New-York tribune., 1874-12-12
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
TIE ALABAMA CLAIMS COURT.


r, 4be Alabama Claims Court, Case No. l18, Cor
don ait. the United States, came up for discussion
to-day on the demurrer entered by Gen. Creswen
counsel for the Government, demurring to the pc
titiop ON the ground that the said Gordon, at the
time of the alleged loss. although serving Oh an
American vessel was British subject. lhe case
was argued on the part of the claimant by Henry
C. Bliss of this city, and for the Government Dy
Gen, Creswell. The argument developed the TACT
that the questions were the most important that
have vet arisen in this Court, and introduced
important law points connected WIN
citizenship naturalization, and expatra-
tion, The argument occupied the entire day:
4 decision will probably be rendered early next
vel, An importapt case was set for hearing next
Monday being that of Whiting agt. the onl'Su Gu
States The nature of the case Will cause ~ 10 DC
interesting to every seaman captured Dy ConIeu-
crate cruisers. Whiting who was an American
sailor on board the Levi StarDuck, was Capturtu pY
the Alabama, and, as alleged, received such M haIu
ships on board that vessel tdt lie lOst tue eh'e use
~ lis hands and feet and as compensation clalms
$4,000.
IMPORTANT TREATIES BEFORE THE sENAiL'
The President has sent to the Senate this session
tvo treaties for ratification. The first is an extra
dition treaty between the United States and the
Ottoman Empire signed at Constantlnople Aug H.
1874 The other is convention to extend the Official
life of the American and Mexican Joint Claims
Commission until Jan. 81. 1876 This Commission,
it may be remembered, was originally created by
the treaty of July 4, 1868. Its existence has been
twice before extended by the supplemental treaties
of April 49, 1871 and Nov. 81, 1872. The extension
now proposed. if agreed upon by both nations, pro-
vides that no new claims shall bo filed before the
Commission, and that the umpire shall be allowed
six months after the dissolution of the Commission
in which to dispose of undecided cases. The new
treaty also provides that the claims Of the citizens
of one country allowed by the Commission shall be
set against those of the other, and that tue Daianco
shall be paid in gold, either III the City OF Wasnlng
ton or the City of Mexico, III nstallnents oil SoOOo
Roth of these treaties were referred 10 the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations at the Executive ses-
sion Yesterday and will be considered by the Sen
ate at all early day.
A NEW CIVIL RIGHTS BILL TO RE PREPARED
The House Committee on the Judiciary met again
to-day to consider the Civil Rights bill The vari-
ons propositions were discussed and the indications
that the Committee will agree upon some measure
are increasing Mr.. White of Alabama, member
of the Committee was willing to accord to the col
ored people equal rights with the white people, but
he was not in favor Of mixing the races lie was
willing that negroes should have the same accom-
modations in hotels churches, schools cemeteries.
&C.. and that attention should be as good for the
blacks as whites but desired that they should be
kept separate All bills relating to the subject
referred TO subcommittee, COLSSlluR Vi Blts6Ts.
Butler, Poland and White, who expected to
prepare new one and report to the whole Com
mittee.
SOCIAL PROGRESS IN WASHINGTON.
A strange and striking commentary on the civil-
cation of Washington and the tendency OF public
morals is the fact that Sir f. Thornton, the British
Minister, removed to-day from one of the hand
soonest and costest residences in the city. and that
tomorrow it will be occupied by John F. Chamber
lin and converted into what is popularity called a
clubhouse. The mansion has been occupied for
several years by the English Legation, and was the
property of Chas. Knapp. 1t is said that Chamber
lin paid $4,000 for the property.
THE GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL AGENCY AT
LONDON.
Ex-senator Cattell was several weeks ago ap-
pointed Financial or Loan Agent at London, and
would have proceeded thither before now but for
severe domestic aiction. The report that the Pres-
Concerning him is officially denied at the Treasury
Department.