New-York tribune., 1872-12-02
CrRRENT TOpICs AN THE CAPITAL.

ARRIVAL OF vICE-PREsIDENT CoLFAx AND GEN.
RANKs-THREE APPROPRIATION BILLS READY
FOR OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES LEGISLATION
COST OF LIGHTING THE CAPITOL.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUEB.J
WASHINGTON, Sunday, Dec. /, 1871,
president Colfax arrived here this morning. and
has taken quarters at Warmleys His wife, on account
Of delicate health and their recent aficton. viii spend
but short time in the city during the Winter, ana VIII
not arrive until January. Mr. Coox thinks the session
viii be quiet one, and that there will DO httle any
bitterness between parties. He will leave nero on mon
day night, to attend the funeral of Mr. Greeley
Gen. Banks also arrived here this morning, He says
he has not announced any intention of resignnR the
Chairmanship OF the Foreign Committee, and that ne
has never given thought 10 the subject Ho says he
has written no letter. and viii be guided by circum-
stances lie win also attend Mr. Greevey's funeral
Mr.. Garfield Will introduce tomorrow the Indian,
Pension and Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Ap-
preparation bills which have already been completed by
his committee. He will ask the House to make one OF
them the special order for either Tuesday OF Wednesday
40 that the work OF the session will begin at once Ola
members Of the House that never within their reco
lection has an appropriation bill been ready TO present
on the first day Of the session ana the.com'eo s'
good deal Of praise for Its industry
An attempt will be made during the present Winter to
secure additional legislation like that Of the last session.
for the revival of American shipping. Congressman
Hale Of Maine whose district the shpoulding inter
est is considerable believes tnat American shpbuiders
have seen their darkest days. and that his consu
ens engaged in that business already beginning 10
receive orders and requests for propositions TO oud
new ships This promised revival he attributes ID
measure to the partial failure of iron for use IN ships
designed for certain uses and partly to tho demand ior
ships in the grain trade the Pacific coast 1t is held
that some commodities when transported In iron smps
are caused to sweat and thus nured also that IRON
ships like the famous onehorse shay, are liable 70 De
broken all ND at whenever disaster OCCURS RVnB
less chance for salvage. 1t believed that American SNIP
builders destined to see more prosperous es
Very great interest is manifested here in regard to the
nature Of Postmaster General Creswels recommenda-
tions touching postal teegraphy 1t known that ne
will devote considerable portion of his report to TINS
subject but lust what he will advise has not been
made public If he should, many have urged recon-
mend the purchase lease of existing lines, 1t would be
likely to have marked influence the price OF tele,
graph stocks even though 1t should be generally Deeved
that Congress would be unable 10 pass any Dill on the
n subject this Winter.
The Washington Capital, of this mornng, prints some
tables which says have been compiled with great care
from the original records In the Treasury Department
From them appears that the local cost Of lighting tue
gas Jets in the Of the capital and House OF Repre-
sentatives by electricity during five years has been
s17lll.l9 The average cost for one year was S422A
The average cost Of lighting each burner each time dur
ing FIVE years was six cents and feur onehundredhs
The average cost per night for five years was $O62
should be remembered that this does not include the cost
y Of gas, but simply that Of lighting the jets