The New York Herald Newspaper, February 28, 1879, Page 3

WASHINGTON. Cattle Disease Limited to the Atlantic Coast. ENGLAND'S UNJUST HASTE. Majority Report of the Teller Outrage Committee. “THE POOR NEGRO.” Driven from the Polls in Louisiana and South Carolina. SENATORIAL’ BICKERINGS Speaker Raridall Demandsa Per- sonal Investigation. CONTUMACIOUS SEWARD. OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT WasHINGTON, Feb. 27, 1879. PLEURO-PNEUMONIA. IN CATTLE CONFINED STRICTLY TO THE ATLANTIC SEABOARD—DR. BUSHMAN'S RECOMMENDATIONS, Dr. Joseph T. Bushman, veterinary surgeon to the Quartermaster’s Department in Washington, who is familiar with pleuro-pneumonia both here and in England, and has been professionally watching the eppearance of it in this region, says.that there have been sporadic cases of it about here for the last five years, and that last summer thero was undoubtedly s considerable outbreak of the disease in the District and the adjacent parts of Maryland and Virginia. It ‘was at that time that a false report was spread of the existence of rinderpest here, a very different disease. This report attracted the attention of the Canadian authorities, who sent to Washington Professor Mc- Kachron, President of the Veterinary College of Montreal, to look into the actual condition of tho Givease here. He reported, what was un- doubtedly true, that the disease was proved by its symptoms and by dissection to be pleuro-pneu- monia, such as exists in almost every crowded local- ity where cattle are kept in England. It is believed’ that not less than five hundred cows died of it last year within the district, the numerous commons used for pasture facilitating its spread. The Canadian government, largely on Professor McEachron’s re- port, prohibited the importation of. American cattle. Dr. Bushman says that investigation shows clearly that the disease is confined in this country entircly to the seaboard; that it is not found west of the Al- Jeghaniecs and that the entire prohibition of the importation of American cattle by England and Can- ada is, therefore, needless and unjust, and he sug- gests that as a measure of protection the Governors of Western States might follow the Canadian example and prohibit the importation into their States of cattle from the East or seaboard or from any district infected. This measure'would -g@nable them to declare their own States free from danger, and thus prevent the costly interruption of an impoftant traiffic in cattle from the West. ‘VaIN ATTEMPT TO SELL THE SITE OF THE OLD POST OFFICE. __ The New York city members triod in vain, this evening, to sell the site of the old Post Office to the Chamber of Commerce, but failed because of frivo- FROM lous objections raised by soveral. members. Tho sale, which ought to be made, will now have to go over, as there is not now time to bring the matter up again. ‘The property is now rented for less than two por , Centon the price offered for it by the merchants ‘who intended to buy it by a general subscription and present it to the Chamber of Commerce. The gov- ernment is therefore a loser by the failure of the Dill allowing the sale. DOUBLE INTEREST TO BONDHOLDERS. The House passed this evening a bill reducing the time during which double interest is allowed in the funding process from three months to thirty days. ‘The chango is generally believed to be for the best. ’ ——-e- GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasntxaton, Feb, 27, 1879, MAJORITY REPORT OF THE TELLER COMMITTEE. The report of the Teller Committee, made ,to the Senate to-day, reviews the testimony of the ninety- one witnesses in Louisiana and the 107 in South Carolina, It states that the frauds in South Carolina by the use of tissue ballots ex- tended to every county in that State but one, and that between thirty and forty murders were committed in Louisiana. The com- mitteo in drawing their conclusions say there ap- pears to be a widespread determination in these States to restrict the freedom of speech as to politi- cal questions, upon the claim that the disenssion of the relations of labor to capital, employers to employés and = other kindred subjects, is caleuiated to array the colored people against the whites and thiim endanger the safety of the people. This determination is not authorized by State enactments, but the democrats who a‘tend the political meetings, not only of their own party, but also of the opposition, aro in the habit of refus- ing to allow the «peakers to discuss these questions in their various forms. Any reference to the con- dition of the colored people befors the war and the causes that led to the war are condemned as being of an incendiary cheracter. It will be readily seen that if ‘Tt fs alloWid to the attenUants at & public meeting to doterm: what is and what is not ineendiary inflamma- tory material and therefore objectionable and not to be permitted, there will be an ond of all political discussion ualess the speakers shall consent to discuss the questions in accordance with the view of the majority that may be in attendance, Great Uberality must be allowed in the disenssion of all political questions, and it will never do to permit a crowd of heated particans at s public meeting to determine what is and what is not en incendiary speech and what is not proper to be said on such Occasions. All the attacks which have been made on the éol- ored people have been attempted to be justified or excused on the ground that the colored poople havo made threats against the whites. However false and destitute of foundation these reports may have been, they have been made the excuse of the most unheard of atrocity against these people, As this pretended fear of nogro imsurrcetion ts made the excuse of the outtages on the colored people, it may not be amins to say that the demo- or whites there was mo instance in American history within their when this bad =been §=«done, and all* admitted that Fequire great provocation to induce the People to resort to violence ayainet the whites, Respect for authority, obedience to law aud Bttachinent to persons and things are notable characteristion of the colored race, No prosecu- tions have been imetituted by the State of South Carolina against the vielstors of her lows and no effort «made = to punioh the men who have thus wantonly outraged her citi. rena, and when the United States courts have boon | ernment NEW YORK Corr, Petersburg, Va.; Ephraim MeMurtrie, for the istrict of Minnesota, . Indian Agents Oliver Good, of Ohio, Quinaielt Agency, Oregon; Linus M. Nickerson, of Oregon, Bismeth Ageney, Oregon; John O. Keane, of Wash- charges of perjury, and committed to jail wales he gave bail, Citizens are threatened thet if they attempt to punish the offemiers in the Unite! States courts the witnesses will be punished im the State courts, and thus the State not ouly declines to puaieh these criminals, but refuses to allow it to | inetew