The New York Herald Newspaper, March 1, 1879, Page 3

WASHINGTON. An Extra Session Deemed Inevitable. BUSINESS DELAYED IN THE SENATE. Growing Antagonism to the Federal Election Law. * . BRAZILIAN SUBSIDY DEFEATED. Jobs Attached to the Sundry Civil Bill. MR, SEWARD AT THE BAR OF THE HOUSE Charges Against Speaker Randall Fall to the Ground. pie ses pub FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 1879, THE SUNDRY CIVIL BILL BEFORE THE SENATE-— INDICATIONS OF AN ALL NIGHT SESSION. Late this evening the Senate is discussing the Sundry Civil bill, and on the clause authorizing the Treasury to audit apd settle claims of States for the War of 1812. Mr. Edmunds denied that there was any law recognizing such claims, and .said that claims which a law allowed had long ago been set- tied, and that Maryland, which had set up a claim some time ago, had to get aspecial law to have it allowed, Mr, Wallace, of Pennsylvania, defended the clause, and Mr. Edmunds raised a point of order that it has no business in the bill. The point of order was sus- tained on a yea and nay vote, and the enterprise of collect@g claims of States against the federal gov- ernment fora war which happened sixty-six years ago will have to wait, Mr, Edmunds dryly remarked that he had two more points of order in reserve, and the Senate gave up before his tireless pertinacity. At midnight the Senate has settled down for an all night session, and there is talk of an attempt to com- plete action on the Sundry Civil bill by cight o’clock to-morrow. But the Senate has got only to the twenty-sixth page, and tho bill has 127 pages. PROSPECTS FOR AN EXTRA SESSION—-HOW THE PUBLIC BUSINESS IS DELAYED—JOBS AT- TACHED TO THE SUNDRY CIVIL BILt——VIEWS OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS. To-day, for the first time, Senators and Represen- tatives who do not wish for an extra session bogan to believe that it is inevitable. In the opinion of some of the most experienced Senators of both par- ties it is impossible for the houses to get through with the necessary business in time, and so certain @id bis seem that early in the afternoon the Presi- Cent was informed of the situation, and later in the day he had sent to consult some of the re- publican “Senators as i the time when it was best to summon the new Congress to meet. The general opinion seems to be that he should, if it becomes necessary, issue his proclama- tion on the 4th of March and give ten days notice, and this advice has been given him by some of the Senators. In that case the new Congress would meet on the 14th or 15th of March. OPINIONS IN THE HOUSE. In the House the opinion of experienced and prom- ‘inént men is that it is possible but difficult to get through with the public business in time; that even slight delays are dangerous and that unless the Senate promptly passes on the bills yet on hand and its conferees prove ready to give up some jobs which have been put in the Sundry * Civil’ bill, which was reported this morning, and which the House will not consent to, an extra session will be inovitable. THE SUNDRY CIVIL BILL. The Sundry Civil bill, which is a sort of omnibus, holding no regular number or prescribed character of passengers, was passed by the House without de- bate on the recommendation of the Appropriations Committee and its guarantee that it contained only necessary and proper grants. The evident disap- pointment of the lobby at this summary disposal of the bill in the House showed the wisdom of the trust the body of Representatives placed on the committee. But the Senate Appropriations Committee has been ‘at work some days on the bill and reported it this morning with the addition of several sections which it is not improper, though it may be disagreeable to Senators to call jobs and which the House will not consent to. The first gnd least of these is a clause giving $10,000 to Corbin, the person who has made a feeble claim to a seat in the Senate from South Carolina, and whose claim had so little ground that when, after resting in the committee for many months, it was at last exhumed, it was quietly voted down and disappeared. Corbin has about as much right to $10,000 as Mr. Chamberlain has to be Governor of South Carolina, And Mr. Chamberlain bas not thought of suing for Governor Hampton's salary. THE DISTRICT POST OFFICE. Next, the Senate Committee has inserted an appro- priation of $325,000 to buy a specified building in this city for @ post office. Those who have looked into this say unhesitatingly that it ought not to pass; that if the city needs a new post office, which is not apparent, this site is not the best and the price is much too high. It is not probable that tho House will agree to this. Next comes a provision authorizing the Treasury to examine and settle the debts due to the different Btates by the general government for matters relat- ing to the war of 1812, This, it is said, may not be improper; but it ought not to be tacked by the Senate on an appropriation bill at the close of the session. It ought to be done by a separate bill and earlier in the session, and could wait until the coun- try is richer. ‘THE PUBLIC PRINTING. Finally comes what democrats as well as republicans enounce as a job not to be endured or allowed. It isa section directing the President of the Senate and tho present Speaker of the House to hand over the whole great printing establishment of the government, with all its varied and costly material, to a firm of printers hero—Gibson Brothers—who are to pay $5,000 a year rent for the whole and to do the public printing hereafter at a price ten per cent cheaper than the average of last year, and tho ser- geants-at-armes of the Senate and House are to bo the arbiters in any dispute between these fortanate bene- Aciaries and the government, while the Public Printer is to be» kind of superintendent to look after them, This will be resisted by the House, as it ought to be, and it is even doubtful whether it will be sustained by the Senate. The hope of those who stuck it into the bill is, probably, that in tho haste of the closing hours those anxious to complete the business of*Congress would let anything pass rather than lose timo, THE FEDERAL ELECTION LAWS. There is little doubt that over and above the do- lays which may result from the disagreement of the two honses on such additions as the Senate makes to appropriation bills and besides those above specified, it has made @ number of changes in the River and Harbor bill, which may provoke discussion. The democrats are more united on the question of forcing either the repeal of the federal election laws or an extra session than they have been hitherto, Sena tors who have been strongly opposed to this scheme to-day say openly that as the House strongly de mands it they find it difficult to resist, and that. the porty might us well stick together. There is no genera! determination upon the subject, but thore who favor the plan are encouraged; those Who have opposed it are weakening, and as it Is casy to cathe delay at almost every stage of the appropriation bills, and as tho republicans aro ovi- NEW YOKK HERALD, SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1879.