The Portland daily press., 1877-03-09

From the Maine State Press of March 8, 1877.
History OF Seven Days.
The News for the week ending Wednesday
Might, March 1th
NATIONAL CAPITAL.

NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Judge Davis to-daytsent in his resignation OF
the office of Associate Justice OF the Supreme
Court.
President Hayes has appointed as his private
secretary, VIM. x. Rodgers, his former law
partner in Ohio.
A general order from the headq uarters of the
army announces that the military academy
and post OF West Point shall constitute a sepa-
rate military department, the commander of
which shall report directly the General-in-chief
OF the army. By order of the President Gen.
Schofeld has been appointed commander of
the military department of West Point
Rumors are in circulation that . very strong
effort will he made to induce recognition of
the Packard government in Louisiana. South.
ern Republicans declare that there is every as
surance that no hasty steps will be taken by
the President in this matter.
The Supreme Court has decided that the
legislatures of Minnesota. Wisconsin, Illinois
and other Western states have the right to
regulate the freight and passengers on all rail-
roads in their respective states.
Among the nominations which at the ad-
journment of the last session of Congress
remained unconfirmed and which consequently
expired on that date, were the following: Post
master Jones Franklin of HaverhilI, Mass:
Elias Griswold, Associate Justice of the Su-
preme Court for the territory of New Mexico
William Stone, United States Attorney for the
district of South Carolina; John B. Clark,
Surveyor General of Dakota; A. X. Miehler to
be civil engineer in the navy; Kenneth Raynor,
to be commissioner to publish the Revised
Statutes.
Boston Travellers despatch says Justice
Clifford is surprised that his absence from the
Capitol during the Inauguration ceremonies
should be regarded as politically significant.
He says he remained away because he had
been informed that President Hayes had taken
the oath of Office on Saturday night. and this
ceremony, which has always been performed
at the Capitol in presence of the Supreme
Court would be omitted yesterday. Having a
great deal of pressing work to do in the nature
of opinions delayed in consequence of service
Oh the Electoral Commission, he concluded to
remain quietly at home and work. He denies
that his political feeling had anything to do
with his absence.
1t is said authoritatively that Stanley Mat
thews has decided not to press a contest for the
seat in the House held by General Banning.
The time allowed for taking testimony has
about expired, and Mr.. Matthews has not been
able to give the matter the attention required
on account of his labor in connection with
cases before the Electoral Commission. Mr..
Matthews friends intend to urge his election
to the Senate from Ohio, to succeed Mr.. Sher-
man. Attorney General Taft will also be a
candidate for that place.
CONGRESS.
The forty fourth Congress expired by consti-
tutional limitation at IL M. on Sunday last.
March 4th, the session continuing up to that
hour. All the appropriation bills were passed
except that for the support of the army, and
the river and harbor bill. The House insisted
on a section in the army bill prohibiting the use
of troops in support of the Packard and Cham
berlain governments in Louisiana and South
Carolina, and the Senate refusing to agree to
this, the pill failed. The former appropriation
bill leaves sufficient money to support the army
until the close of the present fiscal year, June
Goth. An extra session may be called to vote
an appropriation for the succeeding year. The
House receded from its amendment reducir @
the Presidents salary to $4,000, and it there
fore remains at $4,000. The Senate receded
from its amendment, giving subsidies for carry.
Ing the mails between San Francisco and Jap
an, and New Orleans and Brazil The bill in
aid of the resumption of specie payments was
postponed until the first Wednesday of Decem.
Der. The House, by party vote, passed res
nIr Ior;, kI,oAT 4
toral vu,-s. and that in the opinion of the House
he was duly elected President. There were one
or two rows on the floor of the House, Morr:-
son choking Page for calling him a liar, and
Glover striking newspaper correspondent
who bad oppo.ed him, but on the whole the
closing hours of this turbulent Congress were
marked with good order and propriety, the Gus
tomary votes of thanks to the presiding officers
being unanimously passed. In the Senate, on
the 6tb, Mr.. Blaine advoc ated the swearing
in of Mr.. Lamar; Mr.. Spencer opposed it,
and had the report of the investigating
committee on Mississippi affairs read as
par. of his speech. After long and ami
mated discussion in which Morton told
Blaine he would have quite enough
to do to take care of his own record, Lamar
ook oath by vote of 81 to l. Blaine then
made spirited contest in regard to receiving
the credentials of Kellogg as Senator from
Louisiana, and his speech was applauded in
the galleries. He took the ground that the
Packard government ought to be sustained by
President Hayes. The Senate adjourned with
out action.
In the. Senate Wednesday! the resolution to
admit Kellogg was referred to the committee
on privileges and elections. when appointed by
vote of IS to 49,
CRIMES AND CASUALTIES.
Attorney General Fairchild has ordered the
Indictment of President Frost of the Continent
al Life Insurance Company for fraud and per-
jury. Frost has fled. =
Joe Coburn has been sentenced to 10 years in
states prison.
w. 81. Welden who attempted to shoot Gov.
Packard of Louisiana, has been released on
$4,000 bail and returned to his home in Phila-