The New York Herald Newspaper, March 4, 1879, Page 3

NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1879.—TRIPLE SHEET. WASHINGTO Improved Prospects for an Extra Session. on so important # matter. Nevertheless there is ageneral and growing impression that the strug- gle will end in a compromise and that the two sets of members in the conference committees are only holding out pro forma with a determination to como to terms at the last moment—that is to say, before seven or eight o'clock in the morning. The Army bill is held back onty for tho agreement on tho Legis- lative bill, and will be agreed to,as soon as the latter comes in, Tho impression is that the two parties are engaged'in a game of bluff, but with no real inten- tion on either side to make an extra session neces- sary. There is a project on foot in the House to filibuster even if the conferences agree, but this will not como to much, By the rules dilatory motions are not al- >on24 ona conference report, which is privileged a must be acted on at once, It is - % certain number of democrats who extra session have determined not to vote, , f possible, prevent a quorum if tho con- oeaounces agreement. But it is expected t» willbe enough sensible democrats with vette to make @ quorum and adopt the vonference report, if that repeals the test oaths and keeps the troops from the polls, Mr. Lynde, from the Judiciary Committee, pre- sented this evening @ report of the Davonport in- quiry. It makes no recommendations in regard to Mr. Davenport, but says that he acted under vicious laws which onght to be repealed. ‘This strengthens the determination of democrats to insist on the re- peal of the Supervisors’ laws, and will have some in- ACTION IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEES. Irreconcilable Differences on the Army and Legislative Bills. OTHER APPROPRIATION BILLS AGREED UPON Fight in the House Over the Sew- ard Impeachment. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasuixcrox, March 3, 1879, THE SITUATION OF BUSINESS BEFORE CONGRESS-— fluence in uniting tno democrats. Tho Conference Committee of the legislative bill has finally agreed to disagree, and will presently re- port this fact to the House, Therenpon it will bo necessary for the House to determine whether it will authorize the appointment of a new conference, and on this the fillibustering democrats will probably make a fight. THE CIPHER DESPATCHES—DEMOCRATIC MEM- BERS OF THE POTTER COMMITTEE AT LOG- GERHFADS ON THEIR REPORT. It turtis out that the reason why the democrats of the Potter Committee have made two reports, one on the elections and the other, to go in to-morrow, on the cipher despatches, is that thero has beon great dif- | culty in gotting the democratic side of the committee to agree to the proposed report on the ciphers. The report on the elections in Florida and Louisiana, which it is understood was written by tho Chairman, Mr. Potter, was at once accepted and unanimously agreed to by the democrats of the committeo. The report on the cipher despatches is not yet agreed to, and there are rumors of an extremely lively discussion on this subject of the ciphers this morning in the committee room, the democrats finding themselves fof s time at loggerheads with each other. Mr. Pot- ANTAGONISM ON THE LEGISLATIVE AND ABMY BILLS BECOMING MORE INTENSE—-MR, WOOD ON THE EXTRA SESSION—AN IMMEDIATE CALL NOT NECESSARY. The situation at ten o’clock thig evening is this On two bills—the Legislative and tho Army bill--the conference committees appear to be utterly unable to agree, and the manner of disagreement is ro- ported to be thus:—The republicans insist on keeping either the test oaths or the right of the army to keep the peace at the polls. Thedemocrats insist on having not only these but the Supervisor and Marshal laws struck oute Both parties say they will never give ap, and each appears to be trying to bluff the other, but in this very process the excitement increases, ‘nd republicans as well as democrats, who last even- \ng were reasonably disposed, now vow that it would be s disgrace to surrender, Meantime the engross- ng clerks have been steadily at work, and tho practical details aro in such shapo that if an agree- ment should be reached by daylight or soon after to- morrow morning all the work could be done and the bills signed by noon, There is, however, this evening very general ex- pectation that the two bills now in dispute will be lost; and in that case it is probable ter is this afternoon secluded in the committee room amending the cipher report in such manner that it can get all the democratic signatures. fs CULE FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. that the President will call the new Congress together at once and with short notice, appointing She 15th or, at the latest, the 20th of March for its assembling. Thero was a report to-day that he ‘would call the Senate in extra session even before this date, but the fact is that if the needful appropriations are passed and no extra session of both houses is necessary, in that case there will be a called session of the Senate for execu- tive business. The President is understood to have & number of important nominations in reservo, which he will send to the new Senate, which will of course reorganize before it procesds to business, the democrats taking control of the éommittees. Meantime it is suggested by Mr. Ternando ‘Wood that even if the Legislative and Army bills fail that need not compel the President to call Congress together earlicr than next November. He means to explain his idea to the House in the course of the night or to-morrow morning. He urges that when the Army Dill failed in 1877 the President did not call Congress to meet until the middie of the following October, and the new Army biil was not passed until December. He thinks that the inter- ests of the country would be furthered by Svoiding an extra session, and that nobody would be seriously inconvenienced nor any interest of the government hurt, and ho says the following list of all the extra sessions since the beginning of the gov- ernment shows that up to 1877 all were summoned for some other and graver cause than the mero failure of an Appropriation bill. ’ The specially called sessions of Congress have been etx in number, namely :— . First—187I—Sp¢cial session called by John Adams to meet May 15, 1797, to provide for the threatened French war. Second—1837—Special session cailed by Martin Van Buren, May 15, 1837, to meet September 4, 1837, to provide for financial exigencies, (The banks sus- spended May 10, 1837.) Third—1841—Special session called by William Henry Harrison, March 17, 1841, to meet May 31, 18: to consider the revenue and finances of the country. ‘This was a change of parties and policies. Fourth—1856—Special session called by Franklin Pierce, to meet August 21, 1856 (three days after ad- journment of Congress), to provide appropriatjons for the army, as will be seen, on account of Indian wars. FYfth—1801—Special session called by Abraham Lincoln, April 15, 1861, to meet July 4, 1861, to pro- vide for the civil war emergency. ‘Sixth—1877—Special session called by R. B. Hayes, to