The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-17
layes, 80; noes, 39--the Vice-P President Civ
| Ing The casting vote I'M the negative. p
Mr.. Hereford then moved thdE The doors
shah be open whenever . member requests

his accuSeTs. He showed how In years
past outrages have been done individuals
by testimony given In secret.
Blaine contended that witnesses would
not be safe IL they testified In public, and
that the intimidation which commenced 1T
the polls would be continued at the witness
s,and. S
Messrs. Butler aud Etrstis, in reply, u.s.
serted that witness could testify just as
safely In South Carolina and Louisiana as
in Maine and Massachusetts.
Messrs. Herman, Merrta,on, Howe, Ran
som. and others, continued the discussion.
Blaine spoke often, and seemed, in spite
OF his protestatons to the contrary, bent
on provoking q heated and bitter sectional
debate. When he referred to the fact that
after the 9TH of March the Democrats viii
have control OF both houses OF Congress
bis face was full OF the venom and hatred
towards our people that evidently fills his
heart. He spoke, however. with the vim
that characterized him In the House, and
was several times applauded.
The Hereford amendment was .lost-ayes
2S, noes 29-and at ten minutes past Mr.
Wbyte moved, as some other senators de-
sired to speak, that the Senate go into exc
cUtiye session which was agreed to.
The resolution as amended will pass, but
the question OF an open session will occa-
sion great deal more debate.
49, BRIDGE ACROSS THE POTOMAC.
The House to-day passed Mr.. Hunton's
bill to appropriate $4,000 to build bridge
across the Potomac at point near George
town, and it was amended so as to require
Virginia to give her consent to the southern
abutment resting on her soil. Conger made
one OF his usual bitter attacks on Virginia,
and suggested that she ought to pay for
part OF the Improvement. Mr.. Tucker, how
ever, replied promptly and most effectively
to him, and Mr.. Hunton reminded him that
he got 100000 inserted in the river and
harbor bill for Michigan last session.
BRIEF NEWS ITEMS.
Senator Ransomi's speech to-day is to-
night highly complimented.
The Army Board Of ulpment-General
Miles president-met here to-day, and Will
he in session some weeks. It will look into
all improvements made in equipments.
It looks as ii the Joint Indian commission
will report against the transfer OF the In
dian Bureau to the War Department.
The Indian appropriation bill will be
taken UP tomorrow.
Mr.. HAYES has declined an invitation,
and he says he cannot 60 to the opening OF
the Cleveland viaduct.
A bill was introduced to-day in the
House to place General Shields On the re-
tired list.
Mr.. Williams, Democratic member from
Michigan, was attacked with vertigo at the
Capitol to-day.
Dir. Finley, in the House to-day, offered
Il resolution looking to thorough InVestl-
CATION Of the secret.service system. lie
l,nt.n n1y n -
law for it.
Dr.. Curry was ON the floor of the Senate
to-day.
Associated Press Reports by telegraph to the Dis
mtch.l
THE POTTER INVESTIGATION.
WASHINGTON, December 1G.-The Potter
Committee to-day held q meeting and de-
cidcd not to hear any witnesses concerning
the conflict OF yeracity between Attorney
General Cocker, OF Florida, and Governors
Moves AID StearnS, as 10 the presence OF the
two latter in the room where the State
Board OF Canyassers were in session, and
the exclusion thereirom Of Cocker. The
committee made an order, however, allow
ing both sides to tie eI-pQrte atfdavitS.
No subcommittee will he sent to Florida
to continue the Investigation Of other mat
tiers there.
No action was taken to-day in regard TO
sending subcommittee to Louisiana.
Mr.. Butler was not present at the meet
ing, and no allusion was made 10 the cipher
kilograms.
THE FREEDMEN's SAVINGS AND TRUST COM
PANY'S AFFAIRS.
WASHINGTON, December 16.-Secretary
Sherman sent to the Senate to-day, in re-
fn ho Inf IF
a communication in relation to the Freed
mems Savings and Trust Company. 1t
states that the balances standing to the Gre
dit OF that institution at the end OF each
year are as follows: 1874, Sl47,541; 1875,
S249, JIG; 1876, S265,694; 1877, 1881, 1906 !;
November 80, 1878, S239,473 These funds
are in the nature of disbursing accounts. and
held subject ut all times to the checks OF the
commissioners, and are not, therefore. avail
able for the use OF the Department.
No interest has been paid, and the Depart
ment, having been charged with the re-
sponsiblity aud labor Of holding and pay
ing out the funds, does not recommend that
any interest be paid. Secretary Sherman
reneWs the recommendation made last year
that the bank building be purchased for the
use of the Government, and suggests that
the final closing up of the affairs of the COM
pany be entrusted to 4 receiver, under di-
rection OF the Comptroller OF the Currency !;
for which legislation is necessary. as well as
for the time for allowing dividends uncalled
for to enure to the benefit OF other de-
positors.
THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILLS.
WASHINGTON, December 16.-The House
OF Representatives has already passed five
general appropriation biils-namely, the
West Point Academy, the fertilization, the
consular and diplomatic, the pension, and
for the support OF the navy. They are now
to be acted on by the Senate. The Indian
| appropriation bill! is assigned for consldera-
ton tomorrow. No other will be reported
from the committee until after the Christmas
recess.
COMMISSIONS ON SUBSCRIPTION TO THE FOUR
PERCENT. CoNSOLs.
WASHINGTON, December 16.-The Trea.
sury Department contemplates the issuance
Of circular fixing the commission on sub
scriptons to the four-per-c cent. consols june
80, 1879: Subscriptions from 100000 to
81, 100, 900, one eighth OF one per cent.
from $1.O00.000 to $10,000,000. one quarter
OF one per cent; on amounts in excess OF
$40, 900, 900. an additional commission OF one
tenth OF one per cent. 1t is thought that by
offering such inducements large aggregate
subscriptions for the sale Of bonds will be
greatly stimulated.
THE OPEN INVESTIGATION DISCUSSION.
WASHINGTON, December 16.-In the Sem
ate to-day Senator Butler, OF South Caro-
lima, in replying to Mr.. Blaine's objections
to the amendment Of the former that the