New-York tribune., 1873-12-17
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
HE CHORPESNING CLAIM.

WASHINGTON. Tuesday Dec. l6. 1873.
Representative Cessna Intends soon possible 10
demand an nvestiga OF tho Chorpennng claim, and
of his own connection with it, with view 10 his vindr
cation and that OF his constituent, Mr. Chorpenning,
from the charges Of fraud against them when the
claim was attacked and killed by Mr. Dawes two years
ago Mr. Cessna declares his ability to prove that the
claim was thoroughly honest one; that Mr. Chorpen-
ming WAS eduitaby entitled TO a much larger award
than the Postmaster General made him. and that Mr.
Dswess assault and the subsequent action OF the Hose
we're unjustnabe.
THE GENEVA AWARD QUESTION.
The House Committee the Judiciary is going into
the consideration OF the Geneva award question with
great deal of thoroughncss Three bills pending for
the disposition Of the award. Senator Edmundss bill
proposes to create a commission 10 sit in Washington,
axe testimony and decide the claims presented
Gen. Buffers bin provides that any claimant may bring
his case before the u g. Crcnt Court for the circuit
in which he resides. Judge Polands bill pro
poses 10 throw s the claims into Circuit
Court to be selected by tho President The bills differ
widely in respect TO the claims admitted or barred
and the preference TO be given to one class over another
formally taken np by the Committee and an argume
was made by Judge Metcaf OF Name, who favored,
5s psy%en! to the he snpRGg g Interest OF the
cruisers second the indemnincation OF insurance com
panies ana those VINO took war rssS Other arguments
viii be beard when the Committee reassembles after the
recess. ..... ..r r. ....r.
THE KEW HOUSE COMMITTEE on WAR CLAIMS.
The House Committee ON War Claims met this morn
ing and adopted resolution instructng Its CLERK 10
group together In classes all claims referred TO it, and
TO report st the next meeting Of the Committee on jan
T. whom the assignment OF win be made. These
claims comprise ironclad. cotton ship claims stores
and supplies furnished the army and navy for deatruc
ton OF damage TO property by armed occupation Of
military Of the United States beside large
OF miscellaneous claims. amounting many mil
lions OF dollars The Committee WILL the first Opp0r
tunity, report resolution asking power to send for
persons and pspers whenever 1t shall be deemed neces
ssry 10 obtain additional testimony regard 70 claims
before TO- II Ia not probable that the bill paying awards
Of the Southern Claims Commission will be reported
before March or April.
THE CHARGES AGAINST GEN. HOWARD
The House Committee on Military Anairs held meet
ing to-day, and discussed the resolution Of Mr. Wood
which referred to them by the House. with refer
ence TO the alleged defacaton Of Gen. Howard In con-
nection with hisI administration of the Affairs Of
the Bureau Of Freedmen. Refugees and Absn-
doned Iands. resolution was adopted
instructing the Chairman 10 Issue notices Gem How
ard, Secretary Beknap, and Gen. Vincent TO appear
before them morning, with q view TO begin
eminary OF the subject and to guido
the Committee In recommending what definite action
should be taken upon the letter Of the Secretary War
eubmttcd COngrebk