meet October 15, 1877, to provide appropriations for the army, the bill having failed to pass. President Pierce’s proclamation set forth:— Whereas while hostilities exist with various Indian tribes on the remote fronticrs of the United States, and while in other respects the public perce 1s seri- ously threatened Cougress has adjourned without granting necessary supplics for the army, depriving the Executive of the power to perform his duty in relation to the common defence and security, and an extraordinary occasion has thus arisen for assem- bling the two houses of Congress, I do, therefore, by this my proclamation convene the said houses to meet at the Cupitol, in the city of Washington, on Thursday, tho Yat day of August instant, hereby requiring the respective Henators and Representa- tives then and therefore to assemble to consult and determine on such measures as the state of the Union may seem to require. Mr. Wood claims that no such emergency as Mr. Pierce presented can be said now to exist, and that he believes the President ought not to call the next Congress together before next November, even if the Army and Legislative bills are lost. The House during the evening good-naturedly tried to divert Mr. Springer from his determination toimpeach Mr. George F. Seward. Mr. Springer, during a struggle of several hours, was moro than a master of the House, but he was laboring in a very heayy sea. Meantime members of the conference committees wander, more or less grim and discon- solate, between the House and Senate, the immense throng of visitors which crowd ail the passages re- garding thom as hariulessly insane persons. At cloven o’clock Mr. Springer was caught napping. Ho gave way for a moment to allow the Potter Com- mittee reports to be introduced, whereupon tho re- publicans moved to havo these reports gead by the Clerk. At this there arose a great uproar, which temporariJy drowned out Springer, who stood voico- loss, or at last unheard, while s babel of demands arose to have the reports read, with “regn- lar order” cries on tho democratic side A gentleman moved that tho Honso take a recess while the Clerk read the reports. Another moved that General Butler's report. be road ‘first, and this the House, as curious as so many women, was ready to agree to unanimously, but the Speaker forbade it, At this moment Mr. Cox, of Now York, rose toa point of order and inquired what had become of the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Springer. Mr. Springer replied that he was upholding the dignity and rights of the House. (Shouts of langhter.) Mr. Reed at this point moved that as the demorrats were avorse to having their report read the House should agree to have the minority or republican re- port read. Atthis the democrats, in some alarm, raived deafening shouts of ‘Regular order!" Mr. Springer sumed 4 martial attitude and demanded that his motion concerning Seward be immediately voted on, In somo way presently the House came to ordor Wasnroton, March 3, 1879. RUMORS OF CHANGES IN THE FOREIGN EM- BASSIES. It is reported this evening that when the Senate meets in extra session the first nomination sent to it will be that of Mr. Stanley Matthews to be Mintster to Berlig. Several changes in the foreign embassies are also spoken of, at Brazil, the Hague and possibly & new man to London. % A later report is that the President will send in the name of the new Minister to Berlin to-morrow morning, 80 as to command immediate action, and Mr. Frelinghuysen, of New Jersey, is named as the coming man. A FEMALE PRACTITIONER IN THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. The United States Supreme Court convened at twelve o'clock to-day, after a recess of four weeks. All the justices were prevent except Aesociate Justice Hunt, whose illness is of such a character that it is not expeoted he will ever appear on the bench again. Alarge crowd was attracted to the court room in anticipation of Mr. Riddie’s ‘motion to admit Mrs, Belle Lockwood to practice, .o similar motion having been dented two years ago on accountof the candi- Anto’s sex. On the present occasion no objection was raised, and for the fitst time in the history of this court 9 woman’s name etande on the roll of its practitioners. Mrs. Lockwood was present. Sho wore plain black dress, with a buttonhole bouquet pinned over hor right bosom. Her gray hair was neatly plaited, and her florid face bore a look of anxiety and of consciousness of the dignity to which she aspired. Some of tho members of the Supreme Court Bar say that Mrs. Lockwood ought not to be admitted by the Supreme Court. GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasnrnatos, March 3, 1879. THE POST OFFICE BIL AS AGREED UPON IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. By the terms of the report of the Conference Com- mittee on the Post Office Appropriation bill the Sen- ate recedes from the provisions of tne Brazilian mail services; for changing the basis of compensation to railroads from weight to space and weight, and for the registration of newspapers. The Senate also recedes.from its amendment providing for a reclassification of employés of the railway mail ser- vieo. Tho House recedes from its total disagreement to the provisions relating to the classification of mail matter and the rates of postage thereon, and agrees to them with modifications. As agreed upon they fix a uniform rate of two cents per pound for all legitimate publications, including samplo copie: more closely define newspapers and pertodica!: make it a penal offence for publishers to submit fal<o evidence as to their publications, and provide fora special stamp to be affixed to unpaid letters. The bill leaves it in the power of the Postmaster General to adopt registration as a matter of administration. The conferees compromise onthe appropriation for the fast mail service by fixing it at $150,000. They retain also the section giving the Postinaster General the right to determine the trains upon which the mails shall be carried. THE CENSUS PILL AS PASSED BY CONGRESS, When the Census bill came over to the Houso with @ message thatthe Senate had agreed to the House amendments to it, Mr. Cox, of Nef York, on whose motion the amendments had been adopted, received hearty congratulations from the members in his neighborhood. The amendmenis were sub- stantially the bill as originally introduced by Mr. Cox. As it now stands tho bill proviges for 150 supervisors, to be appointed by the President, by‘and with the advice and consent of the Senate, The enumerators are to be to the number of one for about every four thousand of population, and thero are to be experts employed on all the grdet industries and resources of the country. The machinery of the bill is regarded as simple and efficient. APPROPRIATIONS IN THE RIVER AND HARBOR BILL AS AGREED UPON, Among the tmportant appropriations embodied in the River end Harbor bill as agreed upon by the Committee of Conference and passed by both houses: to-day aro the following :— . New York—Hgll Gate, $250,000; Harlom River, Connecticut—Stoningto! 