Territery, Tulalip, Washington Territory; be done in the United States courts. The | Wyman L. Lincoln, of Wisconsin, Gros Ventres, Mon- State government is a white government, no colored | tana; Laban I Miles, of Iowa, Osage, Indian Terri- men are represented in it; and so far no mam | tory; Thomas B. Ellis, of New York, Fort Berthold, connected with it has had the honesty, courage of | Pakots; Joseph A. Stephan, of Indiana, Standing humanity to attempt to redress the outrages of these | Reck, Dakota; Henry B. Mallory, of New York, Colo- unfortunate men of color. The laws of South Caro, | rade Kiver, in Arizona. lina and Louisiana are undoubtedly sufficient for the | Vast AMOUNTS FOR PROPOSED RIVER AND HAR- protection of all their citizens, but there has been & DOR IMPROVEMENTS. . lamentable failure to enforce them. ‘Tho Senate Committes on Commerce Feported. the This course must in the end be the destruction Of | piver and Harbor pate fm pr to the Senate the government of these States, Tiousands of per | pig afternoon, with amendments proposing numer- sons in those States controlled by the political party | ous changes, Tlie committee recominend the fol- Profiting by these outrages condemn them, Ut | towing additional items or increased appropriations they lack the independence and courage to make | 9.0 4 themselves heard in opposition to them, There | ny ct) ™ malhewatr senator cone never will be peace. and good order, and Penobscot, Me., $4,000; Portsmouth, N. consequent prosperity, in the South while | ¢19 wy, Bridgeport, Conn., $4,000; ‘Thames Bt any considerable number of the white people deny | g4 sun; Norwalk, $3,000, ‘Boston, Mana, $25,000; the colored people the rights given them by IRW. | situate, Mass., $20,000; Mibtenen Beas $90,000; To insure a lasting peaco to the people, white | Woody’ Hole, Mans., $10,000; Flushing Bay. N.Y. and Diack, the fullest and freost exercise $10,000; Mariom River, N. ¥., $60,000; Delaware all political rights must be conceded to all. | jiyor, $25,000; Delaware River, Schooner Ledge The houor and prosperity of Louisiaua demand | 95,099, Baltimore Harbor, $00,000; Norfolk, $25,000; that these outrages against the rights of | 4 Se AnAaeL Mactan: Shae Seabees: Crile citizens—these violations of State and national | 4.4 pe ya c. $25,000; - — ea law—shall be punished; that this duty devolves Seda, tame postition f HL, XN. ©. $75,000; Neuse River, N.C. 0005 upon the State all admit, and whatever may be aid | 2, 0", fins Neuse Hive Boas inca, of the duty of the general government to redress the | yicy Ge, $10,000; St. John's liver, Fla. wrongs of its citizens under these circumstances, no one will excuse tho State authoritics for tho failure | 9%! Pensacola, Fla, $10,000; St. Mary's River, Fin, $50,000; Fe ; to punish these offenders, The committee say it was ~ Pomel Dewiey, Mawes Lennie, Ark., $2,000; Arkansas River, $20,000; Vicksburg, not possible within the short time they had = : ate Aaa the: cles. | Mists $23,000; Osage River, $10,000; Missouri River Sen “te? Peas are (Fort Leavenworth), $10,000; White River, $7,500; tions held -in all the Congressional dit Missouri River, above the Yellowstone, $20,000; tricts in Louisiana and South Carolin’ but sufficient testimony was taken to show conclu. | Missouri River at Nebraska City, $5,000; sug iA aii ai ” Missouri River (survey), $5,000; Yellowstone sively that in several districts in these States not only the election for Congressmen, but the elections for State and county officers as well, were neither fair nor free, and that by violence and fraud the honest expression of the will of those en- titled to vote was prevented and thousands of citizens of these States deprived of the elec- ive franchise. In Louisiana both violence aud fraud were extensively used, In South Carolina fraud was more largely relied upon. In both States these agencies, so disreputable in themselves and s0 dimgerous to the stability of a republican form of government, were used—not only against the candidates of the republican party, but against independent democratic candidates, and candidates, by whatever name known, who were in opposition to the regular democratic candidates, River, $50,000; Missouri River, at Vermillion, D. T., $5,000; Missouri River, at Omabe and Council Bluffs, $10,000; Mississippi River, at Dubuque, $4,000; Mississippi River (surveys for reservoirs), $13,000; Fox River, Wis., $50,000; St. Croix, $2,000; Red River of the North, $5,000; Duluth, $5,000; Saugatuck, Mich., $2,000; Muskegon, Mich., $4,500; Michigan City, Ind., $20,000; Alleghany River, at French Creck, $10,000; Quincy, Il. $10,000; Toledo, Ohio, $10,000; Ashtabula, Ohio, $9,000; Muskingum Ice Har- bor, $30,000; Breakwater House of Refuge, Pa- <cifle coast, $150,000; Sacramento River, Cal., $12,000; Coos Bay, Oregon, $20,000; Cascades, Co- Iumbia River, $50,000, ‘Tho commitieo strike out the following amounts, which were granted by the House:—Southport, Conn., $2,000; Housatonic River, Connecticut, $2,000; Woodbridge, N. J., $4,000; ctrl oe ichearly avis atl napa for ts Mispillion Creek, Delaware, $3,000; Urbana, Ohio, accomplished was not tho prevention of so-callel | ¢- a4). Nov River, West Virginia, $12,000; “carpet-bag rule’ and the establishment of so-called “thome rule,” but the success of the democratic party in these States and in the nation, by whatever means and at whatever cost. South Carolina shares a like spirit with Louisiang. The democratic leaders seem to be insensible to the fact that the stability of our government is involved in these ques- tions, and to be utterly unable to compre- hend that their course renders the return of ma- terial prosperity to these people absolutely’ impos- sible. Without peace and g»od order there can be no obedience to or entorcement of law. Material pros- perity cannot come to theso States in the absence of this requirement, and thero must be & radical change in the management of political affairs. The framors of the constitution appear to have considered it safe to leave the “times, places and manner of holding elections” under the control of the States; but it is very evident that they fore- saw @ condition might exist in the future under which the safety of thé national gov- apd the rights of citizens might require that the times, places and manner of olections should be under its own control and not under that of the States. The time hav come when Congress should exercise the power it clearly pos- sesses of providing by law for a fair and free elec- tion of members of Congress. The power to Roanoke River, North Carolina, $1,500; Hiawassee +River, Tennessee, $3,000; Savannah River, Georgia (above Augusta), $10,000; Aransas Pass, Texas, $35,000; Buffalo Bayou, Texas, $80,000, The net total added to the bill by the Senate com- mitteo is about $1,100,000, CONDITION OF THE SUNDRY CIVIL APPROPRIA- TION BILL, The Sundry Civil Appropriation bill, though nom- inally