The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-12
Washington.


SAD LETTERS RECEIVED BY VIRGINIA con-
GREssMEN-GEXIcAS CLAIMS-THE TRoU-
RI.Es ACROSS THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
POLK on THE STASD-THE INDEPENDENCE
OF CUBA-BRIEF iTEMS-PERS0NAL-T
PROPOSED SIXTEENTH AMENDMENT, &C.
from Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, February 1.-THE Ways
and Means Committee were in session to-
day until after the hour for the House to
meet. and discussed and nearly disposed OF
Schedule c OF the tarif-bill, relating to
hemp, iute, flax, &c. There were no ma
terial changes made, and it will not take
long tomorrow to dispose OF the section.
Then Section D, which relates to imported
liquors, will be taken up. Section + relates
TO metals. The impression prevails that
Mr.. Wood will run the bill through the
committee without any important altera-
tons; but then comes the rub, and it
is not clear to its friends even that 1t
can pass with certainty. Mr.. Randall
can give great aid, but he is candidate for
the presidency, and Pennsylvania is bitterly
hostile to change in the tariff. The whis-
key-men are sullen and silent, and their in
fluence is dreaded by the advocates OF the
bill. The argument is, rs they can get no
relief themselves, they may not be willing
to aid in relieving others. The best plan
would be to report at once bill taxing in
comes and reducing the tax on tobacco, and
test the sense Of the House on these propo-
sitions independently. They would so
through.
- THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
The House will go into Committee OF the
Whole on Friday next. And now that the
Alexandria-Mill case was this morning final
" defeated the first matter in order will be
The Joint resolution directing the Secretary
of War to pay the Gnte-6ellum southern mail
contractors. After this there are two IN
important private bills, and then comes the
Wiliam-and- Mary College bill.
SAD STORY.
Among the multitudinous letters received
BY Virginian Congressman some are ANUS
ing and some rs sad as the Bride Of Lamer-
moor. One is about as follows: They told
us three boys If we would go to the war
the mortgage on "the old place" wouldn't
have to be paid. John and Fred were
killed, and lost leg, and the old man
died OF grief. Now they have sold "the
old place. and / want you to get 4 small
appropriation from Congress-it won't take
much-to buy it back again, so may go and
die there.
MEXICAN CLAIMS.
l,-;n in, ba
treasury 100000, and since the 1st OF Janu-
airy 100000 more in gold, belonging to
American citizens who had claims against
the Mexican Government, required to be
paid under the award of Sir Edward Thorn
ton. Mr.. Wilson, of West Virginia, hopes
to get the floor this week, so as to get the
consent OF Congress for its distribution.
Many OF the claimants are said to be in great
distress.
THE SILvER-BILL.
Mr.. Davis, of West Virginia, made SEN
sible and practical speech in favor Of the
bill, which he desired TO be passed for the
benefit of manufacturers, agriculturists,
and businessmen. He was followed by Mr..
Salisbury, OF Delaware, on the same side,
who took widely different grounds from his
colleague, Mr.. Bayard.
THE TROUBLES N EUROPE.
There is very little talk or speculation in
congressional circles in regard to the attl-
tude of affairs in Europe; and it is not to
be expected that the diplomatic corps
should say much that will get to the public.
ry,t..,
that in the event OF war it was feared in
some quarters that England would avail
herself OF the American flag to protect her
commerce. Now, such thing is not pos
sible, because, according to the law OF the
United States, no citizen can even purchase
a for eign vessel. 1t was only the other day
that vessel was wanted for scientific pur-
poses, and the only one that suited the par
ties was British ship, and they had to APP
ply to Congress for a special law to allow
them to buy it. There are wise statesmen
who think this policy might he greatly re-
Taxed and the people thereby benefited.
THE POLK INVESTIGATION.
The Committee for the Reform OF the Civil
Service had Doorkeeper Polk on the stand
to-day, and partially examined him as to
the manner in which he carried on his
office. He attempted to argue his case at
one stage OF the proceedings, but the COM
mittee stopped him, and said that they only
wanted his testimony. He claimed that
although there are men employed in the
cloak-rooms who are not on the rolls, that
there was precedent for this; and he had to
account for other irregularities on the score
OF precedent and necessity. His testimony
was damaging to his case. It is evident
that he is honest and means to do right, but
either has been badly advised or lacks adj
ministrative ability. He admitted that he
had tifty-six pages on the roll, for instance,
when the law allowed him only twenty
eight.
CUBA BEFORE CONGRESS.
The subcommittee OF the Committee on
Foreign Affairs OF the House, consisting OF
Messrs. Wilson OF West Virginia, Forney
OF Alabama, and Williams, will tomorrow
hear delegation OF Cubans, who will urge
areport fayoring the acknowledgment by
the United States Of the independence Of
that island.
IKE GREENBAcK ASSOCIATION.
This Association, whose membership en-
braces congressman Of both parties, are
particularly active Just now. AS an eyi.
dence OF the fact Your correspondent Is in
formed they have sent OF q, 900 documents
within the past few days. These include
large nunbe OF General Ewing, speech