New-York tribune., 1874-04-23
members of the Council held their seats to attempt
to shift the odium of msgoyernment in the District
upon the Legislature.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL
The NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE.
WASHINGTON. Wednesday, April "a, ls

CURHENl IOGlNS Al lilI4 thi i'hi"
THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE.
WASHINGTON. "Wednesday, April ~, 1874
The National Academy of Science met here to-
day, Prof. Henry in the chair, when DR.. Brown
S6quard opened the session with lecture, lasting
an hour and half on THE Pretended Localzation
of the Mental and Sensoria Faculties Of the Brain"
The Doctor argued against the probabilities OF the
claim made by DIR. Roberts of Paris, that certain
portions of the brain control separately the different
Senses and that portions of the brain may be re-
moved without producing loss of speech. AT p IN.
Prof. Henry retired to attend meeting OF the
Lighthouse Board, and Prof. Walcott Gibbs OF Yale
College took the chair. Prof. Newcomb OF the
Naval Observatory, member Of the Commission
on the Transit of Venus, followed, detailing the
work already completed by the Commission, and
the plans decided upon for the observations in De-
cember next Eight parties will be sent from the
United States and arrangements have been maze
with the German, French. and English Govern
ments to compare and exchange the results obtained
by the parties sent from those countries. Three OF
the parties will be established in tho Northern
Hemisphere, and FIVE in the Southern. Those
in the Northern will be at Wladwostok,
in Siberia under Prof. Hall Of the Navy
at Nagasaki, Japan, under Prof. Davidson of the
Coast Survey, and at Pekin, China, under Prof.
Watson of Ann Arbor, Mich. The parties estab-
lished on the Southern Hemisphere will be CON
veyed in the u s. sloop-of war Swatara, and will be
distributed as follows: At the Crosets Islands, IN
Army Engineer Corps; Kergulian Islands Southern
Ocean, under Lieutenant Commander Ryan, v. ;.
Navy Hobart Town, Tasmonia, under Prof. Hark-
ness U. $. Navy New-Zealand. under Lieut..
Islands, indian Ocean, under Prof. Smith
of the Coast Survey. The swataTa Will be be
is very little known Major Powell the Western
explorer followed briefly with a description OF his
discoveries when exploring the Colorado River, in
Arizona, near the mouth of Virgin River. and at
o'clock the Academy adjourned till noon tomorrow,
when Prof Henry will resume the chair.
REPORT ON THE HISTORY AND CONDITION
OF SAMOA ISLANDS.
The President to-day transmitted to Congress the
report of United States Special Commissioner Stein
berger on the subject of the history and general con-
diton Of Samoa, or Navigator's Islands. He states
that the foundation of the Government Of Samoa
was laid in August 1873. The organization was By
the action of the chiefs and rulers of Samoa or Tai
mua and Pull. All races and colors in the islands
shave united. Col Steinberger, paying an official
visit to the chiefs, addressed them in encouraging
terms. telling them he came with greetings and ex-
pressions of the friendship of the people OF the
United States aud his great chief The Commis-
sioner brought away with him o brief letter from
the Governor Of Samoa dated in October last adj
dressed to the chief who rules America in which he
says
I am very much pleased with the reference to the
union between our Governments. My desire IS tnat
good arise for this land Now, this is my opinion and
my wish BE pleased appoint for us the chief, Col
seinberger 1t is very proper for that chief 10 come
here and make things straight in this land This Is my
letter. May God grant you health and strength
II appears from the documents that n large and
influential majority of the high chiefs and rulers,
together with foreign residents, .petitoned the
United States to extend their protection to the Nav
igators Islands. Col Steinberger, in October last,
Informed them that he would present the petition
TO the United States Government.
THE HOWARD COURT OF INQUIRY
In the Howard Court of Inquiry to-day Gen.
Sherman read the following letter from the Presi-
dent:
WASHINGTON, ID. c., April ~, 1874. }
GENERAL: When the Court OF Inquiry provided by
ont resolution of Congress OF 18th February last and
convened by Special Order No 35 from the War Depart
ment Of which Court you the President report their
opinion to me, will be pleased to have stated fully the
facts on which the opinion is rested Very truly yours,
To Gen. W. T. Sherman, U. s. A. u. s. GRANT.
The court to-day continued the examination of
John s. Woods Chief Clerk of the Freedmen's
Branch of the Adjutant Generals Office, who has
been on the stand for three days, in relation to the
charges of alleged msappcation and Irregularities
the management OF Ifle EeetUtH DuI6it Two
more witnesses for the Government will be called,
when the defense will open. The case IS likely to
occupy several weeks yet.
TIE sHERIDAN-PINCHBACK CONTESTED CASE
The House Committee on Elections, who have had
the contested election case of Sheridan against
Pinchback of Louisiana under consideration for
some time past, have agreed by majority vote to
report to the House resolution that the evidence
before the Committee does not satisfy them that
either claimant is entitled to the seat, and recon-
mendng that the persons contesting be allowed to
serve a new notice of the contest and new answer,
and to take further testimony. The minority
of the Committee, Messrs. Lamar, Speer, and
Grassland all Democrats will Feport resolution In
favor of seating Sheridan There has been no test-
mony taken in this contest. Mr. sheridan offered
the volume of testimony taken by the Senate CON-
mtee on Privileges and Elections last session, In
the contest between Ray aud Mcmillan for seat in
the Senate. This testimony was not directed 10 the
question as to who elected Representative in
Congress and in the Judgment OF the Committee
does not furnish sufficient proof that either claim
ant is entitled to the seat
RESPECT FOR SENATOR SUMMER.
Among those Senators who have informed Mr..
Boutwell, of their intention to speak upon the reso
uons of respect for the late Senator Sumner to be
moved by him in the Senate on Monday next, are
mont, FrelInghuysen, Sargent, Wadeigh, spencer
Thurman, and McCreery. There is doubt whether
Mr. Conklng will speak or not. Mr.. boutweHs
eulOgy will be brief.
For g.lor Report Of Conerosoaai Prodng' s" SECOND Pdse