Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-02-14

STOKES.
Ex-member of congress Stokes, of Tennessee,
was found guilty on his second trial to-day. 1t
is understood hat Judge Carter will sentence
him to the pcuitentiary tomorrow, though dc
termiued effort is being made TO save him from
punishment.
NEW BUILDINGS.
The house voted S35O,OOO for new public ruild-
ings at Albany, without the yeas and nays,
though Gen. Garfield stated that this was the
first of series of bills, by which millions are
to be voted away on public buildings scattered
over the country.
PERSONAL DEBATE.
Senators Sumner and Sawyer INDUCED in a
sharp personal debate on the amnesty question
in the senate this afternoon, after which that
body declined to take up the next house amucs-
ty bill. 1t is understood, However, that it will
be taken up some days hence but Mr.. Sumner
has given notice that, whenever it is done, he
will renew his old fight with the civil rights
amendment. Under these circumstances many
senators think that it IS a waste of time to con-
slider the subject any further at this session.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS EXCITEMENT.
No reply has yet gone to London, to Earl
Granville's dispatch, and for the sufficient rca-
son that the dis 'atch has not vet been received
1t is expected that on Thursday, as soon as the
English minister presents it, the reply will he
made
Mr.. Fish stated this morning, that he could
not understand Mr.. Gladstune's statement, in
the house of commons, that the American case
had not been made public in England, because
it had not been formally presented to the German
conference. In point of fact, the case was so
submitted on the 18th of December, and on
that day, Gen. Schcnck, our minister in London.
presented the British government with one hun
dred and fifty printed copies of our case.
THE LATEST INVESTIGATIONS
The investigation into the construction of the
state department building, which commences
tomorrow, will, tits said, prove that the alega-
ton that Muetl, the government architect. in
violation Of law, has used Seneca stone, Instead
of granite, in the foundation of this structure,
is untrue.
He used it in the place of brick, in some paris
of the foundation, where the use Of granite was
not appropriate; besides, he holds that the COM
mittees on public expenditures of the houses,
who have charge of the subject, have never in
struc'ed him to use granite exclusively in the
foundations. The attempt to show that Muclt
has been playing into the hands of the Seneca
stone company will probably fail
WAYS AND MEANS AND TARIFF.
The ways and means committee have settled
the tobacco tax, and opened their doors long
enough to allow the fact to 90 to the country.
The fax on smoking tobacco remains, as il is.
at sixteen cents, and the tax on chewing tobacco
is reduced from thirty two TO twenty four cents.
The chances that the house will agree to these
figures are thought to be good
There is some complaint that the ways and
means committee keep their dongs secret but
it is done to protect them from interested par
ties, as if they were to learn from dav TO day
the consultations of the committee, they would
besiege the committee and demand TO be head.
The ways and means committee agreed to report
bill to the house, repeating the duties on teas
and cOffeCs, asking the consent of the house
that it be recommttcd.
Mr.. Dawes asked leave of the house TO make
statement but Mr. Mercur, of Pennsylvania,
objected, and he could not speak without unani.
nous consent. The committee is opposed to the
bill, as il takes too large sum lrom the receipts
from imports.
The resolution passed yesterday was one of
the shrcwdest moves yet made by the extreme
protectionists, for, if the duty on tea and coffee
is abolished, the chances for any further revc-
nue. reform are diminished.
The democrats Of the house were deceived by
the resolution, and would like to set themselves
right Pennsylvania, of coarse, is willing that
tea and coffee and many other similar products,
shall 30 upon the free list, and thus render it
impossible to lessen the duty on pig iron and
Bcssemer steel.
SAM WELLER.