New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-17
WASHINGTON

Death of the Father Of Mrs. Grant.
WASHINGTON, December l6. - Colonel
Frederick Dent, father of Mrs. Grant, died
at midnight. His daughter, Mrs. Casey, is
quite i'll at Philadelphia. An unfavOrable
effect from the sad news is apprehended
Colonel Dent has resided for q long time at
the White House, as the guest OF his
daughter.
The colonel never abandoned the Dem
Ocracy. His somewhat fOrciOle denuncia-
tiOns of the prevailing faction, in its high
est places, has been one of the features of
the executive mansion. He ate his break
fast and smoked his cigar yesterday morn
ing.
The White House in Mourning.
The executive mansion was closed to-day
cd account of the death of Colonel Dent.
Committee Business.
The Finance Committee heard the rev.
enue department, who rule that prescrip
tiOns with the dose marked in writing must
bear stamp. The committee agreed to
report adversely on Clayton's bill, imposing
ten per cent tax on circulating banks, other
than national banks.
The Pinchback Case.
The Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tiOns are divided upon the question whether
Pinchback, upon credentials, is entitled to
be sworn in, and MOrtOns resolution, that
the credentials of Pinchback, emitting him
to a seat for six years, commencing fourth
Of March, 1879, being in regular form, he is
entitled. under the law and usages of the
Senate, to be sworn in, and that whatever
grounds of contest to his right should be
made hereafter. ..r.
[NOTE.-The further question before the
committee upon which they were divided
was not as between Mcmillan and Pinch
back, but whether the latter should be
seated
Supreme Court Adjourned.
The Supreme Court adjourned to-day in
respect to the memory of Judge Nelson.
motion to reconsider the confirmation
of Shepherd as Governor Of the District of
Columbia was voted down.
No other action of the executive session
transpired.
The curiosity as to the fate of Judge VIII
liams as Chief Justice increases.
General spinner.
General Spinner was at his desk to-day
He goes to Florida during the rece IS for his
health. ...
The Navy Appropriation.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations
agreed to report the House bill giving the
navy $4,O0O,00 without amendment.
The Franking Privilege.
The Postmaster General was before the
Committee on POstOfhces and Post Roads,
explaining tha-gelief to the service by the
abolition of the franking privilege. 1t is
understood be opposes any modification of
the present law.
The Howard Defalcatiop.
The Military Committee have COM
menced the investigation of the Freedmen's
Bureau (HOward) defalcation.
The Drug Interest.
Edward H. Hance and Alexander II.
Jones, of the Drug Exchange of Philadel-
phia, and representing the drug trade of
the United States, with Hon. Leonard Mey-
ers, had hearing before the Ways and
Means Committee this morning, and urged
that the stamp tax on medicinal prepara-
tiUns should be limited to patent or pro-
prietary medicines as contemplated by
schedule G" of the act of 1866.
They claim that the law had worked
smoothly until few months ago, when, for
the first time since its passage, the Commits
siOner ruled that every medicinal prepare
tion labeled and prepared in avance of the
call Tor it, is put up in style or manner
similar to patent or proprietary medicines.
Against this construction the druggists and
people largely, protest, and legislation is
asked that will prevent it. The WAYS and
Means Committee took decided interest
in the case as presented, and on Friday
morning will hear what Mr.. Douglass has
to say on the subject. The Finance Com
mittee of the Senate also gave these gentle
men full hearing.
Senator M0rton's Speech.
Senator Morton, throughout his entire ar
gument to-day in the Senate, adopted the
precise legal propositions, and read the
same authorities presented to the committee
in their discussion by Mr.. Billings and
Judge Dibble.
The Situation,
General Gibson is here supporting Marr,
Ogden and others in behalf OF the cOnserva-
tives. Neither party is particularly buoy
ant over tO-day's results, though both are
convivial. 1t is like a best two in three
race, each horse having won heat.
No News Of the Surrender of the virginius.
The Navy Department at midnight was
without advices regarding the surrender of
the Virginus. Bahia Honda, where the de-
livery was probably made, is many miles
from any telegraph station. Details are
not expected tonight
!Jadge Williams Case.
1t has transpired that the case of Judge
Williams, nominated for Chief Justice, has
never been before the Senate in executive
session since it was referred to the Judiciary
Committee. That committee to-day had the
case under prolonged consideration, and
still holds it.
The Nomination of Colonel Hughes.
No action has been taken regarding the
of Colonel Hughes as Judge of
Virginia, or Governor Bard as postmaster
at Atlanta