdons and evils aro now imposed thoreby; whether ‘the samo can be alleviated or removed by legislation of Congress, and if so, in what particulars ana by what measures, and report their recommendations to Congress at its next session, ‘The crnde Reagan Interstate Commerce bill will peartely paes at this session, and it ie weil that it should not, but persons who Have studied the quee- XK Be NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1879.—TRIPLE SHEET. tions involved are persuaded that the whole matter ought to be carefully looked into aud that some regulation by Congress of railroad management, probably by the appointment of commissioners to sit permanently and publicly as arbitrators, is ad- visable and necessary, If Senator Cameron’s resolu- tion is adopted it will pave the way to judicious and intelligent legislation on this troublesome subject. THE GOVERNMENT SURVYEZS QUESTION IN THE HOUSE. The discussion in the House to-day strengthened the clause of the legislative bill reforming the gov- ernment surveys, Mr. Hewitt made a clear snd ablo presentment of the merits of the measure, and the frequent interruptions, mostly by somo of the far Western men, enabled him to strengthen all the points in its favor. The discussion will continue to- morrow. The measure is strongly opposed by a variety of vested intérests which are hostile to re- form of abuses and to economy, but it has the sup- port of the intelligent part of the House, FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. Wasurxcron, Feb, 11, 1879, GENERAL BUTLER’S PERSONAL TAX IN THE DIS- TRICT OF COLUMBIA-—-REPLY TO A DEMAND FROM THE COMMISSIONERS. The distressing subject of personal taxes, so pro- voking to the average citizen of these times, has been brought home to Congressmen, and to General But- ler in particular, by the action of the District Com- missioners here in proceeding against the General for the payment of his personal tax as a resident of Washington. It appears the Commissioners notified General Butler that his tax on about $50,000 worth of personal property for the year 1878 was unpaid, and notice was also given him to come to the collector’s office and settle. This rather astonished the Gen- eral, and in reply to the demand of the DistrictCom missioners he addressed them a letter, as follows:— _f am not a resident of the District of Columbia. I am not subject to the laws of taxation. I am sent here by my State to represent it, and if I cannot have the conveniences of lite about me in the District of Columbia of course I won’t come; and I cannot have them here if Uhave to pay taxes a second time, after having paid taxes upon all my personal propert; once in my own State, as the personal property fol- lows the person. As this is an important question of personal right, and as it is in dispute there need be no difficulty in adjusting it in this way: either you, after making ademand, bring suit or arrange with me and I will turn out property cuough for you to distrain upon and thon either replevin it or get an injunction against your procoedings and try the ques- tion. Ipray you do not think I make your duty a disagreeablé one. If it is your duty you ought to do it, and Tam certain you do not do anything to one who does not desire to evade his taxes, if legally as- sessed, which will be disagreeable to him any more than the nature of the case requires. ‘The letter was to-day referred to the District At- torney for his opinion, and it is thought he will de- cide that the General is not exempt from payment of the tax, as he has’a house in this city, the furniture of which he does not remove to Massachuseits when he goes to that State, but allows to rema‘n here all the year round, Should this be the decision issne will be joined, as General Butler suggests, and the caso go to trial. Se ee GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasurnaton, Feb. 11, 1879, THE RIVER AND HARBOR BILI-—AMOUNTS AP- PROPRIATED FOR THE VARIOUS: SECTIONS. The River an@ Harbor Appropriation bill, which was concluded by the House Committee on Com- merce to-day and ordered reported to the House, contains the following appropriations :— New York—Port Jefferson, $5,000; Hudson River, $30,000; East River and Hell Gate, $250,000; Hariem River, $100,000; Flushing Bay, $10,000; Buffalo har- bor, $100,000; Oswego har! $90,000, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware—Raritan River,.$60,000; Rahway, $10,000; Manasquan River, $12,000; Delaware River (between Trenton and Whitehall), $6,000; Delaware River (below Brides- burg, Pa.), $45,000; Ice Harbor, Newcastle, Del., Seo, pier near Lewes, Del., $10,500; Delaware iver at Cherry Island Flats, $75,000; Erie harbor, $25,000; Schuylkill River, $25,000; Mono; River, $24,000; Little Kanawha River, $18,000, 1d—Baltimore Harbor, $100,000. West Virginia—Great Kanawha River, $150,000; ‘New River, $12,000. New Me., $5,000; Bur- ‘ington, Vt:, P¥t., $6,000; Merrimac River, $5,000; Boston Harbor, Mass., $25,000; Provi- dence River and Narraganectt Bay, $30,000; Little Narragansett Bay, $5,000; Connecticut River (below Hartford), $10,000; | Stonington, Conn., $22,500; Thames River, $7,500; Bridgeport Harbor, $6,000; Norwalk, $5,000; New Haven, $7,500; New Haven Breakwater, $30,000; Portsmouth, N. H., $10,000. ‘Western States:—Removal of snags, &c.,' Missis- sippt River, $100,000; removal of snags, Ko, uri River, $60,000; removal of snags, Arkansas River, $30,000; Ohio River, $200,000; improvement Missis- sippi River, between the mouths of the Hlinois and the Ohio, $200,000; ———— Missouri River, above the month of Yellowstone, $25,000; improvement Missouri River, between Council Bluffs and Omaha, 000; improvement Missouri River, between East- = ond Nebraska City, $25,000; improvement fissouri River at Atchison, $20,000; improvement Missouri River at Sioux City, $10,000; improvement Missouri River at Fort Leavenworth, $10,000; im- provement Missouri River at St. Joseph, $9,000; sur- vey of Missouri River, from the mouth to Sioux City, Towa, $25,000; Missouri