Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-02-22

WAsmINGToN, D. c., Feb u.
PATENT CASE.
The patent case of Rollins White was argued
before the house patents committee this morn
ing. A decision is not expected for some days.
ILL.
Origen S. seymour, judge of the superior
court of Connecticut, who came here a few days
ago to argue a case before the supreme court, is
dangerously i'll at the Ebbett house.
TIE INCOME TAX.
Secretary Boutwell, stated this morning, in re-
lation to inquiries respecting the income tax that
he does not ask for its rc-enactment. All he
wants is that it shall be collected for 1871.
IMPORTANT.
The house passed an important bill this
morning, changing the law in regard to taking
testimony in election cases. The time is extend
ed from sixty to ninety days, and in all eases,
the contestant must take his testimony during
the first forty days, and the member elect during
the next forty, and evidence in rehuttal during
the last ten days. The present law is vague on
some points, and leads to much difficulty in
election eases, and the change made is great
Improvement.
CIVIL REFORM.
Mr.. Willard of Vermont succeeded in getting
the house to set apart two days Il month hence
for the consideration of civil reform. His bill,
prohibiting members Of congress from soliciting
appointments TO Office, will then come up. An
amendment will probably be adopted, providing
that members may make recommendations in
writing, and in that shape the bill may pass
pit.iI
have read bill intended TO cover the recon-
mendations of the president on the subject
Mr.. Shellabarger and Mr. Perry of Ohio, Mr.
Willard Of Vermont and Mr.. Holman of In
diana, democrat, are earnestly in favor of the
passage Of such II bill, but there is not much
hope of it.
TARIFF.
The tariff hill reported to the senate indicates
the measure Of revenue reform the finance COM
mittec Is willing to grant, and good judges as
sert that the committee represents the majority
of the senate on the tariff question very fairly
1t will be seen that the house action on tea and
coffee stands no chance then, and that PennSyl-
vania interests are pretty carefully protected.
The house will demand a greater reduction of
duties than this bill provides for, hut the older
members, who have had experience in such mat
tiers and know how their managed, express the
opinion that the senate bill covers about all of
tarffrelorm that will be got ont of this congress.
DIsGRACEFUL.
The senate debate opened sIuggshly to-day
Mr.. Morton made some very good points, when
he confined himself to the subject, but the mo-
ment he wandered into the political argument,
he became weak and unsatisfactory. Toward
the close Of the debate, the interest became in
tense. Mr. Conking and Mr.. Schurz fell INTO a
bitter personal debate, and went to the verge OF
decorum in their language. MIR. Conkhng was
especially arrogant in his manner, and threat
ened to brngiup the personnel part of the subject
again at future day.
just before adjournment everybody expected
final vote, but Mr.. Trumbull discovered that
the Conkling amendment will prevent Mr.. Sum-
ner from being chairman of the committee of
investigation which he is entitled to by usage
and, as this looked like trap set for that pur-
pose, he moved a reconsideration of the amend
ment; and, on thar, the senate adjourned. The
subject may be promptly disposed of, or the de
bate may start again, to run a day or two
longer. All sensible people agree that the de-
bate, as it has been managed, is Il sad thing for
the republican party. SAM WELLER.