Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-09
From Washington.
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WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. s.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. s.
NOT WANTED IN WASHINGTON.
Commissioner PleaSanton has issued a ClrCu-
lar giving notice that in future the absence of
revenue officers from their districts will not be
permitted. all permits now outstanding grant
inc authority TO supervisors or other revenue
officers to visit Washington or absent them
selves from their district, when, in their opinion
the eXigencies OF the case require, are revoked.
GEN. sCHENCK,
Mr.. Schenck, in the course of conversation
with Gen. Pleasapton, remarked that be was de-
term;ned, during his residence abroad, to live
strictly within his paw in the absence of pri-
yate fortune, and that he would give it out I'M
medately on his arrival in England that he
could not afford to compete in social mag
nitcence with his better paid colleagues of other
countries, but would entertain as well as he
could on his salary. He declared that his sole
object was business, and that everything should
be made secondary to that His last appear
ance in public will be at the dinner, which GER
tain members of congress propose giving him
next week.
FINANCIAL MEASURES BEFORE CONGRESS.
There is but one financial measure of impor-
lance that will probably be acted Oh this session,
now pending in congress, and that is the new
S3OO,O0O,0OO five per cent bond bill, for refund
ing the public debt. 1t has passed the senate,
and will probably be reported from the ways
and means committee the coming week, and be
acted on by the house. There is nothing pend
ing before the senate finance committee now,
relating to financial matters nor anything of
any general interest before the banking and
currency committee.
CELEBRATION.
Unusual preparations are being made for the
celebration of the Goth and 21st of February in
this city. Pennsylvania avenue will be arched
and Illuminated, and grand reunion of the
press Of the country is contemplated.
THE NEW BEDFORD ALABAMA CLAIMS.
The committee from New Bedford visited the
department of state Yesterday with reference to
the Alabama claims. Secretary Fish being con-
fined at home by indiSpositiOn, their interview
was with Assistant Secretary Davis. The COM
mittee found that the executive department and
congress generally was in favor of the prompt
settlement of the claims. Mr.. Grape, in his con-
versation with Mr., Davis, urged the importance
of early action on the part of the government
He urged the deSirabiity of the indemnity
being distributed among tn original sufferers,
rather than speculation. If payment be made
now, those who suffered losses will receive COM
pensati0n, but, if delayed, the INDECENT and
needy will be compelled to assign for a small
per centage. Mr. Grape related instances of
hardships, not only to owners, but also of Off
GERS and crews of vessels burned at sea, and
alluded to the case of Captain James H. Clark
who, returning home after voyage Of four
years, in the Indian ocean, with a large
cargo of oil; the earnings of himself
and men for four years depended
upon the safe delivery of his cargo at
a home porT. Within a months sale Of New
Bedford, the Alabama destroyed his vessel and
cargo, and the master and crew were put
upon one of the Azores, whence they proceeded,
utterly destitute, to Fayal, and then, by the
charity of American ship masters were carried
to the United States.
Captain Clark, few months after, took COM
mand of another ship, sailed around Cape Horn
and made his way into the Arctic ocean, and,
while there, in the successful prosecution of his
voyage, the Shenandoah captured and destroyed
his vessel. Again his earnings were swept away,
and he left in a remote part of the globe without
provisions for his family, AM without means of
reaching his home. Mr.. Grape represented that
there were many such cases, and urged that
speedy justice be done these men, in the allow
ance and payment Of their claims.