New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-24
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
A SHOT AT BUTLER
WASHINGTON. Monday, Marc

WASHINGTON Monday, March %. 1874.
Representative Pierce who made such gallant
fight against Mr. Butler III the Simmons affair, aimed
a shot at the Essex statesman to-day that plainly
took effect He offered the following preamble and
resolution:
Whereas, II is believed that number OF important
eleaphio dispatches recently sent from this city have
been surreptltousy obtained by unprncpled persons,
and IL appears that the insufficient protection OF the
various telegraph offices located the south wing OF
the Capitol renders easy for unprnciped persons to
obtain copies of private kilograms; therefore. be 1t
Resolred That the architect of the Capitol be and he
is hereby directed to cause the teegraphic instruments
located in the corridors and galleries of the south wing
of the Capitol isolated that 1t shall be mpos
sbe for any persons to listen to or obtain
copies of private kilograms sent to or from the Capitol
The unprincipled persons referred to by Mr.. Pierce
were no other than Gen. Butler and a clerk in his
employ. 1t is matter of common report that this
clerk who is an experienced telegraph OPERATOR and
a remarkably good sound reader" is ia the habit
of loungng about the telegraph ohces near tne door
of the House. and by listening to the instruments
attaining copies of such dispatches as he thinks
would interest his principal In this way Mr. Butler
is supposed to have got possession OF the private
dispatches sent during the Simmons affair
and during the present Senatorial contest, and
also large number Of other dispatches concern
ing matters in which he is interested. his counter
ance while the resolution was being read, showed
that Mr. Pierces shot had hit him hard. but he
jumped up with great alacIty to vote for the adop
ton of the resolution.
TIE NETWORK JUDICIAL DISTRICT BILL.
The bill to create an additional Judicial District
in the State of New-York was again defeated to-day
bv failing to get two-thirds vote for its considera-
ton. 1t was offered this time by Mr. Boardman
Smith. who said that % of the New-York members
united in requesting the House to take 1t up 1t Is
evident that the merits Of the bill are not under
stood or there would not be such hostility to 1T. 1t
il urged as measure OF economy instead OF extraya-
gance: and il debate had been allowed upon
il to-day Mr. Smith was prepared to show by a
letter from the first Controller of the Treasury
that the extra cost Of mileage paid to persons and
witnesses and to officers, for serving processes over
the extensive Northern District far exceeds the sal
ary of an additional judge. The Northern District
is the largest district in the United States in respect
10 population and to business before the court and
ia one Of tho largest territonaly II has popuia-
ton 10000 greater than five OF the New-England
districts together. When the bill TO divide IL was
before the Judiciary Committee q year ago, Ar.
smith received from Judge Hall a letter in refer
ence 10 the buHiness before the Court 10 which he
said that il was impossible for any man to discharge
the dutes Of Judge of the District without incur
ring the penalty Of death permanent disability.
The trutb of Judge Halls statement has since been
sxempliied by his untimely death
Gen WIN I. Clarke, member OF Congress from
Texas Who for several years has been postmaster at
galveston has his resignation to the fres
asot and 1t has been accepted, to take effect ut once
The Star says:
.hopt ,~o weeks ago Chief Special Agent Pether-
rd0e Of the Post Office Department. wa. sent dow 70
investigate SERIOUS charges against CLARKE anu 10.
a.. .Incs repOrted that there dolct IN CiarEcb
acn,nts of between 5000 and $1,000. Clarke there
non rcsisned This deficiency. IL Is reported has been
M adr GOOD by Cisrke's sufeties