The Sun.
London, England, 1870-04-30 00:00:00

THE ARMING OF THE VOLUNTEERS AND
THE MILITIA.

Lord ELCHO inquired why the volunteers and militia
were not armed with breech-loaders, seeing that there
were sufficient weapons for the purpose.
Ir. CARDWELL said there were only 300,000 at present
in store, which was a much smaller lumber than was
asnally rewired. With regard to the lalitia they ha

already supplied sixty-four regiments, and issued 27,000
Sneider rifles in the course of the present year.
Lord ELcH6 remarked that there were only 140,000
effective volunteers, and if there were 300,000 arms, why
could they not be placed in the hands of the volunteers ?
Mr. CARDWELL replied that the reason was simply that
300,000 was a smaller number than usual.
THE STATE OF BUSINESS.

Mr. GLADSTONE said on Monday they would proceed
with the Irish Land Bill in Committee. He understood
that there was a strong desire that they should
report progress at an early hour on Monday night
in order to give time for disposing of the motion, growing
out of the order of the House, for the appointment of a
Select Committee, to inquire .into monastic and conven-
tional institutions. They would, therefore, report pro
gress at eleven o'clock. There was a great deal of
uncertainty as to whether the inquiry proposed,
was to be an inquiry into the internal affairs,
and personal relations of these institutions or
whether it was concerning certain points connected with
the state of the law and the holding of property. It
would very much facilitate the matter if the hon. mover
of the motion would state what he considered would be
the proper object of the inquiry.
Mr. NEWDEGATE promised that he would state his views
on that point on Monday.

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 30, 1870.

A'T'TEMPT TO MURDER A MEMBER OF
PARLIAMENT.

About ten o'clock yesterday morning a desperate at-
tempt was made to murder Mr. Charles, Buxton, M.P.
For several years past Mr. Buxton has employed as sec-
retary a young man, named White, a, person of some-
what eccentric habits. Owing to his irregular conduct of
late a three months' notice to leave was given at the com-
mencement of the session, which afterwards was reduced to
a month. Mr. Buxton desired him to attend at his resi-
dence in Grosvenor-crescent yesterday morning at 9.30,
when he was slightly reproved for not waiting for Mr.
Buxton on Tuesday, and for not sending some papers by
post. To this he made no answer. Mr. Buxton then said
he required the direction of Colonel -, and asked his
secretary to procure for him the Army List from another
apartment. To this request at first White
made no reply, but afterwards said, in a sullen manner,
that he was going to fetch it. Mr. Buxton felt annoyed
at the man's conduct, and told him he had better leave
the house. White remained silent, and then said, " You
want the `Army List,' do you ?" and then he left the
study to fetch it. On returning, his conduct became still
more remarkable, and Mr. Buxton again reproved him for
the manner in which he was behaving, observing that
although he wished him to leave his service, he was
willing to assist him in every way, and to procure for
him another situation. To this White said, "I do not
believe a word of it," and then leaned over the table, and
gave a ferocious scowl at his master. Thinking that, the
man merely meant to assault him, and feeling that be was
the more powerful of the two, Mr. Buxton remained sit-
ting, and White then proceeded to his usual place at the
table. Mr. Buxton again told him he had better leave
the house, and was walking out of the study when he
heard the report of firearms, and turning round he saw
White standing looking at him, with a revolver pointing
towards him. Mr. Buxton instantly threw himself on the
floor of the room behind the table, when White coolly said
" Are you wounded, sir ?" Mr. Buxton then rushed at
his assailant, when White ran out of the room, opened
the street door, hailed a hansom cab, and in a moment
or so was out of sight. Mr. Buxton followed to the door
but the man had then gone. The mark of the bullet was
found on the wall directly over the place where Mr.
Buxton was standing at the time the pistol was fired,
and the bullet was picked up in the middle of the room.
White is still at large, and the belief is that he is insane.
Information was immediately given to the authorities at
Scotland-yard, and Colonel Henderson directed Inspector
Tay and Sergeant Davy to take every means for securing
the would-be murderer.

