The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-02-06
Washington News and Gossip.
WASHINGTON. D. c., Januar

WASHINGTON, D. c., January 81.
While the bill giving pensions to soldiers Of
the war of 1872, who resided in the rebellious
States during the late civil war, was being con-
sidered in the House yesterday afternoon, Cen
eral Butler made brief but eloquent speech
in advocacy of the measure. He said these
old veterans should have their dues even if
during the rebellion they were led by circum-
stances to sympathize with treason. They had
won the right to be wrong once in their lives,
and the government shoul deal generously with
them. He ended by hoping that the time was
near when the New Orleans of 1872 would be
remembered and the New Orleans of 1862 for
gotten. He was loudly applauded several
times by the members, who gathered around
him, and the Speaker made no attempt to sup
press the demonstration.
Judge Delahay, United States judge of Kan
sas, who has been under investigation by the
House judiciary committee, and who stood a
fair chance of impeachment for drunkenness
and malfeasance in Office, has placed his resig-
nation in the hands of friend. If he had not
pursued this course, it is thought that the pre-
sentation of articles of impeachment against
him would have been inevitable.
The Committee of Ways and Means to-day
discussed Beck's bill, to refund the cotton tax.
Brooks was absent. The vote stood-Kelly,
Burchard, Finklenburg, Ellis 81. Roberts and
Dawes, against the bill Maynard, Beck and
Kerr, in favor of it. Dawes agreed with the
minority, that the export tax on cotton was
unconstitutional, but thought this was not the
proper time to take legislative action on the
subject. The committee will report adversely
on the bill, with the understanding, however,
that the minority shall have full hearing
before the House.
WASHINGTON, D. c., February, l.
The committee of ways and means yesterday,
all the members being present, considered the
bill introduced by Mr.. Beck for the refunding
of the cotton tax. After full discussion, an
amendment was adopted limiting the tax to be
refunded to the amount of cotton actually ex-
ported. Subsequently, however, the bill and
amendment we're both rejected, and by vote
of 6 to an adverse report was decided to be
made There will be no minority report in
the case, but it was agreed that discussion
should be permitted when the adverse report
shall be presented to the House.
The main points of the bill introduced in
the Spanish Cortes providing for the emanci-
patton of the slaves on the Island of Porto Rico
have been received here. The measure pro-
vides that a commission shall be appointed,
selected jointly by the slave owners and the
government, whose duty it shall be to ascertain
and report as to the value of all slaves upon
the lSland. w men tnlS lS accomplished the
owners shall be paid eighty per cent. of the
estimated value of the slaves owned by them,
and one-balf of this amount shall be borne by
the Spanish government and the other half by
the local government of Porto Rico. 1t is be-
lieved that this measure or one similar in terms
will be passed by the Cortes. In the matter of
the abolition of slavery on the Island of Cuba,
the Spanish government will do nothing to-
ward fulfilling its promises to the United States
government until the insurrection on the Island
is completely subdued.
The President, a few days since, received a
formal application for the recognition of the
Southern States by an appointment to the
Cabinet, accompanied by recommendation
that he shall select Senator Poole, of North
Carolina, for the position. The recommends
tion was signed by nearly all the Republican
members from the South, except those from
South Carolina, who are urging Senator Sawyer
for similar promotion, and the Virginians,
who have pronounced decided preference for
Judge Hughes.
According to notice given in the Senate yes
terday, an effort will be made on Wednesday
to bring up the House bill for the repeal of the
bankrupt act. The attempt will hardly prove
successful but, even if the subject is brought
before the Senate, about the only action that
will be taken will be to amend the law by
striking out the involuntary bankruptcy pro-
vision. afi