Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-04
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WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 8.
RHODE ISLAND POLITICS.
There is to be an election contest in the next
congress from Rhode Island. The seat of Mr.
Jenckes' successor will probably be contested
by the people of the district, Mr.. Jenckes does
not contest, and if case should be made out,
the result would be that vacancy would be de-
clared and new election ordered.
SUBSIDY LOBBYING.
The ocean steamship subsidy lobby is dis
couraged by the action of the senate to-day. 1t
is regarded as conclusive that even the senate
will not pass one of these bills this session. The
lobby now clamors for long sspring session of
the new congress, to enable them to crowd
through some of their schemes.
INVESTIGATION CLOSED.
The house military committee have closed the
military asylums investigation, and will soon
report to the house. Mr.. Farnsworth was asked
if he had any more witnesses to examine, but
declined. He asked the committee to require
Gen. Butler TO exhibit his bank account, and
other private papers, but they would not do so
unless Mr.. Farnsworth would state specifically
what he expected to prove thereby.
TO BE RESTORED.
The house naval committee have agreed to a
bill for the restoration of VIM L. HanscOm to
the office of naval constructor in case of his APP
pointment thereto by the secretary of the navy.
He lost his place during the war for giving un-
palatable advice in regard to the iron-clads, and
it is proposed now to give the secretary of the
navy the chance to restore him to his old posi-
ton.
THE PACIFIC RAILROADS.
The Pacific railroad demand for special legis-
lation in congress, to relieve it from the pay
ment Of interest on its second class of bonds, is
lot likely, at present, to succeed. The house
appropriations committee discussed the subject
this morning, and it has been considered in one
of the senate committees, and no prominent
member of either house is ready to support the
demand; it is not possible that the house will
agree to it.
NAVY YARDS.
League Island, New London, Kittery Island
and other proposed navy yards, were discussed
in the house for a time when the naval appro-
Driation bill was up. Mr.. Starkweather spoke
good word for New London, and the Philadel-
phia members were eloquent for League Island
while the Maine members did not forget Kittery
Island. Notice was given that these gentlemen
would hereafter, at a proper time, urge appro-
priations for all these projects.
THE MINISTER TO ENGLAND.
Gen. Schenck was on the floor of the house
for some time this afternoon, to the surprise of
some members who had read in the newspapers
that he had sailed for England. He has not
fixed any date for his departure but is waiting
to arrive at an understanding with the senate
and house committees on foreign affairs in re-
gard to the Alabama claims. He naturally de-
sires to know, not only the policy of the admin
istration, but how strongly that policy will be
supported in congress. SAM WELLER.
(FO the Associated PressJ
WASHINGTON, Feb. s.
APPOINTED.
The president to-day appointed John P. Put
nam, Boston, one of the commissioners on the
annual assay at the Philadelphia mint, on the
18th inst.
SECRETARY BOUTWELL,
Recommends that congress make an appropria-
ton, to enable him TO refund, as required by
the last tariff act, the difference between du-
ties paid under the old law on goods in ware
house Jan. list, 1871 and those enforced by the
new law, which went into effect on that date
There is now no fund from which payments can
be lawfully made.
ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC RAILROAD.
The third section Of the twenty-five miles of
the Atlantic and Pacific railroad has been ac-
cepted, and the issue of government bonds or
dered.
MISS ANNA ELLA CARROLL.
The senate committee on military affairs have
reported bill, appropriating S5000 the full
amount claimed by Anna Ella Carroll of Mary
land, for furnishing valuable information to the
war department during the rebellion, and aid in
preparing useful publication upon her under
standing with the war department. Col Thomas
A. Scott states that, about Nov. 3Oth, 1861, Miss
Carroll called on him, as assistant secretary OF
war, and suggested the propriety of abandoning
the expedition which was then preparing to de-
scend the Mississippi river, and adopt, instead,
the Tennessee river, and handed him plan of
the campaign, which plan he submitted to the
secretary of war, and its general ideas were
adopted
LATE ACCOUNTS FROM SAN DOMINGO
Verify those previously received that CabraPs
forces are small in number, owing to desertion
and other causes. 1t is fur her stated that he
occasions but little if any trouble to the govern
ment.
THE HOUSE PACIFIC RAILROAD COMMITTEE
To-day informally discussed the Southern Pacific
railroad bill, and, it is understood, will report
in favor of the passage of the bill passed by the
senate last July, without amendment.
THE JAPANESE EMBASSY
Visited the senate to-day, occupied seats in
the diplomatic gallery, and were introduced to
a number of senator's
RECEPTION.
The second reception of the president and
Mrs. Grant, tonight, was attended by bril-
liant and fashionable crowd, numbering several
thousand. Mrs. Grant was assisted in receiving
by Mrs. Secretary Fish and Mrs. Ex-Governor
Morgan, of New York. Vice-President and Mrs.
Colfax, number of senators and their wives,
several foreign ministers, number of dis
tinguished army and navy officers, judges of the
supreme court and Others were present.