Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-02-29


WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. IS.
LAND QUESTION.
The house had sharp struggle over the ST.
Croix and Bayfield, land grant bill. 1t extends
an old grant, and it was stated in the debate two
or three times that, if the bill failed, the North
ern Pacific road would be entitled TO more than
half the land affected by the measure, and this
fact gained many votes. A majority of the re.
publican members voted for it, and considera-
bic number of democrats also. The final vote
was not reached but it is expected thai the bus-
tenng of its opponents will not be continued to-
morrow.
GOAT ISLAND.
The committee on Pacific railroads has the
flor in the house to- morrow, and will renew the
old contest over Goat Island, which the Central
Pacific road wants for railway terminus. The
bill is considerably changed from that which
was defeated in the last congress. The company
has only half Of the island, and, in case of war,
the whole revcrts to the government 1t is OK
pectcd by the friends of the measure that it will
pass in the shape that it now Is.
TARIFF.
Some of the ways and means committee eX.
press the opinion that tariff bill will be re-
ported TO the house by the middle of April, but
Others say that it can not be done before the LIST
of May. 1t will take fortnight after it is re-
ported to get it mp in the house for considcra-
ton, aud the general debate on it will run ii con-
siderable time, as there are twenty members, at
least, who desire to make set speeches on the
subject.
THE FISHERMEN.
There will probably be no action at this ses-
sion affecting the interests Of the fishermen. No
bounty bill for their relief will pass, nor will
that part of the Washington treaty affecting
them be taken up for consideration this session;
such is the opinion of the members who repre-
sent the fishing interests. The dead lock in re-
gard to the treaty has postponed all action in re-
gard to the fishermen till next winter.
PosTMAsTERs, ETC.
The house civil service committee will meet
early next week, to consider bill offered by
Mr. McCrcary, of Iowa, providingIthat postmast-
ers and certain other officers shall be elected by
the people, subject to removal by the president
The only way to reach the proposed reform is
through constitutional amendment. 1t is be-
licved that the committee will report the BILL
with some amendments.
THE SENATE.
Mr.. Sumner had an immense audience to-day
and everybody agreed that he has retrieved what
was lost by his opening speech. He set fine
example to most of the participants in the de.
bate who preceded him, in declining to 90 out
ci1 Of tba -,
He made simply an argument, and it was done
in his best sly lie; and, if he did not make out a
case against the government, he showed conclu-
sively that there were grounds sufficient to war
rant an investigation.
After Mr.. Sumner finished, the senate rejected
| Mr.. TrumbulPs motion to reconsider the vote
adopting Mr.. Conklmg's amendment, and, un-
| der the usageS OF the body, neither Mr. Sumner
nor Mr.. Schurz can have a place on the con-
mittee of investigation, for they are among the
persons to be investigated. Whether this was
the object of the amendment does not appear,
but it will unquestionaby have that effect.
Mr.. Harlan followed, in a speech containing
some good points, and, after a brief rejoinder
! from Mr.. Schurz, the senate adjourned Mr.
| Carpenter got the floor, and it is said will make
the big speech tomorrow, in defence of the adj
mnstration. 1t is pretty certain that vote
will be reached tomorrow, though it is always
unsafe u predict the close of debate in that
| body. SAM WELLER.
FINANCIAL.
The following statement Of receipts and ex
| penditures, by warrants, for the quarter ending
December 81, 1871, has been issued from the
| treasury department.:
| Net receipts:
From customs. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 5 800 6l3 II
Internal revenue ................... z, 47932l 2S
| sales OF pubic lands. Observation-Disclosures. 6l6066 "A
miscellaneous sources ........,.... 4,202, SS4 70
Total net receipts. $50 100 ST5 62
| Net expenditures:
Civil and IN iscellaneOus SIG S37 1886 So
war department. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 7,3S5,9O0 20
| Navy department. 5,567 SO6 rs
Indians and pensions. ,.....,...... 10,360 065 90
Interest on the public debt. ..,.... o. 29195 "a
Total expenditures ..............S6 2 Isl, 9O4 "a
| NAYLoR & co.
| Naylor & Co. have appealed TO the secretary
| of the treasury TO have suit against them in
New York dismissed, claiming that the test-
mOny, before the senatorial investigating com
miltee, fully eXOnerated them from the charge
| of criminality IN the matter of the revenue
| laws.
| MINOR MATTERS.
The report of the commissioner of agriculture
| for 1870 is just issued. Ii is a volume of seven
| hundred pages, copiously illustrated,
| In trn1. ,nfn L..