reported to the Senate this evening, was im- mediately returned to the committee room, and ata late hour is still in the hands of the |.Chairman and his clerks, ywho aro putting it into shape, with all the numerous amendments adopted by the committee, to be printed during the night for the use and information of the Senato to-morrow. A majority of the Senate have sanctioned an amendment which provides that the public printing shall be given out by contract, on condition that the work shall be done at a cost of at least ten per cent less than the present cost. THE CHARGES AGAINST SPEAKER RANDALL. The following letter relative to the statements con- tained in the communication of Spectal Agent Williams to Major W. B. Moore, making certain reflections upon Speaker Randall, was forwarded to Mr. Randall to-day :— pass laws prescribing the times, places and eee aes . Pq orintapiny oiey me D ‘elections bers m—In roference to the letter of Special Agent I. aapnner.. cf boldtag ee of | 1. "Williams to me, of September 2, 1876, which sp- Congress necessarily implies the power to provide for the punishment of violations of the law. It will scarcely be contended—certainly it cannot be fairly claimed— that the national government is com- pelled to rely for the punishment of offences against its own laws upon the laws of the several States: The minority of the committee have not yet pre- pared their views for presentation to the Senate. in the Most thig morning, I have to say that: was not the supervising. special agent at that time, Williams’ letter was never ‘Sader official consideration, neither did its contents figure in any bi in the removal of Deputy First Comptroller William Hemphill Jones. On its receipt I made thor- ough investigation of the records relative to Will- jams’ charges and found them, so far as you were concerned, absolutely false. ° On the Sth of March, 1876, Williams had @ private interview with Senator John Sherman at his resi- MORE WORK FOR THE COMMITTEE. dence, out of which interview grew a letter from The Teller Committee this morning agreed to re- a + a bone a, ayer ae ose . officials in partment, including myself. Port to the Sonate a” resolution asking for | 9Mel part’ of Williams’ letter. to Whe’ Geatetery authority to sit during the recess and | relative to me was as absurdly false as his charge until a final report shall be made. This | against you in the letter of September 2. Subse- pasatiiteteh weld rdingly introduced, but quent events appeared to justify the assumption that Secretary Sherman approyed:the methods of Will- iams, and failing to get a hearing I furnished a nuin- ber ‘of _ personal friends, who had been informed of the contents of the ‘Sherman letter, with copies of the letter of September 2 as an evidence of Williams’ unreliability and wn- truthfulness. I have no knowledge as to how Williams’ letter to me became public, but, as I have already stated, so far ax you are concerned it is un- true in fact and inference. W. B. MOORE, Late Supervising Special Agent, U. 8. Treasury. REVIVAL OF THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE, Attorney General Devens has givon an official opinion to the Postmastes General overruling a do- cision of the Assistant Attorney General for the Post Office Department with relation to the right of members of Congress elect to the next Congress to the franking privilege. The Attorney Goneral decides that members of Congress are entitled to tho franking privilege from the commencement of the term for which they are elected, although no session is act- ually called, and they are therefore not able to take the oath of office. Under this decision mombers of the Forty-sixth Congress will be entitled to the franking privilege after the 4th of March next, whother sworn in or not. objection to its consideration carried it over until to-morrow. In anticipation of the passage of the above resolution, the investigation into tho Blaine branch of the original resolution—namely, election matters in Louisiana and South Carolina being vir- tually closed—the sub-committee, consisting pf Messra, Hoar, Wallace, Kirkwood, Garland and McMillan, was to~iay formally instructed by the full committee to inquire into the questions presented by the Thurman branch of the resolution— namely, assessments cf federal office-holders for political purposes, the employment of supervisors, the number employed, their conduct, &¢.—and to iuqnire whether it {s within the competency of Congreas to provide by additional legislation for the better security of the right of suffroge of ail citizens in all the States; said sub-committee to have authority to sit in Washington, Philadelphia, New York or Boston. WORDY CONTEST IN THE SENATE OVER THE PRESIDENT'S NOMINATIONS, The Senate was in executive session nearly four hours this afternoon. A very large number ss of nominations wero confirmed without de- Te ee bate or opposition, but veveral others gave | | The President has approved an act to promote rise to coutroversy, and were made sub- knowledge of steam engineering and iron ship build- ing among students of scientific schools; an act to amend an act entitled “An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1879, and for other purposes ;"" an act relating to the Cumberland road in the State of Ohio, and to authorize the same to become a free road; a joint resolution authoriz- ing the Secretary of the Treasury to pay certain offi- cors of the Intefnal Revenue service the auiounts due them for their services as such officers previous to the time of executing their bonds and taking the oath of office as prescribed by law; an act for the relief of the Richmond Female Institute, of Rich- mond, Va. OPPOSITION TO THE SENATE AMENDMENTS, The House Committees on» Appropriations to- jects of considerable discussion. The nomination of E. Platt Stratton to be supervising inspector of steam vessels for the Second (or New York) district, was debatea by Messrs. Burnside and Kernan in favor of confirmation and by Mr. Conkling against it. The latter stated that he had twice been excused from. voting upon it in committee, but it hed twice been reported adversely, and ho thought the judgment of the committee was correct. The nom, ination was rejected by a large majority. The nom- ination of Samuel Hayes as postmaster for St. Louis called forth extended remarks from a number of Senators. The Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads being equally divided, reported it without recommendations. It was opposed mainly on the ground that Hayes’ predecessor, Chauncey 1. Filley, should have been retained in office upon | day decided to recommended non-concurrence efvil service principles, such being tho cx-|in all the Senate amendments to the pressea desire of practically tho entire busi- | Post Office Appropriation bill; but also agreed to allow debate and separate votes in the House upon two of the amendments—namely, those