The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-03
WASHING ON.
The President and the Spanish
Difficulty.
Pacific Mail Subsidy Job in
the Senate.
TIE INCOME TAX REFUNDING.


Spain astonished the Spanish Minister, Admiral
Polo de Barnabe who has scarcely entered upon his
diplomatic career III Washington He went 10 the
State department. yesterday 10 ascertain what the
secretary had 10 say concerning the report and MS
assured by Mr.. Fish that he need not give himself
any uncasiness MS the report would be contradctcd
Inc explanation was not satisfactory The Spanish
Minister, who called nj the State Department again
to-day, but the result of the interview has not been
made known Admiral Polo il regarded among
those who have had any intimacy with him since
his arrival here Il sincere friend of the United
states, ana has In every instance promptly at
tended to the duties OF his Office. Concerning the
OF DIR. Houard he knows but little, the greater
part OF the correspondence having taken place
under the management Of his predecessor. OF one
thing, however, he il assured ana that H. that the
sentiment OF the people OF this country Is In behalf
OF the exile. ana everything that he possibly do
consistent with his office viii be done to secure the
speedy release of DR.. Houard.
Outside OF diplomatic circles there is much discus
sion Of the policy Of the administration in re-
gard to our foreign affairs. The change, uncx-
pected among those who know the true sentiments
OF the President made many doubt the truthfulncss
OF the first declaration; hut the strongest doubts
are dismissed before the fact that the President
has positively asserted that the course dictated by
him 10 the Secretary Of state must be strictly en-
forced. lie to-day received the congratulations OF
prominent Senators ami members OF the House
among whom was Speaker Blaine.
The Pacific Mail Job in the Scnatc-The
Arkansas Senatorial Troubles.
| The Pacific Mail steamship lobby developed tself
to-day in the Senate in The shape OF an amendment
to the Post ofice Appropriation bill, providing for
an increase Of compensation for carrying the mails
between san Francisco, China ana Japan to 81 ,0o0,
4 600 per annnm Notwithstanding the rule adopted
few days since for limiting debate on APP
| preparation bills q prolonged discussion ensucd,
the interests Of the lobby being ably represented
by Messrs. Window, Stewart aud Others. No
final action was reached, however, and after 4 long
executive session the Senate adjourned.
The friends OF the amendment are positive in the
expression Of the opinion that the scheme VIII
finally prevail IL they do succeed in the Senate
another struggle will follow In the House, which
latter body Ii consistent with its previous record
win refuse TO concur. conference committee
viii then he asked for, in which, as Is customary
at the close Of the session, Jobs OF the
most colossal character arc frequently successful.
Taking advantage Of the absence OF Senator's
Trumbull, Fcnton and Upton, the friend, OF the adj
ministratlon succeeded to-day in forcing an cNccr-
tive session In the Senate for the consideration Of
the Arkansas nominations Senator Clayton,
whose political existence depends on the success Of
| ing nominations, was the most active advocate OF
! the session, and his endeavors were successful
that the consideration OF the Postal Appropriation
biz was suspended. The parties to be removed.
the District Attorney and United States
Marshal of Arkansas ana the Postmaster
ut Little ROck-were active in procuring
the indictments against Clayton for alleged cor
ruption In securing his election TO the Senate
hence Clayton's anxiety to effect the confirmation
Of the nominations OF their successors which Ia We
| been made at his request senator Rice occupied
much OF the time in discussing the subject and
finally the Senate decided not to take any definite
action in the premises until after a report is
dered from the committee now engaged in inves-
tigatng the charges against Senator Clayton.
The Arnisticc Between Spain and The
south American Republics.
The Washington special in the HERALD OF March
l. on the action Of Mr.. GOdoy, the representative OF
Chile in refusing to sign the agreement for fixed
extension Of time for filing the Publications OF the
armstice between Spain and the allied republics
OF South Anerica-viz, Peru, Chile Ecuador and
Boivia-as settled at meeting OF the several repre-
sentatises at the State Department, contained
more than appeared on its face The argument to
postpone the time for Hing the Publications was
assented TO by the Spanish Minister at the meeting
held in December last, without objection, on the
request OF Chile, Bolivia ana Peru. 1t appears that
Ecuador had sent its ratification to Mr.. Flores who
represented it for the purpose, but the other three
Powers asked for time, alleging various reasons,
but more for delay than with q view to
comply; and they have continued to ask for
more time at every meeting OF the representatives
since that time. Various prctexts have been urged,
"a the unsettled condition OF the countries,
pecially Peru and Chile. and the probability Of q
change OF government, adverse Legislative As
semblies and even the irregularty OF the mailsall
have served for further delay. 1t Is rumored
in diplomatic circles that Peru and Chile, and
probably Bolivia also, did not intend to ratify the
agreement, and have only sought pretexts OF delay
in the hope that Spain would become in
volyed with the United States in the
Cuban matter and possibly give the allied
republics an opportunity either 70 take advantage
bfher necessities or make better terms than they
hoped for in any treaty OF peace. Despite the
efforts Of Mr.. Fish, the unIikelihood OF an agree
ment has constantly grown. Mr.. Roberts detected
the intention, and finally refused to consent to
further tri6ng, and II is understood that all hope
OF an adjustment is gone under the mediation OF
the United States. II h doubtful whether Spain
will be willing to have anything further to do under
the articles OF armstlce; and, II So no way appa-
rently offers Itself TO settlement unless each
nation seeks peace with Spain under a treaty OF
It's own.
Rcfunding Income Tax 20 state md
Federal Officers.
The Treasury has for some time been paying
back to Judges OF state courts the taxes levied
upon their salaries by the Internal Revenue laws,
and which the Supreme Court declared to be I'M
constitutional nearly two years ago II amounts
to handsome sum in many cases and is clutched
with commcndable eagerness by the dgnided
jursts. The Chief Justice OF Massachusetts recov.
cred $4,000. Under late decision OF the Secretary
of the Treasury the United states officers are com.
ing in fora refund, and OF the cases was pre-
ferred by David Davis the administrator OF Abra-
ham Lincoln. The amount, $4,000, was paid over TO
Robert Lincoln last week. Mr.. Justice Swayne, Of
the Supreme Court, being about to leave for
Europe, called round to the Cashiers ONCE for
snug little item of $1,000 on Tuesday and went
away happy. The other judges have not yet put Ia
an An ohna MI prpzi