-TRIPLE SITEET. a ET dently leas opposed to an extra session than some time ago they seemed to be, everything points to such delays and action by the two houses as will leave some of the most important and necessary ap- propriation bills incomplete on the 4th of March, A PROMISE OF WORK. Prominent democrats in the House, who will serve also in the next Congress, said to-day that if there is an extra session they mean to begin with the adop- tion of a resolution confining its work rigidly to certain measures to be prescribed, and they desire that the session shall not last at most more than six weeks. But when Congress meets in a called session it is never easy to foretell how long it will sit. x ABRFARS OF PENSIONS. In the Senate this afternoon the proposition to allow the Secretary of the Treasury to borrow at four per cent enough money to pay the arrears of pensions gave rise to debate, Senator Voorhees offer- ing an amendment that the arrears shall be paid by the reissue of greenbacks formerly cancelled, on which he made a vehoment speech, Mr. Voorhees is one of those who demand a repeal of the election laws or an extra session, and his debate had for him thedouble advantage of springing a new inflation movement and causing delay of other business, OPERATIONS OF THE LOBBY. There is here just now alarge and disappointed lobby, which crowds the halls and passages and but- tonholes representatives and Senators. ‘The strictly enforced regulation of the House excluding all ex- cept members and privileged persons from the floor is a great relief and protection to the members; but the lobby is very eager and brazen, and if fashion- ably dressed women who haunt the passages and buttonhole members knew what is the general opin- ion of their characters they would, perhaps, be shyer of appearing in what is a very compromising situa- tion. That considerable and zealous section of the lobby which has been pushing the Brazilian subsidy got a bad black eye to-day when the Honse defeate1 this measure by sixty-six majority. If Mr. Roach has hired the people who have been lobbying this scheme in both Houses he has lost a good deal of money, for they were atolerably numerous crowd. It is said that most of them served for a contingent feo, in which case they may be said to have been working for nothing and feeding themselves, THE SLANDERS AGAINST SPEAKER RANDALL. The Randall Committee made short work to-day. The man Williams who is, to the disgrace of the government, employed as a special agent of tho Treasury, being summoned to make good his accusa- tions against the Speaker and others, confessed that he knew nothing at all about the matter, and in ef- fect that he had slandered honurable men without the least cause. MINISTER SEWARD AT THE BAR OF THE HOUSE—ORITICISMS ON THE ACTION OF SEC- RETARY EVARTS. The long drawn scandal concerning Mr. George F. Seward, some time Consul at Shanghai, and since and now Minister to China, came to a def- inite point to-day in the House. The Foreign Affairs Committee brought Seward before the House for contempt in concealing and re? fusing to deliver up to the committee for examina- tion the books of account of the Consulate. The proceedings were long and tedious. At the close Mr. Seward said that he would deliver the books to the Secretary of State or of the Treasury, but not to the committee, whom he regarded as his enemies. On this the House voted to refer the whole matter to the Judiciary Committee. It remains now for Secretary Evarts to demand the books from Mr. Seward and turn them over to the committee, and ke ought to do so withoutdelay. Mr. Evarts has already been criticised here for the manner in which he has stood behind Mr. Seward, and he will now be expected to help the House to the books. a GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. + Wasninaton, Feb. 28, 1879. THE PUBLIC PRINTING—STRONG LETTER FROM MR. DEFREES ON THE SENATE AMENDMENT TO THE SUNDRY CIVIL BILL. The following self-explanatory letter was sent to Senator Anthony to-day :— mom senetetcnnta om at Wasutraron, Feb. 28, 1879. The Hon. H. B. Awrnony, Chairman of the Committeo on Printing :— Sm—My attention has been called to an amendment Proposed to the Sundry Civil bill, by which the government | ager office, costing over $500,000, is turned over to private parties for the trifling sum ‘of $5,000 per year, who are to do the public printing and bind: ten per cent below the present cost. The cost of this work is regulated by Congress, it fixing the wages at fair living rates to be paid em- ployés. Give this work to private parties and the wages of workmen would be reduced in these hard times thirty per cent at least and the hours of labor increased. The pay rolls of the last fiscal year amounted to $1,032,388 3° On this amount they could make aclear profit of twenty per cent, unting to $ 67. This amount will be taken trom the wives’ and children of the employés and put into the pockets of private parties. Tho achemeis impracticable, and cannot be carried into effect for many reasons which I have no time to give. I notice that it proposes to make me the custodian of the office. I wish to say that I shall not be a party to any such arrangement, which must prove disastrous to the public interest. JOHN D, DEFREES, Public Printer. THE LEGISLATIVE BILL—ACTION OF THE SENATE COMMITTER, ‘The Senate Committee on Appropriations to-night completed their consideration of the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Appropriation bill, and will report it to the Senato with numerous amendments, the purposed effect of which is to make the Dill substantially con- form to the corresponding bill of last ses- sion, as it finally became « law for the current fiscal year. The committee ctrike out the House sec- tions, which provide for repealing the Federal Elec- tion law and the test oath requirements of the Re- vised Statutes, and the House provision for changes in the law concerning the method of drawing jurors is likewise omitted. The committee also strike out the clause by which the House proposes to consoli- date the various scientific surveys of the Territories, THE AMERICAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION. ‘The President to-day approved the bill authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to accept, for the purpose of a voyage of exploration by way of Behring Straits, the ship Jeannette, tendered by James Gordon Ben- nett for that purpose; also @ bill to extend the limits of tho port of New York. THE, CONKLING-BURNBIDE DIFFICULTY. There is the best authority for saying that the pub- lished statements of a reconciliation between Sena- tors Conkling and Burnside are without foundation; and upon the same authority it can be stated that General Burnside has made no retractions of any- thing said by him in exeoutive session. IMPORTS AND EXPORTS. The Chief of the Bureau of Statistics, in his soventh monthly statement for the current fiscal year in ro- gard to the imports and exports of the United States, say ‘The excess of exports over imports of morchandise rs to have been as follo jonth ended January 31, 1879 ++ $25,876,864 Month ended January 31, 1478. ..... 