River, near Kansas River, $30,000; snagboat for Upper Missis- sippi, $20,000; Mississippi River, from St. Paul’ to Moines Rapids, $100,000; Des Mississippi River, near the mouth of the IMlinois River, $40,000; Kentucky River, $100,000; improve- ment of the Des Moines Rapids and opening canal, $65,000; Galena River and Harbor, $12,000; Chippewa River, $6,000; St. Croix River, $6,000; Red River of the North, $10,000; Dlinois River, $40,000; Big Sandy River, $12,000; Wabash River, $20,000; Duluth Hav- bor, $20,000;' Ontonagon Harbor, . $17,000; Mud River, Wis., $17,000; Fort Washington Harbor, Wis., $7,500; Milwaukee River, $7,500; improve: ment of Fox River, $100,000; improvement of the Calumet River, $12,000; Manistee River, $10,000; White River, Mich., $7,500; Grand Haven Harbor, $90,000; South Haven Harbor, $7,500; Michigan City Harbor, $2,000; Chicago Harbor, $75,000; Harbor of Refuge, Lake Huron, $75,000; St. Mary’s River and St. Mary's Falls Canal, $23,000; Detroit River, $50,000; inaw River, $8,000; Cleve- land Harbor, Ohio, $100,000; Ashtabula Harbor, Ohio, $9,000; Toledo Harbor, Ohio, $10,0W); Cedar City, Mo., $10,000; Glasgow, Mo., $15,000; White River, Ind., $25,000; Osage River, Kun., $10,000; Stniceway, St. Anthony Falls, $10,000, Pacific Coast—Oakland, Cal., $60,000; Wilmington, Cal,, $11,000; Willamette and Columbia rivers, $45,000; Coos Bay, Oregon, $40,000; Upper Columbia Senn $10,000; canal at Cascades, Columbia River, 50,000, Southern States—James River, $60,000; Appomat- tox gt Bg Oo gt har $10,000; Norfolk OT 000; Nort ing . River, $25,000; Cape Fear River, $26,000; Nouso River, 1 French Broad River, $5,000; Charleston pit , $100,006;. Savannah Lfarbor, $100,000; St. Augustine Crock, Ga., $5,000; Coosa River, Ga, $45,000; Alabama River, $310,000; Chattahoochio and Flint rivers, $22,000; Apalachicola River, $5,000; Sonat ers Fla., $15,000; Ghortawhatchic River, $5,000; Warrior and Lombigbce rivers, $ 3; New Orleans Harbor, $60,000; Mobile Harbor, $100, Bronswick Harbor, ce $10,000; Pascagoula Liver, $14,000; Sadino Pass, Texas, $25,000: Gaiveston Har- bor, $100,000; ship channel, Galveston, $90,000; Nar- rows, Sabine Paes, $6,000; Paso Crevaldo and Mata- gorda Bay, $25,000; Cyprus Bayou, $6,000; Aransas Pass, $35,000; removai of ratt, Red River, $15,0KI, swr- yeys, South Pass, Missiseippi iver, $24,000; removal of obstructions, Red River, $22,600; mouth Red River, $40,000; Onachita River, $10,000; gauging waters, Mississippi Ri: Jf Tennesaoe River above Chattanooga, $1 ; Tennessec Rivor below Chatta- $210,000; Natchez Riyer, $6,000; Memphis Hi , $87,000; Vicksburg Harbor, $27,000; Yazoo Rivor, Mississippi, $15,000; Cumberland River below Nashville, $25,000; Cumberland River above Nashville, $39,000, The amount appropriated for examinations and surveys is $150,000, The total amount appropriated by tho bill is $5,786,000, Previous to the meeting of this morning} the com- mittee had made no proviston for tho improvement of the Harlem River, when upon representatiqns made by Mesers. Potter and Willis, of New York, tho appropriation of $100,000 was included in the bill. CIVI, GOVERNMENT FOR THE INDIAN TERRI- TORY—DILL FROM THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON TERRITORIFS, The bill reported to-day by Senator Patterson from the Committee on Territories “to ostablish a United States Court in the Indian Territory, and for other purposes,” provides for regulating the affairs of tho Indian Territory, so far as the administration of justice is concerned, and for making tho white, colored and Indian residents of the Territory citizens of the United States under the constitution and laws of the land. The unanimous roport of the committee which accompanics the bill includes an elaborate review of the condition of the ‘eritory as tho result of the investigation in which the commit. tee has been engaged during the past year, Tt states that, besides tho testimony taken in Wash. ington, a sub-committee visited the Territory during the recess and examined a large number of witnesses representing the various interests involved in the questions covered by the resolutions of inquiry, The committee find that the grants of lands to rail- road companies, conditional upon the consent of the Indians, were ill-advised, and recommend that they ‘be repealed. They also find that the tribes have been induced to support for several years represonta- tives at Washington who have opposed the organiza- tion of a civil government for the Tefritory, and that the Cherokee nation slono has expended nearly $200,000 for that purpose. Itis asserted by the re- port that ont of a total population of over sixty-eight thousand, more than two- thirds of whom speak the English language, over twenty thousand white and colored lawful resi- dents of the Territory are without protection against violence and crime, and that the civil affairs of the Territory are in an equally deplorable condition, so that neithor the lives nor the property of the white and colored residents, who are not members by adop- tion of the Indian tribes, have any protection. The power of Congress to establish courts of justice being provided for in the constitution of the United States and in the treaties with the five vations, the bill accordingly makes detailed provisions for the administration of justice and tho protection of property. Thocommittee conclude that the lands now held in common by the tribes can be divided in severalty among the Indians without confirming the conditional land grants, and that such allotment of lands is essential to the completo civilization of these Indians, and must be the natural result of the proposed action ot Congress, making all residents of the Territory citizens. After defining the limits of the judicial district, the first twenty-five sections of the biN are devoted to the details of the manner in which justice shall be administered. A United States court is established to meet twice a year at Muskogee, in the Creek na- tion, with the same