CONGRESS.

SENATE, March 30.—Mr. Schurz introduced
bill fixing the first Tuesday in November as the
day for electing Representatives to Congress
throughout the country. The joint resolution for
a special committee on Indian Affairs was consi-
dered: The case of General Ames came up in order,
but, on motion of Mr. Sumner, the Senate went
into Executive session. March 31—Mr. Patterson
introduced a bill est tblishing a National Institute
of Applied Sciences, and Mr. Cole a bill, providing
for mail service with Australia, New Zealand, &c.
The credentials of Morgan C. Hamilton and J. W.
Flanigan, Senators elect from Texas, were presented,
and those gentlemen were sworn in. The House re-
solution of respect for Gen. Thomas was concurred
in. A bill was passed, allowing retired army officers
to be assigned to duty at the Soldiers' Home. Mr.
Saulsbury offered a resolution asking the Secretary
of State to communicate the date of ratification of
the Fifteenth Amendment by the several States,
but objection was made, and it was hid over. On
the motion of Mr. Wiley, the Committee was in-
structed to consider the expediency of a survey to
ascertain the practicability of a communication be-
tween the James and Kanawha Rivers and Ohio
River. The case of Senator elect Ames, of Missis-
sippi, was discussed. April I—Mr. Osborn pre-
sented the petition of 0. B. Hart, contesting the seat
occupied by Senator Gilbert, of Florida. It was
referred to the Judiciary Committee. Mr. Casserly
presented resolutions of the California Legislature,
asking the abolition of the income tax. Mr. Mor-
ton introduced a bill to enforce the provisions of
the Fifteenth Amendment. The case of Senator
elect Ames, of Mississippi, was taken up, and on
the motion of Mr. Sumner, the report of the Judi-
ciary Committee that Ames is not eligible was
amended by striking out the " not," thus declaring
him eligible, and was passed as amended—yeas 40,
nays 12. Among the nays were Carpenter, Conk -
ling, Edmunds, Pratt, Schurz, and Trumbull, Re-
publicans. Messrs. Stockton, Thurman, Hamilton,
and Johnson, who were opposed to the motion,
were paired off, and did not vote. Senator Ames
was then sworn in. Adjourned until Monday. April
4—The House resolution authorizing a supply of
arms for instruction to certain colleges was re-
ported. Bills were introduced by Mr. Edmunds to
regulate judicial proceedings, and by Mr. Fenton
to provide for a line of mail and emigrant steamers
between New York and Scandinavian ports. The
Georgia Bill was taken up. Mr. Stewart moved to
strike out the Bingham amendment, and Mr. Wil-
son offered an amendment extending the present
Legislature for two years from its reorganization.
April 5 —The House resolution directing an inquiry
into the loss of the Oneida was passed. Mr. Willey
introduced a bill appropriating the proceeds of sales
of public lands for educational purposes. The bill
requiring Internal Revenue Supervisors to be ap-
pointed by the President and confirmed by the Se-
nate was reported adversely. Mr. Cameron offered
a resolution providing for a testimonial in honour
of the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Volunteers
who passed through Baltimore on April 18th and
19th, 1861, in response to the first call for troops
of the President. After some discussion, on the
motion of Mr. Sherman, the resolution, with amend-
ments by Messrs. Saulsbury and Stockton, was re-
ferred to the Military Committee. The Georgia
Bill was discussed, padding which the Senate went
into Executive session.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, March 30.—Mr.
Randall offered joint resolutions of respect for the
memory of Major-General Thomas' which were
adopted unaniinously. Air. Butler, from the Re-
construction Committee, reported the bill to admit
Texas, which was concurred in by a party vote, and
sent to the President. Mr. Hoar, from the Com-
mittee on Education and Labour, reported a bill to
establish a national system of education, which
was postponed until the second Tuesday of next
December. Mr. Arnell, from the same committee,
reported a bill Darning the office of education, iu the
Interior Department, the " Bureau of Education,"
transferring to it the unexpended funds of the
Freedmen's Bureau, discontinuing the latter bureau.
Bills were introduced by Mr. Morrell, to amend the
patent laws ; and Mr. Slocum to amend the internal
revenue laws. Mr. Cleveland offered a resolution,
which was referred, requiring the Secretary of the
