Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-04-22
From Washington,
[sPEcIAL DISPATCH TO THE DAILY srY.l
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 81

1urnlShed any legal evidence in his behalf
though some ex parte afidavits have arrived. 1t
is rumored that he will ask for another extern
sion of time to take evidence. The criticisms
which certain journals have expended on this
case, and the house in connection with it, are
entirely unjust.
Mr.. Clarke came here in December, with the
regular certificate, and according 10 law ami
precedent he was entitled to be sworn in. Mr..
Giddings, who it is claimed got a majority of
tie votes cast, was allowed to move contest,
and lie has done it satisfactorily to himself and
his friends, ami the committee of elections will
consider the case at once. 1t will be time enough
to find fault, if any injustice is done to Gid,
dings or any favoritism shown to Clarke, when
the case is tried.
THE NEW ORLEANS INVESTIGATION.
1t is said that the report of the New Orleans
investigating committee will now soon be
printed. The New York Tribune has made so
much noise over it that, whatever may be the
obstacles in the way of printing, they must be
removed, such is the overwhelming sentiment Of
this house.
INTERESTED ONES THINK IT "RATHER HARD"
There is sharp disappointment in certain
quarters over the prospect of the failure of the
treaty of Washington. Some of the papers
speak of lobby being here at work trying
to induce the government to withdraw
its claim for indirect damages, so as to allow
England 10 settle for actual losses suffered by
individuals.
No doubt prominent individuals representing
the interests which suffered so severely from the
Alabama depredations are urgent in pushing
their claim to PREPARATION. If our government
will assume these claims and pay Them they
will be satisfied; but they thing it is rather hard
when England offers to pay for actual damages
to the owners of private shipping, that our gov
eminent should defeat the arrangement by
preposterous demand for constructive damages
which latter claim is its own and in behalf of
the treasury of the United States.
THE TEXAS RAILROAD BILL,
Which passed the senate yesterday, will have a
hard time getting through the house. No
member who voted against the St. Croix and
Bayfield, bill can consistently vote for this, and
it will be remembered that that measure failed
by a big majority. The Texas bill takes a fresh
land grant with it. 1t was opposed in the SEN
over his protest. SAM WELLER.
TO the Associated PressJ
APPOINTMENT.
John Jay Knox is appointed controller of
currency.
STEAMBoATNEN.
The executive committee of the convention of
steambOatmen now in session here, called on
the secretary of the treasury Saturday in rela-
ton to 3ill now before congress making ma
terial modification in the steamboat law. Mr.
Boutwell, being engaged in preparations for alb
sence from the city, referred the committee to
Judge Richardson, to whom they explained
their views at length An important feature OF
the interview was a statement concerning the
frequency OF steamboat accidents, loss of life,
property, &c, by steam navigation. II was
asserted that fifteen years ago, the steamboats,
OF the country carried so per cent. more freight
| than now, while the loss of life and property by
accident was great deal less than now. For
merry the material which went into the CON
| struction of steam machinery was far superior
| in quality to that now used, and a greater de-
| gree of vigilance was exercised by engineers
| than now. The reasons for this relaxation of
| vigilance by engineers are various-automatC
| safety appliances, patent and otherwise now re-
| quired by steamboat regulations to be attached
10 the engines and boilers to prevent explosions
| the effect of which tends to render engineers
| less watchful. 1t was also stated that there is
deterioration of 10 to is per cent in the duan-
| tity of iron and other material going into the
| construction OF steam machinery, particularly
| boilers, compared to that formerly used Judge
Richardson hears the committee further Mon.
| day.
ADJOURNMENT PROSPECTS.
ALI the general appropriation bills have been
acted upon by the house except the fertilization
bill, and the bill making appropriation for sun
dry civil expenses. These could be disposed of
in day or two. Notwithstanding the tariff
bill yet to be acted on many republicans think
congress can adjourn on the Goth of May, and
with this view it is probable that a resolution
will be introduced in the house tomorrow, fix
ing the time A majority of the committee on
ways and means decline to act on similar reso-
luton from the senate hitherto referred to them
prominent republican member says that nine
teen democrats have promised to vote with the
republicans who favor adjournment at the time
stated.
PENSION FRAUDS.
1t has been estimated that Of a vast number
OF claims of pensions growing out of the rebel
lion, probably one fourth are fraudulent D D.
ADDISON, an attorney of Washington, has pro-
posed to the commissioner of pensions and TO
the congressional committee on pensions, plan
by which that system of fraud could be DESTROYED
and which would lead to a detection of the
fraudulent claims heretofore granted. The
proposition is TO publish in each county apha-
betical lists of all persons to whom pensions
have been or shall be granted, giving residences,
&c, OF each pensioner; and to furnish copy
thereof to each federal and state officer of the
county. This, it is believed would result in
saving millions of dollars annually to the gov
ernment, and in bringing to punishment all
concerned in frauds; and enable the commits
soner of pensions to modify the requirements
of his office so as to render it possible for all
honest Claimants to comply with them
BALANCES IN THE TREASURY
Saturday the coin in the treasury amounted
to S12S,13l,3O3; currency, 81 ,592, $50; coin
certificates, Il 500, Ss4 900.
BRITISH CLAIMANTS.
By permission of the commissioners, seven
claims are added to the list of British claim
ants, making total list of AS A considerable
amount of business pertaining to extending the
time for taking testimony was transacted Pc
titions may be filed by special permission IN TO
the 2eth Of June, after which no more petitions
will be received. The commission adjourned
until Monday.
AT THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
The president visited the treasury department
Saturday and had long consultation with Sec
rotary Boutwell, and Assistant Secretary Rich
ardson. The object of the interview has not
definitely TRANSFERRED, but ii is supposed to have
had reference to the future negotiation of the
loan IN London and the speedy departure of
Judge Richardson on that business
CoLoRED CLERGYMEN AND SENATOR SUMNER.
Senator Sumner received formal visit, Satur-
day morning. from delegation of the ministers
of the cOored Methodist Episcopal conference
now in session here. They read an address to
him thanking him for his efforts in behalf of
their race, to which he replied somewhat at
length urging the necessity of equality every
where, and concluded by reading to them Abra-
ham Lincoln's admirable speech at Gettysburg.
They expressed themselves highly gratifed with
the interview,
MISCELLANEOUS.
The house committee on judiciary to-day ex-
amined several witnesses in regard to charges
against Judge Deahay district Judge of Kan
sas.
The case of Elizabeth Louise Harris Borve,
vs. the United States; and George Henry and
Joseph b, Morey VS.. the United States, has been
disallowed.
Thus far about 45O British and only twenty
American claims have been filed with the Amer
lean and British commission which will early
this week, adjourn to the latter part of June.
Only two commissioners will then be present,
and they merely to receive claims, and then adj
1ourn till September. Mr.. Quincy will leave
for England on the 26th inst, and is not expected
to return before September
There is no prospect Of congress at its present
session, acting upon the memorial of the Utah
convention for the admission of the state of
Deseret.
The boat clubs of the District OF Columbia