Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-02-22

NNENIION.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2l.-rhe republican con-
vention for the District Of Columbia, tonight
selected Alexander r. Shepard and John Cook.
delegates, and Frederick A. Bassett and A. NJ
Green alternateS to the national republican
convention. Cook and Green are coiored Res
olutions were passed, endorsing Grant and Col
fax, and declaring the preference for their re-
nomination.
OPPOSITION TO GENERAL GRANT.
The republican senators show no desire TO
| close the political debate commenced by their
advcrsares, 50 long as it dscoses the exact po-
| litical status of each senator. The opposition
| Of any gentleman to the present administration
| is easily understood, after a candid admission
from him that he will not vote for Gen. Grant.
should the general be renominated by the repub-
lican national convention at PHILADELPHIA. When
these senators VINO have made up their minds
not TO be governed by the Philadelphia couyen-
ton, should the nomination made there nor be
personally satisfactory, have announced This
fact and separated themselves into Il third party.
the political agony will be over, and legislation
can proceed.
THE COMMITTEES
delegation from Boston appeared before the
committee of ways and means this morning TO
advocate the retention OF the duty on white lead
at the present rate. The important interest of
New York want the tariff reduced.
The house committee on agriculture had I'M
der consideration this morning the bill intro
duced by Mr.. Haldeman of PENNSYLVANIA to
preserve one-tcnth of the forests BY prohibiting
the cutting of that quantity on all ofthe public
lands oil the United States. The impression is
that the committee will report favOrably upon
the bill.
The house committee on patents this morning
had up the application Of Hin White Of
Massachusetts for the extension Of his patent
for fire arms assigned TO Smith & Weston A
bill was passed some time since directing the
commissioner to extend his patent, but the pres
dent vetoed it. His claim is opposed by various
lire arm manufacturing companies throughout
the country, and il seems to be the opinion that
the committee will report against any extension
OF the patent.
The committee on private land claims has of
late years been one OF the ornamental commit
tees OF the house, or at least the business re-
lerred TO II has not been of character to de-
mand much of the attention of the members.
This session, however, they have great deal of
business, especially relating to land titles on the
Pacific coast The claimants in the eases want
such legislation as will remove the right to de-
telmlne these titles from the executive depart.
ments, and TO rest such right in the courts.
Large delegations have appeared before the COM
mttee on this subject,
The special committee on the Investigation of
AT hrs in Louisiana had meeting this morn-
ing 70 take preliminary action with reference to
making up their report The testimony Is very
yoluminous, and leave was obtained this morn,
ing to print it.. There will be two reports, but
and especially In relation to the use Of the VII,
derness to carry off members Of the legisla-
turei but The democratic members will concur
with the republican members that this was
done without the approval or knowledge of the
president or secretary of the treasury, and they
will be eXculpated of all blame in the matter.
MINOR MATTERS.
II is understood that Messrs, Carpenter, Ed
muuds and Nyo desire 10 he heard on the arms
question in defence of the administration, but
no senators have minated any desire to Join
the assailants.
Gen. Stoughton expects to secure the passage
Of bis soldiers homestead bill, which provides
that soldier may take public lands and deduct
his term OF service from the Eve years actual
residence required by the recent act provided
that he lives thereon two years. Under il a
pensoner may settle land by attorney, without
residence.
Among the changes in the tariff bill, as re.
ported there is considerable reduction in the
duties on leather. A large number of additional
articles are added to the Tree list, being such as
do not compete with American production.