Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-12-20
WASHINGTON.
Conrressioual Proceedings.

COnEresstOnhh Ffocoeunh~ -
WASHINGTON, December 2O.-Atten-
ton has recently been called to those
portions Of the Presidents late message
referring to our relations with Cuba, in
which he says that it is hoped that all
questions with Spain, growing out OF the
affairs in Cuba, may be adjusted in
spirit of peace and Cancellation, which
has hitherto guided the two powers 10
their treatment of such questions No
body seems to know positively that there
are any pending questions between this
country and Spain, except those which
have been referred to by Spanish Claim
Commission, and there is a wide-spr cad
inquiry as to what this passage in che
message means. A resolutions was in
troduced in the Senate to-day calling
for information on the subject.
The Committee on Elections this
morning considered the contested cleo
ton case of Mckenzie against Broxton,
from Virginia and unanimously decided
that Broxton, the sitting member, was
entitled to continue his seat. The
grounds of contest by Mckenzie were,
that some of the pool-books had not
been properly signed, and that on many
ballots Broxton's initials had been in
correctly given. The committee decided
the objections to be merely technical,
without evidence of fraud, aiad also that
il was the manifest intention Of electors
to vote for Broxtsn when they placed
his name on their ballots, end that the
mistake Of an initial was not sufficient
ground to throw out ballots.
Representative Sloss, of Ais bama, has
prepared and will shortly introduce in
the House a resolution instrslcting the
Committee on Ways and Means to in
vestigate and report the facts and cir.
cumstauces upon which the claim OF
Benjamin Holly, Of Huntsville, Ala
bama, for cotton, etc., was audited and
paid by the Treasury Department The
claim is pronounced fraud ulent.
The Committee on Ways and Means
heard the argument of Mr.. William Or
ton to-day for a reduction of duty on
telegraph wires.
The action of the South Carolina Leg
islature looking to the impe achment OF
Governor Scott and State Treasurer
Parker, meets very general approval
here.
The Washington Nation al Republican,
the Administration organ, in ats issue oil
yesterday morning, denonnces, in the
severest terms, what it calls the most
glaring frauds, committed by leading
State officials and unscr Ipulous thieves,
who have their agents alid allies in this
city.
Mr.. Fernando Wood h as charge OF the
resolution now pending to annex Lower
California to the United States, which he
will try to dispose Of before adjournment
for the holidays.
The Grand Jury, in sci sion at Raleigh,
N. c., has returned a trtle bill OF indlet-
ment against Hon. jaime Mcleod, mem
Der of Congress from that State, and
others, for conspiracy in the Ku-klux
law.
On Saturday last 2,574,46 4p unds
of cotton were shipped from Savannah,
Georgia, for Europe. it4 81 III
Secretary Boutwell, decides to extend
until the Both of June next the limita-
ton upon applications for refuuding
taxes in cases of claims already &C
crued.
SESATE.-0n motion, the House bills
appropriating $25, 900 for the expenses
of the Geneva Commission, and So, 225
for the expenses of the Mixed Commits.
sion at Washington, passed.