Treasury to accept the most advantageous bids for
gold, and prohibiting purchases of bonds beyond
the amount authorized for the sinking fund. A
massage was received from the President, announc-
ing the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment.
The Tariff Bill was discussed. March 31.—. The bill
discontinuing the Freedmen's Bureau, and trans-
ferring its unexpended funds to the Bureau of
Education, was considered, and a motion to table
it was defeated— yeas, 63 ; nays, 92. Messrs.
Clark, Conner, Degener, and Whitmore. the mem-
bers elect from Texas, were sworn in and took
their seats, after some opposition by Mr. Butler
and others to Conner, the Democratic member on
the ground that he had whipped negro soldiers
when a captain in the army, &c. The Tariff Bill
was considered in committee, Mr. Schenck advo-
cating and explaining it. Mr. Logan introduced a
bill to incorporate the Irish Colonization Society.
April I—Mr. Bennett introduced a joint resolution
authorising the appointment by the Secretary of
the Treasury of an agent to make inquiry into the
feasibility of more advantageous commercial rela-
tions with the Canadas. Referred to the Commerce
Committee. The Tariff Bill was considered in Com-
mittee of the Whole, and the date when it shall go
into effect was made the Ist of October next. The
section relating to tea being reached, Mr. Long-
bridge moved to amend by admitting free of duty
tea imported in American vessels or foreign vessels
under reciprocity treaties. Without disposing of
the amendment the committee rose, and the Senate
bill authorising the erection of a bridge across the
Delaware was concurred in. An evening session
was held for debate only. April 2—A bill was
passed continuing to the widow of N. W. Parker
his rights as discoverer of two islands in the Pacific.
Bills were introduced by Mr. Potter for the redemp-
tion of bronze and nickel coins in sums of $25 ; and
by Mr. Butler, of Massachusetts, for the collection
of debts due the Government by Southern railroads.
The Tariff Bill was considered in Committee of the
Whole, and amendments changing the duties on tea
and coffee were rejected, leaving the duty on tea
20 cents, and on coffee 5. When the sugar clause
was reached the committee rose. April 4—Bills
were introduced by Mr. Knapp, to protect patents;
Mr. Schofield, to equalise salaries of U. S. Judges
in Eastern and Western Pennsylvania; and Mr.
Loughridge, to equalise soldiers' bounties. Mr.
Hoge offered a resolution for adjournment on May
10th, which went over, the previous question being
refused. Mr. Heaton introduced a bill appointing
the election of Congressmen on the Tuesday after
the first Monday, 1872, and every second year
thereafter. The rules were suspended, and the
bill passed by a vote of 114 to 40. Mr. Maynard
introduced a resoluti.,u, directing the Secretary
of the Navy to inquire into the particulars of
the sinking of the Oneida, with a view to ascer-
tain the responsibility therefor. Mr. Schenck
suggested a modification, so as to extend the
inquiry to the conduct of the Bombay, which was
accepted, and the resolution, as modified, was
adopted. Mr. Julian introdueed a bill to protect
settlers on the public lands. Mr. Porter offered a
resolution reciting the municipal troubles in Rich-
mond, and directing the Reconstruction Committee
to inquire into the facts, and report what legislation
is necessary to put down the rebellion, and main-
tain the authority of the National Government in
Virginid. After some " filibustering "on the De-
mocratic side, to prevent action upon the resolution
it was withdrawn. A report was adopted arranging
for a meeting on Tuesday evening, in the Hall of
Representatives, in respect to the memory of Gene-
ral Thonia., &c. The Tariff Bill was considered. .
April 5. —The bill recently introduced in reference
to the Bureau of Education, discontinuing the
Freedmen's Bureau, was passed. Mr. Hoar, from
the Committee on Laws, reported a revision of the
various patent and copyright laws. The Tariff
Bill was considered in Committee of the Whole,
and an amendment was adopted, reducing the
duty on clarified sugar from 3 to .2i cents per
pound. The duty on brandy and other distilled
spirits was increased from .$2 to $3 per gallon.
Pending action on an amendment increasing the
duty on cordials, the Committee rose, and Mr.
Butler asked leave to introduce a joint resolution
for the annexation of Dominica. Mr. Wood ob-
jected.

