Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-03-16

LtMbiA Vi the HOUSE HAS agreed TO report
fayOrably TO the House the bill introduced into
the House March 4th in reference TO liquor
licenses.
Not OFF FOR PARIS YET.-The Portsmouth
and Wyoming which were to sail from New
York to day at noon for Paris, did not get of,
and Will not before night II then.
THE TARIFF BILL.-The committee on way
| and means to-day finished the tariff bill. so far
| as the ad juStment of the rates on taxable art
cles are concerned. The committee will pro-
vide the machinery to carry its provisions odt
next week, and expect to get the bill reported
to the House on Friday next.
THE INVESTIGATED DOORKEEPER. The
twenty or more applicants who want to sue
ceed Col. Polk rs doorkeeper of the House are
busy lobbying with members for support.
Meanwhile Col. Polk keeps stiff upper lip
and affects to believe that he has votes enough
in the House to negative the report Of the
committee, and that he will retain his place.
Col. Fitzhugh, when his troubles were upon
him, had like confidence.
THE GREENE STATUE-The House COM
mittee on public buildings and grounds, has
agreed to a bill recommending the purchase
OF additional ground at the junction Of Mary
land and Mass, avenues. northeast, so as to
make new attractions, to the site upon which
the Gen. Greene'S Statue stands.
SECRETARY THOMPSON will return from
| to Norfolk with the two naval committees of
! Congress, will be made on board the Talla-
! pOoSa. The TallapOOSa, which is ordered to
| tow the Constellation to New York from
Hampton Roads, will not return to Washing
| ton before the latter part of n9Xt week SO the
| visit Will not be made before the week after
next.
The NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.-The
subcommittee of the Senate committee on
| railroads, considering Northern Pacific rail
| road matters, to-day instructed MIR. Mitchell
| to report to the full committee a blleXtendng
the time eight years for the completion of the
Northern Pacific road.
THE PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL CONFER
| ENCE ON THE SILVER QUEsTION.-The letter
of Secretary Evarts to our Ministers at the
various foreign courts comprising the Latin
union enciOseS a copy of the silver bill, and
contains the following paragraph: -. You viii
observe that an early adhesion of at lease
three OF the European nations to the project
of Il conference is of the first Importance
This being secured, it will be in the power of
the President to appoint the commissioners
provided for, in such casa, by the act OF Con
greSS."
SILVER FOR THE HUB-A tranfer of twenty
thousand dollars of the new coinage has been
directed TO be made from the Philadelphia
mint TO the Sub-tTeaSury 1T Boston.
SECRETARY THOMPSON left last evening for
Wyoming and Portsmouth, which sails at nooa
today from that port Tor the Paris EXDOsi ton
He was accompanied by Rear AdmraIs Ho =
ell and Scott and party OF ladies and gentle
men.
NAVAL REFORM The Secretary of the Navy
has issued an order that the steam launches
and cutters furnished to naval vessels will
hereafter be employed principally for towing
| and Other ships purposes, and nOt for the eX-
a Otlnp in
| issued by the Navy department directs that
Assistant Surgeons shall hereafter not be eX
amined for promotion until they shall have
served two years on board a public vessel oS
| the United States.
| The NAVAL INyEsTIGATION-The commit
tee on expenditures in the Navy department,
| which has since the passage of the Glover reSo-
luton been holding meetings at the Navy dc
| paftment twice week, will meet there prOba-
| bly, for the last time on Monday next, when it
will transfer its scene of operations to the capi-
tOl. TheeOmmittee has so far been examining
| only the heads OF the different bureaus of the
| department, with few outside witnesses
This examination was had for the purpose of
| nnalhg out, as near as possible the exact in
| debtedneSS OF the department. The figures
| and estimates have not all been added up vet
but things have been gotten in such shape
| that pretty accurate approximation can be
! made. The committee find that the total
! Indebtedness amounts TO about $3.50, ,503. y,
including the amount of the contracts sus-
| y,
! into by Secretary RObeSOn. These contracts
were suspended. within four days after the
new secretary 6 entered % upon his duties. The
| sum, about g, l036Oo, the committee does moi
| think chargeable to these bureaus. Deducting
| that from the total indebtedness, the commit,
| tee md that the Navy department is to-day in
| debt TO the sum OF little less than S4OWOO0
| The contracts suspended were for the repair
| of four irOn-clads When the committee gets
| to work at the Capitol. outside parties Who
! have had business with the department will
| be examined.
| DEATH OF REPRESENTATIVE LEONARD
| The State department has received dispatch
| from the United States consul general at Ha-
| yana,C Cuba, announcing the death of Hon
John Edwards Leonard, member of Congress
| from Louisiana, of yellow fever at Havana.
yesterday morning. The consul general or
dsred the remains TO be embalmed Secretary
| Evarts sent the Intelligence to Speaker Ran
| dali, and the secretary was requested. to have
| proper respect paid to the deceased, and cause
the House OF Representatives to cover the
| necessary expenses. The death of Mr. Leon.
ara was wholly unexpected. He had been alb
being on special mission to Cuba from the
| government.
THE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY SCHURz AND
| Bob. INGERsOLL..-The President called at
the Interior department today, and after
| chatting awhile with the Secretary was shown
| over the model room of the Patent Office
| Among the laDOrefS engaged In restoring the
| burned models the President found some of
| his old army acquantanceS. Bob. IngersOll
| was with Secretary SchurZ when the President
| arrived.
SOME FORTY-FIyE DISCHARGES were made
| from the labOrerS in the model room of the
| Patent Office yesterday, and at least an equal
! number III addition will be dropped from the
same roll within few days.
THE Post OFFICE INvEsTIG GATION.-The
House committee to investigate into the ex-
| penditures, etc, of the Post Office department
has made formal application to the depart
| meht Tor information on various points, re-
qulrIng the production of papers and persons.
| ana VIII commence its active operations next
! week, III a room of the Post Office depart
/ ment.
| SIGNED.-The President to-day signed the
| act for the relief OF VIM. A. Hammond late
| Surgeon General OF the Army.
| The FREEDMAN'S HOSPITAL INvEsrIGA A.
| TION.-The Senate committee on appropria
tons, investigating the Freedmen's hospital
| management met at 40 O'Clock this alter.
| noon, and examined several witnesses: but up
| 10 the time OF our going to press, nothing OF
interest had been elicited.
BIDS were opened to-day i'm the office OF
| Chief Engineer HOXie today for the improye