Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-02-03
Ito the Associated Press.l


WASHINGTON, Feb 2.-The case Of steamer
Hornet was under consideration in the cabinet
today, and there was some discussion as TO the
matter of allowing that vessel TO leave Bati-
more harbor withOt Investigation. The subject
was referred to the attorney general. All the
members of the cabinet were present, excepting
Mr.. RObeson.
WHO READS AN AMERICAN PAPER2
Sir Edward Thornton has been applied to
from home 10 obtain copies of every newspaper
periodical and magazine published in the United
States, to be placed on exhibition mt the nterna-
national exposition, to take place i'll England
this year. Publishers who desire to avail them
selves OF the opportunity to be represented at
the English exhibition, will address copy of
their publication, OF some date in February, to
Joseph Shillington, news agent, Washington,
D. c.
POSTAL.
The postmaster general this afternoon, in ac-
cordance with the recommendations of the con-
greSS committees, executed Il contract with the.
Williams and GuiOn steamship line, for carry
ing the Wednesday mail TO Liverpool and
Queenstown for two years from January /, 1872,
at the rates of compensation prescribed by law.
The commerce committees of congress and the
post office committees, at a joint meeting, to-
day, unanimously agreed TO advise the pOstmas-
ter general to award TO the Williams & GuiOn
line, Notwithstanding the offer of another com
pany to carry the mail for nothing, as the com
pany so offering two years ago combined with
three others not to carry mails for the compen-
saton then allowed, and the Williams & Guion
line then came to the relief of the country. The
latter line is also partially owned by Americans.
COMMITTEE WORK.
The appropriation committee this morning
continued the consideration of the deficiency
appropriation bill, but no conclusion was
reached.
The judiciary committee this morning had
under consideration the bill for an air line rail
road from New York to Chicago, and heard argu-
mcnts in favor OF same.
The salt men had another hearing this morn
ing before the ways and means committee. The
free trade men contended that the tax on salt
was a tax upon the soil, as hundreds of bushels
would be used lift was cheaper, and that for that
reason all duty should be removed The rep
resentatyes of the Syracuse interest also were
heard in favor of protection. The committee
will probably give others opportunity for argu'
ment, but that question has not been definitely
determined.
Secretaries Fish and Boutwell, were before tue
foreign affairs OOnmltteo tliH morning q relation
TO the bill offered by Gen, Banks on Dec. i1th,
to carry into effect the provisions of the treaty
Of Washington, aud to hear arguments. The
committee authorized General Banks 10 report
the bill but without recommendation, and II is
understood that each member Of the committee
Is at liberty TO oppose or favor the bill, II is
understood that nearly all of the members Of the
committee are opposed to the bill and will OPP.
pose il in Its present form. Messrs Fish and
Boutwell, both favor the bill.
MINOR MATTERS,
No senate to-day.
MIR. Charles Hale has been warmly welcomed
here by his friends who are sdnguine that his
nomination will be confirmed by the senate
next week.
A valuable public document Of 272 pages on
the seal aud whale fisheries has Just been print
ed Dy order OF the house. II is a republication
ol lne repnfls OF Thomas Jefferson when secre
tary of statei u memorial from the general couit
OF Massachusetts; and the exhaustive report
prepared by Lorenzo Sabine in 1852. These
documents can but enlighten congressman CON
cerning the valuable interest which is now un.
OF Washington.
The contested Florida election case was heard