powers and civil and criminal jurisdiction as other United States courts, provision being made for tho appointment of a judge, district attorney, marshal, and all the machinery necessary to give effect to the decrees of the court as well as for the selection of jurors. Appeals from ‘decisions of this court may be made to the United States Circuit Court for the district of Kansas. Section 27 repeals the conditional grants of lands to railroad companies, thus removing what the committee consider to be the main objection that has been urged against opening the Indian Territory to individual Indian enterprise and white settlement. Section 28 declares all Indians belonging to the Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Choctaw and Chickasaw nations, and all Indians who may hereafter become members of them, to be citizens of the United States under the constitution and federal laws and entitled to all. the rights and privileges of other Amer- ican citizens. Instead of one delegate from each of the. five nations as the committee had comtemplated, the bill provides for one delegate to Congress from the whole Territory, the first election to take place on the first Tuesday after tho first Monday of. November next. The general scope of the report and bill is to place the Indian Territory, as far as its peculiar circumstances will admit, in the same position as tho other Territories of the United States, except in regard to government lands. The question of opening such sands in the Indian Territory to settlement, is not dealt with by this bill, but will, it is understood, be made the sub- ject of a report from the Senate Committee on Public Landa, before whom a bill providing for their survey and disposition under the Homestead and Pre-emp- tion laws is now fending. ARMY REORGANIZATION—AMENDMENTS TO THE . BURNSIDE BILL, The amendments submitted by Senator Burnside to-day for incorporation into the Army Appropriation bill, now before the Senate Committes on Appropria- tions, provide that ‘‘so much of existing law aa limits the number of officers on the retired list shall be sus- pended; that every officer other than a general officer who shall be sixty-two years of age at the passage of this act shall be ‘at once retired, and that all such officers who at the passage of this act shall be be- tween the ages of sixty and sixty-two shall be at ‘once transferred to the reserved list, and as they reach the age of sixty-two they shall be retired.” ‘The amendments also provide that no field officer shall be transferred from the reserved list to the line uniess he shall have served therein at least twelve years, and that the chiefs of the several staff depart. mehts and of the Corps of Engincers shall” be appointed by selection from the department or corps in which the vacancy occurs. An amendment offered in connection with the fore- ‘going classifies the engincers as part of the “line,” and defines the “corps of general officers” to consist of “the general, the lieutenant general, three major generals and six brigadier generals.” CLERICAL FORCE IN THE PENSION OFFICE WER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO A RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE. The Vice President this morning laid before the Senate 8 communication from the Sccretary of the Interior in answer to @ resolution of January 31, inquiring what additional clerical force will be neces- sary in the Pension and Surgeon General's offices to secure to applicants for pensions the prompt adjust- ment of their claims. In his communication tho Secretary encloses a letter, in which Commissioner Bentley says:— I understand this inquit relates to the general business of this office an not particularly to the eme! 'y created by the passage of the act of Janu- ary 25, granting arrears, and accordingly make the following response :— It is my opinion that no increase of force in this bureau can secure to applicants for pensions a prompt adjustment of their claims under the system now established by law for their ment. Under that system the by =! in the settlement of claims in this office cannot materially reduced, except by furnishing a higher order of talent, that is lawyers whose education and experience render them experts in the examination and consideration of testimony. Persons of the uisite educa- tion’ and experience cannot be employed, oxcept in a few instances, upon the meagre which aro allowed in this office and the result has been that comparatively few such persons have been employed. He quotes from his annual report for 1876 at con- siderable length on this subject and says tho obser- vations of the past two years have tended to confirm the view there expressed. THE POTTER INVESTIGATION—ACTION OF THE COMMITTEE REGARDING THE EXAMINATION OF WITNESSPS IN NEW YORK. The Potter Investigating Oommittcs met at half. pant eleven o'clock this, morning and immediately went into secret session. The Chairman read the letter from Dr, Green, president of the Western Union Tele- graph Company, which has_ already been published. Afaw commonts were made upon the explanation therein given and with regard to the publication of the letter before it came into the hands of the com- mittee, after which it was ordered to be laid on tho table, In a conversation which arose in reference to tho proceedings of the sub-committee at New York the domocrats intimated that they had no desire to call other witnesses, A ropublican member asked if they had closed their case altogether, and in roply it was stated that the majority of the committee did not in- tend to call any other witnesses at present; whether they would subsequently remained to be con- sidered, Tho republicans mentioned that they would like to have ono or two witnesses called to testify in regard to points which had not been cleared up in Now York. The other side fully acqui- escod in this and the committee then adjoarned until Thursday morning. Mr. Woolley is one of the wit: nesses to be summoned, and perhaps Coyle. The republican