New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-29
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
WASHINGTON.

THE PROTECTION OF OCEAN TELEGRAPH CABLES
IN TINE OF Wharf.-The NEW PoST-oFfICh
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF u. S. sENA-
TOR DANIEL ID. PRATT OF INDIANA-JUDGp
| STATIONS PROBABLE SUCCESSOR.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBUSEl
WASHINGTON Tuesday, Dec. 49, 1862
The subject OF the neutrality of ocean cables In time OF
war; as well as the by which their destruction IS
to be prevented which will attract the speedy az
tenon Of all maritime Powers. Our own Governments
has taken the initiative in these questions, ana the Al
mnistraton is preparing to open negotiations ior
treaty between the nations interested The diplomatic
of the United States have been instructed
to submit for the consideration Of foreign Governments
the proprety Of holding convention, the object or
which viii be to provide that exclusive concessions
Of right lay submarine cables shall be granted by any
Government that Government shall have the rghto
wise messages transmitted Through the cables that they
shall be treated neutral property during war; ana tnat
their destruction at ony time shall be act OF piracy
AT present there no law for the punishment OF persons
seeking the destruction of the wires
The House Subcommittee POst-0fices and Post
Roads took the train for NewYOrk tonight accompanied
by shorthand reporter The Committee will inyesti-
gate matters connected with the NewYork Post ONCE
building, and is said to have summoned the architects
who prepared the original plans, to determine whether
the length OF the building has been decreased on the City
Hall end Is feet has been charged full inyestiga-
ton in reference to the alleged irregularities Will be
made, and the Committee will then adjourn and hold
session in Boston.
Senator Pratt of Indiana is satisfied with less than
years experience in the u g. Congress- and will never
appear in the Senate Chamber again In official
pacty He will, within three days. tender bis resigna-
ton Senator from Indiana to the Governor OF that
State take effect the 10th Of January next the day
upon which Congress reassembes after the holiday re-
cess The which Mr. Pratt presents for this un-
expected action that the Senate does not suit OF
his class the position has always been an awkward
him. that he did not seek the place and is tired OK
IT, and further, that he Is too old TO begin scheming
political llfe He says he does not feel at home in the
Senate Chamber, that he continually disrusts his own
ability that he Of to his constituents, and that
he has the courage rise he Senate and discuss
question health also additional reason, and he
says troubled with which Is increased
by being the Senate He emphaticaly adds that he is
the most unhappy man in Washington. In view Of all
these dscourang circumstances Senator Pratt has do
cided to his home in Indiana, and eschew Office
henceforth The Governor OF Indiana will appoint sue
cessOr 1t Is thought, at once.
The Hon. John A Wells, prominentlawyer OF Western
Pennsylvania being urged upon the President for the
Supreme Court vacancy created by the death OF Mr. Sa
ton. Mr.. Wells is member Of the Supreme Court Bar.
well known the profession for his connection as conn
sci for the Government with the famous Almaden
Quicksilver Mine case and others that have arisen in
California land matters 1t Is claimed that he has always
been Radical Republican, and he is the author OF the
famous political epigram denouncng Slavery and
POlYgamY
ported the resolution embodyng it at the first Republic
can Convention in 1856. Mr.. wess nomination is sup
ported by Atorneyen Hoar Speaker Blaine, and other
prominent persons here and in his own State.
The House Committee Appropriations, or all the
members OF the Committee now here, will continue the
consideration the estimates for the next year during
the recess in order present the bill to Congress as
early as possible Mr. Dawes hopes to have all the bills
ready for presentation the last Of January The Com
mittee will include in the present bills appropriations
for objects not authorized by law and will submit to
rigid examination all estimates Of the Departments and
Bureaus. and will cut down every dollar possible
Judge Richardson Assistant Secretary OF the Treasury,
has decided upon the acceptance of his resgna-
tion and he will retire from the Department on the Isl OF
January He will return Saturday to Massachusetts.
and his seat upon the bench He has been urged
by President to and also by Secretary Bout
well, and large number Of Senators and Representa-
tyes his Judgeshp is for life aud he claims that the
salary Of Assistant Secretary does pay his board
bills The appointment Of successor has not yet beeR
considered.
Senator Williams to-day received a telegram from
Portland Oregon announcing the completion OF the rail-
road and telegraph lines for the first 20 miles Of the Ore
gon Central Railroad. The road is fully completed and
equipped and running The Government Com
missioners will at examine the road, aud make
port TO the Secretary OF the Interior.
NO CABINET MEETING YESTERDAY-THE BAJrI-
MORE AND OHIO RAILROAD CASE.
GENERAL PRESS DlSPATCH.i
The President In his office but short time to- day,
aud visitors were received No Cabinet meeting was
held and the clerks Of tho departments all permit
ted 10 leave at noon.
The ease OF the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company,
charged with Obstructng the public highways,
taken up in the Criminal Court to-day 10 was IN testi-
mony that the Company refuses to conform to the street
grade, thereby rearding city Improvement The object
of the SUIT is TO compel obedience TO municipal law
The Indian has official reports from the Navajo
Agency, stating that the Indians have received their an
NIFTY goods and presents OF goats and sheep from the
Government which has had the effect OF strengthening
the relations Of peace.