83,099,829 Seven months ended January 41, 1879 175,565,367 Seven months ended January 31, 1878. 135,699,528 Twelve months ended January 31, 1879... 297,680,063 Twelve months ended January $1, 1878... 148,781,274 A com; yn of the exports and imports of gold and silver coin and bullion exhibits the following :— Month onded January 41, 1479, oxcess of Month ended January 31, 1878, excess of o Pree 1,962,790 Seven months, ended Januas cess of importa. 2,270,206 Seven months, end cons of exports... Twelve months, en excess of im 4,941,980 3,293,435 Twelve months, en 878, excess of oxpor sees 25,687,625 PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. SENATE, Wasutnaton, Feb, 28, 1879, Mr. Monnits, (rep.) of Vt., from tho select com- mittee in regard to taking the next census, reported back the amendments of the House to the bill pro- viding for taking the tenth and subsequent cen- suses, with the recommendation that the Senate non- concur in these amendments and ask for a committee of conference. Mr. ConKuna, (rep.) of 'N. Yi, said nomobf the | amendments of the House were o great improvement to the bill, and he would be glad if the Senate would agree to them. He thought the Senate made a mis- take in passing this bill, and he did not intend that it should become a law if hoe could fairly prevent it, Ho moved that tho amondments of the Houso bo printed and the further consideration of the bill postponed until to-morrow. So ordered, MR. CORBIN WITHDRAWS. The Vice President laid before the Senate the fol- lowing letter :— Hon. Wit.tam A. Waxuten, President of the Senate :— Bites e been before the Senate for two y actively rting my rights to # seat in the Senal enator from the State of South Carolina, I have most persistently presged my clulm, because tho lawful Leis. jature ot South Carolina, on the jay of December, A. D.. 1876, duly elected me to said offi ‘The Committee of the Senate tions has, after elaborate inv fact» of my ense, reported to t lawfully elected by the Legislature of South Carvlina’ to a sent in this body, as Senator from the Stato of South Caro. lina, for w term of stx years, commeneing on the 4th day of Mareh, 1877, and that I am entitled to be sworn in as » ‘This reporsis before tho 3 but T no learn to, my reat senators, supposably willing to consider and dispose of the subject matter of said report on ite merits, are not disposed to consider it at all, Their action formally appeariug on the record indicates conclusively that my rizbt to a seat in the Senate will not be passed upon during the present resston rr elec! of Congress. It will bo useless for me to return here to prosectite my claim before the next Senate. Not wishing to prolong a fruitless contest already ex- tended over a period of two years, and at creat sacrifice and expense, | now withdraw from the same. I wish to ema phasixe, and [ repoat that | withdraw now from this con- test becuuse Fam satisiied beyond question that I cannot by any proper offort of mine obtuin my seat, I believe that Thave, in the cor have mado, discharged, to the full monsure of my ability, m: duty to the Lexislatureof South Onrolina that elected and sent me here, and bave also done my duty to the many whose. interests and involved in my admiysion to my 5 have failed — to obtain my seat I sincerely regret, as I represented many and peculiar interests, Hud 1 boen adiniteed to the tloor of the Senate T might there have spoken for them and beon heard, [might have been able, among other duties, to have rendored essential service to the culored race of South Carolina and the South, now sadly in need of help, and with whose wrongs Tam very familiar. Isat Iam shut out from this service, and through no fault of my own, The responsibility of my to obtai: g with others. and if it proves a bi donbt assume and bear it as best they Tuni, very spectfully, DAVID T. CORBIN. uTON, D. C., Feb, 28, 1879, Mr. THurmay, (dem.) of Ohio, inquired to whom was the paper addressed, The Vick Prestpenr replied, to the Senate of the United States. Mr. TauxMay said he felt disposed to move that it be returned to the writer. However, he would make no motion on the subject, The letter was laid on the table. ARREARS OF PENSIONS. The Senate then resumed consideration of un- finished business, being the bill making an appro- priation for the payment of arrears of pensions, the nding question being, on the amendment of Mr. ngalls, of Kansas, submitted yesterday, providing tor the division of the country into seventy-six dis- tricts and the appointment of a surgeon and pension clerk to visit each district, make examinations, take testimony in pension cases, &c., with a view to’ pre- venting frauds on the Pension bureau, Mr. Barnzy, (dem.) of Tenn., submitted an amend- meant providing that the pension surgeons and pen- sion clerks contemplated by the amendment of Mr. Ingalls, be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate instead of by the Secretary of the Interior, Agreed to. Mr. Kinkwoop, (rep.) of Iowa, submitted an amend- ment 80 as to provide that pensions shall commence from the date of the death or discharge of the person on whose account granted where the application shall be filed prior to the Ist of July, 1580, instead of the 1st of January, 1880, as proposed by the committee, Atter that date the peneion to commence {rom the filing of tho application. Agreed to. ‘The question was then taken on the first eight sec- tions ot the amendment proposed by Mr. Ingalls, re- lating to the appointment of pension surgeons and clerks, cribing their duties, &c., and they were eas 28, nays 36, The next section, providing that the pension shall commence from the death or discharge trom the service of the person on whose account granted, pro- viding the application be filed prior to July 1, 1880, &c., Was amended by Mr. Kernan, of New York, so as to read, m the death or from the time of actual disability,” so that the pension shall commence from the death or from the time of actual disability, pro- viding the application be made prior to July i,'1880, and as amended the section was agreed to. PROVISION FOR PAYMENT. Mr. Morrix1, of*Vt., submitted the amendment of which he gave notice yesterday and then published, authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to issue four per cent bonds not exceeding in the aggregate $18,000,000, or in lieu thereof or any portion thereof to issue certificates of deposit authorized by the act of February 26, 1879, and the proceeds of said bonds or certificates to be applied to the payment of