New-York tribune., 1873-03-06
WASHINGTON.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
THE VOTE ON THE SALARY INCREASE.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THB TRIBUSRI


On the roll-call Of members of the House on the
vote to agree to tho Conference report of the Les
latiye Appropriation bl increase of salaries being
the test question, the Yeas were iO3. Nays "a. OF
the Yeas 40 were Republicans and 81 Democrats and
Liberal Republicans OF the 40 Republican Yeas,
IL were Southern members. OF the 1903 Yeas 62 were
outgoing members that is to say not elected to the
XLIIid Congress.
NO CHANGES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
There has been much can yassing to-day to the
Presidential policy TO be pursued with regard to
Federal appointments. On this point the authOri-
ties are conflicting. Some friends of tho President
claim that he will make numerous changes through
out the country, especially among POstmasters and
Collectors while others confident that, with but
few exceptions, the present incumbents will be
appointed for second term.
Notwithstanding o mmor, of which Mr. Harlans
Chronicle gives editorial mention to-day, it is gen.
orally conceded that there will not be single Cabi
net change except perhaps in the case OF MIR. Bout
well but that the President, following the precedent
established by Mr.. Lincoln will refuse to accept the
designations of any of the present Cabinet thus pre-
venting the necessity of sending their names to the
Senate for confirmation
MATTERS BEFORE THE EXTRA SESSION OF THE
SENATE.
The Senate, which began its extra session yester-
day, and which will meet for business tomorrow,
will have within it's jurisdiction besides the
ordinary Executive business, several important
questions Of privilege. OF these the Louisiana
case, which is pretty sure to be considered will be
watched with the greatest interest 1t will be OBJ
served that the party managers did not attempt to
swear in Pinchback as a Senator, yesterday, when
the Senate was reorganized Such n proceeding
would have caused immediate explosion, which
would have been very unpleasant on such grand
ceremonial occasion. The Caldwell case ouRht also
to be voted on at once in order that 1t may
consume none Of the time Of next Winters
session. promise was also made to
Mr.. Patterson that the resolution reported
against him should receive attention, though many
of his friends would rather allow the matter to rest
it is rather than give it the further publicity of
public debate. Mr.. Norwood will attempt to call up
the Clayton case. The first business will be the
organization of Committees, and this will be at
tended with less interest and excitement than at
any previous session during the past two years The
only important chairmanships that have become
vacant are those of the Committee on Appropria-
tions heretofore filled by Mr.. Cole; the Committee
on Public Lands filled by Mr. Pomeroy the Com
mittee on Indian Affairs presided over by Mr.. Har-
LAM tho Committee on the District of CO.
lumbia presided by Mr.. Patterson that on Ter
ritories filed by Mr. Nye, and that on Education and
Labor filled by Mr.. Sawyer The chairmnaship of
Appropriations will probably fall to Mr.. Morrill,
(de) or to Mr.. Window, both of whom have been
active members of the Committee. Mr.. Ferry
Nich will be likely TO succeed Mr. Patterson in the
District of Columbia Committee he and Mr.. Hitch
cock beng the only active Republican members OF
that Committee who remain. Messrs. Boreman and
Hitchcock are the only Senators left on the Commit
tee Territories from whom Chairman will be
likely to be chosen and the chances in favor of
the latter. Mr.. Spencer did not present himself to
take the oath yesterday fearing that some Democrat
might object and disturbance be thus created He
will present himself tomorrow, and lively contest
is expected
THE NEW CONGRESS LIBRARY BUILDING.
The S20O.OOO appropriation for new Congress
Library building was stricken out of the Appropra-
ton bill. 1t is not thought wise to begin building
less than 400 feet in length. The square east
of the Capitol which it is proposed to place this
building i'd only 800 feet long, and it will therefore
be necessary to abolish the street between the new
square and East Capitol Park and extend the build
ing into the latter. But the whole question of the
grade east of the Capitol is still unsettled, and 1T
not thought best to begin q new building there
until that question is disposed of. There op-
position to the appropriation i'll either House, and it
would have passed had it not been for these
settled questions. Five thousand dollars ap-
propriated for plans of the new building, and a
commission, consisting Of the Chairmen of the
Library and Public Buildings and Grounds Com
mittees and the Librariau was appointed to have
charge of the matter.
THE PosTMAsTER-GENERAL AND DOUBLE POST
AGE.
The perversity of the Postmaster General in re-
IL II
ter that has been nsuffciently prepaid is almost
without parallel in the history Of executive rulings.
Having been admonished by the House Postal Com
mittee and not sustained by the Attorney-General,
he went to Congress and attempted to have the OBJ
noxous rule made q law. Defeated there, he stiA
persists TO collect the double postage upon all
other matter than letters Persons who have re-
Gently been charged double the unpaid rates on
newspapers that weighed small fraction more than
two ounces, and who complained at the Post-Onice
Department, have been informed that the late opin
ion of the Attorney General referred only to letters
the question in regard to other classes of matter
never having been submitted to that officer.
LAWSUITS IN THE AMES FAMILY.
THE WIDOW OF HoRATIo AMEs BEGINS SUIT
AGAINST 0AKES AND OLIVER FOR THE RE
COyERY OF $4,000,
lFRoa THB REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRlBUSEl
WASHINGTON, March 3.-The following suits
were begun to-day In the Supreme Court OF the District
OF Columbia Charlotte l.. Ames, Administrative Of the
estate OF Horao Ames deceased, agt Oakes and Oliver
Ames, amount claimed $4,000 with interest for
year; and Same agt. william H. Barnum amount
claimed s62 5OO with interest 1t may be remembered
that Horao Ames had a claim against the Navy De
partment castiron used In experimenting at
Fortress Monroe for the payment OF which an appro-
priation was made. Pending ITS settlement Horatio
Ames died. His widow appointed admins
tratriY NJ estate and demanded that the