The Portland daily press., 1867-12-07
WASHINGTON,
W AsHINGToN, Dec. G
srReEANr-Ar-ARMs OF THE SENATE.

WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Dec. g.
sERGEANT-AT-ARMs OF THE SENATE.
The Republican Senators held caucus this
morning, when the subject of electing Ser
geant-at- Arms in place of the present ipcum-
bent George f. Brown, was brought before it,
The name of General Burbridge, Of Kentucky,
was proposed but did not command sufficient
strength to warrant vote being taken on his
nomination. All the Senators concurred in
the efficiency and faithfulness of Mr.. Brown
who continues in that Office
PARDON OF MURDERERs.
The President has pardoned featherstone,
Dunleary and Collins, who were sentenced to
be hanged for the murder OF the Captain of the
English ship General Parkhili, in mutinous
affray on that ship at sea, the mutiny being
brought about by the men in consequence Of
the Captain announcing that he should run
the blockade at Charleston instead of proceed
ing to New York, to which port they had shin
ped. They were badly treated. and the recon-
mendaton for their pardon was very numer-
ousiy signed. Their sentence had previously
9een commuted to imprisonment by President
Lincoln.
AMERICAN MISSIONARIES IN EGYPT
Secretary Seward was waited on yesterday
by large delegation of clergymen, who re-
quested him TO use his good offices to protect
our missionaries who have been badly treated
oy the Egyptian government and at present
iaDoL under great disabilities in that as well as
IN other countries. They represent that these
gentlemen were put to very severe hardships,
and stated that they found little or no protec-
ton in the fact that they were American citi-
5ens; MT Seward assured them that he would
to our citizens wherever the United States has
accredited agents.
GEN. GRANTS PRIVATE" LETTER
1t is understood that General Grant, in ac-
cerdance with Mr. Blaine's resolution DIRECTING
the General commanding the armies to COM
municate to the House the correspondence adj
dressed by him to the President respecting the
removal OF Stanton and Sheridan, VIII include
the. letter addressed to the President and
marked private" This document makes four
pages of letter paper, and is said to be of
most important character.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD
Mr.. q. G. Washburne of Wisconsin has now
IN course OF preparation bill, of the most i'm
portant character, looking to an amendment
OF the charter OF the Pacific Railroad. Mr.
Washburne says, as the case now stands, Gov
eminent will furnish most, if not all of the
money that will go into the road He express
ses surprise that no restriction has been plac-
ca upon the company in regard to their rates
LOT tne transportation of passengers and
freight As the road when finished, is likely
10 De the only continuous line to the Pacific
Tor some years, the company will consequently
nave monopoly OF businessman, according to
t ts present privileges, will have undispu-
ted control over the fixing of their rates which
II IS feared, viii be unreasonably exhorbitant
10 meet this evil, Mr.. Washburne proposes in
MS bill to suggest an amendment to the char
ter to the road, by establishing a Commission
to be composed of the Secretaries Of War and
Interior, and Attorney General, whose duty II
shah be to fix annually tariff for passeneers
and freight. To force this measure upon the
company, MIR. w ashburne intends to add a
clause suspending any further issue of bonds
to the company until they shall have consent
ed TO incorporate the provisions of his bill in
to their charter. Great complaints are already
made on account of the charges on the road.
ss THE PUBLIC DEBT
The statement of the publib debt which will
be issued from the Treasury Department to-
morrow, will show an increase of eight or ten
millions of dollars. Hhis increase is caused by
the large amount of cein-twenty-six million
doars--which was taken from the vaults on
the LIST of November to pay the interest on the
hve-twenty bonds which became due on that
date. On Jan. ], about twelve million dollars
IN coin will be required to pay interest ON five
twenties falling due then, and about nine mil
lions in coin to pay the semi-annual interest
on the per cent. bonds of 1881. Besides this
nearly seven millions in coin will be required
topay the principal and interest of the 6 per
cent bonds of 1867, which mature on january
!, 1858. There are now 100000 600 in gold in
the treasury, $18,000,0OO of which are repre-
sented in gold certificates.
THE wHIsKEY TAX. tsc.a
The Van Wyck committee, after the start
ling revelations OF frauds in the excise impos-
ed upon whiskey and tobacco discovered dur
ing their late visit to the North, propose to urge
reduction of the tax on whiskey to SO cents,
to be collec Jed according to the capacity of the
still = 3 ~
NATIONAL ASYLUM FOR DISABLED SOLDIERS
A meeting OF the managers of the National
asylum for disabled volunteers, was held at
the ofhce OF the Surgeon General to-day The
reports show that these Institutions are in
most tiourishing condition. There are now
800 disabled soldiers in the central asylum at
Dayton, Ohio; 250 at the Eastern Branch in
Augusta, Maine, and 100 at the Western
Branch at Milwaukee. About 250 more have
been supported by the Board at State and city
MONIES, Tor want Of room at the regular asy-
lum, and 300 have been aided by out door re-
lief, being relief given to married men who are
permitted to remain at home with their fami-l
lies. The total number of disabled soldiers
cared for during the last quarter, in these sew
erat ways, is over 800 Applications for ad-
mission into the asylums are crowding upon
the managers, and the Board are satisfied that
1000 isabled soldiers at least will have to be
cared for during the next quarter. .ff4Is GAS
1t was therefore ordered that additional
buildings be erected at the central asylum
and fifty thousand dollars were appropriated
for that purpose. q4 47s4s
Senators Frelinghuysen and Governor ard
of New Jersey, appeared before the Board and
rendered transfers of the New Jersey soldiers,
home to the NATIONAL Asylum, ON conditions
that the Board would adopt aud continue that
institution. --t l.s fztz.-s3ss ~.
Messrs. Baxter and Warmer of Philadel-
phia, made like tender OF their city home
with all its property and effects The Board
appointed Governor Smith and Mr. Guncket
a committee to visit these institutions and ar
range for aiding them in carving on their
homes until the new buildings of the Nation
al Asylum are completed. The Board receiv-
ed and returned thanks for donation
Gen. Ingraham of Massachusetts, was ap-
pointed Acting Governor, and other subordi-
nate officers for the several asylums were elect
ed