arrears of sions. He sent to the Clerk's desk and had a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury to the effect that there would be a deficiency of $15,000,000 caused by the bill to pay arrears of pen- sions; that he must keep in the Treasury a funk to maintain specie resumption; that he telt it to be bis duty to keep such fund of at least forty percent of the United States notes outstanding, and that there would be no necessity for the sale of bonds to maintain the specie resuinption fund unless it be impaired by Congress. Mr. continuing his remarks, said a care- ful estimate of the Treasury De; ent showed the arrears of pensions bill would fe $26,000,000 trom the Treasury. The reduction of the tobacco tax would cause a decrease in the revenue which, with the pension bill, would make a difference of about f $50,000,000 ene the Treasury and leave a de- ficiency of $15,000,000, He argued that specie pay- ments would be imperilled unless Congress provided soine means to provide the Treasury with means. Mr. Voonuers, (dem.) of Ind., argued ‘that there ‘was no necessity to increase the interest bearing debt of the United States. He submitted a substitute for the amendment of Mr. Morrill, that ot which he gave notice a few days ago, authorizing and requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to reissue United States legal tender notes now held for the redemption of fractional currency, and a part of such notes here- tofore retired from circulation under the act of Jan- uary 14, 1875, to the aggregate amount of $18,000,000, and to expend the same in payment of such claims for arrears of sions as may be allowed under the es - a fm 1874. ir. Beek, (dem.) of Ky., argued in favor of an- thorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to suspend Be oer of bonds on account of the sinking fund, as there was no necessity for such purchase now, ané gave notice that he would at the proper time submit an amendment suspending such pur- chase until July 1, 1881, There was a surplus reve- nue now in the Treasury which could be applied to the payment of arrears of pensions instead of a re- duction of the public debt, Mr. Wrxpom, (rep.) of Minn., at a quarter to six P. M., moved that the Senate take a recess until eight o'clock, and said it might be necessary tor Senators to remain here most of the night to pass the appro- priation bills, He gave notice that unless a vote should be taken on the pending bill immediately after recess he would move to lay it aside and take up the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill. ‘The motion of Mr. Windom was adopted, and the Senate, at a quarter to six P. M., took a recess until eight o'clock P. M. EVENING SESSION. The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill making appropriation for the payment of the arrears of pension lessrs, Edmonds and Eaton briefly opposed tho pending amendment of Mr. Voorhees, which, tho question having taken, was rejectod—yeus 22, nays 35. All the financial amendments having been disposed of the Senate proceeded to act on the amendments heretofore made in Committee of the Whole and con- curred in them. Mr. Sairiys, of Missouri, offered an amendment that the law Pits | Speen to the soldiors of the war of 1812, approved teh 9, 187%, is hereby made ap- licable to the soldiers and sailors in the war of lexico in 1846, Th mendment was agreed to—yeas 36, nays 21. The question was then taken on the bill, and it was paseed—yeas 38, nays 2, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Wastttncton, Feb. 28, 1879, Tho reading of yesterday's journal occupied three- quarters of an hour. On motion of Mr. Frye, (rep.) of Me., the select committee appointed yesterdayjon the charge made against the Speaker by Special Agent Williams was authorized to sit during the sessions of the House, The Srraken laid before the House a communica. tion from the Postmaster General stating that the Attorney General had reversed the opinion of the Assistant Attorney General in regard to the franking privilege, and had given the opinion that such right exists on the part of mombers-elect from the begin- ning of their termg. Mr. Groven, (dem.) of Mo., from the Committee on Expenditures in the Treasury Dopartment, asked Jeave to have reports and testimony of bis commit- tee printed, Mr, Soutiann, (rep.) of Ohio, objected. Mr. Hannis, ¢dem.) of Va., asked leave to offer a resolution that there be an evening session to-morrow for business on the Speaker's table, not to interfere with appropriation bills, THE APPROPRIATION BILLS, Mr. Hats, (rep.) of Maine, mad statement as to the condition of business, and said there was great danger of an oxtra session unless the House pro- ceeded to put through the appropriation bills, There were ight appropriation bills, which had not got into or out of conference, and there were only four days between now and Tuesday at noon when tho session closes. Mr. Arkrss, (dem.) of Tonn., Chairman of the Com- mittee on Appropriations, confirmed Mr. Hale's statement, and said that it would be necessary for the House to address itself assiduously and constantly to the appropriation bills. There were only five of the appropriation bills passed into law; thero were eight others to be completed, The Fortification bill ‘and the Army bill were in conferonce. The Post Office bill was in tho hands of the Appropriation Committees. There were, besides the regular Lona jation bills, the Arrearages of Pensions bill, ie Southern Claims bill and the Post Route bill—all ~= somewhat = voluminous bills. He had been informed by the clerk that it woud oc- eupy one clerk twenty-five or thirty hours in enroll- ing one of these bills, and that it would occupy the Committee on Enrolled Bills seven or eight hours in comparing it. It would, therefore, be necessary to have these bills disposed of before Sunday, 60 that the clerk miyht have Sunday and Monday to enroll them and compare them. THE BRAZILIAN SUBSIDY. Mr. Broun, (dem.) of Ga., from the Committee on Appropriations, reported back the Senate ameud- ments to the Post Office Appropriation bill, with a recommendation that they be non-concurred in in gross, reserving only two of them for separate votes—the Braniiion subsidy and the maf) classitica- tion amendments—and that a6 to these they be also non-<coneurred in, and that the debate on the Brazil- ian subsidy be limited to two hours. Mr. Wappxt1, (dem.) of N, C., desired to have the debate extended to three hours, and Mr, Page, of Cali- fornia, to have it limited toone hour, Finally it was fixed at two hours. Mr. WAppELr, was glad that in the expiring hour of Congress the advocates of establishing service with Brazil had at last obtained an opportunity of getting a vote upon it. It was the measure which ‘was called by its enemies the “John Roach Subsidy.” That was a misnomer; it was nota subsidy, and it was notaJohu Roach subsidy. It was simply @ proposition to authorize the Postmaster General to contract