members will decide to-morrow morning whether they will call the latter. Several other wit- nesses have been generally mentioned, BRAZILIAN MAIL STEAMSHIP SUBSIDY, Tho Senate Committee on Appropriations this morning agreed to add to the Post Office Appropria- tion bill a section authorizing contracts to be made for semi-monthly steamship mail servico between the United States and Brazil by two lines—one from New York via Norfolk and the other from New Orleans via Galveston—each to recvive ®& compensation not exceeding $150,000 per annum, Thecommittee recommend an appropria- tion of $200,000 or so much thereof as may be nee- essary to provide for this service during the next fiscal year, the expectation being that the steamships | for the New Orleans line will not be ready to com- mence running before the expiration of about two- thirds of the year. PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS, SENATE, Wasnrxoron, Feb, 11, 1879, On motion of Mr. Conxitna, (rep.) of N, Y., tho ‘vote by which the joint resolution aathorifing tho TT Commissioners of the District of to receive and report upon unadjusted claims for damages to Foal estate in the District of Columbia was indefinitely Postponed yesterday was reconsilered, and the bill was placel on the calendar with the adverse report. Mr. Mennrmon, (dem) of N. C., said this #ubject should be covered by a bill hereafter to be reported. THE NAVAL APPROPRIATION BEL. ‘Mr. Wixpom, (rep.) of Minn., from the Conference Committee on the Naval Appropriation bill, submit. ted a report whic axrerd to, and the bill parsed Mr. Wrxvom, in explanation of the report, said the Senate added $56,500 to the House bill. The Howse conferees had receded {rom the disagreement of that body to amendments involving $11,500, and the Sen- ate conferees had receded from an amendment in- ee “eee for provisions and cloth. #14 029,968 95, het $1: 7s an ‘the ion for the present fecal year, amd $157,412 50 than the estimates for next year. — now goes to the President for his signe INTERSTATE COMMERCE, Mr. Camrnon, (rep. lution providing for a commission to consider and report what legislation is needed for the better - Staton. heforved to | lation of commerce among the the Committee on Commerce. It provides for ® cv to two Senators, to be appointed by the President of the Senate, and two members of the Honse, to be appointed by the Speaker, and five com! missioners to be appointed by the President, who shall sit during the recess and inquire y into the condition of commerce among tates foveal Lely i water routes, snd partioularty as affecte the rates charged for transportion and the system of discrimination practised in reference thereto, in order to ascertain what burdess aud evils are now imposed thereby, whether the same can be alleviated or removed by m of Congres, and if so in what particulars and by what measures, and report their recommendations to Congress at ite next session; that said commission shall have power to send for persons and papers, to administer oaths and examine Witnesses; shail have power to appoint and employ one clerk and two ntenogrephers, to be paid such compensation as shall be by the secre of the Treasury, and cach commissioncr sppointed by the President shall receive a coiypensation of §— per diem while engaged in the ormance of his duties and his actual reason: ‘expenses, and the sum necessary therefor is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appro- riated. - Mr. Donsry, (rep,) of Ark., from the Committes on to Appropriations, reported back the Post Office Appro- | priation bill with sunary amendments, the calendar, THE LIBRARY BUILDING. The Senate then resumed the consideration of the untinished business, being the bill to provide addi- tional accommodations for the library of Congress, which led to a longthy at Mr. Hows, (rep.) of Wis increasing accommodatio: rary i now contained 352,000 books and 120,000 pamphiets, and the number was increasing ’ ‘The bill as reported proposes to erect the new li- brary building on gir” square, Mr, Morrt.., (rep,) ot Vt., chairman of the Com- mittee on Public Buildings aud Grounds, submitted anamendment to purchase the.squares east of the Capitol (between B streets north and south, First and Second streets east). After some further discussion Mr. ConkLiée aub- mitted a resolution to recommit the bill to the Li- brary Committee, with instructions to report a bill providing for a commission of skilled persons to ex- amine aud report to Congress touching the sites for @ new library and especially the practical changes which may be made, Pending discussion, Mr. Fenry of Michigan, sub- mitted an amendment to the Army Seer bill so as to provide that brevets conferred on officers of volunteers for services in the field who are now officers of the regular army shall have the same force and effect and confer the.same rights and privileges as if originally conferred in the regular army. le- ferred to the Committee on Military Affairs, The Senate then, at twenty minutes past four P. M., on motion of Mr. THurman, of Ohio, went into ex- ecutive session, and when the doors were reopened at twenty minutes past five P. M. adjourned until to-morrow. Placed on HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Wasnincton, Feb. 11, 1879, ‘The conference report on the Naval “Appropriation Dill was presented by Mr. Crymen, (dem.) of Pa, who stated that the Senate had receded from amendments to the amount of $75,000 and tho House had agreed to amendments to the amount of $11,500. ‘The report was agreed to. THE ¥LORIDA CONTESTED CASE. The majority and minority reports of the Com- mittee on Elections in the Florida contested election case of Finley vs. Bisbeo were submitted and laid on the table for further action. The majority report is in favor of the claims of Fin) and is signed by all the democratic members ot ittee with the exteption of Mr. Tathey, of Pennsylvania, who joie with the ropublican members in a report in favor of Mr. Bisbee, At half-past eleven A. M, the House