Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-04-21
WASHINGTON.
Congress and the Alabama Case.
Gen. Banks interviews MIR. Fish.

Gen. Banks Interviews Mr.. Fish.
New YORK, April 20.-A Washingt on
special SAYS Gen. Banks called ON Secretary
Fish yesterday according to invitation ofthe
Committee on Foreign Affairs to consult
regarding the proposed action of the House
on Peters resolution advising the ad-
ministratiOn to withdraw indirect damages.
Mr.. Fish said he was not in favor of
modifying the case and knew no other
member Of the cabinet who was. He did
not think it possible to make any modifi-
cation. At the same time the Secretary is
said to have admitted that be did not expet
favorable award for indirect damages.
At the Cabinet meeting which followed
the interview, Mr.. +. communicated the
substance of the conference which was un-
qualifedly approved.
A Strong Lobby
representing the owners of the Alabama
claims have been in Washington the last few
weeks, endeaVoring to influence the Admin
istratiOn and Congress to withdraw the OBJ
jectionable portion of our case.
Rev0rdy johnson
has written letter to Mr.. Peters, declaring
approval Of his resolution and asking
permission to address him more elaborate
letter for publication.
The Japs..
WASHINGTON, April 20.-IWakura and
twenty-eight others of the Japanese EN-
bassy left on a Government vessel this
morning for Mount Vernon TO visit the
tomb Of Washington.
HuIburd's Successor.
John Jay Knox has been appointed
Comptroller of the Currency.
The SteambOatmen- Startling Reye-
IatiOns.
The Executive Committee of the Con-
vention of Steamboatmen, now in session
here, called on the Secretary of the Treas
ury to-day in relation to the bill now before
Congress making material modification in
the steamboat law. Mr.. Boutwell, being en-
gagged in preparations for short absence
from the city, after brief hearing referred
the committee to Judge Richardson, to
whom they explained their views at length.
An important aud interesting feature of
the interview was a statement concerning
steamboat accidents, loss of life, property,
etc, by steam navigation, wherein it was
asserted that fifteen years ago the steam
boats of the country carried 30 per cent
more passengers and $50 per cent more
freight than now, while the loss Of life and
property by accident was great deal less
than now. Formerly the material which
went into the construction Of steam ma
chinery was far superior in quality to that
now used, and a greater degree of vigilance
was exercised by engineers than now.
The reason for the relaxation Ofyigilance
by engineers is the various automatic safety
appliances, patent and otherwise, now re-
quired by the steamboat regulations to be
attached to engines and boilers to prevent
explosions, the effect of which tends to
lender engineers less watchful. 1t was
also stated that there is deterioration of 10
to Is per cent in the quality of iron and
other material going into the construction
of steam machinery, particularly boilers,
with that formerly used.
Judge Richardson will hear the commit
tee further tomorrow.
More Investigation.
The House Committee on Judiciary To-
day examined several witnesses in regard
to charges against Judge DeLakey, District
judge for Kansas.