The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-12-17
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
Latest News from Washington.
Especial telegram to the Dispatch

WASHINGTON, December 16.-The Senate
went into executive session to-day on the
motion of MIR. Lewis, of Virginia, and it was
supposed that the modot1 was for the pur-
pose of considering the nomination Of Colo
mel Hughes to be Judge OF the Eastern DIG
trict of Virginia, but all the time was occu-
pied in discussing Judge Williams's nomi-
nation as Chief.Justice of the United States
Supreme Court.
The Serate adjourned, after an executive |
session Of two hours, without any decision.
Doubts continually arise as to the confrma-
tion of Judge Williams.
Among the pall.bearers of Colonel Dent, /
General Grants father-in-law, are Secretary |
Fish, General Sherman, and Senator Bogy
of Missouri. The latter was an intimate
personal friend of the deceased. TlMoN.
ASSOCIATED Press telegramsI
...... Congressional.
WASHINGTON, December 1G.-House.-A
bill to repeal the bankruptcy law, but pro-
viding that all pending proceedings in bank
ruptcy shall be continued under the exist
charges shall be reduced to one-half the
present rates, was passed.
| The Select Committee on Salaries re-
ported bill fixing the salaries OF
members at $500, to be in full of all al
| lowances except for actual individual travel
ling expenses; and reducing all other sala-
rieS that were increased last session to what
| they had been before, except Judges Of the
Supreme Court and the President during
| this term. An amendment was adopted
making the reduction take effect from the
4th OF March, 1873. The bill was not dis.
posed of. "L. ....- ,
Senate.--The Finance Committee reported
adversely to the bill authorizing partial pay
ment of duties in greenbacks,
The bill placing the telegraph lines con-
Meeting the capitol and departments under
the control of General Babcock was passed.
| The bill removing the disabilities of Will
liam Steele, of Texas, was referred.
| Mr.. Morton made long speech in favor
of Pinchback. Mr.. McCreery speaks to-
morrow.
The Sfamp-Tax OH Medicines.
| WASHINGTON, December 16.-Edward 81.
Hauce and Alexander II. Jones, of the Drug
| Exchange of Philadelphia, and representing
the drug trade of the United States. with
Hon, Leonard Myers, had q hearing before
the Ways and Means Committee this morn
| ing. and urged that the stamp-taX on medl-
cinal preparations should be limited to
patent or proprietary medicines, as contem-
| plated by schedule c Of act of 1866. They
| claimed that this law had worked smoothly
until few months ago, when for the first
time since its passage the Commissioner held
that every medicinal preparation, labelled
and prepared in advance OF the call for 1t, 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 a
decided interest in the case as presented, and
on Friday morning will hear what Mr..
Douglass has to say on the subject.
The Finance Committee of the Senate also
gave these gentlemen full hearing.
Death of the Presidents Father.in
Law.
WAsHIEGToE December 1G.-Colone
Frederick Dent, the father Of Mrs. Grant,
died at midnight last night. He was eighty
eight years Of age.
Colonel Dent has resided for long time
Mt the White House as the guest of hi.
daughter. He never abandoned his Demo
cracy. and his somewhat forcible denuncia'
tions of the prevailing faction in its highest
Iplaces has been one Of the features Of the
Executive mansion. His death was quite
sudden. He ate his breakfast and smoked
bis cigar yesterday morning.
His daughter, Mrs. Casey, is quite i'll al
philadelphia, and an unfayorable effect from
the sad news Is apprehended
Various Items.
WASHINGTON, December 16.-The Su
preme Court adjourned IN respect to the latt
Judge Nelson.
A motion to reconsider the confirmation o
A, r. Shepherd as Governor OF the Distric
was voted down. He IS now Governor. N
other action of the executive session ha
transpired.
Curiosity as to the fate of Judge William
as ChiefJustice increases.
General Spinner is at his desk to-day. II
goes to Florida during the recess for hi
health.
The Committee on Appropriations of tn
Senate has agreed to report the House b1
giving the navy four millions without amend
ment.
The Postmaster General was before th
Committee on Post Offices and Post-Road
to-day explaining the relief to The service D
the abolition of the franking privilege. 1t
understood he opposes any modlhcatlon
the present law.
The Military Committee has commence
the investigation of the Frecdman-Bureal
Howard defalcations.
The Executive mansion is closed on a
count of the death Of Colonel Dent.
The Finance Committee heard argument
to-day against the ruling of the Revenu
Department that prescriptions with the dos
marked in writing must bear stamp.
The same committee agreed to report ad
versely on Mr.. Clayton's bill imposing te
per cent. tax on the circulation Of bank
other than national.