Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-12-20

source to-day were $2si ,34s SO.
SECRETARY ROBINSON is still detained at his
residence in this city by ndisposition, He was
much better to-day, we are glad to say.
CONGRESS TO DKcIDs.-Gov. Baker, OF In
diana, will not give certificate to either Neff
or Shanks, but will leave il to Congress to say
which shall represent the 9th Congress district.
CoNFiRNxp-The Senate confirmed a num-
Der OF nominations yesterday, among them that
of III. II. Wells, jr., to be u. s. Attorney for the
eastern district of Virginia.
"THB CHoRPRNNING CLAIM" is the title Of
wel.written pamphlet by Mrs. H. W. Barnard,
in which the writer undertakes to show the in
justice done to Chorpenning by Congress and
the press.
CONGRESSMAN MBRCUR's SUCCKssoR.-The
voters of the 18th Congress district of Pennsyl-
vania will elect, on the "a til instant, successor
to Congressman Ulysses Mercur, justice elect of
the state supreme court. The new Representa-
tive will have only e3 days to serve.
TIE FIRST EDITION of the Congress Directory
for this session, by Major Ben. Perley Poore,
just out, contains Il pages more than the edl-
tons OF last session, and in addition to other
improvements, gives a list (unofficial) of the
members-elect OF the 43d Congress. 1t is one OF
the most useful public documents printed.
Mr.. WILLIAM o. Avery, of New York, at
present chief OF the appointment division of the
internal revenue bureau, has been appointed
chief clerk of the bureau, the latter position
having been created by the new internal reve-
nue. law, recently passed by Congress. The Sc
lection is good one.
AGAINST DOUBLE PosrAGR-The House
committee on post Offices and post roads over
ruled the ruling OF the Postmaster General
relative to double postage upon unprepaid
matter, and decided that such a construction OF
the law was strained. The committee will report
a billin accordance with such decision.
SENATOR PATTERSON has received q letter
from Gov. Noyes, Of Ohio, Offering him, on the
expiration OF his term Of ONCE, on the 4th OF
March next, the presidency of the state agricul-
tural and mechanical college at Columbus.
Senator Patterson resigned a professionally In
Dartmouth college to accept the SenatOrship,
and II is reported that his old char awaits his
return If he desires to resume it.
Col. FoRNEr came down last night with a
crowd OF New York politicians, the same who
purchased the Tribune. Among the latter were
VIM. orion, John HOey, and VIM. Dinsmore,
WHO owns Adams Express, and A. b. Cornell.
Hoey and DinsmOre are part Of the Tribune CON-
bfnation. so that that paper Is to represent the
Adams Express as well as the Western Union
Telegraph.-Wdsh. Cor. Phd'a. Star.
THE ALABAMA DIFFICULTY ADJUSTED.
The Attorney General received the following
dispatch last night from Governor Lewis, of
Alabama:
"a temporary organization by the Senate
and House has been effected under the plan OF
compromise suggested by you. Both have al
jOurned until tomorrow for evidence from
Marengo and Butler counties.
WORK IN THE DEPARTMENTS DURING THE
HOLIDAYs-The Secretary of the Treasury has
directed that the treasury building be closed
from noon on the oath instant, until the morn
ing OF the 26th instant, and that 1t be closed the
last half OF each day until the I'd proximO. with
the exception OF New Years day, which it will
be closed all day. 1t is probable that the other
IL partments will Issue similar order relative
to work during the holidays.
THR COMMISSION appointed by the legislature
at its winter session to contract Tor the two
memorial statues Of Massachusetts, men to be
placed in the Capitol at Washington have made
contract with Mr. Richard S. Greenough for a
statue OF John Winthrop, Mr.. Greenough having
submitted a sketch which was greatly admired
hy the members of the commission: Previously
to this a contract had been made with Mr.
GreenOugh for the statue OF Samuel Adams, but
this lie relinquished.
The PRESIDENT, accompanied by his son
Jesse, and Marshal Sharpe, left the city on the
1o.45 train on the Baltimore and Potomac rail-
road this morning, to visit the Presidents
father, Mr.. Jesse X. Grant, at Covington, KY.
The party will return on Tuesday next. Mr..
Grant has been in feeble health for over a year
past, and as the President has long desired to
make him q visit, he concluded. as Congress
adiourns over the holidays to-day, that this
would be good opportunity to do so.
AN HrFoRr was made in the Senate this
afternoon to get up the deficiency appropri-
alton bill which contained the clause appropri-
atng 81 PAL ,000 to reimburse the board of public
WORKS for work around government property.
Mr. Edmunds objected, and in the meantime
the House adjourned; consequently, even if the
Senate should pass the bill without amendment
reassembles, as it has to be signed by the
Speaker while the House is in session.
LIABILITY OF PosTMAsrERs-The Post
master General has decided that all postmasters
are liable to the 60 vernment for the value OF
all registered letters lost in their offices. This
principle, which has been long maintained with
respect 10 minor offices. has never been applied
10 omces where any considerable number of let
tiers has been registered. 1t is now claimed that
the bonds OF postmasters cover such casesof loss.
Inc definite establishment of such principle
viii render the responsibility under postmas-
teIs' bonds much greater than has been sup
posed.
DISTRICT BILLS IN THE HoUsR.-General
Chapman introduced in the House to day bill
restoring TO the marshal Of the District the ex.
elusive supervision Of the Jail. 1t abolishes the
office of warden of the Jail, and places th At
institution under the marshal, who shall make
all the appointments subject to the confirmation
OF the chief justice OF the District supreme
court Referred to District committee.
He also introduced q bill to incorporate the
Grutle verein joint stock company, neming as
corporators John HitZ, Caspar Kneesi, b. T.
Scheitlein, VIM. L.. Guinand, j ules Golay, Ru-
dolph Gebner, Jsc0b Scheitlein, Louis Foisard,
and NJ artin Turner. The capital stock OF said
company to be not less than S25 900 nor more
than 10000, in shares OF SO each. The society
Is benevolent one. Referred to District COM
mittee.
Indebtedness Of the District.
In the House, to-day, Mr.. Stark weather,
chairman of the District committee, presented
the report of the committee in relation to in
debtedness, cost Of improvements, &C., under
the resolution of Mr.. Roosevelt, instructing the
committee to make the Investigation. They
report the debt Of the District on December
10th, 1879, ss,476, l2265, exclusive Of market
house bonds not issued, amounting to
$lI2, 1000, and estimated amount Of outstanding
claims on account OF contracts entered into by
the corporation OF Washington, which we're to
be settled by the sinking fund commissioner
The e., total debt, including the above, n
The report of the board Of public works &C
companies the report Of the committee ahov-