New-York tribune., 1873-01-31
WASHINGTON.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
iBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNBi
WAauIScTox Thursday Ian 10. II

\ PROVISIONS OF THE BILL TO REFUND lhb
COTTON TAX.
ThA' Ways and Means Committee agreed, to-day, to
take vote tomorrow upon Beck's bill to refund the
cotton 1t is rumored that the Committee stand four
in favor Oi the bill and four opposed, not counting MT
James Bres whose III health and frequent attendance
upon the Credit Mobiler investigation have kept him
away from the Committee most OF this session. The
members who favor the bin, according 10 report are
Messrs. Dawes, Maynard, Beck. and Kerr, ana those
who oppose it are Messs Kelley, Burchard Finkelnbarg
and Roberts Friends of Mr.. Dawes assert. however
that ne has not vet expressed hmse positively upon the
question MT Becks bill goes upon the assumption thh
the tax on all cotton exported was Unconstitutional ana
that twothirds OF all cotton raised In the years
when the tax was collected was actually exported III
does not propose ascertain whose cotton went abroad
and to return the tax to such persons only b 10 pay
back two thirds OF the collected from all producers
Only actual producers OF to receive the bene
fits of the BILL and stringent provisions are made to smut
out claim agents brokers' and all persons VINO nano
bought up the claims. Testimony substantiatng claims
10 be taken commissioners appointed Dy tne uncu
states Circuit Courts and Revising Board i creaeu 20
st Washington, review all the evidence, ana max h
awards. Appeal may taken from TINS BOard 70 me
Court OF Claims The amount Of money which nu Beoh
bill would take from the Treasury cannot be dehntsy
stated Many rightfu claimants would, through lgho-
rance never apply for the amounts due them pnt on
the other hand. thousands OF irauduient tS ~
get through IL ia safe 10 say that ~ least twohus o
the entire proceeds OF the cotton TAX woniu oe 'so
from the Treasury. This would be about SiJ'OO0OOO'
PENSIONS RESTORED TO SOUTHERN SolDibno Wv
THE WAR OF 1872.
An interesting debate arose In the House to-day upon
a hill reported by Mr. Willard TO restore to the pension
rolls the names OF soldiers of the war OF sl2 ana oi ter
widows which stricken of under the act OF 1862 ON
account OF their residence in States in rebellion ana 10
allow applications for pensions from such persons 10 Dc
entertained without the proof Of loyalty now required
Mr. willard ably supported the bill. and Mr Hawiey OF
Connecticut made earnest attack upon It, repeating
the STYLE of talk about loyalty which has fallen some
what into dsuse OF late His speech would have stlrred
the House to loud applause few years ago. Dut IL le
fat on unsympathetie ears. The hand cappinsS
came in however, but it was at the end OF
speech by Cen Butler, advocating the Dill ana
denrecatinc the perpetual rubbing up OF the
memories OF the war to keep them bright Gen Butler
told how when IN command at New-Orleans, ne hau re-
turned the swords taken from old soldiers who fought
under Jackson He said that the old men who fought In
1912 had earned the right to be wrong once D shedB
their blood for their country He maintained that they
had earned their pensions aud that they were theirs oy
right conclusion he appealed TO the House 10 re-
bapDened in 1872 Mr. Bingham said that old men OF 10
years who had fought for the country ought not 10 DC
held criminal because OF rebellion had come
upon them in the South and they had given shelter and
food to their sons. Gen FarnswOrth SPOKE s'ros
ticaly of men who wrapped themselves In robes oil sell
righteousness and thought themselves boiler than old
soldiers of the of 1872 who happened 10 i've IN te
South and who sympathizcd In tho Kebeoh WIN lheH
own kindred The bill passed without division
It's success furnishes notable illustration OF the change
mat has taken place within few months in the feeng
of con gress toward the South II Messrs Willard But
Ier and Bingham had made the same speeches curing
the late canvass they made to-day they woud nave
beer suspected of strong leaning toward the CINCINNATI
platform.
THE CLAYTON INVESTIGATION FAILURE
The Special Committee appointed year ago. to IN
yestigate the serious charges made against Senator
Clayton has not yet made It's report The Chairman OF
the Committee, Mr. Wright, who from his personal rea'
tons with some the Arkansas politicians interested
in this matter is believed to have felt from the hrSt
little more favorable Clayton than to his opponents
is reported to be in favor of bringing in resolution
exoperating Clayton. Mr.. Morrill, OF Maine, the other
Republican the Committee is said not to be convinced
that CLAYTON was innocent, while Mr.. Norwood,
the Democrat believes that he ought TO
be expelled forthwith. As the committee Is
unable TO agree upon report ne nmmenSatiou n
this is done there why the Senate shoud
have II nj once II is said TO voumnOus that II Is
doubtfu if printed copies of it can be obtained before
the close OF the session. and If the report Is sun lurher
DELAYED it will be impossible for any Senator not mem
her of the Committee inform himself in regard 10 he
evidence before the adjournment OF CongIess ho
will ye aTta Win VI pe stand
cate to Democrat who was not legally elected IN return
for votes for hmse: United States Senator IN the
state Legislature falsfying the election returns oeIng
bribes procuring the removal OF the Ohteu 9udte
trct Attorney and Marshal who secured MS lnuctmeht
in tbe United States Court and many other misdenean-
ors any which is sufficient to unit nun ior seat
III the Senate.
COMMENTS ON SENATOR PoMERoY's OVERTHROW.
49,
manner OF il has been prevailing topic OF discussion IN
the Senate obbes and among the Kansas politicians 20
or 20 Of whom are now Washington waiting for the
end of the Caldwell investigation. Almost every man
one meets to-day, says "Pomeroy," and then laughs
cuess they put up job Old Subsidy this time :;
7 didn't think they'd catch old 'Pome de Terre 20
easily" and similar pleasanries are tmckly inter
nersed in the conversation OF Senators and members
of the Third House The Kansas politicians seemed 10
he especially bewdered by the unexpected ana hlghy
dramatic uae of the Kansas drama Everybody VINO mas
been much about Washington during the past few years
bnoUys lanes F. Iegate or, he Is famniarly known
lin Legate He is the same man who during the lm
neachment trial of Johnson offered 10 sell Pomeroy'
\ vote for a large sum OF money. When Caldwell was
o,ected he was member OF the Kansas Legislature, anc
an active friend of the successful candidate In return
70, bs services Caldwell secured him the GOvernOrslI
OF washington Territory, and the Senate connriDeu ~
| Ynnontment but the newspapers made 50 much au'
| sbout IL that the confirmation was recalled
! and recOnsidered. Legate now appears as ,
narticular friend of Caldwell. and was put upon n'
wtnessstand the other day 10 testify 10 the Senaor
GOOD character Standing i'll The midst OF half dOzeI
Konsas men, to-day he was discussing tne AssOclhet
Pres dispatch from Topeka, and finally announced ina
he didn't believe word OF IT. POnei0y was 700 sna,
to he caught in that way, and besides ne ADDED VIII
an oath do YOU believe that there is man IN tn
| kansas Legislature who, having S,OOO IN me- nanus
onld iy n IN like that York u said 10 have dOne
! don such a course entirely beyond the com
| prehension OF Kansas POLITICIAN
WASHINGTON NOTES.