The Portland daily press., 1873-03-10

Just previous to the adjournment of Con-
gress there was an understanding that Senators
would at this extra session take up the case of
Ex-senator Patterson, his friends de-
sirlng deliberation on the SUBJECT. senator
Anthony informed the caucus that he wished
to resign his position as President OF the Sen
ate protempore, and Senator Carpenter will be
elected Senator pro tempore on Monday, when
caucus arrangement of the committee as above
lnoicated will be ratified by majority in open
Senate rTrrFrG'f ~ -.
That Big Steal. -&t4
=, Ihere is an erroneous impression regarding
the actlon OF the First Comptroller of the Treas
ury relative to the back pay of members of
Congress. The fact is that he deferred his de-
cision on the subject until he had seen and con-
sidered the entire appropriation This has
now been done and the Comptroller states that
the payment in question will be made there
being no lawful objection. -
Internal Revenue Appointments
The following appointments of internal rev.
enue collectors have been made in anticipation
OF an act abolishing assessors and assistant as
SCISSORS: Gen. Selden Conner, third Maine dis
trlct; q. B. III. Fessenden, first Massachusetts,
trict 'frl 81 - = -, :
Various Matters. n .s't .1-ss
There were hundreds of persons at the Exec
Ut utl'e Mansion to-day seeking interviews with
the President. Many ladies were in the thron6
Senators and members and a number of ex-
members of the House as usual had the prece-
dency of admission. Not few office seekers
presented papers. -
Coifax Welcomed Back to South Bend.
SOUTH BEND, March S.-Ex-Vice President
Colfax arrived here this noon. He was receiv-
ed at Laporte by Col. Humphrey, chairman,
and a committee of arrangements who accom-
panied him here on the train.
large concourse of citizens of South Bend
and vicinity, with band of music, were in at
tendance at the depot, and escorted him to the
court house where speech of welcome was de-
tilvered by VIM. Miller, Mayor; and Mr. Colfax
responded.
Mr.. Colfax made a lengthy speech in Wind
cation OF his uprightness and honor in counec-
ton with the Credit Mobilier transactions to-
day.
After rehearsing the testimony given before
the committee in regard to himself, aud allud-
ing to the false constructions put upon eyery-
thing pertaining to him by certain newspapers,
and the false conclusions of the Committee, he
refers to the $1,000 check made payable to IS.
c. about which SO much has been said to his
detrlment. Mr.. Colfax read letter from Mr.
Dillon, cashier of the Sergeant-at-Arms in
which he says he is positive he paid that check
and two $1O0 notes. All The checks made pay
able to initials were paid to Cakes Ames, and
all members of Congress to whom they were
supposed to belong deny having received the
money. COl1aX considered this full viudca-
tionof his honesty.
After his speech resolutions expressive of
confidence in Colfax's integrity were adopted,
and letter to the same effect with 1850 sigma
lures was presented to him. - .a
Letter from Gen. Grant.
SOUTH BEND, Ind, March 9-President
Grant has authorized the publication of the
following letter:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Washington, March 4, 1873
My dear hr. Colfa1:-Allow me to say that 1
sympathize with y,u in the recent Congress
sional investigation, that have watched them
closely and am as satisfied now as 1 have
ever been of your integrity, patriotism and free
dom from the charges imputed as if know of
my own knowledge of your innocence Our
official relations have been so pleasant thai
would like to keep up the personal relations
through life
Affectionately yours,
u. S. GRANT