Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-02-14
From W ashInEtOn.
ESPECIAL TO THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
WASHINGTON, D. g., Feb. ID.

SPECIAL TO THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
WASHINGTON. D. g., Feb. IA.
SENATE.
10 tho Senate. to. day, communication FROM
the Secretary Of the Navy 10 reference to The
Huron disaster was referred.
Mr. Withers. Of Va, presented memorial
from farmers of Louisa county. Va: praying. a
reduction of the tex % tobacco. Mr.. W. said
he hoped whatever was to be done in this re-
speot would be done quickly, as the present tax
was almost prohibition Of the production and
detrimental to the interests of the government.
A petition and papers in reference to the
claim of G.. B. Lamar. praying that it be re.
handed to the Court OF Claims was referred to
the Judiciary Committee.
Large numbers of petitions, praying the re.
monetzation of silver and tho repeal of the re-
sumption act, we're presented.
MIR. Johnston, of Va, introduced bill to
extend the time OF certain patents.
A bill to organ;z, the territory OF Oklohona
was INTRODUCED.
The jciot resolution declaring it inexpedient
to reduce the tax on distilled splits was taken
up, and
Mr.. Matthews advocated the speedy passage
Of the resolution.
Mr.. McCreary thought the resolution had as
we'll pass, though he never could see why it
was ever inexpedient to do right. lie bad in
tended making speech 10 opposition to the
resolution, but, as somebody might be hurt 1t
be spoke, he had determined to remain silent.
Mr.. Bayard thought that it was better to
pass tho resolution than to allow the present
uncertain condition of things to last
The resolution was then passed-ayes 40,
noes 9, Messrs Withers and Johnston, OF Va,
both voting in tho affirmative.
The bill to regulate the compensation OF
pcstmasters the salaries of post.
masters of the fourth class By tho cancelling
instead of the sales of stamps, and, providing
that sales of stamps shall not be made below
their face value was taken up and discussed till
the expiration of the morning hour, when tho
silver bill was taken up, and
MIR. Jones, of Nevada, addressed the Senate
in favor of the Bland bill.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
10 the House of Representatives,
MIR. Gibson, of Louisiana, stated that he
knew of no compact or agreement, trade or bar
gain, by the conditions of which tho Electoral
count was allowed to 70 on, neither did he know
of any agreement on the part OF Gov. Nichols
by which the members oftheLousiana returning
board would not be prosecuted. lilo claimed that
the resolutions Of the Louisiana Legislature
stating that there would be DO prosecution for
past political offences docs not apply 10 the re.
turning board cases.
Some debate occurred between MIR. Gibson,
Mr.. Hale and others during which MIR. hale said
he thought that the trial Of Anderson & Co.,
was tho greatest outrage 10 the political history
of the country. Mr.. Gibson said that an ap
peal lies to the Supreme Court and that 10 tho
case of conviction the President would pardon.
The Speaker laid before the House COM
muuication from Secretary Sherman setting
forth that there had been falling off in the re.
oepts of the Government during tho past fiscal
year, of 81, $50 .2lS, attributable to the agita-
ton CT the question of reducing the tax on
whiskey and tobacco, and recommending that
Congress take Some step for quoting the agita.
ton or else to reduce the appropriations tor the
next year.
MI. Tucker, of w., denied the right Of the
Secretary to Interfere or mako any such recon-.
mendation and advocated reduction OF the tax
on both whiskey and tobacco.
Several members declared their opinion that
tho Secretary had no right to communi-
cate directly with the House but the Speaker
overrulcd the objections and was sustained by
Mr.. Stephens, and the communication was re'
ferred.
The West Point Academy bill was then taken
up aud finally passed.
The House then went into Committee OF the
Whole and considered the bill giving pensions
to the soldiers and survivors of soldiers of the
Mexican. Black Hawk and Creek wars. The
bill puts back contederates upon tho lists.
NO REDUCTION OF THE ARMY.
Tho House Military Committee have adopt
ed resolution declaring it inexpedient, in tho
present state OF affairs 90 the frontier, to re,
duoe the effective force of the regular army.
NOTES.
In the House of Representatives, yesterday.
Mr. Goode, of Virginia, presented the petition
of Row. L. w. Williams and others for the
passage OF an act Incorporating the National
Grand Lodge of Goode Samaritans, which was
referred.
Mr.. w. ID. Poiteaux, we'll known citizen Of
IA