THE FUNDING BILL.

(From the Anglo-American Times.)

The Funding Bill was discussed for the first time
by the Ways and Means Committee on the Bth
April, but no conclusion was reached and no vote
taken. The Committee on Banking and Currency
have carefully considered its provisions and heard
arguments on the subject ; for instance, that day
Mr. DAVIS of Massachusetts addressed it ; so that
they will be ready to take an active part when the
bill is reported to the House by General SCHENCK.
That many changes will be made by the House,
and many recommended by the Committee is now
known. The main contest has been over the clause
relating to the National Banks, which will be so mo-
dified as to be accepted by them. The banking inte-
rest in the House of Representatives is considerable,
but it is hoped that the difference between Secre-
tary BOUTWELL'S views and those of the bankers
can be adjusted to their mutual satisfaction. A
characteristic letter, addressed by Treasurer SPIN-
NER to a director of the National Bank of New
York, has been published, and has led to much
correspondence. The banker endeavoured to elicit
Mr. SPINNER'S views, hoping that they would be
found to favour the banks ; but, on the contrary,
the Treasurer argued for Four per Cent. Bonds, re-
gretting that such had not been made the uniform
rate. All his worldly goods, he said, were in U. S.
Bonds and National Bank Stock ; yet he advised for
many reasons the reduction of interest to four per
cent., not doubting that with agencies at Amster-
dam, Berlin, London, Frankfort, and Paris, and quar-
terly interest payable there in their respective cur-
rencies, the Bonds could be negotiated, adding if
others were prepared tel purchase such stock it was
no hardship to make the banks do so, while he de-
fended this from the charge of being " Mexican," or
forced loans, byreference to the profitable privilege
accorded. It is a wise policy, Mr. SPINNER con-•
tends, to satisfy the masses of the taxpayers ;
and the bankers should remember that, next to
high taxes, banks of all institutions were the most
unpopular with the people, who have votes and
direct the legislation of the country. The banks
should join their interest with that of the people, and
ask for nothing more than was right and reason-
able ; but if they resist wholesome legislation they
will surely come to grief. The most important
measure is the funding of the National Debt at the
lowest possible interest, after which all necessary
details, including justice to banks, can easily be
arranged. For instance, they are liable to annoy-
ing levies, the general Government collecting,
through the internal revenue, a license fee on each
bank, and percentage on all profits. Through the
Treasury it collects percentage on circulation, on
deposits, and on capital ; and if that on circulation
alone be abolished, it would compensate the banks
for any loss. All persons who discuss the Funding
Bill hold the same opinion as Treasurer SPINNER, of
the vast impoitance of settling the interest on all
the Debt at the lowest rate ; but all do not see,
like him, that the lowest rate can only be obtained
in those countries where money is cheapest, and on
the terms of the lenders. When borrowers, who
propose to reduce their burdens, begin by launch-
ing out into abuse of the only persons who can
afford to lend at the rate the debtors desire, they
neither act wisely nor graciously. If the United
States require the National Bonds to be funded at 4
per cent. they must seek the European markets, and
they must adapt the securities to suit European re-
quirements, or " the financial SHYLOCKS of Europe,"
as they have been called, will jeer in derision when
the bonds are " peddled" on this side. That Ame-
rican Securities would grow quickly in favour
among the masses in Europe if the coupons were
made payable in European cities we have no doubt,
and we are quite as confident that quantities of these
bonds would return to America in the boxes of emi-
grants, for if made of a low denominational value
the people who intend to settle in the States would
learn to buy and hoard a property having equal
value on both sides the ocean, yielding interest which
they could draw in Europe till they emigrated, and
in America after they landed in the Republic. The
