Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-09
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE WORCESTER sry ]
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3,

WASHINGTON, Dec. s.
There is no doubt that VicePresideut Colfax
has been offered the position on the Tribune
made vacant by the death of Greeley. Mr..
COltaN, when spoken to on the subject to-day,
replied that nothing was settled yet in reference
to 1t, and that neither journalistic nor political
matters would control his decision. 1t has been
rumored that the proprietors of the Times con-
templated offering the leading editorial position
GU that paper to the ycep president, but the
Tribune seems to have secured the advantage in
point OF time.
Minister Washburne arrived here Friday
morning last. He has been the guest of Speaker
Blaine. He rode out with the president yestcr-
day morning, and last evening Blaine gave
| dinner in his honor He left for Maine to-
night to visit his father and brothers, and will
sail Tor France by the 2Sth inst.
The proposition to establish an intermediate
court with eighteen judges, to whom special
classes of eases, for instance, chancery and pa
tent suits, should be referred, does not find favor
with the supreme court judges, who think the
influence and dignity of thut body would be Sc
riously impaired. The fact that the supreme
court is two Or three years behind date in its
business, with labors constantly increasing, is
ground on which the organization OF some Judi
cial body is urged.
The Australian steamship company asks for
half a million mail subsidy. VIM Webb has
prepared a pamphlet which will submit appro-
priations to the committee 1t sets forth the
arguments of the company. 1t is claimed that
if this line were established, it would compel
the shipment of all Australian products to Eng
land through this country.
w. IL. Hooper, delegate from Utah. says he
docs not expect any attempt this winter 10 Sc
sure the admission of that territory as q state
into the Union. He reports remarkable materi-
al development there, and claims that the total
value of production during the next year will
be s4,OOO,OOO.
Cen Negley has prepared bill to provide for
the government construction of a water route
between the James and Ohio rivers, known as
the James river and Kauawha canal. Under
this bill, West Virginia and Virginia are to sur
render to the United States government all in
tercst in the work, so far as completed Phi
yate stock is to be bought by the government,
and the construction is to be done under the engi-
each by the states of Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri,
Illinois, Virginia, West Virginia. Kentucky,
Indiana and Ohio, and the secretary of war to
be eX ofiiciO member are to manage and oper-
ate the line. Surplus tolls are to reimburse the
United States, and when the cost of the canal
has been repaid it is TO be free highway 10 all
American commerce, such tolls only being
charged as may be necessary for repairs and
operating expenses.
The Alabama delegation appointed by Gov.
Lewis to represent the republican branch of the
legislature, will be heard by the attorney gen.
eral tomorrow. Saturday he was engaged in
hearing the argument presented by the conser-
vatiye branch. The case comes before the gov
eminent on request Of the republican branch
for aid to suppress domestic violence. They
regard the action Of the conservatives as illegal
and violent. The other party claims to be the
lawful legislature. 1t does not ask government
aid or protection. There is no determination as to
what (if anything) shall be done by the United
States government.
1t is within the power of the house to re-or-
ganize its committees, but a two-thirds vote is
required. 1t is, therefore, manilcStly impossi
BILE Tor d resolution to remove Blair, Banks and
Farnsworth to pass. II is quite unlikely that
any attempt Of the kind will be made.
Judge Bird of Alabama is in Philadelphia,
and is a member of the centennial commission.
lie has no connection with the delegation rep
resenting the conservatives of Alabama.
The credit mobliier investigating committee
has summoned McComb as witness.
Tire appropriation committee will probably in
sert in the legislative bill clause 10 pay mem
bers of congress who have prima tacie right to
seats from March 4th to December in the same
manner as if a new congress were organized
March 4th and members sworn in. 1t is found
that this will entail no additional expense on
the treasury, and it will remove one of the
strongest influences that has operated to revive |
the law for meeting on the 4th of March.
HART