The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-20


/ Investigate One, in order TO be yer,
emphatic, declared that it was I" q worse
slip up than that did Potter business
Our senator's only smile, and evidently
icould not be better pleased than they are
with the first act of the drama OF the bloody
shirt.
The Republican caucus to-day appointed
committee OF three TO draft victims, who
are either to serve OF furnish substitutes,
and Ia this way the requisite number were
obtained, with Senator Hoar chairman.
PENSIONERS OF THE WAR OF 1872.
Under the act OF 1878, which restored all
persons to the pension list who had been
affected by their participation in the rebel
lion, 10000 applications, I learn from the
head OK the Pension Department, have been
already iled, and this accounts for the delay
OF which persons in Virginia and elsewhere
have been complaining. When the bill was
under discussion heard it stated that not
over 1,4O0 would be affected by its proyi-
sions. a member OF the Senate requests me
to state that no provision has been made for
those who served in the Mexican war. nor
! will this Congress, from present indications,
do anything for them.
JUDGE RIvEs AND THE PATRICK COUNTY CASE.
In the House to-day Mr.. Cabell called
up his resolution in regard to Judge Rives
and the Patrick county case, when obiec.
ton was made, as Mr.. Cabell supposed, by
General Garfield, and he called on the re-
portc:s to make note OF the party who
objected. Mr.. Townsend, of New York,
became suddenly indignant, and called on
the House to know il members did not
have rights, stating that member
had been menaced for doing only what he
had perfect right 10 do. Mr.. Cabell, in
reply, said that he had menaccd nobody,
but whenever he did there would be no
possible chance OF misunderstanding him.
1t was, however, General Harry White,
who has never gotten over his soiourn in
| Libby, who objected, and not Mr.. Garfield.
THANKS FOR NORTHERN AID.
Tine meeting Of southern congressman to-
night to return thanks for the liberal dona-
tons of the North to yellow-feyer sufferers
was decided success in numbers, speeches,
and the spirit that prevailed. .E.. ....
Senator Harris and Casey Young have
telegraphed the experts selected by the
yellow-fever committee to meet at Mem
phis December Goth. Congressman are leay-
ing tonight.
BRIEF NEWS ITEMS.
The House again to-day discussed the In
dian appropriation bill, and the clause for
the transfer Of wild Indians to the Indian
territory gave rise to lively debate. The
Joint Indian commission say the report that
has been circulated widely to the effect that
they will report against a transfer of the
Indian Bureau tc the War Department is
unauthorized, and that they will not report
until after January 10Th.
The Senate was engaged most OF the day
in discussing the bill for the revision OF the
patent laws, and the debate'showed bitter
hostility on the part OF some senators to the
present system. The bill under considera-
ton fixes The rule OF damages in courts OF
equity and law in cases OF infringement,
and also regulates the limitations OF patents.
Colonel Beverly Tucker is confined to his
room with quite severe attack of rheuma-
| tism.
General Grant has sold his Washington
clearinghouse for S17,500.
| The Government has just purchased 400.
600 ounces OF silver bullion at less than
London prices. ..-....
The Republican senator's drafted as
Blaine's committeeman arc Hoar, Teller,
| Cameron of Wisconsin, Mitchell,'and Kirk.
wood. There is not a face-card among
them, was the comment Of card-player
when they were announced tonight.
| Four hundred rural New Workers are
here on an excursion-trip. They were at
the White House to-day.
A vote on the Geneva award will be taken
on the first Tuesday after recess.
The weather was very cold to-day, and
the visitors to the Capitol not rs numerous,
in consequence, rs usual.
Associated Press Reports BY telegraph to the Dis
| Datchl
COMMERCIAL INTERCOURSE BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES AND SOUTH AMERICA.
| WASHINGTON, December 19.-The Presi-
dent to-day transmitted to the Senate mes
sage, in reply to a resolution asking for in.
formation with regard to commercial inter.
course between the United States and South
America. After referring to the importance
of foreign commerce, he says that our eX-
ports during the twenty-five years previous
TO 1877 were so small, and the imports 50
large, as to neccssitate the constant ship
ment of GOLD, and 50 precluded the posi-
bility of the resumption OF specie. payments
In 1876, however, owing to vigorous efforts
to extend our foreign commerce, these con
ditions were reversed, and the outward
drain OF gold ceased. The agencies by
which this change was effected must, ht
says, be maintained and strengthened II
| order to make the future secure. Many O.
the products of the United States are nov
held in such, favor abroad that, with equa
commercial facilities, we need not fear com
petition. In view of our return to the basi
OF coin values, it is Of the greatest import
auce that our export trade shall not SUITE
for want Of means Of communication witt
other countries. He closed with the state
ment that any measures in rurtherance o
these important interests will have his cor
dial approval. ..tfs-.- ,.=~- L.
Accompanying the message is the repor
, OF the Secretary Of State, attributing tn
commercial predominance Of Great Britain
in South America to regular steam posta
communications, and urging the promotion
, by all just and appropriate means on til
! part OF the Government OF this the frs
+ and principal agency for the desired eXpan
> sion OF our foreign commerce. The Gov