with the lowest bidder for the transporta- tion of mails from New York and New Orleans to Brazil once a month in American steamships. In reply to the cry that John Roach was the only man who was to benefited he called attention to the tact that ghere were to-day sixteen American steam- ships now atloat, each one of which came within the limits of the amendment. The proposition was in no sense a subsidy, It was not a gratuity of money out of the ‘Treasury; it yas to pay for services rendered for the transportation of mail. There was no sense in expending millions for mail transportation on land and refusing to pay for its trausportation on sea. He had been one of those who—to use a slang phrase—had ‘done his level best” to fight out of the Union; but now, since he had returned to the Union, he had done his best to maintain it, and one of the most agreeable reflec- tions of theso last days of the session would be to him that he had made an_ honest effort to restore the crippled commerce of this great nation and to place it where the forefathers of the Republic had intended lace it—upon American bottoms. rt. KRLLEY, (rep.) of Pa., supported the amend- ment. If this was a subsidy then subsidies were pee to every man who carried the mail on foot or horseback. Congress professed to want to extend foreign commerce, but it acted on the principle of the fond mother in the doggerel rhyme:— “Mothor, may I go ont to swim?” “Yes, my darling daughter, Hang your clothes ona hickory Aud don't go near the water.” Congreas wanted to extend commerce, and yet it maintained a mail service that effectually prevented it. The United States had to import ite Brazilian goods through British, French and German ports be- cause it refused to pay for its mail service. SPEECH OF MR. HEWITT. Mr. Hewrrr, (dem.) of N. ¥., said he desired to disabuse the mind of the House of the idea that the commercial classes of the country were in favor of subsidies, and of this particular class of subsidies. ‘The merchants of New York were absolutely and un- alterably opposed to it, because bitter experience had taught them that all interference by the govern- ment was an injury to their business. They wanted no subsidy; they wanted no protection of ships; they did want the repeal of the navigation laws, ‘They asked to have the high seas open to thera, and American br ame energy and en- terprise would win e ‘victory, as they always had won in every contest. (Applause. If this was a subsidy to his own loved Common- wealth alone he would vote against it, because he was bound to support the constitution. It was a subsidy for John Roach and for John Roach alone. It gave him a privilege over all the other citizens of the country. He could not vote for it because it gave preference, in commerce, to one State over another and because it gave a preference to one citi- ven over all the other 4%,000,000. Mr. Biowsr, of Georgia, closed the debate by a speech in opposition to the amendment. The propo- sition was to pay $3,000,000 to get_what the country was already getting. It was pretended that the propo- sition was for the interest of commerce, The Ameri- can people had been already cheated and deceived under the false pretence of extending American commerce. It was nothing but a proposition of John Roach. He had invited members of Congress to Ches- ter. They had had free rides and free champagne and altogether a jolly good time, and then John Roach had come in with @ memorial stating that he was troubled about the state of American commerce, and had recommended this identical proposition to re- vive it. He (Mr. Blount) referred to the demand of New York for free ships, and thanked God that there was one city that asked of the American Con- gress no subsidy, but only a free race for the com- merce of the world. The vote was then taken on concurring in the amendment, and it was rejected—yeas 89, niys 157— and it was non-concurred in without a further vote. The following is the vote in detail: — Yeas—Moxsrs, Bagley, Bailey, Ballou, Blair, Buckner, Bundy, Burdick, Butler, Cain, Campbell, Chalmers, Claflin, Clark of Missouri, Colo, Crapo, 1b ing, Denison, Dunnell, Eames, Errett, ‘ans! Penney! 6 of Int diana, Franklin, — Ft i: 90, _ Gib- son, os, Hi iw Harmer,’ Harris of "Muasuchnsetts, Hart, Haskell, Hendee, Hooker, Hub- bell, Hunton, Itner, James, Jorgensen, Kelley, Killinger, ns Lori Morgan, Morse, Peddie, Phillips, Po ‘ Reilly, Rice of Ma seach of Indiana, Sayler, Shallenbarger, Shelley nickson, Slemons, 5 Is, ith of fonneyty ia, Stone of Michigan, ‘Thompson, Van Vorhes, Waddla, Wait, Ward, Pound, Price, ets, Robertson, Warner, White of Indiana, Willis of New York, Yeates, Young of Loaistuna—¥0, Aldrich, Atkins, Bacon, Bakor of Indian Beale, Bol diet, Bicknell, Blount, Brewer, Bridges, Burchard, Cabell, Cox of Ohio, Ag of Culifornin, De ‘eotige od Fort, Fostor, Freen darth, Hale, Hamilton, Hardanburgt, Harris of Harris of Virginia, Harrison, Hartzell, Hatcher Henderson, Henklé, Henry, New York, , Huinphirey, Hungert of New [un MM Hunter, Jones Jones of Ohio, Joyce, Keiter, app, Lathrop, icon, Lock wou Man jarsii, Martin, Me MeKensie, MeK' . McMahon, tis, | Miteh Monroe, Morrison, Muidrow, Mul: Neal, Patterson of ‘Coloradi Ps mpson, 5 . Sprites in, Steele, Stonger, pion, Townsend of Ohio, Townsend of dof’ [linois, Tucker, Turner, Turney, Watson, White’ of Pi Ivania, Whit s of Wise: . Williams of Delaware, Will of Oregon, Willets, Wood. rs Baker of New York, Banks . Calkins, Candler, Cox of Dickey, Kickhoff, ‘Kwing, of Florida, Gardner, Howitt of Laph Lindsey, Luttrell, wors. Riddle, ky an, Southard, Stephens, trait, Thornburgh, Throckmorton, Walk ston, Williams of New York, Willis of ke flson and Wren, RECLASSIFICATION OF MAIL, MATTER. ‘The next question was on the Senate amendment for the reclassification of mail matter. After an hour's discussion, in which opposition to the amendment was based on the ground that it would be giving to the Post Office Department a power of censorship over the press, everything re- quiring the registration of periodicals was, on mo- tion of Mr. CANNON, of illinois, struck out. MK. SEWARD AT THE BAR OF THE HOUSE. Pending further action the Sergeant-at-Arms, at a narter of five P. M., appeared at the bar of the louse, having in custody Mr. George F. Seward. Having announced his presence the Spraxrn, ad- dressing Mr. Seward, said:— Mr. Sewaxp—You have been presented at the bar of the House, under the order of the House, for « breach of the privileges of the House in refusing to answer certain questions propounded to you by a committee of the House, which questions that committee was authorized by the House to ask; for standing mute when tendered an oath as a witness, and for failing to produce certain books as required by the subpana duces tecum duly served upon you. It is my duty now, by authority of the House, to ask whether yon are ready to take the oath tendered to you by the Chairman of the committee to answer