The Portland daily press., 1870-01-26
WASHINGTON.
THE CONTESTED ELECTION CASES.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 25-The House Com
mittee on Elections have decided to return for
examination the credentials of Mr.. Porter, on
account OF his alleged disloyal record, on Mr..
Segar by reason of the questions of the right
OF Virginia to send representative at large,
and of Messrs. Boxer and Mckenzie because
their seats are contested. The credentials of
the rest of the delegations will be reported fa-
vorably at once, subject to their taking the
usual oath. 1t is expected that no objections
will be made to swearing in Senators without
a reference of their credentials to the Commit
tee on Judiciary.
Some time ago the Committee on Elections
decided to report in favor of giving the seat
now occupied by Mr.. Greene to Mr.. Van
Wyck, of New York, but on further coAsulta-
ton it is said they have directed both parties
to re-examine the votes in the contested dis
trict.
THE DUTY ON COAL.
The Committee on Ways and Means to-day
had before them proposition to admit all coal
free of duty. 1t was agreed to by yeas 8, nays
4. The subject caused good deal OF excite.
ment. 1t is probable that Mr.. Maynard will
change his vote to the negative.
PERSONAL
Prince Arthur and suite visited the Treas
ury Department. to-day and was shown through
the printing bureau the cash room, the vaults,
&c, by Secretary Boutwell,.
The Comptroller of the Currency has issued
notice to the national banks, urging them to
forward Immediately a report of their condi-
ton as shown by their books at the close of
business on the 22d inst.
NOMINATIONS.
T The President sent to the Senate to-day the
following nominations: Franz Sigel to be As
SCISSOR OF Internal Revenue for the 9th district
of New York; Joseph II. Blackburn, to be
Marshal for the Middle District of Tennessee.
THE SURVEY OF THE IsTHMUs.
In response to resolution heretofore passed
the President sent a message to the House to-
day enclosing letter from the Secretary of
the Navy, IN which the latter says that no APP
preparations for the navy have been diverted
to the survey of the Isthmus of Darien. An
act of Congress approved July %. 1866, appro-
priated $4,000 for the purpose of surveying
the Isthmus.
BIDS FOR PRINTING PAPER.
Bids for the supply of paper to the Govern
ment for the printing for the ensuing year
were to-day opened by joint committee on
public printing in the presence of the bidders.
There were over fifty distinct bids tor the diff
ferent classes and parts OF classes, coming
from sixteen of the leading manufacturers of
the country. No awards will be made until
after the proposals have been examined and
the bids classified. 1t is understood that the
proposals are generally somewhat lower than
those of last year.
The Secretary of the Navy has addressed a
letter to Representative Schofeld, chairman of
the Committee on Naval Affairs, informing
him that he has transmitted to the House
copy of the record OF the proceedings and pa
pers of the board of officers heretofore COM
vened by order of the Navy Department to
take into consideration the subject of assimi-
lated rank between officers of the various
corps of the navy.
THE QUESTION OF NAVAL RANK.
The Secretary offers some suggestions, Civ
ing them definite form, in the shape of bill
which he encloses. In addition to other fea-
lures the bill recommends reduction of the
officers of the marine corps we'll as change
in the proportion and a reduction of the num-
Der of line officers the navy. Thus it will be
observed that he has recommended large re-
duction in the number of lieut.. commanders
and an increase in the number of lieutenants,
q elimination of the number of ensigns and an
enlargement in the number of masters; en-
deavoring at once to promote economy and to
bear constantly in mind the actual necessity of
the service and the best means OF insuring it's
efficiency.
TAE VIRGINIA BILL.
The Virginia bill was received by the Presi-
dent this afternoon and will probably be signed
to- morrow.