The New York herald., 1870-03-11
An Apology and Redress Demanded Of the
Spanish Government for the Seizure
Of the Steamer Aspinwall.
Passage in the House Of the Army
Reduction Bill.
Spirited Debate on the Funding Bill
in the Senate.


downfall Of sainavc Minister Basset dispatches
by this vessel to Havana The vessel left Port au
Prince. During her voyage she was overtakcn by
very severe weather aud driven Off the Cuban coast
IN the vicinity OF Nueyitas. Here the vessel was
seizea on the nigh seas by a Spanish man-of-war
The vessel was taken 10 Havana and now lies under
Spanish guns. In his n0te to Mr. Roberts Mr. Fish
demands the release OF the vessel, an apology ana
indemnity the latter to be adjusted through the pro-
per chanaels Nothing has yet been heard from Mr.
Roberts.
Cuban Affairs Before the House Committee.
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs this
morning were engaged in the discussion of Cuban
affairs. They have before them all the facts in the
case thus far furnished by the Department OF State
but desire additional information before they
To conclusion on Mr.. Bauks' resolution defining the
relations between The people OF Cuba and the gov
ernment OF SPAIN IN order TO act upon IL more inte
ligently. They have authorized the chairman TO
invite the Secretary OF State TO be present at u
special meeting Of the committee next Monday.
There IS reason to believe that majority OF tho
members are opposed to the joint resolution re-
Gently reported by the Senate Committee on For
eign Relations.
The Air Line Railroad Proice - Efforts of
Lobbyists to Dcfeat the Bill.
The anti air line lobby was nard ut work again to-
day TO defeat the bin. Since Rogers. OF Arkansas
made ratd upon the lobbyists admitted to the door
number of ex-Conaressman have been employed
who have access TO the hoor under the rules Two
or three OF these gentlemen on the oor Of the
House to-day buttonhoiDg and boring members
with an energy that surpassed the Oldest professional
lobbyists. Ginery Twichell, Of Massachusetts.
who IL said TO be large stockholder
in the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore
Railroad, made an effort to-day when the Air Line
n fnrf fhlrfv DIR
as to give the lobby time to operate; but House,
by vote OF 91 to CO. refused the modest request IL
Is proper to state all the lobby not confined the
anti'air line people. Tho promoters OF the air
line project are quite as earnest in endcavOring To
Impress congressman, through employed agents, OF
the absolute utility ana necessity Of the road
Republican Senate oriai Caucus the Georgia
Bill.
The caucus or republican senators held meeting
this morning to determine what course should he
pursued by the majority in the Senate with refer
ence to the House bill for The admission OF Georgia.
The caucus was very fully attended. and
general discussion took place to advisability
Of retaining the proviso known as the Bingham
amendment. Senators Norton, Drake, Thayer and
Cameron spoke In favor OF striking 1t out. Messrs.
Trumbull, Edwards Ferry and others advocated its
retention. No vote was reached, and IL is under
stood that the sentiment OF the caucus was
not definitely shown by the course of the
debate, the speakers being about equally divided
In numbers. The caucus seemed TO be SO equally
divided that both sides were tudtsposed to como to
q vote on the main issue. Motion TO adjourn till to-
morrow and TO this afternoon were lost and mo-
tion to adjourn sine die carried. Unless there be
further action in caucus THAI amendment Will be
adopted by at least ten majority OF the Senate.
Reorganization of tho Consular system.
The Senate Committee Commerce had meet
ing this morning and took into consideration the
proposition. to reorganlze tine consulates OF the
United States. IL was determined fn addition, to
make number OF changes--that all consuls shall
henceforth receive salaries instead OF fees, as In
some cases. The bill will be reported on Monday
next. The Senate Committee on Post Onices ana
Post Roads met to-day, but transacted no business
OF importance.
The Army Reduction Bill in the Housc-Shnrp
Encounter between Logan and Kelley.
The bill reported from the Committee on Military
Affairs for the reorganization Of the army and to fix
the pay thereof came up in the House to-day as the
regular order, and after a debate OF u few hours
passed substantially as was ali reported. General
Logan the chairman OF the committee, occupied
couple OF hours In explaining the provisions OF the
bin. He was rather hard upon the army officers,
especially those Of the higher grades, though he
disclaimed any personal feeling In the matter.
WHuc Logan was III the MIDST or his speech
General Sherman entered the house. and was
an attentive listener to the balance OF the
debate. The Secretary Of War was also present.
The basis Of Logan's argument was I'M, one so much
used in the House these cs--'.Ecbnomy.n He
complained Of the large number OF what he termed
useless officers, alleging that there oiiicer
for every ten men IN the army Several amend
ments were offered, but net adopted the House
seeming determined TO put the bill through as 1t
stood. During the debate there was sharp en-
counter between Kelley and Logan. Kelley offered an
amendment favorable 80 the retention OF
the major generals IN the service
and MADE few remarks In It's support
Logan, in a. bitter, sarcastic vein, alludng
to Kelley as the gallant member from Philadelphia
who had good word for the feathered MAJOR gene
ras but nothing for the officers OF lower grade who
would be mustered out by the bill. he said some
thing about Keley's ponderous voice, which Kelley
did not seem To reish whereupon the member from
Pennsylvania 0verhauled Logan for his service in
the democratic party In years gone by He twitted
him upon his defence OF slavery and oppression and
boosted that his tkelley's) voice had never been
raised in the cause OF slavery. Logan, who
had the advantage OF Kelley in mol losing
his temper cooIly replied that he had
struck the chains or bondage from more
slaves than the gentlemnn from Pennsylvania had
ever u0ue ana more lIdn all Ni3 ever
hope to do. IT Is thought the bill Will with coz
siderable opposition in the Senate, ana probably un-
dergo some amendment there IL it does not meet
with absolute defeat.
New York Port Wardeus.
The House Commerce Committee had long dis
cusson to-day the bill to facilitate the adjustment
or controversies between parties Interested
In maritime adventures and contracts IN
the port Of New York and to establish u
Board Of Port Wardens. II IS bill
introduced by MIR. Tanner, OF New York. II pro-
vldes for the appointment by the Secretary of the
Treasury Of board Of nine port wardens, who shall
bectizens OF New York, and defines their duties.
proposition was submitted TO make the bill
apply TO all other ports US weA az New York. This
was opposed by gentlemen on the committee repre-
senting other ports of entry. who thought it would
be good thing for New York. but did not ike 10
have II apnlied To their own cities No aclinn uaa