The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-12


priation bill is resumed on Tuesday which will be
difficult for the republican side OF the House TO
explain or apologize Tor.
Republican Caucus to Settle Upon
Course Regarding tho Salary Bill.
The republican Senators will meet in caucus to
morrow morning at hal-past ten, Tor the purpose
OF deciding upon programme by which the de-
bate on the salary question may be speedily ended.
The opinion already prevailing is that the House
bill Will be amended In many important parsicu-
lars, and will again be the subject of acrimonious
debate in the House.
Death OF Judge Ollie.
Judge Israel Ollie. OF the Internal Revenue Blu
reau, who died suddenly last night of apopexy,
was ia years OF age, and was well known. during
his residence in Washington. in academic ana
literary circles.
The New Trade Dollar Popular Abroad.
Eight hundred thousand trade dollars have thus
far been coined, and the demand continues. They
have been made legal tender in Hong Kong and
Shanghai and are becoming daily more popular
in China, driving out the Mexican dollar, which
does not, like our own. bear a general uniformity
Of weight and quality.
Tho Coming Patent Congress.
On Thursday next the Patent Convention. called
by committee of the International Congress at
Vienna, will assemble in this city. The object OF
GRAFTON the resolutions adopted at the Patent
Congress held at Vienna last year aud pass upon
them, but 1t will doubtless take up also the ques-
ton OF the condition OF our own patent system,
and discuss various propositions for It's amend
menL AL persons Interested in any way In the
subject OF patent protection are invited to attend
the convention, and an opportunity will be given
Tor free expression of opinion all the questions
that may be brought before IL. The Convention viii
be held at the Legislative Hall on Pennsylvania
avenue. between Ninth and Tenth Streets and Will
be called to order by member Of the Vienna
committee. Mr.. j. M. Thatcher will then give
an account OF the proceedings of the Vienna
Congress, to which he was commissioned by the
United States government 1t Is understood that
large number OF delegates from all parts of the
country, representing every class of men inter.
ested in patent questions. Will attend the Conven-
tion and 1t is expected that the discussions Will
have great interest Tor inventors ana manuac-
tuners and for the general public A local EXecu-
tive Committee has the arrangements in charge,
and has extended invitations to Judge Mott, OF
the Court OF Claims; Judge X. b. Curtis and the
Hon. M. d. Leggctt. Commissioner OF Patents, to
address the Convention.
The Last Voyage of tho Virginius-
Testimony Before the Naval Court.
The United States Naval Court to inquire into
the exact condition OF the Virgnius when she was
delivered to this government her condition gener-
ally before and during her voyage from Bahia
Honda for Tortugas and as to the immediate and
remote causes OF her sinking, &C., yesterday ex-
ahmed Captain William ID. Whiting, Chief of
Rear Admiral SCOTS staf, to whom the Virgnius
was delivered; Lieutenant Mark. who COM
manded the Virginius from Bahia Honda to her
anchorage at TOrtugas; aud Engineer Harris who
made an inspection Of the vessel at that point.
Captain Whiting testified that at the time he took
charge OF the Virglnius the engines showed want
OF care but there was no appearance of any leaks
about the vessel. The Spanish Offlcer who turned
the vessel over to Captain whiting reported that
she made water and was obliged to be pumped out
once in "a hours small leak was discovered in
the vrginius when She arrived &C Tortugas, which
appeared to have been stopped by filling in with
cement The Virginius was put IN necessary re-
pair at Tortugas Tor her voyage to New York. Had
1t been possible Captain Whiting would have
locked her, as measure OF precaution, to repair
the leak. He considered the virgnius as in con-
d!tion to make the voyage to New York in fair
weather and in CONVOY OF the Ossipee. The testi-
mOny as to the sinking of the Virpinus was given
yesterday by Ensign George A. Calhoun. who was
on board the Virginius from the time she left
Bahia Honda to her sinking on the Goth OF Deem
Der, and who was the Executive Oficer and
navigator. His testimony shows that considerable
exerti0ns were necessary to keep the vessel clear
of water from her start from the Tortugas. On
the morning Of the 23d OF December water was
gaining FAST being nearly up the CRATE bars in the
fire ROOM and they commenced signalling to the
Osspee, MAKING water badly; go ahead faster, so
we can work our pumps" Afterwards slgnalled
to the Osspee, "Stand In towards land.n At nine
O'Clock on that morning threw overheard old iron
and heavy weights and took other means to tighten
the vessel, and at hafpast five P. M. on the same
day one fire in the forward IRE room was extin-
Quished by water. Signalled to the Ossi-
pee, "Will wave red lantern tonight in
case we need assistance" Also sig
Nailed "Water rising in forehold; can
60 no further north. Dock at Charleston.n The
Ossipee answered, "Is water rising IN your fire.
room ?" Reply-"Yes Six inches in last half
hour" Ossipee-"Can you hold out till daylight sn
Answer-"Yesi II forward buikhead holds OUT"
Ossipee-''We are bound for Charleston.n On
December "a Chief Engineer King. of the Ossipee,
went on board the Virginius to inspect her boilers
the crown sheet OF the after boiler having collapsed
and at rs O'Clock the same day the Ossipee sig
nailed, ave will continue up the coast.n Her
course was then changed to northeast. On Decem-
Der 25 there was moderate gale and rough sea-
The hawser parted early in the morning, but was
afterwards secured and in the afternoon the Osspee
was signaled to take Off the crew. At five p. M.
the men came aft and requested that some arrange
ment be made to leave the ship, they being en-
tirely exhausted. The leak being somewhat re-
duced the Ossipee was signaled, 'Can hold out
until morning" December 20, q heavy sea. At
five in the morning signalled the Osspee to be
taken on. and commenced abandoning the ship
about seven in the morning The men dropped
into the boats by means of o line from the FORE
castle. The boat made ave trips, taking about 10
persons each trip. About eight A. NJ. the last boat
lett the ship, taking the officers and few personal
enects.
General Sherman were In the couri room during the
proceedings, and paid their respects to the dis.
tinguished oficers of the Court.
HALIFAX.
Fatal Roller Observation-Disclosures NJ