000, Rhode Island—Providence, $40,000, Maryland—Baltimore, $160,000, THE CENTENNIAL EXHIDITION—MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT HAYES ACCOMPANYING THE FINAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSION. The following was presented this evening to the Senate and House :— T havo received from the United States Centennial Commission their final report, presenti; full ex- hibit of the rewult of the United States Centennial Celebration and Exhibition ot 1876, as required by the act of June 1, 1872. In transmitting this and begin to voto on the question pretiminary— | report for the ‘consideration of — Congress namely, whether it would vote at all, Evorything | 1 express, I believe, the general judgment waits for the conference committeca, and tho House | of the country, as well as omy own, in assigning to this exhibition ® measure of sticcoss gratifying to the pride and patriotism of our people and tull of promise to the great industrial and com. mercial interests of the country. The very. ampto and generous contributions which the foreign ne tons made to the splendor and usefulness of tho exhibition, and the cordiality with which their repro- sentatives took part in our national commemoration, deserve our profound acknowledgments, At this close of the great services rendred by the United States Centennial Commission aud tho Cen- is good naturedly giving Springer ® harmices field day while it waits. The Senate is decoronsly dis cussing the Mivsissippt Levee Commission, At midnight there is still no certeinty about an agreement on the two bills, awd the reports from the conference committees are to tho effect that each momber is declaring that his party shall » ever point to him as the mon who surrendered? tennial Boardof Finance, it gives me great pleasure to commend to your attention and that of the people of the whole country the laborious, faithful aud prosperous performance of their dutics which have marked the administration of thetr respective trusts, Wasutvatoy, March 3, 189. R. B. HAYES. JUDGE BLODGETT EXONERATED—REPORT OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. * The House Committee on the Judiciary, having made the investigation authorized by the resolution of the House, adopted January 7, 1879, requiring them to inquire into the official conduct of Mr. Henry W. Blodgett, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, and report what action the House should teke thereon, have completed their duties, and to-night submitted a unanimous report of the committee to the Honse. The report, after reciting the charges and the ovidence taken, con- cludes with the following resolution :— Rosolved, That the charges against Hen: Ww. Blodgett, United States District Judge for the North- ern District of Illinois, be laid on the table and the House take no farther action thereon, NOMINATIONS BY THE PRESIDENT, The Prosident sent the following nominations to the Senate this evening:— David H. Strother, of West Virginia, to be Consul General at the city of Mexico. Lucius H. Foote, to be Consul of the United States at Valpariso. John M. Wilson, of Ohio, to be Consul of the United States at Panama. George Scroggs, of Illinois, to be Consul of the United States at Somburg, Ebenezer Stephens, of Wisconsin, to be Indian Agent at Green Bay, Wisconsin. "fo be assistant paymastors in the navy:—Charles M. Ray, of the District of Columbia; Charles Mc- Donald,’ of Pennsylvania; George M. ‘Allen, of In- diana; Jobu Corwine, of Ohio; Eustace B. Rogers, of California. PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. SENATE. Wasuinaton, March 3, 1879. The following is the continuation of the debate in the Senate last night:— ‘The Senato took up the motion heretofore made to reconsider the vote by which the bill making appro- priations to pay arrears of pensions was passed. Mr. Wrxpom, (rep.) of Minn., said when the bill was before them on tho 28th of February many Senators good naturedly voted for the amendment of Senator Shields, the hero of two wars, placing the soldiers and sailors of the Mexican war on the samo footing as the soldiers and sailors of the war of 1812 as to pensions. The best estimate he could obtain showed that this little amendment, so generously adopted, would take from $30,000,000 to $40,000,000 out of the Treasury. The subject of such » munifi- cent donation could be considered in a separate bill. Mr. TavuRMay, (rep.) of Ohio, said ho voted for the adoption of that amendment because he was in- structed todo so by the Legislature of Ohio and because he thought it was'-right. The soldiers and sailors in the Mexican war gave to this country an empire of territory, the valuo of which could not be estimated, Mr. MiecuEnt, (rep.) of Oregon, said he voted for the athendment because he was in favor of it. He gave notice of an amendment he designed offering, namely: That no person who served in the Confed- erate army or occupied a civic office under the Con- federate government shall be entitled to a pension under this act. ‘The Senate—yeas 28, nays 27—reconsidered the vote by which the bill was passed, and then recon- sidered the vote by which Mr. Shields’ amendment was to—yeas 27, nays 24, The question recurring on the Shields amend- ment, Mr. MITCHELL moved to amend it as above noted. Mr, Mitchell’s amendment was disagreed to—- yeas 24, nays 26—a strict party vote, with the cx- ception that Messrs. Conover and Patterson voted with the democrats in the negative. MAKING A MARTYR OF JEFF DAVIS. Mr. Hoan, (rep.) of Mass., offered an amendment— namely, Provided that no pengion shall ever be paid under this act to Jefferson Davis, the late lent of the so-called Southern Confederacy. . Mr. Hoan said that the name in his proviso had not been singled out by any selection of his own or from any person who agreed with him politically. The name had been selected by Mr. Davis himself, by his own act, ina marked ond conspicuous char- acter, by an attack on the life of the country which educated him, That gentleman had never given ut- terance to an expression of regret tor such attack, nor had ho followed the example of so many of his confederates by asking Congress to remove his polit- ical disabilities. He spurned the clemency ot the Republic to-day. It was now proposed to put the name of this person, whose treason had not been repented of, on the pension rolls of the country and to tax the loyal widows and orphans to pay the pen- sion.’ Mr. Gannanp, (dem.) of Ark., said he did not know what motive the Senatorfrom Massachusetts had in introducing his amendment, but it was a curious spectacle to exhibit to the American people ut this Jate hour of the day, While the government pen- sioned Longstreet by a ¢mall post office in Georgia a republican administration sent Governor Orr as Minister to Russia, and Mosby, who boasted that he was the Marion in the second war, to China as Con- sul. He felt satisfied that Jefterson Davis would scorn # pension; that gentleman did not ask it. He served under Mr. Davis in a civil capacity. Mr. Davis was a gallant soldicr in the Mexican war. His services were on record, and although they did not cg they equalled those of Greece and Rome. ir. SureLps, (dem.) of Mo., took a different view from both sides. He thought that by singling out Jefferson Davis from the 10,000,000 of people in the South was giving him a distinction greater than ho deserved. Mr. Barney, (dem.) of Tenn., said the country was toxlay longing and hime for and he ap- Jed to Senators on the other aida 80 40 nothing to prevent it. The people of the South, having lost all ih the war, — poor, and they desired to restore their industries, Mr. Maxry, (dem.) of Texas, igen ds eras of the services rendered by Mr. Davis in the Mexican war, and said he would leave it for those who hat tought with him to pass judgment on the amendment of tho Senator from Massachusetts, Mr. Tucnman, of Ohio, said that the amendment asked him to single out Jefferson Davis for punish- ment, when other men who went as far as he did, were not only not punished, but have been appointed to the highest stations in the government, and in this connection he might mention the names of Akerman, formerly United States Attorney General; the present Postmaster General Key, General Long- street, postmaster at Gainesville; Mosby, of queria fame, all and many others of the same class being appointed by republican administration. He saw on the Bench, too. men who wore actively engaged In the Confederate service, who were just as guilty as Jefferson Davis. The proposition before them came from the Senator of a State (Massachusetts) whose treason had been more violent and longer than that ot any other State in the Union. Mr. Tuunman did not want to pick out Jefferson Davis as a martyr when all othors who had acted with him walked the earth unchallouged. Mr. Hoar satd with regard to those who had been enga in the Southern cause and been appointed to office, that they had acquiesced in the results of the war, and the people of the State he represented would always welcome those whose present contro!- ling feeling was love of country. SPEECH OF OM. LAMAR. , said he must confess should have wantonly, without provocation finng this insult. Tho Cramman (Mr. Fimunds) called the Senator to order for this language. Mr. Laman—I suppoee it is in order to fling insult, but out of order for those who are insted to hurl back the blow. I appeal from the decision of the Chair, ‘The question being taken, the decison of the Chair ‘was overrnled—yeas 15, nays 27. Mr. Laman, thus being declared in order, said that if his language was offensive or exceptional it was withdrawn, for it was not his purpose to offend or wound the sensfbilitics of eny of his associates on this floor. What he meant by his remark was that Jefferson Davis stood in the haven that he (Mr. Lamar) did, with others who believed in the right of & Stato to secede. Mr. Hoan (interrupting) said he wished to assure the Senator that in offering nis amendment he did not piace him in the same position as Jefferson Davis. Mr. Laman replied that the only difference between himself and Jeflorson Davis was the l@ttor’s exalted character, prominent talents and weil estdblished reputation as a etatesman and patriot and soldier. ‘This character of Mr. Davis caused him to be chosen leader of the Southern people, who enthustastically followed him, Not ove word has, he uttered since the close of the war inconaistent with the greatness and glory of the Republic. ‘The Senator could point to no utterance whieh advised the people of the South to cherish animosity or hostility to the Union, nor did he cherish ‘hostility himself. The namo of Mr. Davis would always be — honored by the Southern people .in company with those of Hampton and Washington. ‘To offer such an iment required no courage or magnanimity. It requited no courtesy, but only bitter, jignant feclinig and a sense of personal ini- punity., In conclusion, he caused to be read a letter tr Jefferson Davis to Representative Singleton, dated Missinsippi City, 187%, iu which tho writer said he wished his nae would be no bar to voting penstons to others than himsett who fought in the Mexican war. Mr. Biase, (rep,) of Me,, alluding to the remarks revionsly made by Mr. Thurm asked him who Brought Jefferson Davis here ight aud who brought him into Congress at different times, No ros publican had made reference to him. The other side faa brought him here, and asked the republicans to vote or romain silent, Tho Senator from Miss.ssippt said that Jefferson Davis had never counselled insur- rection since the close of the war, Why not pension # man who had shown sueh lenity, and that man was Drought here as the compeer of Hampton and Wash- ington, fighting in the samo cause and going down together to posterity. Laman, in roply to Mr, Blaine, said he had stated that his own position was that of all who had acquiesced in the results of the war. Mr. BLatxx inquired whether he understood the Senator to hold that the government and republican party were intolerant to those in the South who had token | in the war, Mr. AR replicd that he certainly thought that the government which emancipated the servile class of the South and excluded the Southern people from a share in their own goverument was intolerant and ungenerous in putting them ynder the domination of their former slaves. Mr. BLarxx said the government never diserimin- ated against more than tourtcen thousand persons in the South, and there was now scarcely @ person there who was not relieved of his political disabilities. dJefierson Davis was a candidate for the office of Ben- ator and expected to sit on the other side of the Chamber, and next session the Senator from Ohio Mr. Thurman) would be exercising his eloquence to ave Dayis’ disabilities removed. Mr. Burysipr, (rep.) of R.L, said that Jefterson Davis could at any time haye asked for the removal of his political disabilities. He (Mr. Burnside) could have no difiiculty in excluding Davis from & pension, as he was responsible for a great wrong. Mr. ParrEnsoy, (rep.) of 3. C., said be would vote forall the Mexican soldiers, He did not propose to nish Jefferson Davis while all his followers have wen pardoned and forgiven. He did not believe the republican party would gain any advantage by urg- ing measures like that now before the Senate, ir. Hannis, (dem) of. Tenn., said that if Jefforson Davis was guilty, then he and all who followed Mr. Davis were guilty of the offences charged. As to purity, honor and personal character, Mr. Davis stands the peer of any Senator on this floor. Mr, Wattace, (dem.) of Pa., in a few brief tre- marks, insisted that the introduction of the subject came from the republican side. REMARKS OF ME, CHANDLER, Mr. Cnanpren, (rep.) of Mich., said that eighteen years ago he and Jeff” Davis came into the Senate together and both at the time swore to support the constitution of the United States. Mr. vis had come from Mr. Picrce’s Cabinet, and when he took tho outh there ‘was treason in his head and perjury op his lips. He took an oath to Ye aires 4 government he meant to overthrow. He (Mr. Chandler), considering the con- duct ot Mr. Davis during the war, did not ex] to hear eculogies on Jefferson Davis on the floor of the Senate. He was surprised to hear them, especially as cvory man, wornan and child in the North believed Jefferson Davis to be a double-dyed traitor. Mr. Coxx, (dem.) of