The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-25

the necessity Of amendments to the banking Law
which may secure more adaptabiIity to events.
The Geneva Award-The Insurance Conn
pmnies TO Receive Secondary Consitlera-
ton In the Distribution OF the Money
The Basis OF Settlement.
The House Judiciary Committee. at its meeting
this morning, took up the Geneva Award bill.
Messrs. Wilson and Jewett were absent, both
being members Of the District Investigating Com
mttee. and Mr.. White, OF Alabama. is still under
q physicians care. The prospect OF speedy dis
position Of the bill is very poor. The members
present seemed TO doubt whether the award
should ever be taken out OF the Treasury; put
when the point was made that the SIS, 500 900 was
in the hands of the Secretary OF State drawing
i've per cent interest from the United States, the
majority were OF the opinion that 1t ought to be
dlsbursed as soon as possible. SO the proposition
was fairly presented. fought the Geneva award to
be distributed or be held by the government 20
On this question voted in the Affirmative and
] in the negative. The next proposition, 'Shan
the insurance companies be admitted TO any
privileges as claimants" caused O lively debate,
and voted in favor OF and against allowing
the insurance companies to present any claim
whatever Tor the award. On the proposition
to accept the list OF claimants recognized by the
Geneva Tribunal as the basis of settlement the
vote was Tor and l against. Another vote
remains to be taken whether certain claims,
amounting to $s0o,000 on vessels injured by Con-
federats cruisers before reaching Melbourne, and
which claims were reinquished for the establish
ment OF an international principle, shall be con-
sidered as within the purview OF the Alabama
claims. On the question as to whether the claims
should be adjudicated by commission or by the
United States courts the members were equally
diyided-4 and 4-and this vote checked
further consideration until the next meeting the
committee. The result Of to-day's meeting shows
conclusvely that the insurance companies will prac
tically be ruled out. Whatever their privileges may
be, 1t is decided that they shall be subordinated,
and all personal and war risks are to have priority
The insurance companies have but very little pros
pect OF getting anything Out OF the Geneva award.
The perfection OF the bill VIII require several weeks
before 1t can be reported to the House.
The Transportation Biii-Its Probable
Defeat in the House.
The Transportation BILL now pending In the
House, is likely to be disposed OF tomorrow, or
committed to the Committee of Railroads and
Canals with host OF amendments. II Is the i'm
preston OF those who have watched the course OF
the debate that the BILL as reported, will not pass
The is altogether novel, and is thought to
be impracticable. The republicans and democrats
very careful as to what measure is passed at this
session.
Decision OF the Georgia Contested Elec-
ton Case-The Republican Candidate
Sworn in. .l.
Mr.. Morgan Rawls, the democratic member
from the First Georgia district, was unseated to-
day by strictly party vote, and the republican
contestant, Mr.. Sloane OF savannah, declared the
legal representative. Had all the defeated re-
publican candidates at the last Congressional cleo
ton contested the seats which they had lost, there
is every evidence that before the close Of the first
session OF the Forty.third Congress the House
would be unanimously republican. Unseating
democratic members and postponing business to
go on pleasure trips have been the lavorite
amusements OF the republican members Of Con-
gress THIS session.
The Voice OF 10000 Workingmen for the
Eight Hour Law.
william r. Roberts, of New York, presented to
the House to-day memorial from 10000 working
men OF New York in favor Of the Elght.hour law,
and asking lor the removal OF Supervising Archi-
tect Mullett. Mr.. Maynard, OF Tennessee, objected
to Its being printed, whereupon Roberts SAID
that II il came IT. n number Of wealthy bankers
he would not Obcctseud that ne wished 1t under
stood that the respectful petition OF 20 600 work.
ingmen was refused q place in the Congressional
Record. All that was asked was that the memorial
should be printed.
Confirms tion Of Nominations.
The Senate in executive session to-day con-
frmed the following nominations
David Reed, to be United States Attorney for the
Western district OF Pennsylvania; Frederick Her.
man Schemes, OF Indiana, Consul at Barcelona;
Giles b. Overton, Receiver OF Public Moneys at
Sal. Lake City; Second Lieutenant Stephen p
Jonlyn, to be FIRST lieutenant OF the Twenty-nrst
regiment infantrv, with rank from July IS, 1856,
under the act approved February %. 1878, to I'LL
vacancy created by the death OF Lieutenant VIII
of Thomas b. Van Buren,, Of New Jersey. 10 be Con-
sui at Kanagawa, which was confirmed a few days
ago and hung up on motion TO reconsider, was
to-day finally confirmed.