most numerous body of the financial SHYLOCKS
would resolve themselves into the hard-working la-
bourer and mechanic, whose information led them
to appreciate the fact that the best form their say-
ings could take was in U. S. bonds. Although the
men most conversant with the facts, and whose
opinions ought to weigh most heavily, such as Mr.
BOUTIVELL, Mr. SPINNER, and Gen. SCHENCK, are
aware of the truth of what we state, they have to con-
tend against such a mass of ignorance, presumption,
and prejudice, that there is little hope of the only
provision being retained in the bill which could
make the funding at a low rate of interest success-
ful, although it is probable that another fight for
the re-insertion of that clause will be made in the
House. One really strong argument its opponents
have, the value of which, we, perhaps, underrate
en this side. Whenever an opportunity offers, cor-
ruption enters, and the " ring" around the core of
" any bill with money in it," widens and deepens till
it eats out the heart of the measure. So fearful
are American legislators of these birds of prey that
they reject legislation which might be beneficial,
preferring to submit to the known evils than to run
unknown risks. They picture to themselves a
scramble in Europe over the sum voted for funding
the bill ; then auother scramble over the agencies ;
jobbing, so as to manipulate the Bonds to indivi-
dual gain ; and, finally, some of the persons en-
trusted with the money for the interest absconding
with the funds. The commercial morality of all
great monetary centres tends to warrant suspicion,
but if we compare the percentage of rascality to
the mass of business transacted, it will be found that
it appears far larger than it is, and that swindling
is perpetrated almost entirely by interlopers, peo-
ple who, in olden days, would never have been
permitted to enter financial circles, but who now
have managed to penetrate into them, to the great
scandal and shame of the commercial name gene-
rally. We regret to see these sort of people float-
ing loans of bogus American Railroads, which
will presently react injuriously on American cre-
dit ; but they are successful in European marts,
notwithstanding the pains and trouble taken by
many American journals to expose them. Secretary
BotrwEet. had left for a week to visit his home,
iu,Masachusetts, and the bill was to be reported
to the House about the time of his return. The
special correspondent of the Daily News says,
" Shrewd men believe the rumour that the ROTHS-
CHILDS have actually offered to put the new loan of
$1,200,000,000 on the market under the Funding
Bill." At the same time that he cannot see how
these bankers could expect anybody to exchange
the old bonds for the new, and why they should
therefore make such an offer, he remarks that a
return to specie payments is a moral process, popu-
lar faith in the Government's power to pay in gold,
if called upon, being one of the large elements in
it; and he admits the immense progress lately made
therein towards redemption, while the more the
faith the less the gold required, and we may add
the higher will the securities of the United States
rise in value.

The indignation at Captain Eyre's conduct in
leaving the crew of the Oneida to perish remains as
strong as ever in the United States, but much of it is
directed against the American Admiral in Japan, who
allowed the Oneida to proceed to sea without replacing the
boats she had lost, notwithstanding the appeal of ()apt.
Williams. Many of the American tapers demand an
investigation of the Admiril's conduct, and attribute the
loss of life as much to the want of boats as to the extra-
d n ary, indeed almost insane, conduct of Captain Eyre.
Vice-Admiral Porter does not see how the Senate c►th
carry out the joint resolution of Congress, ordering an
investigation, and be points emphatically to the fact that
the British Government has nothing to do with the
matter, while he adds if the laws of Great Britain can
reach Captain Eyre, then he should, and doubtless will, be
punished, and the proper way is to appropriate $50,000
to assist the American Minister in prosecuting the owners
of the Bombay and Captain Eyre through the regular course
of law. Admiral Porter is a sensible man, and he very
properly points out the course which ought to be pursued.