which provide for the Brazilian mail service and for @ reclassification of mail matter, &c, GEORGE F. SEWARD TO BE IMPEACHED, Tho House Committees on Expen@itures in the State Department held o secret session last news community of St. Louis, Tho fact was developed in the debate, however, that the President informed the committee that a rejecUon of the pending nomination would not have the effect of reinstating Mr. Filley,and that he would not, under any circumstances, reappoint Filey. Tho nominatiOn was confirmed by a vote of yeas 33, nays 19, the democrats, with ono or two | evening, and although the injunction of so exceptions, all voting in the affirmative, | crecy has not been removed from tho The nomination of Alexander R. Russell, of Pitts- | members attending as to what transpired, burg, Pa, to be Consul at Montevideo, also met with somo opposition on the ground that no cause was assigned for the removal of the present Consul, but it was confirmed almost unanimously, When the nomination of Richard P. Stone to be Collector of Customs at Bangor, Me., reached, Mr. Hamlin said he did not desire to say anything in regard to it except that the present incumbent, whose term is about to expire, had served tho government faithfully for a number of years, and that the proposition to dis- place him was exceedingly distasteful to the two Senators from Maine, With this remark he left the case for the decision of the Senate, A vote upon the ination was inmmediately taken and resulted in it is stated on good authority that the majority will report to the House articles of impeachment against Minister George F, Seward, The minority of the committee will oppose the report. FOUR PER CENT SUBSCRIPTIONS, The subsceiptions to the four per cent loan since yoater day's report have amounted to $2,085,550, PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. SENATE, Wastinetox, Feb. 27, 1879, Mr. TeL.en, (tep.) of Cal., from the select com- mittee appointed early in the session to inquire into the alleged violation of the constitutional rights of citizens during the clectidns last fall, submitted a re- port of the majority in regard to Louisiana and South Carolinagend said the minority of the committes reserved the right to submit a report hereafter. Or. dered that the report be printed. He also submitted @ resolution providing that the committee of which he t# chairman be continued, with power to report Ot the nest session of tho Senate, with authority to tions were confirmed ;— Robert M. Douglass, to be United States Marshal for the Western district of North Carolina; D. 8. Wade, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Montana Ter ritory; Henry Ruggles, of Connecticut, to be Consul &t Malte, Collectors of Customs—Charles H. Hough- ton, for the Gistrict of Perth Amboy, N. J,; David G. HERALD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1879.-TRIPLE SHEET.- sit during the recess and have all the power and au- thority heretofore conferred upon it. Mr. Bayaxp, (dem.) of Del.—That had better go over. é Mr. TeLuer said the resolution was the unanimous will of the committee. Mr. Bayanp said no harm could come from its lay- ing over until to-morrow. It was so ordered, Mr, Monutt, (rep.) of Vt.,called up the Senate | bill for the interchange of subsidiary silver coing and United States notes. Mr. TuunMas, (dem.) of Ohio, inquired if this bill would cause any decrease in the amount of subsidi- ary silver coin in circulation. Mr. Mornit1 replied in the negative, and said the effect of the bill would be to redeem such coin where there was a surplus of it and reissye it in another lace. At the request of Mr. Hows the further considera- tion of the bill was postponed until to-morrow. ARREARS OF PENSIONS, . Mr. Monurr1, from the Committee on Finance, re- ported an amgndment to the bill making an appro- priation for ti payment of arrears of pensions. It provides that for the prompt payment of the arrears of pensions due to pensioners, or becoming due, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to foaus, sell and dispose of, at not less than par, four per cent bonds of the United States not excgoding in the ag- greyate $18,000,000, or in lieu theredf or any portion thefeof, to issue certificates of deposit of the de- nominations and character provided for in the act entitled “An act to authorize the issue of certificates of deposit in uid of the refunding of the public debt,” approved February 26, 1879, and the proceeds of the sale of such bonds, or so much thereof as may bo necessary, shall be applied exclusively and is hereby appropriated for the paymeut of claims for arrears. of pensions arising under the act of January 25, 1879. Referred to the Committee on Appropriations. Mr. Dawgs, (rep.) of Mass., from the Committee on Finance, reported an amendment to the bill making @n appropriation for the payment of arrears of pen- sions so as to provide that in no case shall arrears of, pensions be allowed and paid from a time prior to the date of actual disabilites. Referred to the Com- mittee on Appropriations. COURT OF ALABAMA CLAIMS. Mr. Hasty, (rep.) of Me., moved to take up the Howse bill for reviving and continuing the Court of Commissioners of Alabema claims, and for the distri- bution of the unappropriated meneys of the Geneva award, Mr. InGauws, and said he ho; (rep.) of Kan., opposed the motion, P the Senate would vote it down. He would then submit a motion to take up the bill making an appropriation to pay arrears of pensions. Mr. Davis, (ind.) of INl., said the Geneva Award bill should not.be taken up. It would be debated at length aud the discussion would fall upon wearied Senators who had been here day and night. Mr. Tuunman also opposed the consideration of the bi, and said the subject had been before the Senate several times. It always provoked a length: discussion. There was not time to consider the bi now, but it had been a great wrong that the money was pot distributed long ago. After some further discussion the motion of Mr. Hamlin was rejected—yeas 25, nays 41—as follows :— Yras.—Messrs, Anthony, Baraum, Blaino, Booth, Burn- sido, Cameron ot Ponnsylvania, Chaffeo, Chandler, Dawes, Dorsey, Eaton, Grover, Hamlin, Hoar, Jones of Nevada, Lamar, Matthews, Mitchell, Morrill, Patterson, Plumb, Rollins, Sargent, Spencer and Wadleigh—z Nays.