New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-22
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
THE COMMITTEE ON THE ARRE,T OF THE
EDITOR OE TILE TRIBUNE.
THE PRESIDENTS GREAT GUN MESSAGE
WASHINGTON Th""1t,' ~, >, 1s7n

TITTT PRESIDENTS GREAT GUN MESSAGE
WASHINGTON T I@".-,.-y, s-u, II. 1870.
The effort still continues here to produce the I'm
preston that the Presidents message transmitting
and approving the recommendation OF the Ordnance
Office that heavy armament be provided for seacoast
defenses, is in reality a war message and pres
ages war with Spain. The following facts will
show the absurdity Of such declarations The
question as to the best kinds Of guns for
coast Notifications is one that the Ordnance
Office has long been at work GpOn. EARLY last
Spring it began its preparation of the report which
the President has now sent in. This reached the
Secretary Of War in October and he transmitted
it TO the President before the annual report of
the War Department was submitted. The Pfesl-
dent would have sent it in with his annual mes
sage but had not had time to give 1t the attention
which he desired. Hence it comes i'll by itself, and
il has no more bearing upon any present eYpecta-
ton Of war than any one III the numerous reports
of routine matters made by the war pe-
partment. Another part of the same Cnban
sensation Is the report that warlIke stories
are sent to Key West. No stores have been for
warded of late During the Vrginius excitement
large quantities of supplies were sent to Key West
aud they were sufficient to furnish the South
Atlantic squadron with everything needed and this
will continue 10 be its port of supplies until the
surplus accumulated there is exhausted.
The Committee appointed by the House to inquire
as to whether any of its privileges had been in
fringed by the arrest of the Editor of THE NEW
YORK TRIBUNE in this city by Boss" Shepherd on q
charge of libel, while here upon o Congressional
summons have had two meetings, but as yet have
not settled upon a report. Judge Hoar, chairman,
is of decided opinion that witness is entitled to the
protection of the House and freedom from arrest
both in coming from and going to his home. The
majority of the Committee share the same opinion
and Judge Hoar is hunting up precedents to sustain
himself and colleagues, and believes he can furnish
sufficient to bring in unanimous report embody
ing views advanced by him. The action of the
House in this has had the sautary effect at all
events, of restraining other members Of the Ring
from taking q course similar to that pursued by
Shepherd. 1t was the design of both John o. Evans
and Hallett Kilbourne TO have MIR. Reid arrested,
both on criminal aud civil actions for libel. The
prompt measures of inquiry taken by Mr.. Hoar and
ordered by the House have served as rebuke sutt-
| cieDt to restrain them from such procedure.
THE DEFSAT OF CHANDLER
The news of the defeat of Chandler was received
in the House about the middle Of The afternoon and
caused much more excitement than the announce
| ment of similar events usually does. Members
gathered in knots aud discussed the news from all
| points of view, and exchanged opinions to the
effect of Chambers defeat in the adjoining State If
| Wisconsin. The dispatches from Madison tonight
report the contest there very close One-so close
| that il impossible to predict its result.