New-York tribune., 1871-04-20
GENERAL WASHINGTON TOPICS.
CONGRESSMAN LEAVING FOR HOME-TIIE CLAl1s
COMMssIoN-THE CENSUS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THB TRIBUYE.l
WASHINGTON, wednesday, April 10. 1871


WASHINGTON, wednesday. April 10. 1871.
A the vacation about TO be taken by Congress Will be
what called the "long recess lasting until next De
cember many OF the members and Senator'S VIII take ad
vantage OF It make trips to Europe the Pacific coast
and other distant countries. There beng no important
elections occurring during the Summer and Fan, Is also
On inducement for being absent Among those going to
Europe are Senators Wilson and Stewart besides several
members OF the House.
The probability Of the adjournment OF Congress TO
morrow has induced many of tho members TO leave to-
night and the evening trains North were crowded with
abscondng ofhceseekers, hangers-on. and lobbyiss'
In the settlement OF claims under the act CT March O.
14s for vessels lost in the military service Of tho United
states Controller Brodhead to-day decided that the
Government was subrogated TO The rights Of the owners
in respect OF insurance and that consequently only the
value of the lost vessel less the amount OF insurance
would be paid. The underwriters, on the contrary
claimed that having paid the insurance they were suDro
gated 10 the rights of the owners and had therefore
legal claim for reimbursement IRON tho United States
The Controller stated that the party which received the
premium ought to stand the risk and that 1t would be
and unsound principle OF law which would give an
insurance company the premium and impose the risk on
the Government An opinion OF former AttorneyGen-
era was invoked IN favor OF the claims OF tho insurers
but the Secretary OF the Treasury sustained the CONTROL
Ter and declined payment
There Ia popular current throughout the coun-
try that tho Southern Claims Commission recently or
canized under authority OF Congress- and in session
I'm this city power adudcate and pay the class OF
claims they appointed TO consider. The Commits
sion has no authority whatever Its duties are merely
TO examine the evidence as presented by claimants
coming under the law Of Congress, to hear testimony
and 10 present the facts 70 Congress With such papers
and reports may necessary. Many lawyers IL
is said IN order obtain possession of the cases. lead the
claimants TO suppose that they can obtain their money
from the Government, thus making promises which they
cannot fulfill Congress will be slow to act on the cases.
and each one VIII depend altogether upon ts Justness
and the certainty Of the proofs.
Gen. Walker Superintendent Of the Census, reports
that the enumeration is stil incomplete, full returns
not having been received from the States of Arkansa'
Indiana, Mississippi Ohio, and Texas He says, how
ever that advces om the several Marshals yet In ar
rears Justify the expectation that complete returns from
the entire country viii be received by the first OF next
month.
The bds for furnishing stone for the new state Depart
ment building which the Committee OF Congress Is to
consider on the 2Gh ns will be constructed OF such
materials as can be furnished in abundance, and as
rapidy as required As the buildings for the War
md Navy Departments to be built of tho Same kind
OF material the Committee will require evidence showing
that the supply necessary for the whole can be furnished
by the successful bidder,