—Mesars. Allison, Batloy, Bayard, Beck, Bi of Wisconsin, Coke, Davis of ‘Ii t Virginia, Dennis, Edmunds, Bustis, Ferry, Garland, Gordon, Harris, Horeford, Howe, Ingalls, Jones of Florida, Kernan, Kirkwood, McCreers, McDonald, MePherson, Maxey, Merrimon, Morgan, Oglosby, Paddock, uisbury, Shields, ‘Teller, Thurman, Voorheos, Whito, Windom and Withers—41. NG, (rep.) of .N. Y., from the Committee on Commerce. reported favorably on the Senate bill for the relict of vessels of the United States ofticored by aliens. Placed on the calendar. ‘The Senate then took up the bill making an appro- riation for the payment of arrears of pensions, but fore proceeding with its consideration, on motion of Mr. Edmunds, st twenty-tive minutes past ono P. M., went into executive session. ‘The Senate then resumed consideratiomof the bill making an appropriation for the payment of arrears of pensions. ‘The amendments proposed by tho Committee on Appropriations, providing that pen- sion agents shall receive for their services in paying arrears, &c., thirty cents for cach payment, and appropriating $15,000 to meet such expense, and striking out of the House bill the clause providing that the act granting arrears of pensions shabl cx- tend to pensions granted by special act of Congress, ‘were agreed to. Mr. Dawes submitted the amendment reported by him from the Committee on Finance this morning, providing that in no caseenall arrears of pensions allowed and paid from 4 time prior to the date of actual disability. Agreed to. Mr. Incatis submitted an amendment from the Committhe on Pensions, published a few days ago when referred to that committeo. It provi les for dividing the States and Territories into districts, not to exceed seventy-six in number, provides for a com- mission to attend each of said districts at least once @ year, and assigns a pension surgeon and a pension clerk to make modical and surgical examinations and to take testimony in pension cases. It further providesefor the appointment of such pension sur- geons and clerks by the Secretary of the Interior and the examination of pensioners with a view to pre- be oy | frauds on the Pension Burea' ‘Mr. Ixcazts, in explanatidn of the amendment, said it was in the direction of reformation. It had Yeon before the Senate several years. If the system examining pensioners and applicants be adopted as proposed by this amendment it was thought frauds could be detected and much money saved. Mr. Epmunps, (rep.) of Vt., raised the point of order that this was legislation on a general appro- priation bill. The Cam (Mr, Hoar, of Massachnsetts) decided that this was not a general appropriation bill. Mr. Epaunps said he did not think it wise for the Senate to act upon this matter with haste, as it made great changes in the pension laws, : Atter debate upon Mr. Edmunds’ point of order the Cuarn submitted the question to the Sonate, and it was decided that this was not a general appropria- tion bill, and the amendment was in order, Mr. Voonures, (dem.) of Ind., did not believe this bill would accomplish all claimed for it. Tt contem- plated a radical change inthe Pension Bureau... In- stead of organizing a corps of examiners outside.he prefered a reorganization of the bureau inside, Pending discussion the bill was laid aside tempo- rarily. Mr. Wrxpom, (rep.) of Minn., from the Committee Appropriations, reported, with amendments, the Ary Civil Appropriation bill. Placed on the cal- endar. Mr. Wrrarns, (dem) of Va., callod up the House res- ohitions in mecnory pt the late Beverly B. Douglas, & Representative in Congress from the State of Vir- ginta. Suitable remarks upon the life aud character of the decezsed were made by Messrs, Withers, Thurman, Hereford and Ransom, and at twenty minutes past six P. M. the Senate, as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, adjourned until eleven o'clock to-morrow. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wasutxotoy, Feb. After the reading of the journal Mr. Ranpatt, hay- ing called Mr. Carlisle, (dem.) of Ky., to the chair, rose to @ personal explanation. He sent to the Clerk's desk and had read a letter dated Baltimore, Md, September 2, 1876, from Special Agent H. L. Williams to Major William B, Moore, Supervising Special Agent in which it was stated that thero was “evidence in the Treasury to show that two appro- priation warrants were illegally signed to get moncy to continue operations of the Engraving and Printing Department, which was directly in the iii: terest of Samuel J, Randall, who is a large stock- holder in the paper mill which is alone authorized to supply the Bureau of Engraving and Printing with paper for bonds, bank notes, &c., and was accom: plisbed through the infliielice of Mr. Randall, William Hemphill Jones and George B. McCartee,” He had also read the correspondences to the Philadel- phia Ledger, in which the correspondent stated that he called ex-Seoretary Bristow’s attention to the charges, which that gentleman declared to be utterly without foundation so far as his knowledge extended, and in regard to which he ssid that no man who Ruew Mr. Rarwall would for one moment believe what Williams had said, Mr. Randall thon said that immediately on reading that paper he had sent the following telegram to the editor: —“There ts not one syllable of truth in Williams’ statement as to En- graving and Printing Bureau published in New York correspondence of to-day's Ledger, nor # semblance of justice for such infamous slander as far as I am concerned or know. Publi full and unequivocal contradiction to-morrow, Mo then pi to say:—" think it due to say at this time that I have never had in my life one dollar of interest as a stockholder or in any other way, Airectiy ot t y, in any paper millin the United States or elsewhere; nor his a not remotely connected with m have never had, directly or indirectly, or in any other way, any in company in the United States or elsewhere, I wil to add further that Iuever in my life spoke to Mr. Bristow, Mr. Conant, Mr. Jones, Mr. Taylor or any other person as to appropriation warrants fe purposo whatever, and that I never spoke or of these two I ropriations as mentioned until I came to read of them, and I now submit the follow: ing resolution :— Resolved, That a select committes of five members be appointed by the prosent occupant of the chair, whose duty stock holder, rest inany bauk note it shall be ton 0 iminediy bey. i, in statomet qnade in the letter from ‘iiliams to Major W Moore, dated September and Printing; r POrsONs ANd papers and to report the Fesult of thei quirtes at any time, * GENEROUS OYPONENTS, Mr. Hane, (rep.) of Me.