New-York tribune., 1871-01-11
WASHINGTON.
THE NATIONAL ASYLUM NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
LEGISLATION FOR DISCHARGED sOLDIERS-A
NEW CANAL PR0JECT-NEW PLATES FOR Ma
TIONAL BANK NOTES.-THE AMNESTY BILL.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUYEl

LEGISLATION FOR DISCHARGED sOLDIERS-A
NEW CANAL PR0JECT-NEw PLATES FOR Ma
TIONAL BANK NOTES.-THE AMNESTY BILL.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNB.l
WASHINGTON. Tucsday Jan. 10, 1871.
The examination Of witnesses in the National Asylum
investigation begun to-day by O Subcommittee OF
tho House Military Committee, under the Craftsmanship
Of Gen. Negley. Mr. Clancy, clerk TO the President Of
the Beard of Managers, and Mr.. b. D. Whitney who is
connected with Gen. Butler, examined by Gen.
Farnsworth who invited to attend and question tho
witnesses. The examination Of Mr.. Clancy was con-
Quoted with view to prove that disabled officers were
not employed officers Of the Asylums required by
law, but positive testimony elected on this point
Mr. Whitney that his only connection with the
Asylum was to examine applicants for admission who
came to Gen.HButer's office in this city, to the
number of dozen more each day.
He had examined and forwarded over soldiers and
had rejected DesryOO who not found entitled to
admission This work he did without pay, to accommo-
date Gen. Butler and Mr. Clancy An attempt to Iues
ton the witnesses their personal relations to Gen.
Butler objected TO by Mr.. Butler himself who was
present and the objection sustained by the Com
nittee. The principal Witness Col Wiegel, who was on
Gen. Buffers staff while the latter at Orleans,
and who processes TO know something OF Importance,
was not examined to-day. His testimony will be taken
Ut the next meeting of the Committee on Monday
The efforts made in Congress for the last four years
10 legislation gaining bounty to soldiers
Congressman who wish TO mako political capital with
this class Of their constituents have turned their direc
ton to drawing bills TO give them special advantages In
settlement of the public lands section in the
Army bill of last session gave all men who served 90
days In the the right 10 enter leo the alter
sections along the railroads instead of 50 which all
other settlers can enter under tho Homestead act
dozen bills have already been introduced In this session
TO extend the provisions Of this section One proposes
to give every soldier land warrant for leo acres as
done after the Mexican Another deducts the
time soldier served in the army from the five years,
occupancy Of the land required by the Homestead
law TO give the settler title. Another permits disabled
soldiers to assign their rights under the law Of last
son certain relatives named; and still another allows
them to transfer TO any person the privilege OF settle
ment One bill gives all soldiers the right to preempt
and buy leo OF the land owned by the Government
along railroads at 81 Is acre, instead of 50 at
50 80 and another gives soldiers In tho civil ser
vice OF the Government the right to enter homestead
through their families agents There aro several other
bills Of like purport The privileges which many OF these
propose to grant OF little real value to tho
soldiers, and they have bad effect In keeping alive
among the soldiers feeling that tho country has not
shown proper gratitude toward Them and that some
large appropriation OF land VIII yet 10 made
for their benefit.
At its meeting to-day, the Commerce Committee au-
thorzed Mr.. Bennett 10 report bill as substitute for
the one previously offered by him. concerning the pro-
lection OF the Northern Frontier. The bill authorizes
the Secretary the Treasury to issue coupon or regis
tered bonds to the amount of 100000 redeemaDe coin
after years. and at the end OF so years. at ~ per cent
interest con Before the bonds are to be delivered tho
NewYork State Legislature shall pledge that the work
shall begun Of enlargng one tier Of locks on the Eric
and Oswego Canals to a sufficient capacity to pass
warvessels of IS feet beam and 200 feet length and also
OF COO tuns by such deepening ana wld
enng as may necessary All munitions OF war; stores
or supplies for the General Government, to be passed
tffafn 10 ia IN
three Commissioners to supervise the work Oh the
Canals
The recommendation Of the Secretary OF the Treasury
for the preparation of plates for all national bank
notes s cOncurred in by the Committee on Banking ana
Currency, which will report bill authorizing inc nc"
plates Tho number Of counterfcts IN crcuahoh espe
eiay of $40 notes, makes new issue urgently required
for the protection OF the public.
The Reconstruction Committee has not met since the
Ivyess, tukou no rurtci action On The uueSh
OF amnesty. No amendments 10 the Buter pi "Ih'
therefore, proposed, and If the bill comes up to-nor
row. as expected vote will probably be reached tho
same dav on the amendments now pending. The con-
vction that nothing be accomplished IN the drec-
ton OF amnesty, this session, owing TO tine great dVe
sitv OF views prevailing among Republicans in Congress,
has DESTROYED all interest in the BILL and 1t was not pos
sbe TO ascertain to-day the probable fate Of the several
amendments.
The Judiciary Committee OF the House has authorized
Judge Loughridge OF Iowa, member Of the Committee
TO report amendment TO the ApportUnment Dl that
tho same may be printed providing for ali increase OF
Renresentatyes In Congress to 800, and requiring the
election for the additional members 10 be held next Fall
The Committee however is not favorable to this propos-
ition but will probably agree upon the bill making the
representation ESQ.,
The resolution Of Butler adopted on Thursday last
did not call for ali the information file in the state
Department in regard 10 San Domingo. There are many
letters written by exRebel Gen. Pickett now lawyer
I'm this city, but about 20 years United States Consul
nj Turks Island These letters advocated the purchase
from Gen Cabra then in power in San Domingo, OF sa
mana Bay as a preliminary step TO the acquisition OF
that Republic and other West India Islands.
Last night the through train from New-fork, when
left Baltimore Washington at $3.50 p was entered
y robbers who broke into the baggage car ana threw OH
five trunks near Four Mile House. and, after rifiing
more Of baggage in the left the train at the Relay
House and went back to secure the trunks. Detectives
discovered that clothing taken, the object seem
ing to vauabes. One gentleman hdd s2OOO
worth of diamonds the ear which the thieves dld not
succeed getting No clue OF the robbers has Dcen ds
The reception OF Mrs. Grant to-day was largely at
tended. In addition 10 other prominent persouages
the Cabinet Officers, WIN lhe t4ceptpno VI ~
tary Bclknap. There also present members o tue
Corps Senators and representatives oicefs
of the Army and Navy together with the Presden, ana
many ladies. IL il said 10 nave Deen one OF the nst
brilliant receptions that took place at the Executive
Miss adelaide W. Murdaah delivered lecture tonight
at the Lincoln Hall against Womans suffrage ana was
well received. The audience was not large
TIE COLORED LABOR CONVENTION.
SECOND DAYS sEssIoN-RFsOLUTIoNs AND COM
MITTEES
A III