went into Committee of the Whole (Mr. Blackburn, of Ken- tucky, in the chair) on the Legislative, Judicial and Executive Appropriation bill. TRANSFER OF THE SURVEYS, Mr. PatrErson, (rep.) of N. Y¥., opposed that por tion of the bill which proposes to transfer the coast and geodetic survey from the Treasury to the In- terior Department. That provision would virtwally aboliah the aystem of public land surveys. ‘The bill would throw an insurmountable obstacle in the way of the settlement of the public domain. It would leave it wholly in the power of the Superintendent of the Coast and Interior Survey whether or not the surveys of the public lands should be continued. ‘The operation of the bill would be to practically abolish the homestead system, and it left it in the power of the Secretary of ‘the Interior to say whether or not surveys should be made. on the de- posit system, This transfer, it was said, would be economical. At present the public land was sur- veyed at a cost of about four cents an acre; but the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Atkins) ‘said that under the provisions of the bill the surveys could be made at a cost of fifty cents per four square mil ‘Mr. ATEINS, (dem.) of Tenn.—I it. I speak on the authority of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey. the gentleman challenge that authority? The gentleman from Ten- Mr. Partensox—I do. nesseo could not walk four square miles for fitty cents. It would not pay for the shoe leather worn out in the operation, Mr. ATKINS—Does the gentleman suppose that the four eqnare miles have to be walked over? anKxtt. (Fep.) of Kan.—It would cost more to dig the post holes at the corners of ections. Mr. PaGs, (rep.) of Cal., also opposed the transfer provision of the bill, which he stated was being urged by a strong lobby. About three hundred sec- tious Of the Revised Statutes relating to public lands would be repealed by that provision, Mr. Wicarwrox, (dem.) of Cal., favored the transfer | and various provisions of the bill pertaining thereto, There was no necessity for retaining the offices of surveyors general in the several States, and he was glad that they were abolished by the bill, but the bill should have gone further and abolished the Jocal land offices. . Parrenson, (dem.) of Col., inquired if the busi- noss of the people would be facilitated by removing sixteen local of snd concentrating their duties in one head. Mr. WigGtntox, of California, replied that it would, The local surveyors general were a hindrance rather than a help to the claimant. Mr. MaGinnis, of Montana, thought that the gen- n trom California (Mr. Wigginton) was the only esentative of the Far West who was in favor of The Legislatures of the Western section, had memorialized Congress in favor ce of the present system, ‘The bill would virtually repeal the Homestead and Precmption laws, Mr. Hewrrw, (dem.) of N. ¥., said that it was be- se the Committee on Appropriation wished to reserve the public domain to the people, to givo homes to the poor and employment to the laborer, that it had proposed the new legislation in d to the public lands; it was necessary that a well digested system of survey should be adopted. He spoke at length in regard to the surveys of the public lands, dwelling particularly upon the importance and bene- fits of the —— surveys. He pictured in earnest language the mineral wealth of the country and was ral times interrupted by applause, Mr. DUNNELL, (rep.) of Minn., opposed sny Na in the present land policy of the government. The resent was a bad time to introduce any such chango ecanse the indications were that there would this year be @ great immigration to this country, and it would be four or five years before the people would be able to understand the new system, BUTLER, (rep. of Mass.. thought that if any change were to be made in the land policy of the government it should be made now, because immi- gration was less now than ever before. If the change were not made until people understood it the change never would be made, and if immigrants did understand the present system it was the only re- publican institution that they did understand. Ho wanted the change made, and the sooner it was made the better. The general debate was closed, and the House pro- ceeded to consider the bill by paragraphs for amend. ments. After some progress in the bill the committee rose. Mr. Rraoan, (dem.) of Texas, chairman of the Committee on Commerce, reported the River and Harbor Appropriation bill, Ordered that it be printed and recommitted, Over an our was spent in voting upon motions to adjourn and to take a recess, after which, at twenty iniuutes past five, the House adjow CONGRESSMAN ELECTED. SAVANNA, Ga., Feb. 11, 1879, W. B, Fleming has been elected,to Congress from this district to fill the place of the Hon. Julian Hart ridge, deceased. There was no opposi The yoto was very small—in this county only MANIATTAN BANK BURGLARY. Arrest of John Hope in the Theatre Comique. TOW HE WAS TRACKED. ——p» ‘Onee more the interest in the Manhattan Bank rob- hery i@ revived. Captain Byrnes hae arrested an- other person whom he has long suspected of having been connected with it, The prisoner is Jonn Hope, the son of “Fimmy Hope,” who, secording to the po- lie records, bes been identified with many « great robbery. I appeers from Captain Byrnes’ statement that he has, ever #imee Getober 27, 187, the day on whieh the berglary wae committed, snapected beth the Hopes of beving hed something to do with (t. On that Sanday he was informed by a per- = who had overheard the man in the bank building doorway tell the milkmen “that the folks hed gone to the country;” that this informant strongly resembled Johnny Hope. In other words, the description given of “the man in the doorwa; wee thet of Johuny Hope, end convinced Captain Byrnes that he wae the porton who kept wateh on the outride of the bank while his comrades worked insite, From that day to this the police of the Fif- teenth proginet have been quietly working