The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-25

MIssIssIPPI-THEs SITUATION IN THE EAST
AND PROSPECTS FOR PEACE-ANARCHY
AND RAPINE IN BULGARIA, &C., &C.
Washington.
WHAT The REPUBLICANS PROPOSE TO MAKE
THE COMING CAMPA1GN-PR0TECTIoN OF
STEAMBOAT PAssENGERs-C s-COETESTED-ELEC-
TON CAsEs-CoNCERT, FOR THE LEE-MoNU-
MENT FUND-THE PACIFIc-RA1LROAD FUND
ING GBILL-FOREsT OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
VARIOUS ITEMS, &C., &c.
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, April 24.-It is now known
positively that the Republican caucus have
determined to make the coming congress
sional canvass bloody-shirt one, and Dem
ocratic congressman have tonight informed
your correspondent that General Banks, in
his hiddlesex Club speech, they knew but
gave utterance to the views of the caucus.
He then said, it will be remembered, that
the Confederates who had failed to conquer
in. war were bent on doing SO in peace,
and that il the Democrats ever came
into power they would go for pay.
ing all the southern war claims.
The one object Of Republican congress-
men, in fact, seems to be now to prepare for
the campaign, and they show system and
energy in their preparations that portend
no good to. the Democratic party or the
country. They are daily conciliating the
Administration and working up the south
ern war-claim issue most industriously.
I asked one OF these Democrats il the Radi-
calls expected to gain in the South, and the
reply was, "Certainly, and they are hope
full even OF gains in Virginia." When I
smiled at this remark he added, 1t is a
matter Of life and death with the party and
there is no telling what these leaders and
managers will not do to secure the next
House. The Democrats begin to realize
the situation"
TIE STEAMBOAT BILL.
The Senate Committee on Commerce
Mr.. Conkling chairman-to-day heard
Messrs. Whitney, of Michigan; Sherlock,
OF Ohio; Copeland, OF New York, and
Marshall Parks, OF Virginia, members OF
the Executive Committee Of the National
Association of Steamboat: Owners, in advo-
cacy of the passage Of the House bill for
the better preservation OF the lives OF pas
sengers and the protection OF freight. This
Association represents a capital OF $780,
900, 1000, and controls all the steamboats, OF
the United States. Senator Ransom is
member of the committee. The bill will
be reported fayorably, and pass the Senate.
For years unsuccessful efforts have been
made to get just such bill through Con-
gress.
PROTECTION FOR AMERICAN BOOKS.
All Of the Philadelphia publishers and
others to-day, through Senator Wallace, pc
titioned the Senate against any reduction
OF the tariff on foreign books. They say
the reduction proposed in the Wood bill
will seriously iniure the trade, and that an
dd-Ualoren system opens the door to fraud.
49, CoNTEsTED-ELECT10N MATTERS.
The subcommittee to-day heard the con-
cluding argument in the Alabama case OF
Shelly and Haraldson, and it is very certain
that General Shelly will continue in his
seat, and that the colored contestee, Jere
Haraldson, will have either to raise cotton
or look for some place within the gift Of his
party. The Florida case OF Bisbee and
Finley will be next taken up, and the news
from that State to-day has added somewhat
to tie interest in it. Mr.. Thornbury, Re-
publican member OF the committee, how
ever, says if the Archer precinct is thrown
out then Bisbee is still elected. My own
opinion is that while Finley (Democrat) was
elected, he will fail to furnish such proof OF
it as the law requires.
CONCERT FOR THE LEE-MONUMENT FUND.
The concert to be given at Willard's to-
morrow night in aid of the Lee-monument
fund eXcites interest, especially among
southemers here. Colonel S. Bassett French,
secretary Of the Monument Association, is
in the city to aid in the preparations, and
Mr.. Frank Potter and other talented anna
teurs known in Richmond are to partici-
pate in the entertainment. Baltimore will
not only contribute its best musical talent,
but will help to swell the audience.
PROTECTION OF FORESTS.
The House to-day passed the Senate bill
which holds out substantial benefits to those
who protect and improve the forests on
Government lands. So important is this
matter considered, especially by western
members OF Congress, that the House Com
mittee on Public Lands had gotten ready a
bill similar in its features to that which
passed the Senate and was concurred in to-
day by the House. ,..., Il.
THE THURMAN PACIFIC RAILROAD FUNDING
-.es- ~. BILL.
The House agreed to the motion OF Mr..
Cox, Of New York, to so to the Speakers
table, and there was at once futter among
the Pacific-rallroad men. At ten minutes
past 9 Mr.. Thurman's bill was reached, and
the gray-headed chief Of the lobby, who oe-
cupied seat in the east gallery, was at once
the object Of interest to all who recognized
his presence and knew his position. He
communicated rapidly with his staff, who
hurried from time to time below, but quickly
returned and reported to him. He evidently
knew that all eyes in the reporters gallery
were levelled at him and his party. Mr.
Cox moved to put the bill on its passage
without reference to the Committee on the
Judiciary. General Butler, who is said to be
one Of the counsel for the Pacific roads, rose
to point of order, ond contended that il
was a money bill and must go to the Com
mittee Of the Whole under the rules. Mr.
1a.n;-on - Ttl;po;s u,o rarely speaks