The New York herald., 1875-02-12

defeated bJ l25 nays against 80 yeas. alter which
the measure was passed.
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
WASHINGTON, Feb. II, 1878.
INHARMoNIoUs REPUBLICAN CAUCUS ON THE
PROPOSED SOUTHERN MEAsUnEs-sTRoNG oP-
POSITION TO FURTHER SECTIONAL LEaIsLA-
TON
A joint caucus OF republican Senators and Re-
presentatves was held at the Capitol tonight but
owing to a misunderstanding the attendance was
not large. The joint committees OF the caucus Of
both houses made report, represent
ing bill. authorizing the President to
suspend the writ Of habeas corpus In
certain cases, and in accordance with previous
acts giving him power to use the army and navy
| to maintain peace anu suppress disorder, to ap-
| point deputy marsnas and supervisors OF elec-
tions In Congressional districts, who, IN addition
to their other powers, can arrest persons who
may attempt to intimldate voters or otherwise
unlawlully interfere with the conduct OF
| the election. Provision Is made for a
! fair and full registration OF legal voters
under prescribed regulations, and 1t is
made unlawful for any OF the reconstructed States
10 impose excessive poll taxes or TO require the
prepayment thereof as qualification for voters
at any election at which members OF Congress are
10 be chosen. The OIL declares the exhibition on
use oil deadly weapons on days of registration and
election 'or the purpose OF intimidation or vt0-
lence q criminal offence punishable by nne and
Imprisonment at tho discretion OF the Court and
so Of violations OF other parts of the bill.
Representative J. Amber Smith. OF Virginia,
moved to strike out the words RECONSTRUCTED
States, his object being to destroy the sectional
reference, that II the bill was to be passed, 1t
should be applicable to all the states. He pro-
tested against further federal interference in the
AFFAIRS OF the South.
Representatives, Dawes, Of Massachusetts; Cobb,
OF Kansas, and Williams, Of Michigan, agreed in
the main with the gentleman from Virginia, but
Messrs. Lawrence, or Ohio; Albright, OF Pennsyl-
vauia and Lynch, OF Mississippi, took the Oppo.
site ground, insisting that there was the great
est need for federal interference to protect
cOored men in the exercise of their rights.
The caucus was not altogether harmonious, and,
without action, an adjournment until tomorrow
night took place. Several OF the members stated
that they would not attend, as they Thought their
time would be more probably employed.
THE PACIFIC MAIL SCANDAL-FURTHER ExAMI-
r ~ NATION OF IRWIN
The Investigation or the Pacific Mail subsidy
scandal was resumed to-day. Mr.. Irwin was cross.
examined by Mr.. Clark Bell, with view to show.
ing that the contract Tor TWINS services was
made by SJocxwell Individually, and that not only
the first $25OO00, but all the other checks fur.
nished to him were Stockwell's individual checks.
Witness swore ne could not ind the copies OF his
letters to StocEwell nor the two letters that may
have been written to him by Stockweil in answer
to his OF February Is and May 4, 1872. He was not
positive whether he destroyed his checks on the
Exchange Bank, or the stubs OF his checks on
other banks; he thought they were in
existence, but could not find them; he
was not interested In any stock specula-
tions during the pendency OF the subsidy
bill. Mr.. Bell read to Mr.. IRWIN an extract from a
letter addressed to the managing director OF the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company by the China
TransPaciHc Steamship Company, January 10, in
which they state that Mr.. Irwin was before their
Board about three weeks prior to the telegraphic
confirmation OF their charter, and proposed that
II the company was uncommtted 10 the Pacific
Mail Steamship Company ne was prepared to SUD-
NIT eligible Offers for the employment OF two OF
their vessels. namely, the Vasco de Cana and the
Vancouver. Mr.. Irwin denied having made this
oner but admitted he had made suggestion to
the China Trans-Pacinc steamship Company, OF
London, that the latter should delay action
In their negotiations with the Pacific Mail
Company IN order 10 receive q proposition
from the overland railroad companies. and
that ne nau written authority from the rallTOauS
to make this suggestion. He was present when
Charles Albert drew the money on his check for
SI25. 600 and thinks he was present when Whiting
drew the cneck for 500 900; the money was drawn
in New York. May q. 1872 He went on TO Philadel-
pna tnat evening and proceeded to California the
next day. Though witness could not find the
copies OF his letters TO Stockwei ne was certain
he had correctly stated their contents. lie could
not recoLect positively whether or not he received
replies to the letters OF February Is and May
which he wrote to Stockwel. Mr.. Bell then asked
Mr.. Irwin whether he furnished the letter to the
New York Times OF December 4, 1874. signed IVA.
cum Gauge" insnuating that John Roach had
some improper connection with the subsidy move
menL he declined to answer unless
the committee decided that this was
proper question. Being informed that he
should answer, he replied. "I have not made any
such insinuations." He was then asked, "Did
you not write the letter signed Vacuum GaugeS' "
lie declined to answer unless the letter were to
be placed IN evidence. Some discussion arose In
tie committee, which was ended by Mr.. Bells
stating that he intended put the letter In evi.
dence II the witness answers should warrant It.
Mr.. Irwin thereupon replied that he did not write
the letter. The next question was :"Did you
inspire or direct tue writing OF this letters" Mr..
Irwin responded that he must object TO the ques-
ton on the ground that 1t did not relate to the
subject OF the inquiry. After some discussion the
committee sustained the objection. aud the time
allotted TO Mr.. Bell having expired the session
was closed and the committee adjourned TIL to-
morrow 1t was understood, however. tnat this
investigation VIII not oe resumed before satu r.
day.