The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-08
Washfngton.,

.sITreN TO DIVIDE THE PROCEEDS OF THE
PUBLIC LANDS AMONG THE STATES IN PRO-
~ PORTION TO THEIR NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
BALLS CAsE-JUD1CIARY MATTERs-INCOME
AND TARIPF--yARIoUs ITEMS.
So From o,r Regular Correspondent.l <. /.
s. WAsMNGToS, February 1.-THE galleries
were packed to-day to hear DIR. Blaine on
the silver-biIl He looked to be in fine
health, but still q man bordering on sixty,
and his voice was loud and his enunciation
distinct. There was as much monotony,
however, in his delivery as there is in the
reading OF congressional clerk. He bid
strong for the sympathy Of the laboring
classes and spoke feelingly of the poor. He
did not agree with either those who want
the gold standard or with those who desire
the reconciliation Of the dollar OF the
fathers. Hence he offered q substitute
which makes the silver dollar weigh 425
grains, gives the profit Of coinage to
the Government, and allows the de-
post of silver coin with the Assistant
Treasurer at New York, and the issue by
him Of certificates for, tho certificate,
however, to be of less amount than ten dol
lars. These certificates are to have all the
uses Of coin. He cited the fact that the
wealth of the rich and The poverty OF the
poor in England are in consequence OF an
exclusive gold standard, and that the pros
perity Of the peasantry Of France was
owing to the double standard. He spoke
not quite an hour, and closed with an elo-
quens peroration. At the close OF his
speech-which was one OF marked ability
Democratic and Republican senators alike
went to his seat and congratulated him,
while the galleries gave him round OF en-
thusiastic applause. Conkling looked as if
he felt there is life in him yet and there is
il his speech to-day furnishes any indlca-
ton.
HIGHLY IMPORTANT TO EDUCATION.
The House Committee on Education and
Labor this morning took up the proposition
to divide the proceeds OF the public lands
among the States in proportion to their
illiteracy, when warm debate ensued on
the motion to report 4 bill embodying the
proposition named. 1t was earnestly advo-
Gated by Messrs. Goode OF Virginia, Loring
of Massachusetts,, and Bell Of Georgia, and
approved by Messrs. Fuller OF Indiana and
Southland of Ohio, and carried with but two
dissenting votes.
The provisions OF the billwhich the COM
mittee will agree upon may be stated as fol-
lows The proceeds of the public lands to
be turned over to the States by the Govern
mcnt to be used by the States as they think
best for furthering the cause Of education.
They may therefore give their quotas to
either agricultural colleges or public schools.
The whole amount to be divided is $780,
600, of which Virginia's share would be
100000. The scheme has a great deal OF
popularity.
AN INTERESTING 1MBRoGLIO.
The Senate Committee on Commerce this
morning rejected the nomination Of George
| Williamson as collector OF customs for
New Orleans. Mr.. Williamson is one OF the
most reputable Of the party in that quarter,
but he was supported by neither of the
Louisiana senators. Kellogg wants Pack
ard, and Packard will probably, to the dis
grace OF Republican Senate, get it. Nc
MILAN is pressed by Warmoth. This
appointment eXcites general interest, be-
cause it is supplementary to what has been
occurring in Louisiana for years.
WHAT HAS COLONEL BALL DONE?
Mr.. Evarts. with cold.blooded intent, has
selected Colonel NJ. D. Ball, OF Alexandria,
| as collector of customs for Alaska, and the
President has actually sent his name to the
Senate. Since Colonel Brown, {" of Stafford
| and King George" was appointed Consul
to Monroyia, on the coast Of Africa, such
| an Administrative outrage has not been
| perpetratcd. Promised Belfast and put of
| into Alaska, who would JOIN the Republic
can party? There are not over four hun
dred white people, including the old Rus
SLAMS and half-breeds, at Sitka, the port OF
entry.
JUDICIARY MATTERS.
| The House Committee on the Judiciary
has under consideration the bill OF Judge
Harris providing for appeals in criminal
cases from United States district to United
States circuit courts.
\ ID
question stoo to 8 the other day in the
judiciary Committee, Judge Harris being
absent at the Election Committee. This
makes him the target OF the strong-minded,
who want to capture his deciding vote,
Not only did Mrs. Bcecher-Hooker make
an ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS speech to him in the
parlors of the Metropolitan Hotel night be-
fore last in presence Of the assembled guests
but he has to keep out OF the way to avoid
other like raids. DR.. Mary Walker has moi
vet called on him. he keeps bis door
locked, however.
INCOMES AND THE TARIFF.
The bill taxing incomes will be ready fol
the Committee Of Ways and Means by The
end of the week, and your correspondent j:
well enough Informed to assert that all IN
comes below $4,000 will be exempted, and
that the percentage on the incomes taxed
will be light. The tariff bill Of course is
discussed in secret. and nothing as to par
ticulars is permitted to leak out. 1t il
known, however, that the progress Of the
discussion 80 far is very satisfactory to al
parties. 20
TIE TExAs-PACIFIC.
| Colonel Tom Scott, Mr.. Huntington, Gov
ernor Brown, Maior Bond, and counsel or
both sides were to-day before the Senate
4 Committee on Pacific Roads. Colonel Scot
made the strongest possible presentation o
the claims OF the Texas-Pa Pacific, and it eyi
I IDENTIFY made a deep impression on the com
Il nittee. Mr.. Storrs, counsel for Mr.. Hunt