The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-03
From Washington.
TIE POTTER COMMITTEE REsUMING IT'S LAI

THE POTTER COMMITTEE REsUMING ITS LABOR.
WASHINGTON, December 2.-The Demo
cratic members OF the Potter Investigating
committee held a private conference to-day,
at which it was agreed that Chairman Pot
ter should call meeting of the committee
for next Thursday. 1t was also informally
agreed that, in case the House Of Represen-
tatives shall not in the meantime specially
direct an investigation OF the ''cipher tele-
grams" the committee will proceed to make
an investigation OF them, and OF all SINH
lar matters, under the general authority
conferred upon it last session. 1t is like
wise the intention OF the majority OF the
committee to take additional testimony upon
the subjects OF inquiry, the investigation Of
which was left unfinished last summer.
SUPREME COURT DECISION.
WASHINGTON, December 2.-The civil
suits OF the United States against 81. 3.
Clafin 81 Co., for alleged reception, pur-
chase, and concealment OF large amounts Of
fraudulently imported silk between the
years 1871 and 1874, were decided to-day in
the United States Supreme Courtin favor Of
Claflin g. Co., defendants in error. The suits
were for recovery Of double the value OF the
goods in question, and the amount involved
was nearly quarter OF million dollars.
The Court holds that the recovery sought
under the act OF 1923 cannot be had, because
that act was repealed by the act Of 1866.
That it cannot be had under the act OF 1866
for the reason that the latter contemplated
criminal and not civic proceedings. The
Circuit Court below therefore correctly sus-
tanned the demurrer OF the defendants, and
its Judgment is affirmed. Mr.. Justice Strong
delivered the opinion OF the Court.
ATToRNEy-GENERAL DEvESs's REPORT.
WASHINGTON, December 2.-The Attor-
ney-General, among other things, in his re-
port refers to alleged violations OF the cleo
ton laws in the South, and asserts that Sc
rious frauds were committed by GO ballot
box stuffng," and also by intimidation. A
| considerable portion OF the report has re-
ference to. such allegations. 1t calls atten.
ton to the fact that arrests have been made
Of parties charged with violations OF law,
and OF the determination Of the Department
to prosecute offenders.
t. al THE NATIoNAL-DEBT STATEMENT.
| WASHINGTON, December 2.-The public
debt statement issued to-day shows an in
icfease OF the debt, during the month OF No
| yember OF $3,214,242. Cash in the Treasu
! ry-Coin, 1928, 564,756; currency, S4,669,
500. Currency held for redemption o.
| fractional currency, .SlO;UUu,e0u, - specla
deposit held for redemption OF certificate:
OF deposit, as provided by law, S37,OsO, 700
dREESBAcKERs IN COUNCIL IN wAsH1SGToS
| WASHINGTON, December PA meetins
4 was held here this evening OF prominen
| advocates OF the Greenback cause, at which
an address to the people OF the country
supporting their views, was issued There
! is talk of holding national convention By
/ that partyip $780, The National Commit
tee, who will have Headquarters here Thu
winter; embraces the names OF Peter Cooper
sam. Carey, F. Fl, Murch,, G. De La Matyr
Fred. ?. Stanton. w. w. Jackson. BENJAMIN
70. Green, and others. The members OF tn
committee think their party in the Hous
will WELD considerable Strength in the de
/ cision as to who shall preside over the mex
House.
OTHER ITEMS. s..
4 WASHINGTON, December Charges hay
been sent to the Attorney-G General by th
/ National Executive Reform Committee, Q
New Orleans. against United States Marsha
/ Wharton. The character Of the charges ism
made known ag the Department. OF justice