the questions propounded to you and to produce the books as re- quested by the subperna duces tecum. Mr, Skwaab—I have propared, with the assistance of my counsel, a statement of the law affecting this question, which I beg leave to hand in respectfully, and to request that it may be read. The bo og (along legal argument) wae read by the Clerk. The pith of it is that the wituess is protecto’t by the sae arantee of the constitution. (Article 5 of the amendments.) He claims the protection of that guarantee, avowing the most sincere respect for jouse, and the belief that hia just rights as a citizen and officer will not be wilfully or willingly infringed. He argues that the books called for are not public records, and he therefore submits that he is not in contempt of the House and that he ought to be discharged from arrest. h AKER (to Mr. Seward)—Do you desire to be od as declining to produce the books which you were required to produce? And do you decline to take the oath offered to you? Mr. Sawanp-—I stand here, Mr. Speaker, for my rights as @ citizen and an officer, So long as persons who are my personal enemies are pursuing me before this committeo I shall hold ail books and papers that Tnow hold. 1 # this with perfect respect and deference to the House, but I shall stand for all the rights guaranteed to me by the constitution. I want to say to this House, that whenover the committee says that it has done with my perseentors it can have my books, and whenever the Treasury Depart- ment or the State Department demands my books it shall have them, but not at the instance ot my ene- mios. Mr. Spatroen, (dem.) of Dl., thereupon anbmitted an amendmont declaring Mr. Seward in contempt of the House. Mr. Bunpy, (rep.) of N. Y., submitted an amend- ment referring the matter to the Judiciary Commit- tee, to report what action should be taken, Mr. Lutrnet, (dem) of Cal.—That 1 right; let it go to the Judiciary Committee; the liberty of a citi- zen is at stake. Mr. Srrinber— hi the gentleman from Cali- fornia (Mr. Luttrell) wi is himaelf. There ts no “heathen Chines” in this matter -<Jaughter)—al- though it ig 9 case coming from China, Mr. Seward speaks as if the committee was used for the purpose of allowing his enemies to pursue him. The only witnesses Sen him were men who were or ere officers of the government. Mr. Myers was appointed Consul General at Shang- hai hy President Graut and was confirmed hy the land, ow York, Commings, Dean, f "Ohio, Fin Hise: Finley Alabaina, the Senate, and Mr. G. Wiley Wells was appointed by the present occupant of the Presidential office. These are the two witnesses whom Mr. Seward 8 of as his enemies. He has been offered every opportunity before the committee to have a fair hearing. Mr. Sewanp—I have not had the slightest inten- tion of attacking the Chairman of the committee. After a scene of great contusion and uproar the House rejected (107 to 110) Mr. Springer’s motion for the previous question (which would have cut off the vote on Mr. Bundy’s substitute) aud then pro- ceeded to vote on the substitute. It was agreed to— yeas 112, nays 108, The following democrats voted with the republi- cans for the substitu Mesers. Luttrell, Lynde, Manning, Mills, Robbins, Willis of New York and Wilson of West Virginia. Mr. Seward was, on motion of Mr. Burien, of Massachusetts, discharged from custody on his own recognizance. The remainder of the Senate amendments to the Post Office Appropriation bill were non-concurred in, and & committee on conterence was omered. The House then, at seven o'clock, took a recess until halt-past eight P. M. ‘The evening session was confined to the considera | ension bills and to bills for the removal of disabilities. tion of politic THE POTTER INVESTIGATION. CLOSING BUSINESS OF THE COMMITTEE--THE FORTHCOMING REPORT. WashIncton, Feb. 28, 1879, The Potter Investigation Committee met in secret session this morning, the whole of the members being present, The Chairman produced a@ letter from Senators Allison and fngalls, who were the tollers on the part of the Senate at the time when the Presidential elec- tion returns came in, stating that they had no knowledge of what became of the electoral cer. tificate of Louisiana known as the “John Smith” cer, tificate, which was withdrawn and suppressed from the records. He also read a communication from Mr. Leonard Whitney, manager of the Washington branch of the Western Union Telegraph Company, with which were inclosed telegraphic despatches sent in March, 1877, which showed that all the tele- grams forwarded to the Senate Committee by the telegraph company had been returned to the com- pany and sent to the New York office for destruction, AN INPORTANT LETTER WANTED. Acommunication was read from Mr. Rogers, pri- vate secretary to the President, stating that the latter had no knowledge of a letter from Theodore Bourne in regard to the confession of certain parties con- nected with the Florida frauds and enclosing a tele- gram from Bourne that a letter asking for informa. tion with regard to the matter had been received from the President. The Committee appeared to consider that the production of the letter, which, it is alleged, was sent to the President, is of great im- portance, and they instructed the Chairman to make further search for it- ‘The letter from Mr. Jewett, which was published yesterday, and which was simply to the effect that after # conversation with Mr. G. 8. Smith he was satisfied that he had been mistaken in regard to that gentlernan’s opening the Post Office vault for them to get the election returns, was next read and laid upon the table without comment. Mr. Conquest Clarke wrote desiring that certain comrespontance which had come before the commit- tee and which denied his participation in the whis- key frauds should be made part of the records, and a similar communication was read from Manton Marble asking that certain despatches which had been produced but which were omitted from his tes- timony should be incorporated in it. It was decided to consider the last request only, and the committee next considered yarious accounts for the photo- lithographing of the cipher despatches and other matters. THE COMMITTRE’S REPORT. ‘The Chairman then stated that he had prepared memoranda of the committee's report to be sub- mitted to the committee, and ne would like for the committee to consider it now. A conversation ensued, during the course of which it was suggested that the committee adjourn to three o'clock, and that a special session then be held for the consideration of the report. This was adopted, and the committee took a recess until that time. The committee was again in session this afternoon for two hours, when very animated discussion took place upou the Chairman's report. It found little favor with the ropublicans, as a matter of course, and in reference to certain points it did not seem to 0 tar enongh even to please the democratic mem- rs. So great, indeed, are its shortcomings