Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-02-12

Mrs. HARRIET PRESCOTT SP0FFoHD, now
staying i'm Washington. has been engaged bv
Frank Leslie to write exclusively for his pub.
LEGATIONS for period Of three years to come.
LOUIS SCHApE, Esq, made application TO
the p eside,t yesterday for the body of Atze
rot, one Of the conspirators, on behalf of hi >
relatives, bat 1t is not known il the request
has been granted
HON. j. N. TYNER was yesterday, on the
eighth ballot nominated for Congress in the
district of Indiana, to succeed Hon ID. ID
Pratt, elected to the United States Senate. The
election is 70 be held on the 10th instant
MIR. RICE, in the Senate this m rning, re-
ported back the bill to incorporate the Masonic
Relief Association of the District Of Columbia.
which was placed upon the calender for con-
sideration by the Senate.
TIE RECONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE held
meeting this morning, aud were engaged in
discussing the proportion relative to the ad-
mission of Mississippi, and determining upon
their report, which will be ready in the course
of a few days.
THE METROPOLITAN POLICE BILL.-In the
Senate this morning, Mr.. Harlan, from the
Committee on the District OF Columbia, report.
ed back, without amendment the bill to amend
and consolidate the several acts establishinR
and relating to a metropoiitan police Of the
District Of Columbis. The bill goes upon the
calender for consideration by the Senate.
HIRAM POWERS writes that he cannot find
time to make visit to America, as it has been
rumored he intended TO do this year. s.lt is
not an easy matter,'' he says. Ito leave NV
studio, with twelve workmen engaged ON
marble, even for q month. They require con.
slant watching, and l must keep them EN-.
ployed, or they would leave me and 20 else
where"
THE SENATE yesterday passed the bill stri.
king the word "white" from the charters and
all laws relating to the cities of Washington
and Georgetown and the county Of Washing.
ton. in the District of Colun bia. 1t has al.
ready twice passed both Houses, bat within
less than ten days from the expiration OF the
session, and failed to become a law by reason
Of the President not returning it before the ad.
journment.
THE SUPREME COURT of the United States
was to-day engaged in hearing the argument
on the writ OF prohibition against Judge I'm.
derwood, Of Virginia, restraining him from
nullifying the action Of the courts in th 1t Sta.e
the officers OF which are ineligible under the
I4th amendment. 1t will be remembered that
wood who had been regularly convicted ana
sentenced BY the State Courts.
RELIGIOUS CORPORATIONS IN The DISTRICT.
Mr.. Vickers, in the Senate, this morning re-
ported back from the Dissric; Committee the
bill to incorporate the churches aud religious
societies and congregations in the District of
Columbia. 1t provides that when any lot or
tract Of land has been heretofore conveyed TO
one CT more trustees for the use and benefit of
any church, religious society, or congregation
or for place OF worship, parsonage, or ceme-
terry. and the same, with the improvements and
buildings thereon, are now held by such trus-
tees for such purposes, they are declared to be
body corporate and polite, by the names of
the respective churches, religious societies, or
cor gregations VIII ose interests they represent.
THE PATENT OFFICE APPROPRIATIONS
The bill containing the appropriations tor car
rying on The Patent Office during the next fiscal
year reduces the appropriation over one hum
dred and twenty five thoUsi and dollars below
that Of last year, and cuts down the clerical
force about oae-third, thirty-four clerks OF
various grades being thrown out. 1t also
abolishes the entire corps OF copyisis and
draughtsmen nearly ali OF the copyists being
ladies. 1t leaves out the salary of Mr.. Adams,
the Superintendent Of the Annual Report, and
dIspenses with the services OF - laborers and
IL watchmen. The Comm ssioner thinks it
will be impossible to conduct the business OF
the office properly unless the appropriation
shall be enlarged so the present force can be
continued, as his estimates were at the lowest
figures, but have been cut down by the COM
mi lee over twenty live per cent.
Hon MURRAY MCDONNELL, whose death by
assassination was briefly referred TO IA our
telegraphic dispatches a few days ago, will be
remembered by the older residents and hab.
tines Of Washington as prominent politician
OF Illinois, and more par ticularly as Fifth Au-
dItor Of the Treasury under President Buch.
anan.
The perpetrators, as well as the motive Of
the deed, are still shrouded in the deepest ob.
scurity. Mr.. Mcconnell, who resided at jack
senville, ILL.,, was found, 1t will be remem.
bered, on Tuesday morning last, aboat nine
O'Clock, IN his private bedroom and Office,
upon the floor on mis- face, in a pool Of blood.
He had breakfasted with the family about eight
O'Clock, and was seen in his room alone, read.
ing. about ten minutes before his lifeless body
was discovered. No one was seen or hsard to
enter the room or premises, which are located
on one of the main streets Of the city. Five
deep gashes, like those made by blows from
hammer or slung.shot, were found on his
head. The jaw bone was broken, and the skull
fractured in several places.
The deceased was in his usual health, had
spent the day before in writing, and was in.
tending TO leave for Springfield on the noon
train to transact private business there.
SoCIETY.-While the lenten season has had
the effect OF reducing both the number OF social
entertainments and the throng in attendance, 3, IL
can hardly be said TO have much diminished
the en- 10Y neut Of those who do not strictly
observe its requirements. This was evidenced
by the very pleasant assemblaGe at the resi-.
depce Of Senator Sherman last evening, and
which, despite the season and the fact that
both Houses OF Congress were in session, com.
prised many distinguished gentlemen aud an
unusually large proportion OF beautiful and
accomplished ladies. Among those present
were Secretary and Mrs. McCulloch, Secretary
Browning and Miss O'Bannon, Hon. ]. Lo.
hrop Motley, Senator Warner. Representatives
Schoiseld ana wife, Welker and wife and Miss
Holbrook, of Ohio; Hooper. Bingham, and
Eliot, Admiral Bailey and daughters, Judge
and Mrs Olin; Major kathbone and wife, Mrs
Deuas Barnes, Mr.. and Mrs. Torrey and daugh.
ter, Of Brooklyn; Miss williams, OF Pa; Hon
VIM. Whiting. General Burbridge, Assistant
Postmaster Mcclellan, number Of members
OF the foreign legations, and many others of
note.
The guests were pleasantly received aud
charmingly entertained BY Mrs. Sherman, aided