Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-02-22
EVENING STAR.
Washington News and Gossip.

Washington News and Gossip.
TIE PRESIDENTS INCEPTION will take
place on the evening of the ed of February,
from to 10 O'Clock.
THE Military Academy approximation bill
as reported to the Senate contains amend
ments increasing the amount about S46 900,
The pay OF cadets remains as 1t passed the
House, but the usual appropriation for the
band is restored.
PERSONAL. - Speaker Kerr returned to
Washington last night in improved health.
He will resume the chair, IL is expected, to-
morrow. ''.-Ex Senator Lyman TrumbuIl,
of Illinois, is at Willa-d's. Ex-Governor
n. X. She pherd, Hallet KilbOurn and III. NJ
Hutchinson have returned 10 Washington.
THE Mississippi Levee committee will re
port unanimously in favor of an appropria-
tien of from three To five million dollars in
the shape OF a refund of a portion of the cot
ton tax Illegally collected from the states To
be directly benefited by the construction OF
the levees.
RETREN committee on ex-
penditures Of the Department OF Justice Will
recommend considerable reductions in that
department. Several of the ornamental
bureaus will be consolidated, the pardon
clerk Will be dispensed with, and in North
Carolina and probably other of the southern
st1tes where the marshals' expenditures have
Oeen so enormous the marshal districts will
be consolidated.
WANTS TO BE IvEsTIGATED-General
John f. Miller, president OF the Alaska Com
meTcial company, arrived here yesterday
from San Francisco. He comes To appear
voluntarily before the Ways and Means
Committee for the purpose of offering them
every facility for the examination OF the
company's books and papers, and OF urging
then To make the investigation of its affairs,
which has been ordered by the House of
Representatives, not only as thoroughly, but
as speedily as possible.
SPIRITUAL INTERESTs.-COl.J John Ira
cey, OF New York, chairman OF the commit
tee OF the wine and spirit traders society OF
the United States, has taken quarters at the
ing members of the committee in few days.
The object sought to be accomplished by
them is TO secure the passage OF bill codify-
Ing, simplifying and modifying the internal
revenue law relating to the tax on distilled
spirits. The society, among other things
want the tax on whisky reduced TO fifty cents
gallon.
THE PENSION BUREAU.-The bill reported
by Mr.. Jerks, OF Pennsy lvania, to transfer
the Pension bureau TO the War department,
places all the duties now performed in rela-
lion TO pensions and the Pension bureau by
the Secretary OF the Interior upon the Secre-
tary OF War; abolisheS the office OF pension
agents and pension agencies for the disburae-
June, 1876, and transfers any uneXpeuded
balance in the Treasury of the United States
The duties heretofore performed by pension
agents and agencies are devOlved upon the
pay masters OF the army. The Secre
tSry of War is authorized to reOrganiZe and
IeadJust the several divisions of the Pension
bureau, and detail officers and employees TO
do the work in such manner as shall conduce
TO the good OF the service.
CENTENNIAL PEACE AND REcoNCILIA-
tot Kr-e
tried yesterday TO Introduce a Joint resoIu-
t on in the House. but failed: THAT in view
OF the great Increase, general health and
prosperity OF our people in this blessed wear
the one hundredth anniversary of American
Independence, and cOmmemOTatlOn of the
birthday of our beloved Washington, first
In war, first in peace, and first in the hearts
OF ms country men, we do hereby remove
all dlsa bility imposed under section 81 arti-
Gle l4th; OF the CONSTITUTION OF the United
States, and do declare complete amnesty
and oblivion for all past political ofelses,
Invoking the blessings OF Almighty God upoa
our cOunsels and our country; that our gov
eminent may rest upon the best and surest
foundations; that peace and happiness, truth
and justice, religion and piety may be estab-
Hshed among US for all generations"
JAY COOKE 4 Co IN THE UNITED STATES
SUPREME CoURr.-The Supreme Cour. yes
tercay rendered decision In the case No
goo, Lewis, trus.ee Of Jay Cooke q Co., VS..
court for the eastern district OF PennsyIya-
MIA: In this case the court affirms the right
the collateTaIs placed In the hands OF its
agents in September, 1873, by Jay Cooke,
McCulloch Co, OF London, as dlsbursing
agents OF the Navy department, as security
Tor deposits then In their hands, to the pay
ment OF later debt arising In the same way
and decide that for the balance due in OctO-
per OF me year named, which was about one
hundred and thirty-two thousand pounds
sterling. the government IS entitled to a pri-
ority out OF the separate estate of such mem
bsrs OF the firm OF Jay Cooke & Co. as were
also members OF the firm of Jay Cooke, Nc
Culloch & Co. II is said that the United
states are in no wise bound by the provisions
OF the bankrupt act in the matter, and the
objection made that the claim of the govern
ment was not proved in the bankruptcy pro-
ceedings in question is, therefore, without
force. The case is that of trust fund the
trustee holding and the beneficiary claiming,
and this gave the circuit court original and
plenary jurisdiction. Affirmed. Mr.. Justice
Swayne delivered the opinion.