New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-13
Especial Correspondence of the Republican
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

case in the Senate, and q croes-fre be-
nothing has occurred the past week to re-
lieve the dull monotony that follows the
consideration Of bills of private character
or the debate over appropriations. The
oldest Congressman will tell you that it is
the dullest session he has ever experienced.
The Republicans content themselves with
watching their adversaries, and are always
prepared for sudden emergencies; the Dem
ocrats abstain from introducing bills of
national interest for fear Of putting their
foot in it." 1t has required all the sagac-
ity of their most astute leaders to keep
do wn the turbulent elements in their party.
Landers, Holman and others are getting
reetive, and the inevitable clash between
the infationists and hard money advocates
can not be much longer postponed.
While, as q party, and tor party pur-
poses, the Democrats advocate retrench-
ment, as individuals they are offering bills
granting subsidies, gratuities, etc, that foot
up many millions more than their most san
guine members claim they can save By cut
ting down the appropriations fer the de-
partments. About 1000 bills have already
been offered, and the number is steadily in
creasing. There are 1850 copies of each bill
easily be estimated.
1t was anticipated that vote on Mr..
Pinchback would be reached to day. The
Democratic. however, changed their tactics,
and are again discussing the subject. Yes
terday was memorial day." and the eulc-
ges OF the late Senator Ferry we're deliv
evereG. This takes precedence of all other
business, and consequently the Louisiana
senatOrehip again went over. The Senate
could have voted as intelligently on this
subject two years ago rs j. can to-day. or
as it can should it be debated two years
longer.
The centennial appropriation came up to-
day as special business, and there seems to
be disposition to debate it at length. /
doubt if Mr.. Pinchback's case will be
reached again before next week. II Mr..
Morton then succeeds in p sssing his resolu-
ton that the Senate remain IN session until
of this vexa,ious delay.
The House Committee on Education and
Labor have agreed to report Mr.. Walkers
bill setting apart forever the proceeds of
the sale of public lands for educational pur-
poses The bill does not interfere with the
provisions of the homestead pre-emption
or bounty laws, nor does it affect existing
laws in regard to the adjustment and pay
ment to the various States OF the per centum
of the net proceeds of the sales Of public
lands within their borders, as provided in
section 36S9, Revised Statutes. 1t specifies
that no one shall be entitled to it's benefits
except those between the ages of six and
sixteen, and any State or Territory, in Or
der to come within its provisions, must
maintain system of public schools for at
least three months in each year.
Mr. Mask, who is on the committee,
moved to strike out Sixteen and insert
twenty. .one." He advocated his amend
ment in clear concise and logical speech,
upon, would prove disadvantageous to his
race, inasmuch as a large proportion Of
those desirous of availing themselves of the
benefits of the free school system were
above the age of sixteen.
Mr.. Nash has made favorable impression
tary Bristow says he regards him as one of
the most sensible colored men ever elected
to Congress.
Mr. Hale will so amend his bill on COM
pulsory pilotage as to affect coastw:se and
fishing vessels only, leaving the law relat-
ing to foreign bound vessels as it stands at
present. The shipowners' delegation now
here are supporting the bill in its modified
form, and there appears to be no opposition
even from pilots.
Captain Leathers, of the Natchez, has
testified before the House POstoffice Com
mittee that he never secured q mail con-
tract without the assistance of middle
men," whom he was obliged to compensate
literally, and held that the government
was the loser to the amount given these
parties, as he could have deducted from his
bids the sums 90 paid.
Leon Owbre has been appointed postmas
ter at New Texas, Pointe Coupee parish;
Charles Lachpelle at White Hall, St. James
parish; Samuel Gregory at Mount Pleasant,
Caldwell parish; Daniel B. Hudson, St. Pc
ters. St. Landry parish; j. D. Maui, Bluff
Creek, East Feliciana parish; P. F. Durand,
Cranes Ford, Assumption parish.
New offices have been established as fol-
lows: Loves Lake, Red River parish, and
Baskinton, Franklin parish.
The office at Mound, Madison parish, has
been discontinued.
The sum of ga, $50 has been allowed DR..
Belden, of New Orleans, for the loss of the
steamboat Lily, destroyed by the Confed
crates in Red river in 1864, during Banks
expedition.
The papers authorizing the change of the
name of Brashear to Morgan City, have
been submitted to the Postmaster General
for his approval. He refused to attach his
signature until the word "city" had been
erased, which he ordered done, alleging as
q reason that the use of this word had be-
come so frequent as to cause no little an
noyance In the department, and that when
places so named really we're entitled to the
distinction, they invariably wanted it strick-
en- out; 60 while Brashear's new name will
stand on the statute books of Louisiana as
"Morgan City," it will appear on the post
Office records simply as Morgan"
Three patents have been issued to Sam