up the care withou! ever breathing aught that might give rise to @ suspicion of what they were looking for. CAPTAIN BYRNE'S THEORY. The Manhattan Hank berglary was committed on Sunday morning, October 27, 187%, and so far as cond be learned from the story of the janitor, Louis Woerkle, there were seven pers na engaged in it. Five of them opersted on the wv, while two looked after the janitor and-his wits to prevent them giving an alarm, Outside the building in the doorway =e that the whole job ope, Who war suspected in the robbery of the whieh occurred on the 7m, and during the exeention ot which the cashior, Mr. Barron, wae believed to have been murdered. Hope was arrested for his alleged “complicity in this crime and witted; but he has been connected with several crimes of the name character and is now a fagitive from justice in this State, to which he owes eight yoarof penal servi- tude, The ice aye very anxious to lay their hands upon He t# the husband of the relict of » Who was shot by the Bhekenith « few years ago. Captain Byrnes thinks that Jimmy Hope, finding bis son Johnny, who ix not more than twenty-three years of age, was determined to become, like his father, a cracksman, put him into training, securing for him the best tutelage of noto- rious “crooked men" in the country. Johnny had shown his predilection for this career—and made the acquaintance of Captain at the same time— on the night of the great street fre, when he was arrested for stealing a watch, and afterward convicted. He had returned from the island, where he had served a year and 4 balf, a short time before the Manhattan burglary. ween his futher took him in hand and, as it is believed, prepared him for his in thet job. Father and son, being concerned the transaction, got the lion's share of the apotls. Ever since the day of the barglary Captain Byrnes ver since yo « has been using every means in his power to locate and capture cither of the Hopes. ‘The father was too wily to uncover his trail, but the som was mot so secret in his movements. For some time back he has been uuder surveillance, and on Sunday informa- tion was received by the police here that young Hope was coming to New York: to bis sister. Just when and how he was coming was not clearly understood; but it was shrewdly surmised that, being fully aware of the risk he was taking, he would not sclect as @ ren- dezvous any place where detection might be easy. Captain Byrnes was eatistied that the meeting wou be had in one of the theatres, and therefore posted detectives in all of them. au stoxt young Hope to guard against a su Captain beliewes was plonned On the curtain rose on well dressed young fellow with fair hair, side whiskers ‘and a clerkly alr, in’ every description bim by the respect jeacripti gtven police captain, brushed by the detective, who glanced curiously at new-comer. The latter looked inquisitively at the officer, end their met. Each that the other had recognized b but neither gave any evidence that such case. Dolan wanted to make sere of his young Hope dared not atten denty as to disclose his identity into the theatre with his seated. Very opportunely Sergeant Meakim, pector Mt 's staff, sauntered anto the Dolan immediately pointed out Hope to hi requested that he arrested if he attet; to leave the theatre before Dolan returned with help he was going to the station house to obtain. Meakim remsined quietly leaning on the back rail of the parquet with his eye fastened on Hope, Dolan started away to tell Captain Byrnes that the fox was in the cover and ready to be taken. I who had furtively watched es movement of Dolan, saw him leave the theatre, made up his mind that now was his only chance of . Shortl: after the officer's disappearance he left his seat strode silently up the aisle to the door, out into the vestibule, and, after a carefal recom buttoned up his coat, and, seeing the coast clear, hur- ried ont into Broadway, forgetting to take a check from the doorkeeper as he fim, “He hailed a stage and had his foot on the step when Meakim laid his hand on his shoulder. Hope turned quickly and as he did so he was confronted by his old friends, Captain Byrnes, Detectives Dolan and Slevin, who had arrived just in the nick of time to prevent the young prisoner's meditated struggle with Sergeant Meakim. “Well, John,” said Captain Byrnes, “wo have got you; let’s go round t> the house.” POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED BY THREE YEORLE. As the story is related by the police of the Fif- teenth precinct, John Hope was arraigned before the sergeant at the desk, according to custom, and sent down stairs. Then the three persons who had so accurately described him to the captain wore sent for and brought into a room in the station house. These people were a colored woman, & hackman and another man, all of whom ‘had seen Hope, on the morning of the burglary, near the bank. The risoncr was summoned up stairs and entered the room in company with several other men in citizen's dress. Ho had not been there two minutes before the colored woman walked up to him and identified him as the man she had seen around the bank on the day in question. The hackman also recognized him at once as the party he had cri away from the neighborhood of the bank that ¢ The third man said without hesitation that J. Hope was the individual who had told the mitkman that ‘the folks were gone to the conatry.” Tho colored woman requested that the prisoner take off his coat as the man she had seen wore none on the occasion referred to. Captain Byrnes so ordered, and the woman then positively identified the prisoner. Yesterday morning, to make | assurance doubly sure, the police captain tried the identification ever again by dayligh with the same result as on the previous night. This much {s all that could be gleaned last night. the police refusing to disclose the names of the three people who identi: fied Hope. They | rill be produced at the proper time. Fi iF sBy Flite if EBF Pi AT JECFERSON MARKET COURT. At the close of