Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-12-09
WASHINGTON Notes.

Reported for the Alexandria Gazsite.
Among the bills introduced 10 tie House TO-
day was one by Gen. Huatou for the relief Of
the heirs of James Broaiers of the Dad regi
meut of the continental Iine 10 the var Of the
| Revolution; one by Mr.. Goode, to remove the
political disabilities cf W. II. Wood, and divers
others by suodry members with reference 10
i the currency, all Of " hioh were referred.
I II the House to day Mr.. Page, Of California,
10 successful effort to have bis name p!lnted
fer The reduction Of the congressional repre5cn
talion from South Carolina to two members 10
consequence CT alleged frauds and iot!lnlda!3us
prsotioed in that State at the last election.
In the Senate Mr.. Window made speech
against the existing patent laws, which be said,
rebound to the bene6s 81 kraves and spectators
instead of to that Of the real deserving in7en-
tors.
Al the conclusion of Mr. Wild5m's speech,
contrary to the expectations OF only d lew, FIR.
Blaine did not move to take up his resolution
With regard to alleged southern ouE!agee, bGt,
on motion Ct hlr. E1nuuds, that gaotler!Gn' :
bill to amend tho presidential election laws WaS
taken up aaa considered. This bill provides
for the eleotion 10 October; for the legality 0f
returns when questioned t. be decided ~ The
State courts atd be ready for Congress ~ tie
lst of January; that whcu Lherc is bu5 o1e re.
turn from State it will require the consent Of
both houses to reject it, and that WHEN there
are two returEs trGm any one Stale the consent
Of both houses 70 admit either Que OF them.
Mr.. Merfinon, it 10 understood, viii oppose
this bill, though most of the souiheru members
and many of tnoee from the North vii! support
it. It's main opponents, ii is supposed, will
como from the ultra wing Of the rEdicaIs.
10 tho House. to day, MIR. Atkins, from
Tennessee, had read paragraph from the
New York Herald Of The 9Th iastaat, cha.gIug
the Hot Springs bill 10 be omitted lcom tie
journal of the proceedings of the last sessioc.
Mr.. Atkins then bad read letters from BIZ.
Rsiney and Senator Conover fully aud com-
pIeteIy generating him from all blame, aud
said thet though he had made dlligcnL enquiry
he had been unable to discover the author OF
the Incorrect paragraph referred 10.
MIR. Conklipg made his fret appearance this
session 10 the Senate 10 day, AID vas WaruI3
greeted by his colleagues OF both parties.
A noticeable feature ln the appearance OF the
galleries of both the Senate aad House this
session is the almost entire absence ct he col
ored element among the spectators. The gs-
leries we're formerly tho !ouoging PLACES of
large number Of the lazy coiored
people of the district, but whether from the
democratic control of the House, and its 10
crease In the Senate or not. the great falling eff
10 the plumber Of oolored people 10 the galleries
is notably apparent to those accustomed to the
looks of the Capitol.
Duriog the sitting of the committee On tho
expenses Of the State Department day when
the case of Mr.. Seward, consul general to
China, was under consideration. the lie passed
between that gentleman and cx consul Wiley
Wells, when the latter advanced upon the
former 10 hostile attitude. but the two Wero
kept apart by the spectators.
Mr.. John r. Armstrong, Of Alexandria,
was at the Capitol to-day looking after his claim
of S., $40 for lumber and use of wharf by tn
federal troops during the war, granted by the