—If the Pennsylvania, tho Speaker of this anything of this kind is ne dication and to set any q raisod as to his personal integrity light before the country, and at then Lam in favor of the paveage this resolution on the ground that he desires it, But 1 want to say here for myselt (@@nd I think and believe [speak many) that Ido Bot believe that anything of 8 . tu ntleman from jonyo, feels that wary for hin own vit: pr been tion that Lins © unauthorized and unfounded and unjust and slan- lervus newspaper declarations, to. put himself on a al vindication. His record has been long and well known to the country in all matters in regard to appropgiations and jobs and schemes, J am glad to say that for ten years it has been one of the. plea- sures of my experience here to act hand in hand with iim in opposing such from the beginning. I do not think he needs this committee for his vindication. Mr. Ranpat—I am very much indebted to the gentleman from Maine for the kind manner in which he has spoken, and I duly appreciate his words, but on this subject my mind is made up. I believe that this is necessary and due to me as a representative of the people on this floor. It is due to me and due to you, as Lam the presiding officer of this body. It is due’ to the House and due to the country that my vindication in this respect be made yf public record, for Ihave no fear in the face of God or man in that respect. Ihave inserted the word “immediately” in the resolution so that the committee may begin at once. Mr. Hate—You do not understand meas opposing? Mr. Raxpant—No, sir; I understand you us my friend, Mr, i mY, (rep.) of Pa., testified as to the esteem in whieh Mr. Randall was held in the city of | Philadelphia. He had been that gentleman's col- league for sixteen years, and he desired to say to him that he feared that his pete would do nothing but dignity a scoundrel by bringing him before Con- gress for the public gaze. In conclusion he #aid:— “My colleague has done well in demanding this in- vestigation, but I agree with the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Hale) that it is entirely unnecessary; and Tassure the Speaker and this House that whatever petitive usperity may be felt toward him in Phila- deiphia Ido not believe there is a inan among the eight hundred thousand inhabitants of that city who will not throw this infamous slander from him with the exclamation, ‘Randall may be a bitter partisan, but he is # liar who charges him with want of perso- nal integrity.’ (Applause on the floor and in the galleries.) Mr. THompson, (rep.) of Pa., stated that there had never lived nor did there live now one person in the State of Pennsylvania, whether republican or demo- crat, who had ever for a single moment entertained a suspicion that the honesty of his coll ue (Mr. Randall) was not as clear as a sunbeam. He believed that personally ov politically his colleague needed no report of acommittee upon the slander. He might have omitted his revolution with justice to himself, and with safety wherever ho was known or might in future be known. but while he (Mr. Thompson) be lieved that the unanimous report of fifty committees in favor of his colleague und in denunciation wf his slanderer would do his colleague no good, would take from him none of the suepicion which had not, and never could attach to him, still, he would vote for the resolution for the purpose of ‘putting on the record his detestation ot an offence without excuse or palliation and almost without parallel in the past. Speaker Ranpati—I am very much obliged to the gentlemen who have spoken, but I hope the will unanimously agree to the resolution, I pot ask this for to-day, because the people who live with me and about mo know iny character, but I should like to have investigated—that it n go into his- tory—the truth or falsity ot the statement. ‘The resolution was then unanimously adopted, and the Speaker pro tem. (Mr. Carlisle) stated that he would announce the committee as early as possible, VENTILATION OF THE CAPITOL, Mr. YounG, (dem.) of Tenn., from the select com- mittce on the Capitol ventilation, presented a report recommending certain chinges (including the re- moval of the desks, the opening of the fireplaces in the hall and the removal of part of the south wall back of the Speaker, so as to effect direct communication with the open air) and closing with 4 resolution appointing Pro- fessor Baird, of the Smithsonian Institution; Mr. Clark, architect of the Capitol; Mr. Schumann, «civil engineer of the Treasury Department, and Sur- geon Billings, of the army, an advisory board, with- out additional pay or compensation, to carry out the proposed changes, and appropriating $30,000 for the purpose, Mr. Woop, (dem.) of N. Y., favored the report gen- erally, except as to the removal of’ the desks; that, he thought, would prove inconvenient. ‘Mr. YouNG explained that he had formerly thought so, but he was now corvinced to the contrary. Tables, with all writing conveniences, would be placed in the open space back of the chair, and there all necessary correspondence could be attended to by members, Considerable discussion followed this by Messrs. Clymer, Butler and Young. finally the discussion closed, and the resolution was adopted, with amendments providing that the desks shall not be removed, and adding to the com- missioners Messrs. Hewitt, of New York; Butler, of Massachusetts; Loring, of Massachusetts, and Jones, ot New Hampshire. The Senate amendments to the deficfency bill were taken from the Speaker's table, ordered printed and referred to the Committee on Appropriations. INTERNAL REVENUE. The House then resumed con: ation of the con- ferende report on the Internal Revenv. \)! Mr. Conger, (rep.) of Michigan, oppoovd tue report because it continued the tax on matches. The whole country demanded the repeal of the tax on matches. ‘When he had ‘yesterday usked the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tucker) whether the conference com- mittee had made any cfforts to enforce the thrice ro peated wish of the House for the abolition of that ‘tax he had been answered with a Virginia smoer, Ho insisted that he had a right to know what the com- mittee had done. The report of the conference committes was then agreed to—yeas 147, nays 114. BRINGING MINISTER SEWARD TO THE BAR. Mr, Sprincen, (dum.) of Ill, rose to x questionf of privilege and desired to call’ up the reeolutions re- ported from the Committee on Expenditures in tho State Department for the arrest of George F. Seward as 8 contumacious witness. Mr. Hate raised the question of consideration on 8 vote by tellers. The House refused to cousider the question now. Mr. Tunsen, (dem.) of Ky., a member of the Com- mittee on Expenditures in the State Department, de- manded the yeas and nays, and when Mr. White, (rep.) of Pa., suggested that he withdraw the call he gesticulated augrily, and in an excited manner in- sisted on the yeas and nays. The scene was a noisy and tumultuous one, without apparent reason for it. ‘Yhe yeas and nays were ordered, and resulted— yeas 1 ys 121, So the House voted to consider the subject now. Mr, CARLISLE (as Speaker pro fem) announced the appointment of Messrs. Candler, of Georgia; Lynde, ot Wisconsin; Throckmorton, of Texas; Frye, of ne, and Monroe, of Ohic, as the select committee thorized under the resolution offered to-day by Mr. Randa)l, of Pennsylvania, . Mr. SPRINGER moved the previc™s question on the resolution fo have George F. Se: brought before the barof the House. The previous question was seconded and the main question ordered. This leay- ing an hour for debate, the discussion was opened by Mr. Springer (chairman of the Committee on Expen- ditures in the State Department), who stated that the question involved was whether a public officer can be required to produce the records of