in this respect that there is some talk of a second report from the democratic side, but no doubt these minor matters will arranged and = at the meeting to-morrow Mr. Potter's report will be submittel as the report of the majority of the committee. No mention was mado this afternoon of any report from the republican side, ana there has becn no statement made to that effect except the one by General Butler, who will draw up and present one upon his own responsi- bility; but that the mimority will submit to Congress their views upon the testimony is fully understood, and Mr. Hiscock has been deputed to embody these views in a report. The committee will meet again atfeleven o'clock to- morrow morning, when the several reports will be definizely settled upon. -A WORD FOR THE PENSIONERS, ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD DENIED—HOW THE GOVERNMENT 18 PROTECTED UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM, AND HOW THE SCHEME OF A COMMISSION WOULD WORK. To tue Eprron oy THE HeRaLp:— Many despatches have appeared in the papers re- cently referring to the “frauds” committed by pen- sioners, and many erroneous statements are made, no doubt inadvertently. It is stated, among other things, that no opportunity is afforded to the government, through its agents, to see the applicant for pension. This is wide of the truth. There are surgeons, many of whom served in the war, appointed in all the large cities in boards of three for the special and sole duty of examining all invalid applicants and fixing tho rate or degree of their disability. These ratings are subject to the revision of the Commissiouer of Penstons. In the country # single surgeon is appointed for certain counties. The new plan pro- posed is to divide the country into seventy-six dis- tricts, with a surgeon and 4 clerk for each district, to examine applicants and take testimony. The com- mission must visit cach post ina district at least once ayosr. Why, New York city alone would require the whole attention of a board all the year. The claimants in some portions of each district would be greatly delayed, awaiting the slowly revolving re- turn of the commission. Direct applications through attorneys would no longer be recognized. At present an agent hears the claimant's statement and judges whether there is good ground for pressing it and the probability of obtaining the necessary evidence. He prepares the application aud affidavits and forwards them to the Pension Bureau. If the reports of the adjutant and general sustain the claim the if a soldier, is ordered betore jon surgeon or Board for inspection. Often the case is rejected on the claimant's own evidence. If doubtful, especially if a disease is involved, the whole papers are referred to a special agent for investigation. He visits all the witnesses, and cross-examines them from their former affidavits, which he rarely reads to them. The agont also inquires in the neighborhood as to the reputation of the soldier and history of his dis- therefore apparent that there is no such un- checked allowance of pension claims as the despatch above alluded to would indicate, In its present sys- tem the government has a well guarded plan, and one which renders fraud very difficult. If this dis- trict commission is adopted it will require the ap- pointment of 152 new surgeons and clerks. The present large force of the Pension Office will be re- quired to overlook the work of the local commissions aud settle the arrears of pension claims, ONE WHO KNowWs, New York, Feb, 28, 1879. SWINGLER CONVICTED. THE COLD-BLOODED ASSASSIN AT CHAMBERS- BURG FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE, (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Hanutsnene, Pa., Fob, 9, 1879, Peachy Swingler, the negro who killed John An- derson, also colored, at Chambersburg on the night of the 17th of December last, was found guilty of murder in the first degree to-lay. There had been a dance at Anderson’s house, in which Swingler partictpated. During the evening he be- came involved ina quarrel with Auderson, the latter ordering Lim out of the house, after Swingler had attempted to hit Anderson’ wife. Meanwhile Swingler secured a loaded gun at his mother's resi- dence, about @ mile distant, At midnight he — returs to Anderson's house, and Joseph Lane, @ frie of his, ‘opened the door, While Anderson was dancing Swingler forced the gun against his stomach and fired, in- flicting mjuries which resulted fatally in fifteen minutes. As the wounded man fell to the floor the assassin struck him with the butt of the gun, Swingler and Lane, his alleged accomplice, escaped in the darkn: The negroes were both caught next day, how Swingler while hidiug under a bed. Lane is hold'as an accessory. RAILROADS “BLOCKED BY SNOW. Oswnoo, N. ¥., Fob. 98, 1970 The Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Raurond, between Watertown and Rome and Oswego and Rich. land, is still blocked by snow. The flanges of the rails ate so iced that picks and shovels will have to be used along nearly the whole line. It is probable that the road will not be opened this week. The Midland Road ts also blocked by anow, . 3 MICHIGAN GREENBACKERS. PROCEEDINGS OF THE STATE CONVENTION—THE PARTY PLATFORM. LanstnG, Feb, 28, 1879. The Greenback State Convention, called to nomi- nate a candidate for Judge of the Supreme Court and two candidates for Regent of the State University, met at Mead’s Hall, in this city, at noon to-day, and was promptly called to order by Chairman Field, After a temporary organization had been effected, and the appointment of the usual committees, the Convention took a recess until two o'clock. Upon reassembling a permanent organization was effected, and Robert E. Frazen, of Ann Arbor, cleeted presi- dent, with the customary quota of vice presidente and two secretaries. The following resolutions were read and adopted :— RESOLUTIONS. First—We deprecate the tendeucy in our national affairs toward centralization of power and its corrupt use. Second—We believe in the strict equality of all the States and all classes of citizens before the law, and that our government should be, in trath and in fact, 4 government of the people, by the people and for the people. Tiird—We are opposed to all further allowance of war claims. Fourth—We demand that all money, whether paper or metallic, shall be issued by the general govern- ment only, and made a full legal tender for all debts private except as to such contracts here- n coin. We are opposed to all banks of issue, and demand that greenbacks shall be substituted in place of national bank bills, and that the coinage of gold and silver shall be placed in all respects upon the same footing. Sizth—We believe that money should be issued in sufficient volume to meet the requests of business; that the goverument should regulate the value of money by preserving a uniform ratio between the supply and demand, and that this delicate and im- portant power should