The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-12-21
/ BY TELEGRA.PH.
Latest News from Washington.
Repub,fcan senasorsaI Cauc,,n.

hNs Z
II .--------- : - III Is,
Republican Senatorial Caucus.
WASHINGTON, December 19.--At the eau
Gus OF Republican senators to-day several oi
the caucus committees made reports. While
no action was taken regarding southern af.
fairs. there was unanimity on the point that
ali citizens In that section must be protected
in their lawful rights. Some senators thought
there should be an increase OF the army
for that purpose, while others were Of the
opinion that improved militia arrangements
might better secure protection, being less
Objectionable than regular military force,
and more in accordance with the spirit of
our institutions. The question was post
poned TO a. future but early CAUCUS.
Most of the time Of the caucus was con-
srmed in the consideration Of the finance
question, a report having been made by the
committee of eleven on that subject through
its chairman, Mr.. Sherman. The debate
took a wide range, but all who spoke ex.
pressed the opinion that something was ne
cessary to be done, and that therefore it was
the part Of wise craftsmanship to harmonize
their views if possible. ,II l,1.1@;.,,
After long discussion the report was
adopted by the caucus, and the bill agreed
upon will be reported at an early day to the
Senate. According to the best attainable in
formation it provides for the resumption OF
specie payments on the 1St January, 1879,
for free banking. and for the retiring OF
greenbaeks to the extent of 80 per cent. OF
the amount Of the new national bank notes
issued nnns ~
1t also requires the S46,000,000 Of frac.
tional currency to be gradually withdrawn,
and silver coin in denominations Of from
FIVE to fifty cents issued in its place. The
Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to
use the surplus coin in the Treasury on and
after the day fixed for the resumption, to re.
deem the iegal-tenders, and if necessary to
sell bonds for the same purpose il the
amount Of specie is not sufficient.
a Fight or Foot.Race In Prospect
Rush Burgess After an Editor.
WASHINGTON. December 19.-The Star has
the following:
Colonel L. D. Ingersol, of Chicago, re-
Gently made visit to Richmond, Va. He
attended the Cheap-Transporlatio Conven.
ton, reporting its proceedings for our con-
temporary the Chicago Tribune. He also
wrote some letters of a general nature about
Richmond and the State Of Virginia, which
were copied in the Richmond papers. While
treating of the politics of the State be
made u remark that elf Mr.. Smith,
the present Republican representative in
Congress from Richmond, had been re-nomi.
mated he would have been elected. A man
whom in Chicago you would call n bum.
mer was nominated, and was very properly
beaten" This is what is going to bring the
pistols and coffee for two. The beaten can
didate is Mr.. r. Burgess, collector of in.
ternal revenue, from whom the Colonel re.
ceived the following letter this morning:
"RlcHMoSD, VA, December II, 1874.
Ell. d. hgersoll, Esq:
"Sir,-1 have been informed that you are
the author of Richmond (Va.) letter dated
December 18th, published in the Chicago
Tribune of the 14th instant Will you please
10 inform me if you are the author of the
same. IT so when and where can see you.
every respectfully,
1Signed] "R. BURGESS"
TO this Mr.. Ingersoll sent the following
hospitable reply:
WASHINGTON, December 10, 1874.
"Sir,-A letter Of the 18th instant, and
written by your clerk, and signed by your
self, asking whether ] am the author of o
certain letter from Richmond, Va, and pub
liShed in the Chicago Tribune, and if so
when and where you can see me, is received.
In reply / have to state that ! am the author
of the letter referred to, and that my rooms
are numbered 24S and ESQ National Hotel,
Washington, D. c., where you can find me
awake between the hours Of A. NJ. and
midnight, and after midnight asleep.
"Yours, truly,
"L. D. INGERsoLL.
&c TO Mr. r. Burgess"
Of course Burgess will come to Washing
ton on the first train, and we shall have 10
record all the thrilling incidents of fight or
a foot-race. We advise Mr. Burgess, how.
ever, to stay at home and attend to bis Off.
cial duties instead OF spending his time look
ing up newspaper men who have expressed
opinions correct or incorrect upon political
subjects.
The StoweIl Investigation.
WASHINGTON. December 19-The House.
Committee on Naval Affairs met this morning
to continue the investigation Of the charges
against Representative Stowell, of Virginia,
of selling a naval cadetShip; but in conSe..
quence of the failure OF George w. Graham
to appear and testify, they were obliged to
adjourn the investigation until Monday, for
which day other witnesses have been sum-
moned.
Graham, who was subpGnaed for eXami.
nation, is q member Of the Virginia LegiSla-
ture from Burkevile, who claimed to have
effected the arrangement for the purchase Of
the cadetship, and who, according TO Beattie's
testimony, received 81 200 from him for that
purpose. :ss-.= 50 = rt>..
John Brady, also member of the Vir-
ginia Legislature, who testified yesterday
that he filed the charges against Stowell
solely on information furnished him by Ora
ham, was present to-day, and expressed an
earnest desire TO be allowed TO confront
Graham whenever be should appear before
the committee.
The brother-in.law Of Graham telegraphs
to the chairman (Judge Schofeld) that Ora
ham will be here Tuesday morning, but the
committee think be is hiding and have pre-
pared to procure from the House an order
for the arrest of this contumacious witness
unless he makes speedy appearance.
Plat About 10 Contest
MIR. Goodies Seat.
WASHINGTON, December 19.-Tbe Star
says: q" Representative Piatt, Of Virginia,
served q notice of contest upon Hon. John
Goode, Of Norfolk, for his seat in the
Forty fourth Congress from the Second
district of Virginia. The contest is
based upon the fact that the returns
from Prince George county were thrown
out BY the State canvassers on account of
legal tecbnicalities in the failure to certify to
the returns on the part of the county clerk
md iudges of election. The throwing out