Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-01-16
Washington NEWS.
CALEB CUSHING FOR CHIEF JUSTICE.

WASHINGTON, Jan 9.-The nomination
Of Caleb Gushing to be chief justice oe-
casioned much surprise in all quarters, to-
day, and was matter Of establishment TO
Mr.. Cushing himself. as he had made ar
engagements to leave this country on the
cath inst for Madrid. in the capacity OF U:
S. minister. and had no intimation of the
additional honor to he conferred upon him.
When General Babcock appeared at the
door of the Senate, this afternoon, a9noun-
cling message from the President in wait
ing, every eye was turned upon him, a. it
was generally believed the packet he had IN
his hand contained the nomination for the
chief-justiceship. Senator Conkling, who
sits near the middle aisle, intercepted the
messenger on his way to the desk and taking
the list of nominations from him, hurriediy
glanced over them. exclaiming in tone
loud enough to be heard in the galleries.
"Chief- Justice At this a large number
of Senators jumped from their seats and
gathered about him. and the name Of
Caleb Cushing was audibly whispered
from Senator to Senator on the floor. The
universal hum of conversation on the hoor
indicated that the nomination caused quite
a sensation. The news soon reached the as
sociate Justices of the court through one OF
its officers, while no time was lost in tele-
graphing it abroad. The nomination having
been read in executive session was referred
to the committee on the Judiciary. No
effort WAS made to have it considered
without such reference.
| OPPOSITION To GEN. CUSHING CONFIRMATION.
WASHINGTON, Jan 10 1t il evident that
there will be determined opposition made
to the confirmation OF Gen. Cushing. and
dozen searchers of his past record are Mt
work in the Congressional Library lOr in
| formation to be used against him at caucus
of Republican Senators which has been
called for Monday morning. While the
Republican Of this morning applauds the
nomination of Gen. Gushing a. Chief
Justice, the Chronicle has five editorial
articles bitterly opposing the continuation
of that nomination. Ii is said that the
bitter opposition of the Chronicle was
prompted by its managing editor, who Is a
son-in-law of Justice Miller. The friends
| of all disappointed aspirants for the chief
iusticeship appear to have united heart and
hand to defeat the confirmation of ten.
Cushing.
New YORK, Jan. ll.-The Times Wash
ington despatch says the opposition to
Cushing S nomination has developed very
rapidly, and outside the Senate is more
demonstrative and outspoken than at any
time toward Williams. The opposition
thus far rests on a party basis, and the
alleged hostility of Gushing TO the recon
struction measures Of Congress.
The Herald's special says the Senate will
confirm Mr.. Cushing $ nomination.
THE vIRGTyIrs INVESTIGATION.
WASHINGTON, Jan. H. - The United
States Naval Court yesterday examined
Capt. Whitney, to whom the NirgiDlus was
delivered at Bahia Honda, Lieut.. Marx,
who commanded her from Bahia Honda to
the Tortugas and Engineer Haines, who IN
spected her at the latter place The object
of the investigation was to ascertain the
cause of the sinking of the vessel. Capt.
Whiting testified that when he took charge
of the steamer there was no appearance OF
leaks;he considered her in condition to make
the voyage to New York in fair weather,
and in convoy Of the OSsipee. Ensign
Calhoun, who was on board the Nirginius,
testified that considerable exertion was
necessary 70 keep the vessel clear OF water
from the start from the 1Ortugas.
In December % he signalled the Ossipee.
Can go no further to the north dock at
Charleston The 0ssipee replied I'VE
are bound for Charleston" On Dec. 81
the chief engineer of the Ossipee went on
board the Virginius to inspect the boilers,
the crown sheet of the after boiler having
collapsed, and the same day the Ossipee
signalled 1--WE will continue up the coast"
Her course was then changed to northeast.
The remainder of the testimony confirms
the previous press dispatches.
The TRANSPORTATION QUESTION.
The members Of the House favorable to
cheap transportation held meeting at the
capitol, last night, Mark II. Dunnell of
Minnesota presiding. Speeches were made
by Holman of Indiana. >ener of Virginia,
Luttrell of California, Hereford of West
Virginia and Mckee of Mississippi, urging
that the attention rf Congress be d.
rected to schemes for the benefit Of the
whole country, instead Of particular
localities and interests. Ii was shown
that reirenchment might be made in
many of the appropriations for local
objects, such a. public buildings,
etc, and the money be applied to improy
ing means of communication, to the great
benefit of the business, produce and farm
ing interests. Mckee remarked that the
money spent on one such building as the
New York postoi6ce was four times more
than than would be required to complete
the Fort ST. Philip Canal. Mr.. Boss of
New York favored the deepening OF the ST.
Clair fats, the channels OF the lakes. and
the mouth Of the Detroit river. Mr.. Hnrl-
burt of Illinois, made speech foreshadow-
ing bill which it is understood he will
introduce in Congress. this week. 1t pro-
vides for the construction of a double
track freight railway from New York 10
Council Bluff. with branches to Chicago
and St. Louis, the railway to be conduct
ed end operated by corporation under |
the auspices of the general government. |
and controlled by board of government
commissioners the rates for transporta-
ton on cereals to be fixed at five mills per |
ton per mile. The road is TO be operated |
exclusively a. freight way. The cost of |
the road IL estimated at one hundred and |
seventh five million dollar