Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-12

formally discussed the pronricty of taking up
the Cuban question, without arriving at any
conclusion.
The coast survey has had special observations
made at EdgartOwn harbor with reference TO the
development Of the laws which bring about ply
seal changes at the port entrances along the
Massachusetts coast.
The senate postal committee postponed the
consideration OF the telegraph questions this
morning, and took up the postal code passed by
the house, which they will soon report.
Inc committee on privileges and elections of
the senate had no quorum this morning, and
consequently took no action on the case of Gen.
Abbott, who claims that he is entitled to the
vacant seat in the senate from North Carolina.
lhC president has to-day signed a Joint resO-
luton authorizing the secretary of war 10 issue
SIX condemned cannon and twenty-iour cannon
balls TO the corporate authorities of the town of
PItlsheld for the purpose Of aiding in the cree
ton OF soldiers monument at that phase.
Ihe senate military BILL now before the house
committee, authorizes the enlistment Of music
boys, not less Than twelve yeas of age pro-
rlded, that no bows shall be enlisted Of that aye
or of any during his minority without the
written consent OF the parent or guardian Of
such child
Work at the navy yard is quite lively. For a
| few days past labOrers have found it compare
tlVely easy to gain employment there. The gun
boat Mahopac is now ready for sea and will 90
for Port Norfolk.
Secretary Boutwell, was before the ways and
means committee this morning to explain some
matters in relation TO the syndicate. The mem
Otrs ct the committee say the communication
| was entirely confidential, and what was done is
consequently not ascertaincd. Secretary Bout
| well, after explaining the workings of the sym
| qlcate TO the committee, visited the senate, and
| had long chat with several senators about the
| general order business
The house committee on commerce had a
meeting to-day, aud discussed the steamboat
laws. 1t was expected that Il delegation OF
| steamboat men would be before the committee,
| but they did not make their appearance and the
hearing OF parties interested was therefore post
poned until Tuesday next. The committee will
NOT perfect the bin until after hearing the steam
boat men Interested
bill is being prepared in the senate commit
Zee OF commerce to prevent what is called run
| ming out crews" in Chinese nOrts Ships leave
| the United States with ccwS answering the re-
| questions of law, but on their arrival at Hong
| Kong, or some other Chinese port, these crews
are so abused that the men desert, and Malays
| or Chinese are shipped AT merely nominal wages
| me conSus at these ports connive at this in
order that they may receive the fee of SO Tor a
| certificate OF deSertiOn. This is given us ont
reason for the falling off of our seamea
| Inc outside delegation from st. Louis are en-.
| deavorlng to persuade the members of the ma.
| Vor Boston and Cincinnati as the place for hold
! lng the national convention, to unite with those
! VINO favor st. Louis in support of the last nam
| ed city, and thus deleHt the Philadelphans, bu
! they VIII not, from present appearance, be able
to accomplish anything. There may be a con
test in the committee us to the time for the con.
! venlion, the Grant men desiring to have it held
III June, while the disaifected republicans adyo-
cate putting it off until July or August
some OF the claim agents here are sadly
| troubled by the bill which Senator Wilson had
| passed by the senate Yesterday which provides
| that any one engaged i'm the collection of a
| claim who shall improperly retain or refuse to
dclIVer the discharge papers Of any such sol
der, sailor or mariner, shall he deemed guilty OF
a miSdcmeanor, and shall, upon CONVICTION, be
punished by fine not exceeding five hun
dfed dollars, or by Imprisonment not exceed
M SIX months, or both, at the discretion of the
court; aud shall thereafter be deburred from
prosecuting any such claims in any executive
| department of the government Its probable
| that hundreds of thousands of dollars have
been collected and pocketed by swindIng claim
| agents here.