his office. Mr. Seward was in contempt of the House, not only in refusing to produce the books called for in be subpa@na duces tecum, but in refusing even to be sworn as a witness, He stated that Mr. Seward’s plea was that the books in question (what are known us the blotters) were not public records. Mr. Springer, however, undertook to prove that they were, and he said that if a judg or an official could wit! id his records he could thus deteat all investigation on the the only body that had the power o cles of impeach Mr. Busby, (rep.) of N.Y. (a member of the com- mittee), contended that Mr. Seward was not in con- tempt, and that under the fifth article of the consti- tution no person could be expected to supply evi- dence against himself, As to the law of Congress on the subject, he contended that its Provisions ‘applied to witnesses only and not to parties. A member asked whether . Seward based his re- fnsal on the ground that the production of the books would criminate him. Mr. Bunpy replied that Mr. Sewatd placed himself on his reserved constitutional right, and he (Mr. Bundy) stood before the House in vindication of that reserved right. The committee evidence before it from the State Department shoWing that every dollar belonging to the government which had heen received by Mr. Seward had been accounted for, and that Kong book prescribed by the department to be kept ut the consulate had been returned to the department. SEWARD'S. CONSTITUTIO: artoi the House, presenting arti- PRIVILEGE. ir. Bundy whether tor were ad- joward could still claim wittedly public records Mr. the constitutional privilege. plied in the affirmative, but adsted that the books would show no item of governuicut money that had not been accounted for. Mr. Burien, of Massachusetts, took the same ground. No person accused of crime was ever ro- ired to give @ grand jury evidence against him- The privilege was as old as Magna Charta, hich dectared that memo s ipoum aceusare debet. If @ be compelled to produ against himself, way not yo back ture? Why not apply the rac private books then Mr. Seward could not be required to produce th and if they were public books then rts was the proper custodian of them, the sulypena should issue to hi wl that Secretary Evarts had to bring with him all the books, u the other constitutional these were private books) was run net. Tt they had be ed as public books the House onght to have them, even if the whole State Dopartinent building had to be moved to the Capitol, (Laughter,) It was much more necessary to preserve the great constitutional privilege than to ish fifty Sewards. He suggested to Me. Springer aman of his own size—to take Mr, Evarts, ard, (Laughter.) Mr. Daven, (rep. of Pa. (a member of the commit- reved that the books in question were private a that Mr. Seward could not yp required to » them. vs, (tep.) of Wis. claimed for Mr. Seward that he should nave (as defendants in crimi- nal caves) “the benefit of the doubt.” Mr. BUspy indicated his tutention to move to refer the whole subject to the Judiciary Committers, ir. Mavuam, dem.) of N. Y. (a member of the com- tee), argued in suppert of the resolution to have Mr. Seward brought betore the Bar Mr. Deas, dem.) of Mass, (9b committee), argited that, tu retusing to produce the books, Mr. Sew mypt, while in regard to Mr, Seward’s retw thy he agreed with the views expressel ther sie, Me undertook to show that Mr. sewertl, net Mr. Kvarts, was the custodian of the books tm question, If Mr. Seward could not be compelle| to protuce these books then eli thet s delinquent public offecr had to de was to Withhold the bovas and defy iavesugetion. Me ce BI —— -_——_—_—__——— garded such a proposition as the most absurd thing in the world. sd A DISTINCTION WITH A DIFFERENCE. Mr. Sprixcen, in reply to arguments on the other side, said that it was the accounts which Mr. Seward had not rendered, not those which he had rendered, that the committee was after. Mr. Seward had kept two sets of bocks, in one of which the original eutries were kept, and in the other was a tianseript of them from the original entries. If the books of original entry could not be examined the committee could not determine whether all the government moneys had been accounted for. What an example would be set to consuls auc other officers if they were to be told that they could oon and appro- inte fees and that they could then shelter themselves Bohina the coustitutional privilege and refuse to produce their books. If the constitution was to be the shield of fraud and peeulation and embezzlement of government funds the sooner a new constitution was provided the better it would be for the coun- try. Nr. TowsneND, (rep.) of N. ¥., inquired, jocularly, whether the missing books were those that had been spirited away in higan. (Laughter.) Mr. SPRINGER sepiied that those books had been already produced in court, but the Seward books had not been. ‘The discussion was closed by Mr. Hooker, {dem.) of Miss., who also took the ground that a public officer could not thus be allowed to shelter himself bbhind a personal privilege; especially was the at- tempt to do so unbecoming in an prs Hay hyd a foreign court. ‘The first vote was taken on the resolution offered by the minority of the committee to the effect that Seward was justitied in his refusal. It was rejected— yeas 119, nays 142—a party vote. ‘The question then recurred on the majority resolu- tion, directing the Sergeaut-at-Arms to arrest George F. Seward forthwith, and to bring him before the bar of the House. ‘Mr. CoxGER interposed a motion to take a recess, and the yeas and nays were called upon it. During the roll call negotiations for a compromise were being carried on (on the basis of letting the resolution be adopted and not delivering the warrant to the Ser- eant-at-Arms till to-morrow). The negotiations, owever, were not successful. ‘The motion for a recess was rejected. y Then the House was brought to a vote on the reso- jution. : The republicans at first declined to yote, but twenty-four of them declined to join in thi® obstruc- tive policy. There was still, however, no quorum. Mr. SPuINGeR stated that there was no intention to do any injustice to Mr. Seward, and that if the reso. lution were adopted the warrant would not be de- livered to the Sergeant-at-Arms until to-morrow. Mr. Conaxr said he did not know that the gentle man trom Ilinois (Mr. Springer) had the control of such a thing, Mr. SPRINGER replied that he would take the re sponsibility of giving that assurance. The vote was again taken and the resolution was adopted-—yeas 105, nays 44. ‘A session was ordered tor to-morrow evening for business of the Committee on Public Lands. The House then, at #ix o'clock, took a recess until eight o'clock P. M., the evening session to be for re- ports from the Committee on Ways and Means. EVENING SESSION. The House met at eight o'clock this evening for consideration of reports from