the business at Jederson Market Police Court yesterday, Detective Slevin, of the Fifteenth precinct, quietly approached the desk, and, in an undertone, told Juctice Flammer that he had a prisoner whom he desired to have remanded until toxlay, Just what charge was preferred oF cause | assigned on which this request was based did not | transpire, as it is not customary to make public partion in such cases until the chain of eviden: is completed or the supicions proved to be un- founded. It was whispered, however, that another man had been arrested as_an accomplice of the Man- hattan Bank burglars. Nothing more could be as- certained in the court as Slevin left, having hed his prisoner remanded. Tho facts, as given above, were related by Captain Byrnes to the Henan reporter in the evening. Mr. vord, Secretary of the Manhattan Bank, was also seoh m relation’ to the matter and said that he be- lieved an important arrest had been made. He like- wise remarked that the committee who had change of the negotiations for the recovery of the stolen bonds poritively, refused to compromise with the burglars, fe added that he believed that a clew had been found which would be of vast tm ¢ in unravelling the mystery in which the crime was veiled, SKETCH OF JIMMY Horr’s CanRER. Jimmy Hope, father of Johnoy, came originally, according to Mr. Robert Pinkerton, from Phitadal. phia, He was first heard of about nine years ago in connection with the robbery of the Paymaster’s safe in the Philadelphia Navy Yard. He was arrested, convicted and sent to prison, but enbdsequently es: caped, In this matter of excaping from the various risons in which he was confined he appears to have had singular yood fortune, He was next arrested | for @ bank robbery in the interior of this State was again convicted and sent to m, and in conjune- tion with Jim Brad Noble, the “Big Kid,” and four others, more managed to . His next exploit was at Wilmington, Del., where he and four other desperate burglars rented.a honse adjacent to the First National Bank, and succeeded one day in capturing the cashter and his whole family, but a« servant girl fortunately > caped, raised the alarm and the ga consisting of Hope, Joe Howard (alias Kingsland), Frat oCoy (alias Big Frank) and Jim Brady, were captured and sentenced to stand in the pillory to re- ceive forty lashes each and spend ten years in prison. Not long after all of these named, inéluding Hope, escaped from prison, About a year go Be was arrested slong with Abe Cokely for an at. tempt to rob the Deep River Bank, at Deep River, Conn, Both men were | sent to jail, and in the meantime the murder of Cashier Barron in the bank at Dexter, Me., occurred, and the detectives brought Hope to Dexter to seo if he could be made to divloxe any- ——_ — the TR perp wy criminals, by | in prison at the period of the perpetration of the crime in Dexter, still it was believed that ho | tion was to take effect. had some knowledge pated in that believed that he had 9 personal penta robbery of the bank at Limerock, Me., and he was taken there from Dexter and put on trial, but after an cxumination of a woek-he-was sequitted, He was also said to be engaged in he seneee co see Beneficent Savings Fund and the First st Bank at peor come ye Pa. = ee Lageay and skilfal burglar an: extraot jue! ture and breaking out of Jain He ieee 4 son Johnny, who is now under arrest for complicity in the Manhattan Eank robbery, into bustness Broadway with Artur Stanley, speare Tavern, near the corner of Few of the patrons of that well known resort ever dreamed that one of the proprietors had a who was one of the most notorious burglars country. The arrest of Johnny Hope by Ci Byrnes was thought to have been ins' by some ef Pinkerton’s men, but Mr. Robert Pinkerton denied yesterday that he or they had mpegs do with it, and that it was all Ae as Byrne's » and that he had long suspected Johnny Hope, and finally, when the chance offered, arrested him. Mr, Pinkere ton supposed the father, Jimmy Hope, was some- where in the neighborhood, keeping closely under cover, Johnny Hope is about twenty-three years of DELIVERY: OF THE DUPLICATE BONDS, A rumor got afloat somehow yesterday, setting forth that Comptroller Kelly had paid over to the Manhattan Savings Bank duplicate city bonds m lieu of those stolen, and also that the institution had aiso received duplicate United States securities in the place of the abstracted ones, The rumor is, how- ever slightly premature. A Heratp reporter at the Comptroller’s office yesterday, and in the ab- sence of Mr. Kelly, ascertained from Peputy, Com| troller Storrs that the bonds hve not yet been issu but it is expected that in the course of a few they will be, the Comptroller having Ee direc- tions to that effect. It was ascer- tained at the bank that the vice president, Mr. James M. McLean, left this city last Sunday for Washington in order to receive the duplicate United States certificates from the Treasury Department, and had not yet rned, at least so far as the bank officers were aware. In conversation with one of the latter it was ascertained that as oH as tne bank obtains possession of the duplicate bonds indicated, it will resume payment as speedily there- after as possible, perhaps next week. A fow days are uired to have the existing injunction removed and to perfect other arrangements for again resum- ing business. THE BLAIR COURT MARTIAL, EVENTFUL CAREER OF THE ACCUSED—WAS HE LEGALLY MARRIED TO “‘THE GLASGOW WO- MAN?" —HIS DEFENCE. The genoral court martial which is trying Captain Thomas Bisir, Fifteenth infantry, United States Army, on the charge of conduct unbecoming an offi- cer and a gentleman, met yesterday in the non-com- misioned officers’ school of artillery, Fort Colum- bus, Governor’s Island. The court met at cleven A, ‘M. and continued its session until half-past two P.M. A BIT OF BIOGRAPHY. Captain Blair’s father's name was Nicholl, a Presby- terian minister or deacon, who went with his wife at an carly period of their lives to the North of