The Portland daily press., 1874-12-18
WASHINGTON.
ling ortant Action by the Republican
Senators.

WASHINGTON, Dec. ia special to the Bos
ton Journal says that the Republican Senators
caucus chose three committees to consider what
action shall be taken on the most important sub
jects of legislation, viz: A Committee on FL
nance, of which Senator Sherman is chairman
Committee on Southern Affairs, of which
Senator Morton is chairman, and Committee
on Transportation, of which Senator Window
is chairman. These committees are large, and
on each one are those Senators who entertain
conflicting views on the questions before them.
1t is hoped, however, that by an Interchange of
opinions some policy may be agreed upon by
each committee which will meet the approval
of the Republican Senators caucus, and be a
guide for harmonious action. Until this is
done the Senate will transact no business ex-
cept of a general nature.
Treasury Balances.
The following are the Treasury balances for
to-day:-Currency, $14, 472, 319; special deposit
of legal tenders for redemption of certificates OF
deposit $40 $50 600; coin, $77, 349, 621, including
coin certificates, $22 401 900; outstanding legal
tenders, $3S2,00O,000.
What Gov. Kellogg Desires.
The following telegram was received at the
Executive Mansion yesterday evening and was,
by direction of the President, referred to Speak
er Blaine:
Ne,o Orleans, La. Dec 16, 1S74.-I respect
fully ask that you will use your influence to Sc
cure the early departure for Louisiana oil the
select committee appointed yesterday. l am
confident that an investigation, thorough and
complete, will vindcate the policy of your ad-
ministration, will strengthen the Republican
party and will place the government of Louis
lana in more Just light before the country.
The presence of tho committee here at this
iuncture will also go far to secure order, and, I
hope, contribute in some degree solution of
our difficulty.
(Signed,) WIN. L. KELLOGG.
The House committee on the condition of
the South met tonight. The Louisiana dele
cation were present and urged them to go to
New Orleans at an early day.
The ladies Centennial tea party was repeated
at the capitol to night It is supposed they
will realize $4,000 in aid of the Centennial
celebration.
Paymaster General Alvord, last night while
leaving the rotunda of the capitol by way of
the east portico, slipped and fell down stairs,
breaking his leg.
The Alabama Commission.
In the Court of Commissioners on the Ala
bama Claims. the first case coming up before
it ON It's merits and heard to-day, was that of
James Hooper and his two sons of Baltimore.
the former putting in a claim for the loss OF
his vessel captured by the Florida in 1868 off
Cape May. Each of his sons, who were Off
personal effects Testimony favorable to the
claim was submitted by the claimants and re-
butting testimony by the counsel for the
United States, on which arguments followed
and closed.
The Liquor Trahlc.
Petitions from the National Temperance
Society and other temperance organizations
and churches representing over 100000 petit
TONERS were presented in the House to-day,
asking an early passage OF a bill to provide for
a commission of inquiry concerning alcoholic
liquor traffic which passed the Senate the last
session. Judge Poland will report a bill from
the Committee on Judiciary soon after the
holiday recess, and it is probable it will pass
Tbs Tariff Bill.
The Committee of Conference on the tariff
bill had conference this afternoon on the
disagreements of the two houses but came TO no
conclusion. They heard Commissioner Doug
lass on certain articles, the taxes ON which
would be affected by the bill. - -----.-.-
A Job.
The House Committee on Railways and Ca
nails, day, by an almost unanimous vote,
agreed to report bill recommending the gov
erument to guarantee the bonds OF the Wash
ington Cincinnati, st. Louis and Chicago rail-
roads The projects of the road represent tine
country through which the road will pass as
rich in coal and iron of the best quality and
offer to carry freight at half the present rates.
To Navizalors.
On and after February LIST, 1876, light will
be shown from the lighthouse recently erected
at the southeast end of Block Island, r. l. The
light will be fixed white, and should be seen
in clear weather from the deck of a vessel 10
feet above the sea, 81 nautical miles.
Indians.
Congressman Luttrel to-day received letters
which will be laid before the Interior Depart
ment, reporting the danger of Indian hostilities
unless the Indians there are provided for by the
government. They are now said to be depre-
dating on the whites.
Combinations.
The Senate to-day confirmed the following
nominations: -Consus-J. G. S. Colby of Mo,
at Chin Chaing, China; Stephen Cloutman Of
Mass. at Zanzibar; r. j. Sake of VT, at st.
bury, at Houlton Me-, and Henry S. Wood, at
Dexter, Me.
Various Matters.
The Herald's Washington specia. says the
Pacific Mail investigation by Congress looks
yerv much like much ado about nothing
The customs receipts for the week ending
December 18th are as follows:-New York,
81, 561, 900; Boston, S109,094; Philadelphia,
S128, 1886; Baltimore, S66, $40; New Orleans, for
the week ending Dec 9th, SAL $40; San Fran
cisco, do, $166,88S.
The internal revenue receipts to-day were
1882. 800.
The Senate Committee on the Post-office had
before them to-day the subject of the def
cencies in the post department, and appointed
a subcommittee to visit the department Satur-
day and inquire into the causes OF the large
increase.
A Washington special says it is understood
the Republican Senatorial caucus has agreed to
admit Pinchback, the negro Senator from Lou
isiana, to his seat. This will be a tacit recog-
milton by the Senate of the Kellogg govern
ment
Samuel Lee through his counsel, Judge Pas
chal, has served a notice of contest on
Representative Rainey Of the LIST district Of
South Carolina, claiming that he was elected,