The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-10
THE MINT AND ASSAY OFFICES
DR.. HOUARD'S CASE.
The Spanish Authorities Considering
the Conviction.
THE HOUSE MORSE COMMITTEE.

Mr.. Adee, the Charge d'Adares OF the United
States at Madrid, 10 the effect that the case Of DIR.
HOuard has been presented to the Spanish govern
ment The Spanish government has called for
telegraphlc reports from Cuba, on which action
may be taken. Dr.. Houard, meanwhile Will
remain OF Cadiz, and orders have been given for his
good treatment.
Tho House Committee on Foreign Affairs this
morning had under consideration the case OF DIR.
Honard. long and spirited debate ensued upon
it. Mr.. Amber, of Ohio, and Mr. Willard OF ver-
mont, were determined III their opposition to inter-
ference for the release OF DR.. Houard by the United
States Congress, and were for allowing the State
Department TO take such In relation thereto
as 1t deemed best The other members Of the COM
mittee were OF the opposite view. and seemed
equally az determined as Amber and Willard to
have an expression from Congress that would II
possible, be reDuke TO the pOlcy Of State De-
partner. IN relation to the rights OF American cit-
zens ABROAD No definite action was reached upon
the case, and Its consideration will be continued
without delay until 1t Is disposed of. There Is
strong feeling In Congress for interference by the
United States though II Is not yet what action
will be taken.
Since the date OF the recent letter to Vice
President Coltax respecting the case OF DR..
Houard, the STATE Department has received official
Information from our Consulate at Cleniueg0s that
the Doctor duly registered himself an American
citizen at the Consulate, as required by the Spanish
law, and to that extent the objections oil the de-
partment to recognize him as an American citizen
are removed. The further objection that DR..
Houard has paid no income tax as required
BY law Of all American citizens In receipt OF an In
come above certain sum per annum Is not
deemed to be insuperable, rs it rests only upon
regulation Of the department adopted TO meet the
case OF Vice Consul Phillips ana other doubtful
cases AT an early period In the CUBAN insurrectlon
Both the department and the friends of DR.. Houard
are hopeful Of his early release
The Washington Depot site ana Military
Bills in the senate.
Interest III the proceedings OF the Senate to-day
centred In the debate upon the House bill to give
the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad depot site
at the corner OF Sixth and Streets IN this city.
| Mr.. Cameron was the principal advocate OF the
b and sent 10 the Clerks desk to he read state
menr that when this road was completed trains
| would be run to New York In six aud
| a half hours, and that freight would be
carried at fifty per cent OF the present
cost. There was quite a spirited debate upon the
question OF reference TO committee. the friends OF
The bill desiring II TO go to the Committee on the
District OF Columbia ana the opponents to the Com
mittee on Public Buildings and Grounds. Alter
considerable discussion II was referred to the Com
to Is, thus indicating probable majority In favor
OF the bill sufficient to pass II. or chs there
was no doubt as tie Senate Will pass anything,
especially II IL be bill TO give away something
Business from the Military Committee was then
taken up, the only bills of Importance passed being
the House bill to extend the time for fling addi-
uonal claims to the 18th OF January 1873; bill 10
compensate women nurses at the rate OF $50 per
month for service in government hospitals, and
bill to prevent the enlstm ent of minors into the
army.
The Postal Gard system in the HOuse-Mints
and Assay Offices Bill.
Mr.. Hill, OF New JERSEY, reported bill to day TO
authorize the Postmaster General to issue one cent
correspondence postal cards for transmission In
the mails, over which some discussion was had.
These cards 1t was proposed by the bill to sendwth-
| out envelopes, the message to be written on one
side OF the card and the direction on the other.
| Mr.. Garfield thought, while the libel laws were so
very lax In this country, this mode OF transmission
| might subject parties to libenous attacks from
which there would be no redress. Passing, would
be necessary, through the hands OF Post ONCE en-
ployes letter carriers and servants these messages
| could be read by them all before they would reach
the party addressed To obvlate this 1t was pro-
posed that the card be provided with flap cover
| which would conceal the matter written
| and an amendment providing for such cards
was offered by Mr.. Potter, OF New
| York, and adopted. Mr. Bingham opposed
the bill, and made motion to lay It on the table.
which was done. lie contended that it would
prove loss OF revenue, with adequate benefit TO
| the people. 1t was urged with some force that IL
| would be better TO adopt uniform reduction OF
| postage than to introduce this new element into
| the system; but the House was In mood for cheap
postage, having the fear OF the adjustment OF the
ranking privilege before their eyes, and passed the
| bill as amended by MIR. Potter.
The bill revising the laws IN relation TO the Mint
assay offces came up as special order, some OF
the provisions OF which discussed with spirit.
The Speaker took occasion 10 administer somewhat
OF discipline during the consideration OF this mea-
sure. He told the House that while there was no
rule to compel members to listen to speeches II they
did not wish to, there was rule requiring that
they should remain quiet. AT times It Is impossl bic
to keep note OF the business hear wnat Is being
said. Mr.. Hooper gave up in despair to-day though
the Speaker waited some little 10 restore or err
and asked TO nave the conclusion OF his remarks
upon the Mint Assay bill printed. There was some
spirited debate upon this subject. Mr.. Kelley
charged Potter and Wood, Of New York.
with ravorlng bullion brokers' while they In
turn charged Kelley with representing the
nickel interest OF Pennsylvania. The bill proposed
to make the $47,Ooo,ooo OF coin, now composed OF
nickel and "copper" &C., OF nickel entirely ana when
the fact is made apparent that seventy five cents OF
this metal represents 1--WE dollars OF the coin 1t
appears TO be an object for some one to advocate
the bill. Mr.. Brooks OF New York, considered the
discussion OF that question extremely farcical,
24o men Gravely discussing the subject OF coin when
Uncle Sam was clothed all over IN rags was q
q comedy In which he did not propose to take
part Mr.. Sargent represented the private assay
and refining Offices OF California and each interest
seemed to Derepresented by some one able to de-
fend 1t. At four O'Clock the House adjourned, and
the bill went over.
The Morse Celebration In the House To-Day.
On motion OF Mr.. Dawes the Speaker was au-
thorized TO appoint committee OF three to co-ope
rate with The Committee OF Arrangements for the