The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-12-25

Of treaties.
The Senate yellow yer commission has
organized.
A dispatch from the national capital says |:
General Grant has finally determined to visit
Asia before returning to the United States.
Edison has been granted 9 patent for his
electric light by the patent Office.
While the House committee on expenditures
in the State department were examining Ct.
Wiley Wells in regard to charges Of corrupt
practices against Mr.. Seward, minister to China,
an exciting episode occurred. Witness testi-
fed that the consul. generals docket had been
kept in an irregular manner, that pages had
been torn, out and that it had "the appearance
Of q butchers book !" whereupon MIR. Seward,
who was present. broke in, with "That il
false !" To this Mr.. Wells replied II you
say 80, you are q liar" The committee then
interfered il the colloquy, assuring witness he
would be protected. and informing MIR. Seward
he must not speak to witness while under
oross-e1amination, except through his lawyer.
The secretary of the treasury has issued the
seventy-fourth call for the redemption OF $40
bonds, principal and interest to be paid after
March Q, 1879.
The bill offered in the Senate by Mr.. Lamar;
"to establish q department Of public health"
provides for the establishment Of a department
to acquire and dinuse among the people OF the
United States useful information upon sub
jects connected with the public health, and to
direct the management OF efficient and sanitary
quarantine systems throughout the several
States and Territories. 1t authorizes tho ap-
pointment of q director-general &C q salary OF
81, 800 per annum, b shall perform all the
duties and exercise all the powers now devolv-
ing upon the supervising surgeon-general OF
I. -z..-z 1o~,ko arr,;o and fhot thu I ofSnr
Office shall be abolished. The director general
shall also make and enforce all quarantine and
other regulations for the prevention OF cpl
demic diseases.
The Senate committee appointed to investi-
gate allegations against Senator Matthew'S, de-
c;ded to defer tbs adoption Of q definite pro-
gramme of action until the committee shall
have obtained from the House a copy of the
testimony Of Anderson.
The Potter presidential election investigation
committee, at its opening meeting, decided to
send a subcommittee to New Orleans, TO finish
taking the testimony left incomplete last July.
Eorelxn News.
At the opening OF the British parliament
@ leen Victoria's speech was presented by a
royal commission. The document ls short ;
refers to the war with Afghauiztan, and asserts
LudU aClc IL WI 81 w -hS' S'Ns sNS
arrangements for the paciiication Of Europe,
made by the treaty Of Berlin, aill be success
fully carried into effect"
The emperor of Germany, upon his return to
Berlin after a long absence i'll search OF renew.
cd health necessitated by the wounds received
from Nobiling's shotgun, Was enthusiastically
received BY the populace. The trade societies
and public bodies generally paraded past the
royal palace.
That portion OF the British army invading
Afghan stan BY the Peiwar pass has gained 8
signal victory after a desperate struggle. cap
turing eighteen guns md occupying civ
Khotal. The British loss was only about ten
killed. including one major. and seventy
wounded. The enemy fought bravely and lost
heavily.
The British government ia meeting with
much opposition from the Liberal party in
Parliament in regard to the war with AZ
ghanlstan.
From details received concerning the death
Of Pardo, formerly president OF Peru. it seems
that he was stricken down by an assassin while
tho Peruvian senate chamber.
The West of England bank. whose main Of
fee ia at Bristol, with fifty branches, has failed
for SIT 500, 600. The shareholders number
2. 900, and their liability is unlimited. The fail
nre caused the utmost CONSERVATION IN South
Wales.
The reply Of the ameer Of Afghanistan to
Epeland's ultimatum WAS evidently written
after the defeat OF the Afghans at All Musjid.
He abandons his defiant attitude, excuses his
refusal to receive an English embassy.
a desire to resume his former friend
" relations with Great Britain, aud says he
will not oppose the visit Of a small temporary
from England.
Tho death of President Alcantara, Of Ven
ezlela, is announced.