The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-23
WASHING on.
THE SPANISH CHAINS.
The State Department and
DIR. Howard.
-l...-,,>,-,.o.,,-,,,.
CONNECTICUT AND THE DEMOCRACY.
LABOR REF0RMERS LOOKING UP.
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Curious Course Of the Robson lnvcsi-
eating Committee. osa
t % fe'g .s,-.-,-.--,.~-~>~.>~
A QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE.
The Spite of the Wisconsin Land
vi Lobby.
A QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE
The Spite of the Wisconsin Land
I'll Lobby.
TIE QuARTERMAsTERg TROUBLES.


WASHINGTON, March %, 1872.
Tho American Citizen in spanish Chains
DR.. Howar6's Case.
Secretary Fish has sent MI. Adee our Charge
d'Anars at Madrid, an energetic despatch upon
she case OF DR.. Howard, who, at the date of the
latest offical advices, was In chains with shaven
head, in Spanish prison at Havana, awaiting de-
porauon to The penal settle Tor twenty years
This vigorous action OF the Secretary Is due to
several causes, chief among tnem perhaps, pressure
in the Cabinet from those advisers OF the President
who have opposed and lamenGed the weakness OF
our Cuban policy. General T0rbert, the American
Consul General at Havana, spurred 10 The verge OF
dipiomatlc indiscretlon by Indignation arising
from his nearer presence TO the atrocities
and insults Of the Spanish Cuban officials,
has CALLED the State Department by express
SONS That did not come here In the numbered de-
epatches addressed TO the Secretary OF State. He
has been admOnished to be more reserved In his
Of things that cannot be rightly judged by
not conversant with the Of State that con-
troll the diplomatic intercourse of the government
with other countries. Besides this the relatives
and friends OF Dr. toward THIS country have been
exceedingly active his behalf and have been
careful 10 anticipate and remove every objection
impending or raised IN the Department. which
would prevent or weaken the claims OF the aged
convict to the iul protection OF this government.
The evidence against the Doctor Is declared BY the
Consul General to be OF the weakest and most insult
Client character, as Will appear when the papers
tent to Congress- 1t Is the impression rather than
the belief at the Department that the Spanish gov
eminent viii waive technlcaities and release the
prisoner az an act OF frlendllness towards the
United States, at the Same time banshlng MIN from
Spanish territory; but If the Madrid Cabinet should
prove to be as intraclabe as other occasions,
there Will be necessity OF pushing the matter
extremities or assuming an impressive attitude. as
the proof is not clear that DR.. Howard has not
der the rule OF the State Department, compromised
his American citizenship By acts of omission or
COMMISSION. tending to show that he has In intent
abandoned the legitimate purposes OF naturaza-
ton. Should the case take this turn 1t Is far from
certain tina: the Secretary viii De sustained In
higher quarters.
1he Democratic Congregational Committee and
Connec:icut-The Passive Policy.
The Democratic Congressional Committee to-day
had meeting for the purpose OF discussing the
political situation and mapping out plan OF
action. The principal subject considered was the
Connecticut election and The prospects OF the
democracy In that State. 1t was determined to
make an unusual effort TO carry that election and
10 that end the committee decided to send NUN.
Der of their best speakers there. Mr.. voorhees, and
others are to take the field early next week.
The general political situation was discussed, and
although no definite action was taken. tie tenor OF
opinions advanced were IN favor OF coalition.
prominent democrat Of the House, who has just re.
turned from the wes SAID rnat the feeling in favor
OF passive policy is very strong.
The Labor Re,0rmers.
The gentlemen engineering the labor reform
movement have established headquarters on
Louisiana avenue, ana are actively preparing for
this campaign. They are daily In communication
with Judge Davis ana say they are receiving much
encouragement from all quarters. The money
necessary Tor the campaign is rapidly coming In,
they say. and all looks WELL They scout the idea Of
Parker's Withdrawing and the nomination Of Fen
ton or Greeley by the Cincinnati Convention. They
declare that the ticket as presented VIII 90 before
the country for support, whether 1t receives further
endorsement or not
The RODeson Investigation.
A good deal OF discussion has taken place in
regard to the examination OF MIR. Robson. Mr.. 4
Danas appearance before the committee unex-
pected. IL was thought he would appear only by
counsel HIS declaration that II the Secretary was
aggrieved he had his remedy in libel suit was re-
garded by the administration people as an abandon
ment Of the gravamen OF his charges On the other
hand Mr. Dana's friends that he took this course
to have wider range Of investigation and make an
assault upon the Department OF more effective
character The course Of the committee IN asking
Dana and Kobesou to appear by counsel Is severely
criticised by the friends OF the secretary. They say
that the Whole thing IL unusual; that it was not
done when Mr. Boutwell, Mr.. Creswell and MIR.
Beknap were examined. They regard Mr.. Dana as
simply witness, who should have given his tes-
tlmony and retired Mr.. Robson does not feel That
he can with dignity take any part In an investiga-
ton by his counsel, as he may at time be called
to answer the charge OF any newspaper.
The President says that the only way is for any
accused officer 10 throw open the whole Department
aud let Congress investigate in any way IL pleascs
As to retaining counsel says there are no funds
at the disposal Of ne Secretary to pay COUNSEL and
tho salaries OF the Cabinet officers do not permit
them to indulge In many legal luxuries. The Sec
re.ary VIII perhaps send o communication to the
Chairman, taxing this ground; but the matter Is In
abeyance and action has been agreed upon.
One suggestion is that Mr.. Frelinghuysen anu Mr.
Butler will lie asked 10 attend the committee and rep
resent the Secretary. The act OF the committee In
permitting private counsel 10 appear as kind OF
prosecuting oicer with the President az defendant
and the committee as grand jury Is regarded as
violation OF the privileges Of the House, and 1t IS
said that some OF tho members will call attention
to 1t on Monday as o question OF privilege inc
whole matter has assumed an interesting phase anu
win lead TO sharp discussion.
The QaartefinasttFS Quarrels.
The House Military Committee mad for consldcra-
ton to-day the Senate Dill relating to appointments
made IN the Quartermasters' Department Of the
army under the reorganization act OF 1885, and gave
final hearing 10 both sides by counsel. Generals
ingalls,, r. y. Tyler, Rufus Saxton, VIM. Nyas and
other officers were present The contestants for the
grades filed BY ingalls,, Tyler ana others gave up
tner claim thatlong and Continuous law, regulation
and usage sustained their position and vested their
case ON a regulation Of 1857, repealed In 1853,
and acknowledged BY an act OF Congress In
1866 on the Side OF the officers now holding the
grades several new points OF law anu fact were adj
duced, and their case was materially strengthened