The Van Buren press., 1872-04-02
TELEGRAPH NEWS.
special Dispatch to the Republican,
WASHINGTON, March &c
srSATE's ACTION ON TARIFF.

Special Dispatch to the Republican,
WASHINGTON, March &c.
sENATE's ACTION ON TARIFF.
The Senate to- day commenced to make
a retreat from its vote for free tea and
coffee. Senators have been so overwhelm.
ed with letters and dispatches from all
quarters interested in that trade, as we'll
as from tax payers and others inquiring
if the Senate means to contine its reduc-
ton to those articles, and let the largely
protected interests go free, that quite
number who voted for free breakfast
table now admit that they did So tH'der'a
misapprehension that the tea and coffee
duty could be abolished and the duty on
many other articles be reduced. They
now find that the treasury cannot stand
such reduction, and so to day the Sen
ate commenced to modify its action 10y
adopting a proviso reducing the duty on
woods, cotton, iron, etc, ten per cent.
and adopting free list which will take
two or three millions out of the treasury
Nothing was done about tea and coffee.
but rate of reduction as proposed by
the finance committee and not an aboli
ton of the duty will probably he agreed
on to morrow.
SUMNER INCENsED.
Mr.. Sumner having filed protest to-
day against the organization OF the Sen
ate committee to inquire into the sale OF
arms to France, and declining to testify
voluntarily, was this afternoon formally
served with summons to appear to-
morrow and give his evidence like any
other witness. He is greatly incensed at
this and declares that will not testify, but
plead his privileges as Senator.
OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE.
The committee are discussing whether
they can arrest Mr.. Sumner for contempt
and imprison him the same as any other
witness. The opinion is general that his
course is in contempt of the body OF
which he is a member, and that he can be
punished The Republican members OF
the committee arc determined to show
him no mercy The situation has awak-
ened the liyeliest excitement here, and
the people are already laughing over the
probable Incarceration Of the Massachu-
setts Senator by the senatorial adherents
Of the administration.
THE LOUISIANA MIDDLE.
The colored Lieut.. Gov. Pinchback,
who is stopping at the best hotel in town
at the rate of $50 day, had an interview
with Grant to-day on the muddle in the
Republican party in Louisiana, and pro
posed e plan Of ov"pruHfs1 ny wnlch
everybody but Warmoth and the Demo
Gratis could support Grant. One feature
Of this was the removal Of brother in-law
Casey from the collectorship of New Or
leans Grant did not say SO, but the col
ored delegation came away feeling conf,
dent that he will be removed Grants
whole purpose seems to be e-election,
and lie will sacrifice all the brothers-i in
law il necessary.
WASHINGTON, March %.
Through the systematic efforts Of
claim agents in the Southern States, the
government and claimants have been de
frauded Of large sums Of money. This
fact has been long known to the second
auditor, and the utmost scrutiny has
been exercised in the examination and
payment OF claims. Parties in Newbern,
North Carolina. Memphis, Tenn, and
Little Rock, Arkansas, have been dis
covered as engaged in these fraudulent
practices, and indictments found against
several of them The Memphis agents,
with their runners, are, through the de-
fection Of the courts, perhaps, the most
troublesome to deal with, but it is now
reported that one of the most notorious
rascally agent is under several indict-
ments, and that his trial is set for next
week. A notorious colored swindler 10
also under arrest for aiding and abetting
in the frauds.
HON. AUGUST BELMONT.
Chairman of the national Democratic e.
ecutive committee, arrived in Washing
ton last night on private business, and
tonight returned to New York While
here he has conversed with several mem
bcrs of the Congressional Democratic
committee as to the time and place where
the executive shall meet to transact its
business. or course nothing was decid-
ed, as the whole matter rests with the
chairman.
On this slight basis sensation has
been tclegraphed hence that Mr.. Belmont
had held a political conference with for
ty or fifty Democratic members that
the national convention was discussed,
and the Cincinnati movement advised and
Presidential candidates proposed 1t is
announced on the authority of Mr.. Bel
mont himself that this story iss pure in