Texas, said that Mr. Davis was not worse than ho was and very many others of* the Southern people who selected him asa leader, He was not ashamed te vote tor Mr. Davis any more than he was to vote for any other man or on an: other stibject. “I was,” said Mr. Coke, “as muc! of a rebel as Jeff Davis.” There was further discussion, in which Messrs. Gordon, Windom, Ransom and Beck participated, the last named saying that the Mexican veteran amendment was voted in with the aid of cight repub- lean votes, and that the bill wax passed with four- teen republicans voting for it. But for the republi- caus, he wanted it to understood, tho bill would now be a law of the land, The Senate Yoted on the amendment of Mr. Hoar to exclude Jefferson Davis from a pension as a Mext- can veteran. It was agreed to—yeas 23, nays 22. ‘The question was then taken on the amendment of Mr. Shields to pension the Mexican veterans as amended on motion of Mr. Hoar and it was disa- greed to—yeas 20, nays 25. The bill was then passed—yeas 44, nays 3—namely, ‘8. Eaton, Garland and Hereford. ‘THE ANDERSON-MATTHEWS MATTER, Mr. Atrison, ot Indiana, made a report from the select committee, appointed in June last, concluding as follows :— After full consideration, they find unanimously tho stutement of Mr. Matthews to be trae, and that he had no connection with an in Louisiana, aud that rupt conduct in any of the mony, while wo e but regard his action tn respect to James BE. Anderson’s effort to obtain an uppointment to oltice, under the circumstances, as wrong and injurious to the publi¢ interost, ‘The report was ordered to be printed. THE LATE MR. HARTRIDGE, On motion of Mr. Gorpon, (dem.) ot Ga., the Senate took up the resolutions of the House in respect to the death of Julian Hartridge, of Georgia, when her offered turther resolutions of respect and delivered a eulogy on the character of the deceased, and was fol- lowed by Mr. Booth and Mr. Lemar in a few appro- priate remarks, The resolutions were agreed to, and the Senate, at twenty minutes past seven o'clock, adjourned till Monday atternoon at one o'clock. ’ The Senate met at one o’clock P. M. Mr. TELLER, (rep.) of Col., called up the resolutton submitted by him a few days ago providing that the select committee appointed under the resolution of December 19, 1877, ta inquire into certain alleged violations of the constitutional rights of American citizens during the late elections, be continued until the next session of Congress, with authority to sit during the recess. Mr. Sautsovry, (dem.) of Del., said he did not be- eve ahy practical good would result from the in vestigations of that committee. It would be incur- ring @ useless expense, and he objected to all useless enditures of public money. the resolution was then to. The Senate then, at twenty-five minutes past onc P. M., om motion of Mr. Epstunps, of Vermont, went into executive session. ‘At ten minutes past three P. M. the doors ware re- A messago-was received fromthe House announc- ing the non-concurrence of that body in the amend- ments of the Senate to the River and Harbor Ap- propriation bill. On motion of Mr. SrENcER, of Alabama, the Senate insisted upon its amendments and a committee of conference was ordered. Mesars. Spencer, McMillan and Randolph were appointed the committee on the part of the Senato, THY, CENSUS BIL. PAssRD. Mr. Monnrtt, (rep.) of Vt., called up the bill pro- viding for taking the touth and subsequent cen- suses. The amendments of the House were agrecd to and the bill passed. Mesers. Harris, of Tennessee; Rollins, of New Hismpshire, and Merrimon, of North Carolina, were appointed the conference committee on the bill con- cerning street railroads in the District of Columbia. Mr. Davis, (Ind.) of Ill, called up the House bill for the relief of the soldiers and sailors becoming totally blind in the service of their country. Passed. FORTIVICATION BILL PASSED. Mr. Wrxpom, (rep.), of Minn., from the Conference Committee onthe Fortification Appropriation bill, er a report which was agreed to and the bill In explanation of the report Mr. Windom said the House appropriated $100,0u0 tor the preservation and repair of fortifications. The Senate added $100,000, but the House would not agree to it and the Senme Committee receded from the amendment, leaving the amount $100,000, For armament of sea coast de- fences, &c., the House appropripriated $125,000 and the Senate increased the amount to $250,(m0, The House retused to agreeto it and the Senate Commit- tee also from this amendment, leaving the amount at $125,000. ‘Mr. McMILLan, (tep.) of Minn., called up the bill making appropriation for the payment of claims re- ported by the Southern Claims Conimission, which ‘was discussed and passed. TIE DEFICIENCY BILL PASSED. Mr. Attisox, of Iowa, from the Conference Com- mitteo on the Deficiency Appropriation bill, sub- mitted a report, but Mr. Bdmunds, of Vermont, ob- jected to its pi nt conskleration, and stated that he wanted time to examine it. Subsequently he with- drew his objection, and the report was agreed to. No %xplanation of the bill as agreed apon was made. Mr. Wixnom, of Minnesota, from the Conference Committee onthe Sundry Civil Appropriation bill, submitted a report, but objection was made to its present consideration by Mr. Edmunds, of Vermont, and it was laid aside temporarily. The Senate then, at five o’clock P. on motion of Mr. Soak of New York, took # recess until eight o'clock P. ‘ EVENING SESSTON. Tho Vice President laid before the Senate a message from the President, transmitting the Anal report of the Centennial Commission, with complimentary remarks regarding the success of the exhibition, which was ordered to be printed. On motion of Mr. Sancunt, of California, the Senate took up the report of the Committee of Con- ference on Disagreeing Amendments pe the Sundry Civit bill. ‘The Senate agreed to the conference report—yeas nm M4 33, nays 4. mo Aniisox, of Iowa, made s report from tho Committee of Conference on the Disagreeing Amend- ments to the River end Harbor bill, and it was agreed to. real or supposed frunds in the election s hot been gnilty of any cor THE MISSISSIPET LEVERS. On motion of Mr. Buvce, (rep.) of Misa, Chairman of the Committes on Mississippi Levoes, the Senate took up the House bill reported by him from that committee, providing for the organization of the Mississippi Improvement Commission, — the deepening of that river, and the protection of the siluvial lands, It appropriates $250,000 for the payment of expenses aud for surveys. The work fx to be executed from time to time as ap- propriations may be mado for tho purpose. The debate on the bill was commenced, the prin- cipal, point of which was with reference to those parts of the bill which, it was said, might be construed to authorize the commencement of the work, irrespective of the previous action of Congress, while it was argued that no money could be expected until the plans of the proposed ‘improve- ment should be approved by Congress. ‘The bill was amended to meet Objections. