New-York tribune., 1869-01-25
WASHINGTON.

.r1
WORK IN THE COMSnTTEES-sUkRAIt IN
BRAZIL. - T., ol 1859
The Judges of the Supreme Court were III ors1 ool9
tation on Friday and Saturday on the Legal i..Ue-
60 The discussion of the Judges was quite OK
tended. but no decision has been reaci'eu' IT,
sItaton has developed the fact however, 'naV Veio
t-o orinions prepared, but at this time II is
,',I,rov rnon which side the majority opinion VIII
tan,odo Future conferences will decide tins and
1,bo shall be selected to prepare the opinions
d. farther hearing in the case of Senator Hill of
Georgia was had yesterday by the Senate judiciary
Committee. The Committee has been very anxious
n secpre favorable report in behalf of this gentle
man But from the evidence before them, showing
the manner in which the Legislature acted by eX-
peIine portion of the Legislature, in direct
violation of the Reconstruction Laws, the Committee
were clearly Of the opinion that he was not 1aIrly
elected and therefore not entitled to hls seat. An
adverse report will be made to the Senate on Mon
dav which will undoubtedly give rise to another pro
tracted debate.
One of the first cases of American claims against
England under the Alabama treaty as now proposed
was brought to the attention of the state Depart
mept Yesterday. In August, 1866, Owen Thorn, esq"
of this city then owner Of several steamers IN new
York. sold one of his vessels the Congress tne
agreement stating that the boat was TO DC useu ln
che cram trade between Chicago and Buffalo
Mr. Thorns agreement compelled the delivery Oh 'ie
bo,t at Buffalo but while passing Montreal the steam
nine bursted causing the vessel to put into that port
While engaged in repairs the Canadian authorities
seized the vessel under suspicion as Fenlan prVa
teer Evidence was brought to show that the charge
was uniust and after long detention and an eXpeh
diture of about 5000 in gold the steamer was re-
leased the Canadian authorities acknowledging thel
mistake in the seizure. The owner then hled Win
the State Department here claim, giving evidence
t tho forcible seizure and loss occasiOned thereby
Tho State Department acknowledged the receipt
of the claim. and informed the claimant that the
case could not be considered until the Alabama cases
were brought up. few days ago the claimant
visited the Department and asked that the case be
now brought up, but he was grufiy Informed that
Mr. Seward does not wish to see him, as the clerk
who had charge of the claim reports the papers lost
The real trouble is supposed to be that Secretary
Seward was committed to the Fenians in the early
part of their operations in such way that be does
not now desire any investigation of any alleged
Fenian movement
Postmaster-Ge General Randall has appointed col
ored man to be Postmaster in a country town away
down in Virginia Itmay be stated, in addition that
Mr. Randall was not aware of the color Of the man,
The bill which passed the House about three weeks
ago. for the repeal of the Civil Tenure act and which
was referred to the Retrenchment Committee in the
Senate is still delayed in that Committee. Aspecal
meeting has been called for Monday to consider the
matter Gen. Butler and others who favored the
measure in the House. and who have been canvassinR
the Senate have come to the conclusion that the bill
will not pass as it come from the House. but be mOdi
fed in such way as to still give the Senate author
ity over the question of appointments and removals
Many Senators favor modification that will give
the President power to appoint his Cabinet and the
Revenue officers. Others for retaining all the
power which this bill gives them.
The bill introduced by Mr. Sherman from the FL
nance Committee on Monday last win come up to-
morrow on the special order Of the Senate Mr. Sher
man has prepared speech in advocacy of his meas
ure which he will deliver tomorrow. 1t is impOs-
sibe to Judge what action the Senate viii take on the
financial question but under consideration 1t is
likely to take a wide range of debate. Mr.. Morton,
Mr. Williams. and Mr. Morrill, of Vermont, will make
arguments during the week. and it is likely Mr.. Fes
sender and Mr.. Sumner viii also speak
The appropriation necessary to continue the func-
tions Of the United States Educational Bureau has
been stricken ont of the appropriation bills
by the House Committee for the purpose of
dscontinuing the Bureau, the ground of
The Committee on Education, however, at
meeting on Saturday had careful consideration of
the subject and they unanimously instructed their
chairman to report an amendment to the apprOpria-
tiOn bill and urge its passage, providing the
sary means to continue the Bureau The Appropria-
ton Committee will oppose the amendment and
lively debate is likely to follow
The Alta Vela matter still engrosses the attention
Of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. They
had another protracted session yesterday and will
shortly close their investigation The American
claimants are endeavorng TO make out a strong case
but Secretary Seward who seems to be better skilled
in diplomacy has laid before the Committee an array
Of facts which reflects rather unfayorably against
them.
The chiefs Of the staff Bureaus of the Army in this
city were yesterday before the House Military Com
mittee and examined in reference TO the propo
ntion TO consolidate of the bureaus in order to
reduce expenses 1t is understood that they were all
opposed to the consolidation The testimony will be
published IN report Of the Committee. Gen. Brice
Faymaster6eneral read about 20 pages from his last
annual report for the edifcation of the members
Gen. Meigs QuartermasteT-General made reference
70 the subject Of the claims Of LOYAL Southern neone
for property destroyed during the war and said his
opportunities for knowing had been extensive. and
that his Judgment was based upon an intelligent ex
animation Of the subject He did not believe that
the CLAIMS OF that character would amount to more
than $9OcOOOO0 Gen. George H. Thomas, Gen. Han
COCK ana other prominent General officers will ap-
pear before the Committee at subsequent meetings
Inc annual meeting Of the Board Of United States
Supervising Inspectors Of Steamboats, now in session
10 ms city Will soon adjourn The Board will pro-
baby submit their report to the Secretary Of the
Navy during the coming week.
A committee of Oeptlema,, -o,.....-4.-.-. a, =.