New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-20
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL
THE WOMAN SUFFRAGE QUESTION.
IBX TELEGRAPH TO THB TRIBUEgl
wAsnINGroN, Thursday. Dec. 10,

In reporting adversely upon the bill TO allow women
to vote and hold Office in the Territories Senator Ed
muuds, the Chairman Of tho Judiciary Committee
marked. to-day that whatever might be the sentiments
Of the members OF the Committee the abstract ques
ton involved in the BILL this matter which should
be determined by the people and not by Congress. This
conclusion the part Of the Committee arrived at
not because Of belief that Congress has not power to
grant the right to vote and hold office in the
Territories, but the ground that the women them
selves or the people Of the Territories have not gener
ally applied TO Congress for the privilege The same
Committee, however, reported, about year ago, That
accord TO women the elective franchise Notwthstand,
ing the adverse report Of the Committee the bill
Ing out for chance TO do something in the interest OF
temperance aud OF suffrage had the bill placed
thorough discussion Of the subject can be forced before
the expiration OF this Congress
THE STORY OF BEAVER LAKE.
Mr.. Framework submitted conference report on
bill to relinquish to the State of Indiana
all title OF the United States to rhe bed OF
Beaver Lake The two Houses disagreed about
this bill last session. sent IT to a Conference Commit
tee which failed report before the final adjournment
After dry discussion in which number OF Western
members told what they knew about Riparian Rights
and "MeandeIng Surveys" the report agreed 10.
The dispute about the title to the bed of the lake has
somewhat curious history. Several years ago com
pany of enerprsnG bought the lands bordering on
the lake. and then, by digging bitches at considerable
expense they drained the whole body OF water into
neigh6oring stream anu thus obtained 1000 aces OF
snecIotors that fe land belonged 10 fine United
States. and they covered 1t with agricultural college
scrip and preemptOn claims. The State also SGT up
hill leaves the parties in possession 10 settle their title
with the State an arrangement with which they are
satisfied.
THE VENEZUELA CLAIMS
The House Committee Foreign Affairs were pre-
3o,r1 nfofff ing
agreed by them time ago touching the Venezuela
claims variety OF claims OF the United States against
Venezuela, some Of them very old, were by treaty
ratified in 1861 referred to tribunal OF arbitration which
sat at Caracas and closed its laboTs In August 1863
Claims amounting 10 s,s2323 81 were presented, OF
which there was allowed $25]3l0 0CeTtihcates paya
BILE TO bearer were Issued TO tho SUCCESSFUL Claimants
covering onehaf the awards, but when the first Install
ment OF the awards fell due Venezuela failed to pay
them. Complaint made that one Murray who was
variously represented acting United states Minister
Secretary OF Legation and attorney for the Claimants
be set aside This led to diplomatic correspondence and
the taking Of great mass OF testimony which the Com
mittee has examined They think that while there may
have been irregularities, there is not lent ground TO
aside the awards and the bill reported authorizes
the President take any measures that he may deem
eXpedent not amounting TO cause OF WaJ TO enforce
their payment.
EXCHANGING REGISTERED FOR COUPON BONDS.
The House bill providing for the exchange Of regis
tered bonds Tor coupon bOnOs was
during the morning hour, today and debated until
o'clock The two objections urged against 1t by Senator
Morrill, OF Vermont First, that il would increase
theyalue Of all registered bonds from one-quarter to
one-haf OF cent, and he did not believe that
Congress ought to esate to change the market value
OF its securties an1 second that the bill proposed to
give too much responsibility TO the Registrar OF the
Treasury an officer who gave bond for the honest
performance Of his duty The exchange to be made
through him. and he was to have the custody OF the
bonds while the exchange was making senator sner
man answered both these objections the first bY saying
that the duty Of Congress to lesate to make our
bonds more valuable and the second by showing that
AS a disposition evnced to debate the BILL 1t went
over
GEN. COwAN's REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS.
Gen. Cowan, acting Secretary of the Interior wants
Congress TO appropriate s249 10 finish paying for the
property in the two squares lying north and south of the
East Capitol Park Last session. Congress appropriated
10 buy this property for the purpose OF adding
TO the Capitol grounds. An apprasement was made up
under direction Of the Supreme Court OF the District
and the value OF the ground and the buildings upon 1t
was determined 70 be 1851 ss The Secretary determined
10 use little discretionary authority, and he bought the
north square and many Of the lots In the south one
he had the money pay for expendng very nearly the
whole 100000. He now wants, beside an appropriation
ton and the proceeds 10 pay costs OF appfasement
advertising, extra clerk hire 30 INC greater part OF
the squares covered with brick budlngs Oh CON
siderable age and no great value among them are Two
small hotels, few stores, ana NUMBER OF private
dwellings and boarding houses.
THE DEFICIENCY BILL PASSED BY THE HOUSE.
Tho Deficiency bill Hnally passed the House to-day.
after further debate the appropriation for tho Wash
ington Board Of Public Works Two amendments, pro-
ydjne for more satisfactory measurement and compu-
tation OF the work around the Government prop
erty were voted down. The House appeared so willing
70 take the estimates OF the Board with the Endorsement
OF GarAelds Committee that II little strange that
40 many members the Dsrict Government Thought IL
necessary 10 remain the lobby until they saw the bill
safely through. The only amendment adopted was
proyiso forbddng the Board Ia make any further I'M
i;roysments on account OF the Government unless ap
propr TO pay the expense were previously made
NOMINATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS.
GENERAL PRESS DISPATCHI
The President sent the following nominations to the
Senate to-day:
h nm United st., Mr,h. for III. Western Distinct
s,iy.ns Ch.rlss b wn Collector Of Insl Revenue fer the
Wis Det Of ur; Holelh Collector Of In,erbs Rev
snos for Dtr Of GeerFs AngaE Csssard o. Louisiana
'I S,. :, S .Ss n 10 Is. Ss 6svsry
Postus,tsrs-B. NJ crswfOrd a w,nsgo Kansas Hn hiT
wsysi Bupt,,e TsIs, Whips at New LeInstOn otioi
D. IT, NeCsuly Wet Point Miss Joseph W. Seward, Thon,r
yl, Ga fJobn w. Brett Hshi III B,HetiasoD at Brehs
burg N il l.. T. CheeVer Dss~are ~ Ma lkls sellers
Psfip, m M Thpp, At Farmer CITY III samuel h,hs.
ohoi Thomas Jones, a. NORM AtpOrs hssA 1ebe
ksArthpr At Chicago. Ill
The Senate In executive session this afternoon con-
hrmed the following nominations:
Jsu,s Bure Marshal for Dakota Teritory wilhsu P0d Az
to,n,v for bsios Hall Marshal WesterufDhet OF
Leland NJ watesed Posmsster Al Porsbd Oregon
81 Well, Attorny Of Virginia. Chsuncsy
Eo,ewe,r osnsr the Branch Mint at Canon City Nevada
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A FATAL LOCOMOTIVE EXPLOSION.
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