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wasatxeton, March 3, 1879. ‘The legislative day of Saturday last closed and that of Monday began at cloven A.M. A motion to sus- pend the rales and dispense with the reading of tho journals of Friday and Saturday was opposed on the republican side (apparently with the object of delay- ing action on the Soward impeachment proposition) and was rejected. So the reading waa proceeded with. ‘Tho Sveaken appointed Mossrs, Claflin, Blackbarn and Hendee as & conference committes on the bill concerning street railways tn the District of Columbta, ‘Tho reading of Friday’s journal having been com- pleted, Mr. Ganrienp, of Ohio, called for the reading ot Saturday's journal, but was informed by the Speaker that it was not yet made up. ‘THE SEWARD IMPEACHMENT. ‘The question then camo up (from Saturday's sea- sion) whether the House will now consider the re- port of the Committee on Expenditures in the Stato mel 3 Department on the impeachment of George F. Sew- ard. Several efforts (in the way of points of order and interposition of other subjgets) were made on the republican side to prevent action, but they were unavailing, and the yeas and nays were taken on the qnestion of consideration. The vote resulted, yeas 132, naya 109 (a strict party vote), so the House yoted | to proceed with the consideration of the subject. Mr, Baxen, (rep.) of Ind., at one o'clock made report from the conference committee on the Forti- fication bill, He explained that the bill us agreed upon in conference committee was the same us had passed the House, with the exception of a slight verbal change striking out the words ‘Gatling and others," so as to make the clause read “for machine guns.” ‘The report was agreed to. Mr. Concern, (rep.) of Mich., tried to interpose a motion to refer the Seward impeachment case to the Judiciary Committee, but, the Speaker refused to recognize him, ruling that’ Mr. Springer, of Lilinois, was entitled to the door, $ The report of the thajority of the Committee on Expenditures in the State Department was then read. It presents seventeen articles of impeachment against George F. Seward, and concludes with reso- lutions directing that said Seward be impeached for ie 4 and misdemeanors while in office; pro- viding for the appointment of seven members to proceed immediately to the bar of the Senate and there impeach said Seward in the name of the House and the people of the United States, und for the ap- pointment of seven managers to maintain and eup- port the impeachment proceedings in the Senate, MINORITY REPORT. The views of the minority were then read. They recite the difficulties of the position of the Shanghai Consulate in the early years of Mr. Seward’s admin- istration of the oflice (when he was young and inex- perienced); the inadequacy of the clerical assistance furnished ‘him, and his appropriation of certain Consular fees to pay for additional clerical work, While the minority ‘do not mezn to ‘approve that method they say that it had been known to and re- ceived the unqualified approval of the government. They recommend that the whole subject be referred to the Judiciary Committee, The reading of the two papers occupied an hour and a half. s Mr. Buypy, (rep.) of N. ¥., by whom the minority report wis prepared, addressed the House in advo-agy ot it. THER SUNDRY CIVIL BILL. He yielded the floor to Mr. ATKINs, (dem.) of Tenn., who, at forty-five minutes past two P. M., presented the conference report an the Sundry Civil Appropri- ation bill. The report, which is a long one and which only referred to the yarious amendments by their numbers, was read. Mr. Arxins, (dem.) of Tenn., then proceeded to give some {ntormation on the subject. He said that the total estimates for the items on the bill was about $52,500,000; that the bill as it passed the House appro- priated about $17,000,000, and that the Senate had added on about $1,500,000, making the amount of the bill now about $15,500,000, The like bill of last year ‘was about $26,000,000, Mr. Hooxsx, (dem.) of Miss., inquired whether the Dill contained any appropriation for paying deputy marshals. Mr. AyKuys replied in the negative, Mr. ReaGax, (dem.) of Texas, inquired as to the provisions for the District of Columbia, Mr. Atkins replied that the Senate amendment ap- rm rieting $1,155,583 for the interest and sinking ‘und on the 3.65 District bonds had been retained. He himself had not tavored it, but he had been over- ruled by the majority, of the House conferees, and of course by the majority of the Senate conferees, He was not wiliing to defeat the pill simply because of that feature in it. In regard to some details of the bill he said that $175,000 had been appropriated for the Custom House and Post Oflice at Chicago; $15,000 for a new iron roof for the Nashville Custoin Hou $75,000 for new lighthouses (of which $40,000 was for one on the coast ot Louisiana); $42,000 for repairs of the New York Post Office; $96,000 for aclaim of Balti- more city against the government for money fur- nished to General Schenck forthe defence of the city; $40,000 for new telegraph limes in Texas, Mon- tana and Dakota; $30,000 for ersensis; $300,000 arrears duo to hs grant railroads (under the deci- sion of the ipreme Court of the United States); $32,000 for the purpose of the public survey; $20,000 each to the Hayden, Powell and Wheeler sur- yeys (to close up the business), and $250,000 to build a museum for the care of property given to the gov- ernment by the various nations in 1876 at the close of the Centennial Exposition. The question of sur- veys had been left in the bill precisely as it had passed the House, except that the provision for pub- ication had beon stricken opt. Mr. Biackuurs, (dem.) of Ky., called attention to and opposed the provision for a sinking fund for the 3.65 bonds, contending that as to $8,000,000 of those bonds, they had been issued in defiance of law and without consideration, and that these bonds (in the hands of purchasers with notice) were not only voidable, but actually void, as against the govern- Ho asserted also that the provision had been inserted at the instance of the First National Bank of New York—the holder of s large amoant of these nds, This intimation was repejled by Mr. Atkins and Mr. Hale, of Maine, both of whom denied the ex- istence of any influence within their observation ex- cept one hostile to the provision; and the other as- sertions of Mr. Blackburn were combated by Mr. Hewitt, of New York; Mr. Mayham, of New York; a. of Maryland, and Mr, Buckner, of Mis- souri. Finally the House to vote on the adop- tion of the report and it was agreed to—yeaa 143, nays 107 (the negative vote mostly coming from the democratic side). THE SEWARD MATTER AGATN. The consideration of the Seward impeachment caso again (at half-past four P. M.) came uy terrupted by a report trom the Judicia: which Mr, Butler, of Maasachusetta, was prepared to make on the subj ot Mr. Seward’s withholding certain books of his Consulate. Mr. Serrsoen, (dem.) of Ill, insisted that the mat- ter before the House being a question of privilege should not thus be set aside, and the Speaker sus- tained him in that position. Arguments on the point were made by Measrs. Butler, of Massachusetts, and Banks,of Massachusetts, claiming that the question involved in the report was one in regard to the privileges of the House, and was, therefore, of the highest order of precedence. Mr. Burka stated that as the organ of the Judi- ciary Comiittee (to which the subject had been re- ferred) he had been instructed to report that Mr. Seward was justified in retaining those books, and yet the fact of his retaining them had been made the ground for one of the articles of impeachinent. Mr. Sratneer, of Liinois, said he had been in- structed to withdraw that article. Mr. Hanna. (rep.) of Ind., suggested that the gen- tleman fron lliinois could not withdraw it. It was before the House as a report from his committee. If he could withdraw it, then the prosecution was by Mr. Springer, not by bis committee. Mr. Danks, (rep.) of Mass.