never be delegated to banks, corporations or individuals. Seventh—We are opposed to all monopolies, and de- mand that the public domain be reserved to the tillers of the soil, and not squandered upon rail- roads or other corporation: Eighth—We cordially inyite all men, without re- gard to past political affiliations, who approve the principles herein set forth and who love their country and its prospects more than party to unite and work with us to save the people from the bank- ruptey to which the policy of the dominant party is speedily and surely tending. Aonference committee of nine was appointed to meet a like committee of democrats, with a view to forming a coalition against the republicans in the spproaching election. MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS. Lanstna, Mich., Feb, 28, 1879. The Democratic State Convention met, for the same purpose as the Greenback Convention, in Lenck Opera House, at ten minutes past two P. M., and was promptly called’ to order by Chairman Copeland. W. L. Webber, of East Saginaw, was chosen temporary chairman, and at- ter the appointment of the customary committess a@recess was taken for half an hour. Upon rease sembling a permanent organization was effected, with W. G. Webber as chairman and John L. Bur- leigh and J. D. Fisher as secretaries. A committee of nine to confer with the greenbackers on a union ticket was then appointed. A conference committee of the Democratic and Greenback conventions, after a prolonged discussion, agreed to support the following ticket: — For Judge of the Supreme Court—John B. Ship- man, of Cold ater, For Regents—Gvorge P. Sanford, of Ingham county ; Henry Whiting, of St. Clair county. The Democratic Convention also adopted the green- back platform, with the exception of the eighth resolution. OFFICIAL CHANGES, é GENERAL HARTRANFT GOES INTO THE PHILA- DELPHIA POST OFFICE AND COLONEL SNOWDEN WILL GO TO THE MINT. PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 28, 1879. Ex-Governor Hartranft, whose long-delayed ac- ceptance of the Postmastership of Philadelphia was thought significant of his dissatisfaction, will enter upon the duties of his new position to-morrow. His sureties have justified in $450,000, just double the amount of the bonds required, and ar rangements have been made for the trans fer to take place to-morrow afternoon after the close of the day’s business and the settle- ments of the February accounts. Considerable anx- iety ig manifested in eee to what changes the new Postmaster will make, but no one knows what he proposes to do in thig respect, the General positively declining to say anything on the subject, and ail efforts to “interview” him on his future course ha been as unavailing as were the efforts to get from him a positive answer in regard to his acceptance be- fore he notified the President. The commission of Colonel Snowden, the present Post r, a8 Superintendent of the Mint will probably arrive here to-day, he having entered tho Tequisite $100,000 security, and on Monday morving he will enter upon the discharge of his duties at the Mint. In conversation with Colonel Snowden to- day on the matter of sureties he sai ‘When 1 Chief Coiner of the Mint I gave $10,000 secur: in one month had control of $22,000,000 in ge Postmaster I gave $360,000, and the most money that I have had control of at any one time is about $30,000, In this position it is utterly impossible to become a detaulter without tho assistance of the cashier. Each day there is deposited in the Sub- Treasury about 1,000, and at the end of the month our accounts are squared up BOYTON O THE OHIO. APTER BREAKING HIS PADDLE AMONG THE ICE HE LANDS AT WHEELING. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Wurxtixa, W. Va., Feb, 28, 1879. Captain Paul Boyton left Steubenville, Ohio, at twenty minutes to ten o'clock this morning, and arrived here at twenty minutes past three thts after- noon, His departure was made amid much enthusi- asm, and he was in good condition. The voyage was without incident until he reached Wellsburg, where Boyton encountered a heavy gorge of ice, which filled the river from bank to bank. Here the inhabit- ants were treated to the sight of a man walking for two miles on the ice which was floating down the Ohio River, borne by a swift current. On getti of the gorge the Captain con- tinued down until he had reached a point about seven. miles above Wheeling, where his faithful ald paddle, which has served him amid the waters of so many snapped in two, and the brayo 1? without help in the middle r. arrived at. Wheeling by working with his arms, and with great difficulty made a landing. His arrival was witnessed by at leant ten thousand people, He can gniy go distance to-morrow, as he will be delayed until a paddle is made, Next week he will begin his long runs, as he is in splendid condition, and there is & prospect of the river becoming clear of ice. EARNING THEIR BREAD. Ausurn, N. Y., Feb. 28, 1879. A comparison of accounts for February at the prison shows, exclusive of convict deposits, a sur- plus of $1,183 62 earnings over the expenditures, with bills all paid. The earnings were $9,959 50 and the expenditures $8,775 88. The average num- ber of convicts for the month was 1,189, of whom 7741-100 per cent were under pay, For ‘the corro- sponding month last year the average number of con- victs was 1,334, of whom 641-10 per cent were on contract, with $12,{10 42 expenditures against $8,512 36 receipts. ANGELL IN STATE PRISON. emtcaao, M., Feb. 28, 1879, Charles W. Angell was taken to Joliet at nine o'clock this morning, bis brother, William, accom- panying him. A considerable crowd collected at the depot of the Chicago and Alton Railroad when the train left. Mr. Pullman says his talk with Angell last night brow ie out facts already surmised that Angell began running behind and borrowing money within a year after his wife's death and that bis creditors became so pressing that, inthe absence of Mr. Pullman, he concluded to settle with them by using the com- pany’s money and to leave the country with a com- petency. The enormity of his crime, he said, first appeared to him when he left Rio for Lisbon, avd his mind was in continual unrest thenceforth until be was arrested, CONTAGION CHECKED. It is believed in the Health Board that the tarning point of the contagions has been reached and that henceforward scarlet fever and diphtheria will steadily decline, The statistics forthe last fow weeks are confirmatory of this, and the totals of the cases reported this week are likely to fall short of the one preceding it. BRODSKY-PATTERSON CONTEST. The investigation in the contested election case between John [. Brodsky and Daniel Patterson was resumed yesterday in the Metropolitan Hotel, Most of the witnesses examined were Germans, several of whom cond not write, and others did not know for whom they had voted. The proceedings were ad- journed till the 10th inst. at two BP, M., im the samo ; niacn,