the Committee on Ways and Means. ir. Woop, (dem.) of N. Y., chairman of that com- mittee, reported a bill respecting protests and ap- rels from decisions of collectors of customs, Section 1 provides that all such protests or appeals here tofore filed. at or before the liquidat the entry, shall be regarded us of the same torce or effect as if filed within the time now preseribed by law. E provides that samples and saypplo bool chanitina shall be oxempted f » importer or the assignee o m3 provides thut the imdettodn States to importers for excess of deposits for unascertained, duties or duties paid protest, when determined by © judgment of any United States ‘court, shall be paid, re ime gf original payment, with the inter ally ae thereon. FUNDING THE NATIONAL DEBT. Also the bill amending section 3,697 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, so that the interest on bonds called under the provisions of said section, or surrendered under the provisions of the act to facilitate the refunding o: the national debt, shall cease and determine after the expiration of thirty days from the date of the surrender or the date of the notice required to be given by the Secretary of the Treasury; provided, that nothing herein shall affect existing contracts made in pursuance of law. Mr. Woop explained the provisions ot the bill. As the law now stood, in the process of refunding, the bonds redeemed, as well as the bonds issued for their redemption, bore interest for three months after the date of the call. Mr. Hewrrt was in favor of the bill, but it seemed to him a good deal like locking the stable door after the horse had becn stolen. If this bill could have been reported on the day before the recess, when he had called attention to the matter, the re- sult would have been a saving of $1,500,000, He was aware the Secretary of the Treas- ury had said that he had followed the recedents eet by is prodecessors in paying double Titocsnt, but he (Mr. Hewitt) called attention to the fact that Secretary w, when he came into office and found that @ double intercst had been paid, had put a stop to it, nnd he had the personal authority of Secretary Bristow for stating that fact. At ail times pending this negotiation ot refunding (which was as remarkable a success as had_evey occurred in the history of finanee) it had been possible and within the law for the Secretary of the Treasury to have made such contracts as would have stopped or at lexst limited the paymentof donble interest. The amount of profit made by the First Natioual Bank of New York had been something enormous, but no blame of any kind could be attributed to that bank. But he held that the refunding of the loan had been so managed as to throw those enormous profits into the hands of that one concern and prevent oth-r banks or private bankers from sharing in the refund- ing process, Sir, Buncuanp, of Mlinois, defended the action of the Secretary. ‘The bill was then passed. Bills for the transfer of the old Post Office site at New York to the Chamber of Commerce for $200,000, and the bill for the relief of Albert U. Wyman, late ‘Treasuror of the United States, and of Charles Cline ton, late Assistant Treasurer at New Orleans, were re ported and, were, on points of order, referred to the Committee of the Whol Mr. Fort, of Illinois, withdrew the point of order as tothe bill forthe sale of the old New ¥ork Post Oitice, but Mr. Butler, of Massachusetts, ronewed it, He consented, however (at the suggestion of Mr, Hewitt, of New York), to withdraw it om condition that the bill should be so altered as to require the ale of the property by auction, but at not less than $250,000, Mr. Prrpemone, of Virginia, interposed another objection, thus defeating the bill, ana the House, af eleven o'clock, adjourned, Wastinatox, Feb, 27, 1879. Second Lieutenant George L. Rosseau, Twentieth infantry, has been ordered to report in person to the Superintendent of the Mounted Recruiting Service to accompany a detachment of recruits to the Eighth cavalry. Upon the completion of this duty he will rejoin his company. Major William Myers, quarter- master, has been ordered, upon the expiration of bis resent leave of absence, to report in person to the ieutenant General commanding the Military Dive sion of the Missouri for assignment to duty. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, TARDY SEARCH FOR. A MISSING SRALING SCHOCNER—SIXTEEN MEN CAST AWAY IN THE ANTARCTIC OCEAN—REPORT FROM ADMIRAL , NICHOLS. . Wasarxetos, Feb, 27, 1879. Rear Admiral Leroy, who was detached from the command of the European station on the 23d ult. has reported his return home and been placed on waiting orders. Ensign A.C. Hodgson has been de tached from the Naval Academy and placed on wait ing orders. 3 Rear Admiral Nichols, commanding the United States naval force on the South American station, reports to the Secretary of the Navy, under date of Montevideo, January 13, that the German corvette Prinz Adalbort, having on board asa midshipman the second son of the Crown Prince of Germany, sailed thence for Valparaiso on the 30th of Decom- Der. The Italian man-of-war Goremolo had also teft that station for the Pacific. It was Admiral Nichols’ intention to send the Essex in a few days to the Falkland Islands to make inqutries, as directed by the Secretary of the Navy, with regard to the American sealing schooner Charles Scherer, of Stonington, Conn., which has been mise- ing since tne early part of 187%, and is supposed to have been wrecked somewhere in the An- tarctic Ocean, In response to letters (rom ex-Governor Jewell and Governor Hubbard a search for possible survivors of the missing vessel was ordered by the Navy Department ax long ago as the 30th of July, 187%, but owing to the trip ot: the only available Vessel, the Essex, to Tristau D'Acunha under department orders, it could not sooner be made. On account of the lateness of the season and the danger to be apprehended from ice Admiral Nichols considers it imprudent to at- tempt at present to reach the South Shetland Islands, and has directed Commander Schley, of the Essex, to Pioegtte the search only as far as the Falkland stands, and under no circumstances to yo within the ice limits. The crew of the missing Scherer consisted of only sixteen men, and, even ad+ matting that they may be living as castaways on some Antarctic island, “the question of risking tho lives of 180 men to save 16" is, in the words of the Admiral, “a serious one.” PROMOTIONS. The Senate this afternoon confirmed the follows naval promotions :—Lieutenant Commander William Gidson to be a commander, Lieutenant Francis My Barber to be a licntenant commander, Master Alex. ander MeCrackin to be a lieutenant, Ene Thomas DB. Howard to be & master, Lieatenant Charles H, Black, to be a lieutenant commaniler, Master L.*Dyer to be # licntenant, —_ Albert A. Mic! son to bee master, Assistant Engi Francis M. ee ee ‘States We svhoouer +