Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-13
LATEST NEWS.
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE WORCESTER DAILY SPY
From Washington.

SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE WORCESTER SPY.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. -,
STEERING WHEEL.
Col Mallory of Bridgeport, Conn, is here, ex-
hibiting his patent steering wheel TO the navy
department
APPROPRIATION BILLS.
The house is going at the regular appropria-
ton bills with vigor, having wholesome fear
that some of them will fail for lack of time.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
The house foreign affairs committee talked
over the subject of the Alabama claims to-day,
and the suggestions OF the president i'll refer
ence thereto, but no definite action was taken.
NATIONAL CEMETERIES.
The house military committee agreed to a re-
port on national cemeteries, which takes the
ground that the title of the United States to
these cemeteries is perfect, and cannot be con-
tested successfully.
A BRIDGE QUESTION.
In the house and senate commerce committees,
to-day, the question of the Cincinnati and New
port bridge was considered. Two delegations,
one from Cincinnati and one from Pittsburg
appeared before the committee, and urged that
the railroad company be compelled to so modify
the plan, in the erection OF the bridge, that there
shall be no obstruction to navigation.
PUBLICATION OF THE LAWS.
The house took step in the right direction
this afternoon, in regard to the publication of
the laws. 1t abolished the present law author
izing the house clerk to select newspapers in
In,
instead, that large but cheap pamphlet edition,
to cost ten thousand dollars, shall be printed
for general circulation by congressman.
PORTER.
Vice Admiral Porter's nomination to be adj
miral was taken up in executive session to-day,
and gave rise to considerable discussion. 1t is
understood that Senators Morton, Abbott and
Nye favored confirmation. In the course of the
debate, a question arose as to the position Of
Porter in the navy, in the event of the senate
refusing to confirm him. 1t was agreed to take
a vote tomorrow, and decide the case finally.
SAN DOMINGO.
If any more time is given to San Domingo
this session one or two important bills will 90
over. The president has been warmly urged
not to attempt to carry San Domingo anneXa-
ton by joint resolution, but to trust to a regular
treaty which will require two.thirds ofthe senate
Some of the most ardent friends of annexation
still insist that the attempt shall be made to
to crowd it through by joint resolution when it
is almost certain to result in defeat, II is
sad on the other hand, that only three or four
more changes are needed in the senate to secure
the necessary two-thirds, and that the prospects,
good of obtaining them in season. Mr.. Wade,
one of the commissioners, was on the floor of
the house this afternoon, conyersing with mem
bers. The president has conyersed with
several persons about going, and two
at least, have declined to 90.
1t is believed that, in no case, has any attempt
been made to commit the commissioners to an
nexaton. 1t is now certain that Prof, White,
of the Cornell university, will be another of the
commissioners, but the third member is still I'M
certain, 1t is understood that Bishop Ames has
been rendered the position, and holds it under
advisement. SAM WELLER.