—This is a charge of vio- lation of the privileges of the House, and such a ton will interrupt any other one. It will take any member off tho floor. It is a question of the highest privilege. The Sreaken—Does the gentleman say that it can interrupt the question of the impeachment of a pub- lic officer? Mr. Baxxs—Isay it unreservedly and unguestion- ably, becanse it concerns the privileges of the House iberty of the citizen. GARFIELD, (rep.) of Ohio—Hero is a proceeding beyun, in the first place, to bring a party before tho House for contempt. He is under arrest. He is logi- cally, technically in our custody, Our hand is upon him. He is, by us, restrained of his liberty. While that restraint is still on him a proposition is made to impeach him. First, it is a question of per- sonal liberty, and then a question ot judictal pro- ceedings against him. The “personal liberty” tea- ture is the higher privilege; it ought to be heard first. The man ought to be free when we proceed to impeach him; to put him in chains; to strike him when be is in chains; to say that we will follow the law of Rhadamanthus. Punish and then hear is not American law—is not American liberty. Mr. Sranks, (dem.) of Ii.—Is the man restrained of his liberty? Mr. Ganyisip—Yes, Mr. Sranxs—I seo him sitting in the diplomatic gallery yonder. H>» looks free. DECISION OF THE SPRAKER. After a further discussion of the point, in which the Carnage courts of law were referred to, the Spr. said :— : ir does not propose tn discuss court prac- proceedings a4 have beon cited. The 3 air is to administer the rales ouly. 1f left to hiy own volition the Char would prefer to go at onco to the decision of a question that detains in custody, but the House has decided to the report presented by the gentleman from DUnois (Mr. Springer). That gentleman is on tho floor dixcnesing the question, and the rules do not allow him to be taken off the floor except in the manner as provided by the rules—that is, vy ® mo- tion to adjourn, entering a motion to reconsider ora conference The Chair therefore on that it is not competent now for one committee to inter- fere with a report from another committee when the entleman Who bas made the first report ison the floor and deciines to yield. Mr. BANKS, of Massachusetts, appealed from the decision of the Chair. After furthor discussion the appeal was laid on the table—yeas LZ, nays 107. RIVER AND HARBOR BILL. Mr. Rraqan, of Texas, at half-past five P. M., pre- sented the contorence report on the Rtver and Har- bor bill, and, after it was read, he proceeded to make some explanation of it. He admitted that the aggro- ate amount appropriated in the bill was about € 000,000, It Bixo contained @ provision to pa; $750,000 to Captain Eads tor the jetties at the mouth of the Mississippi and made some alterations in the terms of the contract with bim, requiring the same depth as the original contract required but not the same width, and also paying him for each foot of depth instead of each two fect. It wiso contained a provision for ® bridge over the Arkansas River at Pietle Hock. He was questioned particnlarly about the Eads matter, and made a long explanation on the subject. Mr. Hanna, of Indiana, demanded the yeas and nays on t! option of the report, remarking that that was the only mode that members had of record- ing their protests ayatnat the bi ‘The yeas and nays wero order suited—yeas 107, nays 62—s0 o. ‘The Honse then, at half-past six, took a recess till nine o'clock this eventng. THE EVENING SESSTON, When tho House reassembled at nino o'clock the Galleries were closely packed with spectators, and atl the halls and corridors were swarming with people. The senate amendments to the Post Ronte bill vero taken from the Spoaker’s table and concurred in, Mr. Sranka, of Illinois, asked leave to baye tho and taken, and re- the report was Senate Amendments to the Arrears of Pensions bil) taken from the Speaker's table and coneurred in. Mr. Kovents, (dem.) ot Md., objected. The Seward impeachment case was again taken up and a long debate followed on legal and other points. The discussion was again interrupted to allow Mr. Blount, of Georgis, to present the conference report on the Deficiency bill. The report was read and was_ (without expiauation) agreed to. - Mr. Coneen, of Michigan, moved to lay the articles of impeachment in the Seward case on the table. Negatived—Yeas 111, nays 135. THE POTTER REPORT. : Mr. Porrer, (dem.) of N. Y., presented the report of his committee, and the views of a minority, and of_one member (Mr. Butler). Mr. TownsznD, (rep.) of N. Y., demanded that the papers be read, (Adding in an undertone that he “wanted the vindication of Sammy, who had beep suffering a long time for want of it. ‘YUE POST OFFICE BIL Mr. Bioust, of Georgia, at twenty minutes past ten P. M. presented the confereuce report on the ¢ Appropriation bill, and it was adopted without explanation or debw On motion of Mr. Eprn, (dem,) of Ill, Senate amendwents wero agreed to on the bill for the p: ment of claims reported allowed by the accounting officers of the Treasury Department. The conterence report upon the bill concerning street railroads in the District of Columbia was agreed to. Mr. Lyxpr, (dem.) of Wis., from the Judiciary Com- mittee, submitted the report of that committee on the charges against John I, Davenport. Printed and recommitted, Mr, Concen, of Michigan, then insisted upon the reading of the reports presented by Mr. Potter, of New York. Mr, Sprrscen, of Ill., amid cries of “Order!” from the republican side, said that it might be as well to do that as to do unything else. If the other side ine tended to filibuster until twelve o'clock to-anorrow for the purpose of preventing one of their pry friends from being brought to the bar of the House it could do so and take the responsibility for it, NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, THE TICONDEROGA AT SIERRA LEONE—ORDERS, WasutxcTos, March 3, 1879, Commodore Shufeldt reports from Sierra Leone, under date of January 31, that he had received an official visit from the British Commissioners on the Liberian boundary question. They had not yet re. ceived their instructions, but expected to get them ina fow days, when the commission would meet. The eatet of all on board the Ticonderoga continued good. # ORDERS. Paymaster Henry G. Colby has been ordered to the Tuscarora, at