The New York herald., 1871-02-14
WASHINGTON.
Senatorial Breeze Over the
Test Oath Bill.
>~~~~~>>~~~>~>>~>~~~~~o~>~
Congressman Brown on Trial
for Bigamy.
Spanish-American Commission to
Settle the Cuban Claims.
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The Russian Adventurer Mitkie-
witt Exposed.
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Washington Welcomes the Fe-
Rian Exiles.


There was lively debate in the Senate to-day on
the admission to his seat OF Mr.. Miller, Senator
elect from Georgia. During the discussion the bill
TO repeal the test oath was incidentally referred to-
whereupon Senator Morton denounced it as an un-
wise measure, and charged that 1t passed
the Senate without Senators knowing or
thinking much about 1t; in other words,
1t went through by fraud He hoped the Presl.
dent would veto it. Several Senators said that
the bill in question was passed without attracting
their attention. Morton further charged that the
bill had not been properly considered by the Judi
cary Committee. Trumbull and Thurman de-
nounced Norton ana stated that what he said was
not correct. Thurman said that II he knew the
member OF the Judiciary Committee who divulged
Ats proceedings to Morton he would move to censure
him. Edmunds attacked Thurman and Nye, turned
upon Trumbull, and for some time there was gene
raj nre all along the line. 1t is not impro-
bable that the President may veto the bill
TO repeal the test OATH especially after the debate
In the Senate to-day which developed the fact that
The strongest friends Of the President ains it
and desire to have II vetoed. The statement of
eral Senator's 10 the effect that the bill passed the
Senate by mistake, will also have some effect upon
his action Should he veto the bill 1t Will undoubt-
edly fail, as 1t cannot secure the necessary two
thirds III either House.
The Indian Frauds IrvesrigatiOus-A White.
washing Report.
The Committee OF the House which mas been en-.
gagged In investigating the charges preferred by Will
Liam Welsh, or Philadelphia, against the manage
ment OF the Indian Bureau, had the testimony
printed to-day for the use Of the committee They
will now proceed TO make their report to be SUBJ
mitted to the House. Ii is understood that the ma
j0rty report will show that while there nothing In
the evidence to prove dishonesty corrup-
ton on the part OF Commissioner Parker. it is
clearly shown that the affairs of the
bureau have been loosely managed, by
reason of which parties outside have been allowed
TO make large sums of money by exorbitant charges
for merchandise purchased and transported for the
bureau. There Will probably be minority report
duplicating Commissioner Parker IN the outside ir-
Tegularlties.
The Cuban Claims Commission.
General Sickles telegraphs TO the State Depart
ment that the negotiations for mixed commission
to consider the claims for injuries to the persons
ana properties of American citizens by Spanish
authorities during the insurrection In Cuba have
been concluded, and that the messenger ls on his
way to this city with the correspondence.
Rights of Foreign Vessels in American Ports.
The Treasury Department has received advices that
the owner of the cargo OF the British schooner
Emery, which arrived at Erie, Pa, on the lst of
December last, has complied with the requirements
OF the law In giving bond for the delivery OF his
cargo at Cleveland and paying the expenses ac-
crued for the employment on board OF an inspection
force. AS the case has already attracted much at
tention on the northern frontier 1t may be well to
state the fact that when the Emery arrived at Ere
with her dutiable cargo the department was IN
formed that the master claimed tnat he entered
port IN distress and could with safety proceed to
his destination. As 1t is usual to extend
o degree OF hospitality In such cases, the
Collector was directed to ascertain whether the
revenue would be protected by closing and sealing
the matches OF the vessel 1t was stated in reply
that the Emery did not appear to be in Distress but
that the master was testing his rights in American
waters and had decided to make an entry of his
cargo, the manifest showing that the vessel was
destined for Cleveland. The Collector then IN
structed to place an Inspector on board, al the
ter's expense, which was done. Subsequently,
however. the Collector stated that the revenue cut
ter Perry had taken up winter quarters alongside the
Emery, with instructions to hold the vessel under
observation, aud that the presence of the inspector
on board might not be necessary. The Collector was
therefore instructed to take satisfactory bond for
the delivery of the cargo at Cleveland, and to
discontinue the employment OF inspectors first
collecting from the master a sum equal to the ex-
penses incurred to the government by reason of the
presence of the Emery that port. AS some doubts
existed to how far the practice has been uniform
In regard 10 cargoes Of vessels detained at ports
other than those Of their destination, by reason of
the sudden and unexpected closing OF navigation,
An examination into the question was had, and. as
the case or the Emery was the first instance in
which the customs authorities on the frontier re-
ported to the department. in the absence OF a gen.
erai rule the Secretary directed that on the execu-
tion OF bond for the delivery OF the cargo within
six months at Cleveland and the payment OF the
expense OF the inspection force the fines and penal
ties that might accrue would not be enforced The
action OF the department In this case has established
the principle that when a foreign cargo arrives
within port OF the United States 1t subject to the
revenue laws, no matter whether sucn port Is the
destination Lot, and II vessel chooses to lolter
in port she can only be INDUCED at her own ex-
pense and not at the expense Of the government.
The action OF tho Collector at Erie accordingly
sustained throughout by The department.
The West Point Outrnge-Thc Case Of the
Colored Cadet.
It's expected that the House will tomorrow take
mp for action the report OF the Military Committee
upon the late disturbances West Point, and vote
.ppon the proposed resolutions recommending the
Secretary Of War to restore to the Academy the
three expelled cadets, all OF whom now legally
separated from 1t by resignation or discharge ana
to appoint q court martial to discover and dismiss
the ringleadors In the 'soutragen and to
suitably nunish all others concerned It is
ystsssd that General Butler VIII champion the
cause ofthe first class, Of which the Presidents son
Na member and that much stress win be laid on
~ gallant conduct Of the cadets on the occasion Of
IN eburning OF the barracks, the morning OF the
stn tinst in extenuatlon OF the charges that they
wer, k.guity OF any gross breach OF the academic
rules vOf discipline.
The papers in the case Of the coored cadet, Smith,
VINO W ~ court martaled on several charges are
now in 1e hands Of the Secretary OF War. whe has
M. as ve mad time TO examine the vouminous re-
port OF tho ~sestmony taken.
The New .Apportioumcnr OF Representative.
The bul I, the appornonment OF Representatives
IN CONGRESS- upon the basis Of the new census VIII
probably be r. pOrted from the House Judiciary CON-
mittee this we, Y. The delay in reporting it is un