The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-01-30
Latest News from Washington.
A,nnesty---ApportiOnnent.


up the arrangement made on Thursday last
that amnesty should be the special order for
to-day, and endeavorcd to put the appropria-
tion bill ahead; but Trunlbull denounced it
as breach of faith, and succeeded in having
amnesty taken up by vote Of 81 to rs.
Then, however, by consent of Robinson, Of
South Carolina, who has it in charge, amnesty
was laid aside and the apportionment bill
taken up, considered all day, and passed.
Amnesty comes up again tomorrow, but
there will be no vote. TMoS.
Congressional.
WASHINGTON, January 29.-House.-Bills
were introduced granting woman suffrage
(by Butler): repeating tax on spirits distilled
from fruits; granting lands for road from
Decatur, Ala, to Macon, Ga; renewing land
grants to the Gulf and Ship Island railroad;
making half customs payable in legal-tender.
Mr.. voorhees, presented bill declaring
Spain and Cuba belligerents, and allowing
vessels bearing their respective flags in United
States waters. This gave rise to considerable
colloquy, showing a disposition favorable to
Cuba, but an unwilingness to adopt the
measure in the shape proprosed, or until the
Committee OH Foreign Relations reported.
\ vote TO suspend the rules rcsulted-yeaS,
113; nays, 100. The bill was then referred
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
.Scndte.--Thc House apportionment bill
was passed with single amendment-to
wit. that States depriving male citizens of the
franchise shall suffer proportionate loss Of
representation.
The amnesty bill was made the special Or
der for tomorrow.
Decision against loyal Claimants.
WASHINGTON, january 29.-The Supreme
Court to-day delivered an opinion against
what is known as the Drake amendment,
which in effect prohibits the reception by the
Court of Claims Of evidence of amnesty and
pardon on the part OF suitors, but allows the
opposite party to refer to such amnesty and
pardon as evidence of dsloyalty, unless at
the time Of receiving pardon and amnesty
the recipient protested against the implication
Of previous diSloyalty contained in the otfi-
cial document, The court adverted to the
proclamation Of President Lincoln of 1868,
Which granted amnesty and pardon on con-
dition OF taking the oath, &c, with restols,-
ton of property, excepting in slaves. The
court asserts the full power of the President
as to granting pardon and amnesty, the ac-
ceDtance OF which cannot be rendered Of no
effect. it SAYS, by the legislation of Congress.
The Supreme Court has issued al order
recurring the Secretary of the Treasury to
show cause why a m0ndamus should not is
sue against him compelling the payment OF
the kentucky war debt.
Court OF Claims.
WASHINGTON, JANUARY 29.-In the Court
of Claims to-day Judge Knott delivered the
opinion of the court, denying the motion OF
the United States for new trial in the case
of John Sclvy, involving about tWcnty-seven
thousand dollars worth of cotton, seized at
Atlanta, Ga. The motion was made under
the statute enacted 4 year ago authorizing the
Government, within two years after the de-
cision in the Georgia case, to move for new
trial. upon the discovery Of fraud, wrong, or
injustice to the United States; and this de-
cision is important as giving the construction
Of the court to the statute in regard to the dlll'
gcnce required on the part OF the Govern
ment in kindred questions. Chief justice
| Drake and Judge Loring disSented.
Acknowledgement Williams decides that
the collectorShip of customs ut Mobile re-
vcrts to Miller, who was suspended IN iafor
of Warner.
The Tobacco Destroyed at Chicago
The Question OF RefundinG the Taa
Paid.
WAsH1SGros, January pa number o.
tobacco manufacturers in Chicago faVlne
pctitioned the Commissioner of 1nterna
Revenue for the Icfisnding of the value o.
the stamps destroyed on tobacco packages
by the great fire in that city, the Commits
sioncr replies that after carefully considering
the application for refunding the tax he Is
satisfied that he has no warrant OF law te
grant the relief asked for.
The tax OH manufactured tobacco ana CT.
c,,rp, under the law, accrues when 1t Is sold
or removed from the mandatory or place
where it is made for sale or consumption
The tobacco in question had all been so solo
or removed, the tax accrued and was paid
and it is not, therefore, q case Of erroneous OF
illegal assessment or payment, or a piymen
which was excessive in amount, such al
would constitute one of the cases in which
the law allows the Commissioner to refund
Relief in these cases can only be given b.
| Congress.