Acapulco, Mexico, and* Paymaster Frank Olure is detached from tbat vessel and ordered home. Passed Assistant Engineer Albert C. Esgard has been ordered to temporary duty on board the Alert, at Mare Island, California, and upon the arrival of that vessel on the Asiatic Station will report for duty there. Chief Engineer John W. Moore has been de- tached fromthe Washington Navy Yard and ordered to duty as a member of the Board of Inspection, and Chief Engineer William b. Brooks is relieved from duty on that Board and ordered to take Chief Engi- ueer Moore's place in the Washington Navy Yard. INCENDIARISM. LELAND’S OCEAN HOTEL FIRED THREE TIMES I= THIRTY-SIX HOURS—INTENSE EXCITEMENT IN THE TOWN. : Loxa Brancu, March 3, 1879. The “fire bugs” are again at work at Long Branch. ‘The first fire discovered in the Ocean Hotel was about midnight on Saturday, when ‘the villagers were aroused by the clanging of church bells and screeching of locomotives at the Central Railroad roundhouse. The firo was fortunately discovered by Patrolman Green, of Life Saving Station No. 5, before it had made any great headway. The servants were aroused and helped the life saving crew to battle with the flames, which spread with great rapidity, until the Fire Department arrived. The fire had started in the cottage rooms in the south end of the building, this winter occupied by Messrs. Charles and Warren,Leland, Jr. The supposed cause was a defective flue, After doing several thousand dollars damage to the building and furniture the fire was extinguished, : ANOTHER OUTBREAK. - It was late this morning when again the church bells called the firemen, and again the alarm went through the village that the Ocean Hotel was in flames. The fire had been discovered st about Half. past ten o’clock by some of the workmen on the pier. This time it was in the attic, just above where the fire originated on Seturday night, Beforo Atlantic steam engine arrived it btrned through several rooms, consuming a portion of the roof. Again the tire plug in front of the hotel, fed by the Holly Water Works, came into good use, and was the salvation of the * building. When the'fire was extinguished an invese tigation was made, and in the attic beneath the roof it was found that a bureau had been brought there, and a imuttress soaked with oil placed over it and fired. When this was known throughout the town the greatest excitement prevailed. The Lelands were in New York on Saturday night, and yesterday read in the Hewatp ot the hotel being on fire. ‘This morning they took the first train for Long Branch, and arrived here just as the engines were speeding through thg village to the second fire. ‘They were the first to deciare that the hotel was the object of the desperate gang of “fire bugs” whicn have invested Long Branch for several years past, and begged that the Fire Department would continuo to play on the house, as they believed tire lurked in every part of it. .° RESULT OF A SEARCH. A thorough search was made but no scent of fire was detected until the firemen reached the large bil- tard room of the hotel. Here the unmistakable smell of burning kerosene was encountered. In the rear of the billigrd hall is the water closet and thither the firemen cgptinued their search. In one corner of the closet on ¥he second floor, another fire hed beem kindled, but after burning awhile, had gone out, Long Branch was never excited #0 over the work of the incendiaries as it 18 over this last attempt. I can sately say that had the “fire bug” falien into the hands of the excited populace to-day he would have been lynched. Constables have been sent for from Freehold and Red Bank, Mayor Cooper called a meeting of the Board of Commissioners to-night, Messrs. Leland, the Chief of the Fire Department and others were examined, and a reward of $400 wae offered, by resolution, for the arrest of the incen- diaries. The damage amounts to $3,000, fully covered by insurance. ‘ MECHANICS AND LABORERS’ BANK’ PROSECUTION Of ITS LATE PRESIDENT—BEPOBE OF THE EXAMINER. Jobn Halliard, the late president of the Mechanics and Laborers’ Bank of Jersey City, will be, tried for conspiracy to defraud the depositors in April. He was arraigned yesterday before Judge Aldridge for the larceny of $1,925 on # charge preferred by Father Timothy, of the monastery. Tho money, it was as- serted, was given Halliard to settle a mortgage, and he waa alleged to have appropriated it for his own use, The Judge decided it was a breach of trustand discharged hin. ‘Washington i. Williams, the Master in Chancery, who was appointed to examine the condition of the bank's affairs, yesterday rendered his to Chancellor Kunyon, It is a voluminous paper, de tailing minutely the bank's condition and operations, The examiner attributes the failure to the dishonesty of the late president, John Halliard, in whom too much power and contidence was reposed by his asso- on. The late secretary, David Hallinan, now deceased, is also implicated in the transactions that brought about the failure. The report shows that the control of the bank from its inception was in the bands of John Halliard and his friend Hallinan, who was the exuminer, “had charge of ail loans, kept all securities in theie possession, filled out checks, did ae they pleased in every reapect.” ‘The treasurer is stated to’ have signed checks in blank and Halliard used them at his discretion, The Finance and Executive Come” mittee abdicated their functions and accepted Mr. Malliard'’s management. On February 15, 1877, the secretary (Donelan) rendered a detailed statement of Halliard’s defaica- tions to the Executive Committee. Halliard was interrogated as to his disposal of certain large Amounts, He explained matters ao, however, that » resolution of confidence is him was Anew execntive committee, however, deprived him of his power and made him deposit $10,000 and his lite iusirance policy as security. The examiner seys there are among the assets of the bank mortgages, with a nominal value of $60,000, whic! ¥ not worth more than $19,000, ties amount to $236,582 52, of whi The available assets aro es- here ate 1,108 balances due the depositors, of which 259 are less than $2, 912 between $2 and. $50, 262 between $50 and £200, 167 between $200 and $500, 71 between $500 and $1,000 and 87 over $1,000, A receiver will probably be appointed. JOHN L DAVENPORT ARRESTED. A report was in cfroulation among politicians yess terday to the effect that Mr. John I. Davenport, the Federal Supervisor of Elections, had been arrested for contempt of court in not appearing to answer an ordor in supplementary proceedings. Deputy Sheriff Haeean made the arrest and bail was furnished. Sheriff Retliy stated last night that the report was correct. Mr. Daven had tot appeared for exame ination in supplementary proceedings rel private debt and was consequently arrested tor cor tempt. Bail was forniched and he may purge hime self of contempt b; pearing before the referee and explaining his abse The Sherif’ could not state the amount of the debt or to whom it was due or the, name of the bondsmen. Tt had nothing to do, hows , ever, with tho trouble resulting from Mr. Daven- | port's action in the elections,