The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-03-20
Latest News from Washington.
Conversational.

WASHINGTON, March 19.-Senate.- The
bin giving the officers and men of the kear-
sage $780, 1000 for destroying the Alabama was
passed. y
The Committee OF Finance reported ad-
yersely on the bill substituting compound in
tcrest notes for legal tenders.
The bill compelling banks to hold their re-
serve in coin was discussed without action.
The Chicago relief bill was discussed to
adjournment.
House. The President was requested to
give all the information i'll his possession re-
garding the imprisonment of DR.. Howard in
Cuba. F a
The bill compensating the captors Of the
steamer Albenlarle was passed. -......
A petition from four thousand persons in
California for female suffrage in the Terrific
ries and the District of Columbia was pre-
sented by Mr.. Sargent, who aYowed himself
in favor of the movement. + 4, ii
The post-office appropriations bill was re-
suned. The increased subsidy to the Pacific
China mail was opposed.
Mr.. Beck said it was the entering wedge
to a series of subsidy bills, of which seven
teen were now pending. ...4. ......
The discussion lasted till adjournment
without action.
ConstitHtiOnality of the Enforcement
Act Before the United States SUI
premc Court.
WASHINGTON, March 19.-The case of
Avery and Others, indicted under the Cen
forccmcnt act" for the killing of one Jim
Williams While attempting to prevent colored
people from voting in South Carolina, came
I'D before the Supreme Court to-day, and
was argued on motion made by the Go
yernment to dismiss the writ of error, be-
cause it is il motion to quash, which was
wholly within the discretion of the court
below, the Government insisting that, as the
matter was within the discretion of that
court. this court has not the jurisdiction to
review it.
The case involves the constitutionality OF
the enforcement, or kukluX act, OF May, 1870,
on the question whether the 10th amend
ment authorizes the legislation, or, in other
words, whether the act is appropriate legls-
lation to carry into effect the provisions Of
the amendment. The Government takes the
affirmative Of the question, and the defence
the negative, insisting that the amendment
authorizes no legislation on the subject of
suffrage, but leaves that matter wholly with
| the States, except to provide that they shall
right on account of race, color, or previous
condition Of servitude.
1t is also contended by the defence that the
act makes no provision for proceeding
against individuals except when attempting
to do the prohibited acts by authority of the
statutes of 4 State.
The case is conducted by the Attorney
General and Assistant Attorney Hill for
the Government, and by Henry Stanbery
and Reycrdy johnson for the defence. 1t has
been heard so tar on the motion to dismiss,
aud may not be heard on the merits. A fur
ther hearing will he had tomorrow.
General Items.
WAsuIycToS. March 19.--Gilbert declines
the Florida mMshalship. ;,
General Daniel l.. Stanton, revenue col
lector of the Fifth Maryland district, has
been arrested for defalcation. He was balleo
in $4,000. :.
Governor Warmoth, of Louisiana, says hi
visit here is not political.
Francis Thomas, of Maryland, has bcel
nominated as Minister to Peru.
The Britisll-American Claims Commission
meets Tomorrow. The time for filing cialiil
expires OH the 18th Of March. :.
Martin La Truite, convicted OF SlfnDllns
was to-day sentenced to one year In IN
penitentiary.
The Committee of Ways and Means hear
a colored delegation from Richmond to-Gi
in favor of Uniform tax on tobacco. The
represent that there is much suffering frol
the unsettled condition Of the trade, as non
of the factories are working to their full c;
pacty, and many are entirely suspended.
The following, reported OH adversely b
the Committee of Finance, were indefnitel
postponed: Mr.. Coles bill to abolish the Il
come tax, Mr.. Summers to reduce intern
taxes and to abolish the office of commi
sioner Of internal revenue, and Mr.. Johl
ston's to provide an adequate circulating M
dunn to the States needing it. ."'.S -.