Ire- land, where the Captain was born in the year 1840, In his seventeenth year he enlisted in the forces of the Lys Kast India Company, and after going thy the usual course of drill at the company’s depot te England was shipped to India. When the Sepoy mutiny broke out in 1857 he was under arms and served through the campaign. When, by the lapse of the Rast India Company's charter, its privileges and franchises reverted to the Crown, and its troops wore consolidated with those of the royal army, the young Scoschman availed hizaself of the provisions of a yeperal allowing him to do 90, and took his discharge trom the service. WAS IT MARRIAGE? He returned to Great Britain and took up his resi- dence in Glasgow, going to work in Tennent’s Chemical Works, where he becarae a foreman, and as such made the acquaintance of a fellow foreman named Baily, who introduced him to his sister Ann. ‘The result was the performance of a ceremony, which the acensod Captain now says did not consti- tute @ marriag:. wed together and had Baily; and ‘second, that thong! her he was obliged to leave hor on account of her un- faithfulness to him; he accuses her of too much friendship for another man. This, it is asserted, : i : 33 i i H 5 ize! eygee p= cee mow a ge soon — Sle knew that the man whom she clatmed as her husband LETTERS Several letters were produced in Court yesterday, which were deelared to bave been written by the ac- cused. The first letter, in pornt of date, was writ- ten at Mobile, Ala,, January 15, 165, and ix addreswed: to “My Dear Aw Th reply; he was glad the children were well and re- romotion tothe rank of dirst lieutenant, fact that he was acting as tad —— he wonld send his carte next itter on condition that she would send hers, with Rachel's and Bob's, in return; he thought he would send in his resignation by the end of september, so thet he could go home, but then it might not be ‘ac- cepted at once; he would send ber the money again in February, and tod ber Fe | the business, rely- ing on bis principle of quick sales and speedy re turns. ‘The lengthy letter, of which the foregoing is the substance, bore the signatare of Thomas B. Nicholl, The second letter was dated Fort Stanton, Mexico, June ISTs, It was addrewsed to his daughter Rachel, and it went on to say that the Mexican trouble: was pretiy much over, but the spark was still there and it might be fanned into a flame at any moment, It nothing happened he would send the balance of the £0 by September; he was much pleased with her suecess at school; said he loved them and would do all in ressing & wish to mation he hoped that her motber was better. The letter closed thus:—*'May God bless and keep you all. Affection- ately, your father.” ° AN ALLEGED boots onpER. A third document was a con by the prisoner to the Adjutan’ States Army when he was in Europe ago on leave of absence. It was dated Southport, Lancashire, Rugland, July 31, 1877. The paper ine formed the Adjutant General that the Captain was om leave of absence by virtue of a surgeon's certificate on account of disability and said that his address would be No. 22 Arthur street, Dumbarton road, Glasgow. This addres is said to be that of the woman who declares she ix the wife of the accused, is photograph, spoken of ia the letter to her from AMabama, was received tn evidence. special order be issued from the Adjutant a No, 176, whieh was submitted during Monday's ht up. It 1 Septounbe resignation mas Blair, Fifteenth infantry, trom the ms services, to take effect on the Joth of the .meking it known that be ceased to be an officer of the United States Army, end granting him leave of absence till the dete when the resigna- is order, which is signed yy ae adjutant general, OW was a bogus doeu- made ont by the prisoner in order to deceive the woman to Scotland as to bis residence and to em able him t marry the widew of General Gorton Granger, hia tort commanding offeer. The prose cution declare that no one by the name of Cobby was over adjutant general of the army, and that there is an officer of that uame serving ta one of the artuk lery regiments. Indorsed on the dorument of which the above the substance appears the following. under date Heptember 8, 187) writing which the Judge Adwo- cate claims is also again bre under da! Coptatn Th By with the name of W. HH. ¢ The above explains itself, 1 ty ars eat ieted with what you Dave accomplished he tature will bring forth ho om = search for re will be asetess, at I met give my = 1 otal , i fromm, theve thm tied prompers me, send you something te Ne. 3 Arthar street, Dumberton rand, Glasmew. THK KENTUCRY URI ACR, Soon after the dete of this document the accused was married, in Kentucky, to Mrs, Maria Granger, The lady Scotland seams to have heant of the marriage, for she put herself in commanteation with the American aathorities in the State aud War depart ments, and the result of her efforts is the present trial. “The Jndge Advocate handed tn, by way of @ parting shot from his side of thacase, a certificate of the United States Contul in Glasgow containing whit purports to be a trae copy of a tinh clergy - man's certificate of the marriage of Thomas Nicholl and Baily, in Glexgow, on February 22, is6l, Such ts the case of the prosecution. THE PRISONER © Pre. The prisoner yesterviay pleated wot guilty to the charge staat ckiee oaten With to Tne ret w charges the accused with bignmy, the ¢ to admit that some sort of ceremony was performed between the perties tm Scotland, but that it did pot amonnt to 9 matrime- nial contract; that the so-called certificate is pot binding, as it wes fraudulently obteined by the brother of Ann Baily, the prisoner's former fellow Counsel for the defence opposed the admission of the letters aad docnments Dat hie oblectome were all overruled, and it wae dee . Orat, that the Cours could take cogptaance of the case, aad that the TR enbmitte! by the JiAge Advocate were adiniamible, The brother of Mre. Granger wae in court and Watched the proceedings . The court resumes ite today 4 il,