New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-16
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF MEXICAN WAR VET
WAeHlNGTOs. Thnrsday,

ERASs.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Jan. Is, 1874
The delegates 10 the National Convention OF Mexican
War Veterans this city represent all sections OF
the country. At to-day they marched from their
headquarters to Wizards Hall with banners and bands
Of music. under escort OF the Presidents mounted
guard, local organization. The Convention called
10 order by Gen. W. Denver who sad ITS objects
the preparation Of memorial to Congress, asking pen
sions for the sur 'hn Mexican war In the pas-
sage OF law similar to that of 1871 giving pensions 10
the survivors of the War OF 1922 also adopt
for the organization of National Brotherhood OF
Mexican Veterans and for representation OF the Cen
tennis Exposition AT Philadelphia in 1876 Tho ConyeD-
tion however, need not be confined 70 these objects
alone. Those who framed the call were animated by a
desire meet comrades from all sections of the conn
try, and thereby old associations. There were
some who behaved well, but now INDECENT
and unable TO take care OF themselves
therefore one Of the objects OF tie Convention
should prevail upon Congress TO pass law to ad-
nit them to the Soldiers Home located near Washing
ton. which purchased and established with money
obtained from Mexico by the vaor OF our arms the In
sttuton being open only TO soldiers OF the regular
army In speaking of the Mexican campaign, Gen.
Denver said: "Our troops attacked the Mexcans in
their country, and captured their sron2hods OPP
many Americans there were Mexicans Ia the field"
That was continued two years without single reverse
to our arms and hence It was right that the surviving
veterans should meet and remind the people Of the
country that the victories were secured not Tor one sec
ton Of our country than for another but what
they did was for our common advantage and renown.
The Convention in the course OF the afternoon selected
Gen. Denver President. The members VIII meet TO
morrow morning. at IL O'Clock, at WIZARDS Hal, and
will thence proceed in body the Metropolitan Meth
odist Church, where Gen. Nesley will deliver al ora
ton.
THE NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
The House went to work III earnest upon the Naval
Appropriation bill to-day; and passed before adjourn
ing The only important amendment put upon it was
hy Mr. Hale
Corps from its present strength o2o enlisted men to
1850 men. The utility OF the corps vas discussed for
some ne Mr. Cox declaring that 1t was useless old
relic of tyranny and Mr. Myers defending 1t as the most
important part OF the naval establishment II appeared
tina, while the House could cut down the number OF en-
listed in the corps by changing the figure on the
bill there was way OF getting rid OF any OF the %
officers unless the Committee on Naval Affairs chose 10
bring In bin for the purpose that when one fourth
OF the whole force is discharged the same number OF
officers will be kept under pay. MI RandaiPs amen
ment to add the bill clause making IL a INSIDE
meanor. punishable by fno not exceeding $4,000 for
any Government official to contract or authorize, or
consent any expenditure for purpose beyond the
amount appropriated for that purpose, beaten by
Republican vote. II was shown that statute al
ready IN existence forbiddng the making OF such con
argued that Impeachment was the proper penalty to
apply 1t Is well known that officials constantly dlsre-
gard the law and every year Congress large
defciencies and no one mpeached for the Of
fepse Mr. RandaPs ame ndment would have done
harm and might have frightened some OF these officials
into economy.
PATENT RIGHTS CONVENTION.
To-day the Patent Rights Convention, composed Of
paentees patent agents, inventors. and Others called
by the American delegates TO the Patent Congress OF
Vienna assembled at the Legislative Hall Pennsyl
vanaave There present over 200 delegates, rep
resenng IS States Mr.. j. NJ. Thatcher Assistant Com
missioner of Patents called to the chair and briefly
returned his thanks cOpgratuating the Congress
large An attendance. The Committee on Permanent
Organization reported the following list OF permanent
officers:
President, j. NJ. Thatcher of Washington; VicePreei
dents, n. r. Graham OF Chicago, Chief Engineer ": W.
W Wood OF the u. S. Navy. II. 4. Towe Of New-York,
and Miles Pratt OF st. LOUIS secretaries, e. bancroft
OF Boston, w. e. Mcintyre and e. r. staDsbury OF wash
| inRton.
| The report was adopted 1t was decided that al
evening session be for discussions and II was an
hoeheed that Judge Mutt OF the Court Of Claims would
| suoIess the meeting was taken Tor haf al
oui 70 allow The delegates " become acquainted with
no anothet Inc business Committee reported paper
guaranteed by the laws of all civilized nations. ana also
satnS the principles which effective and useful
patent law should be based.
IHk CHIKF-JusTICEsHIP.
No nomination for Chief Justice was sent 10 the Sen
ate to-day, although one looked for great
city at both ends Of the Capitol The greatest curiosity
10 felt on the subject and II about only topic Of
conversation is expected that meeting OF the
! Cabinet tomorrow name will b decided upon