The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-03-21
GENE RAJ WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
wAsurserox, March 20, 1873.

WASHINGTON, March 20, 1878.
WANT TO COMMAND THE PANDORA.
Tho Secretary Of the Treasury mas received largo
. number Of applications from commanders captains
and other officers OF lower the navy TO be de-
tailed to command the James Gordon Bennett Polar
expedition and for duty connected with that oxped-
tion.
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-
In tho Senate to-day the Timber Culture BILL which
provides that every person who plants protects anu
keeps In q healthy, growing condition for ton years
ten acres OF timber, the thereon not being more
than apart each way, on any quarter section
Of public LANDS shall bc entitled TO patent tor quar-
ter section, was passed.
Senator Howe, OF Wisconsin, submitted the follow
ing resolution, which ordered 10 be printed and
lie tho tablet
Resolved. That tho President be requested, II not
patibIe with the public interest," TO inform the
Senate whether w. H. Whitaker who recently pre-
In the superior Grim uai urt the parish of
Orleans was formerly employed either in the In
terna revenue service or as Assistant treasurer at
New Orleans. II SO, during what period OF time,
whether In either OF such capacities tho said hit
taker is deiauter 10 the UnIted Sates and 10 what
amount and under what circumstances; whether legal
proceedings have been taken against said WHITAKER,
either civil criminal and with what result whether
such proceedings still pending, or discontinued,
by whose direction.
Mr. Howe said at home and elsewhere ne had been
Presid ents policy which should have yielded and
II 1t would suit the convenience of the Senate on
Monday next hs would like to take up the resolution
and submit some remarks by way OF excusng himself
tar as no was able.
The Senate then resumed consideration OF the
Pacific Railroad sinking Fund bill aud was addressed
by Mr.. Mitchell in favor VI the bill reported by tho
Railroad Committee and by Mr.. Thurman in oppos-
ton. The bill then went over without action.
The debate the timber dcprcdations con-
sumed the balance OF the Just prior to the
adjournment Mr. Conover submitted the following,
which was laid over:-
to the Senate, II not Incompatible with
the public interest, such Information the govern
dtions under which the of the Cuban
gents had been made together with such other inior.
maon IN his pos respecting the future policy
OF Spain In the government of tho island oil CUBA.
In tue House tho bill Tor regulating tho advertising
OF mail contracts passed with an amendment by
Mr. Hale, OF Maine, providing that sub-letting Of
contracts should be permitted, and whenever such
sub.ettng did the contract should be consid-
ercd as terminated.
The consideration of tho Deficiency bill was resumed
in Committee OF tho Whole Several items for the
payment Of small sums due Tor labor at certain navy
ards resulted In extended and acrimnous debate,
during which MI. Whitthorne. of Tennessee, chair
man OF the Committee on Naval Affairs, stated that
the money which due 10 those laborers and me-
chanics was Appropriated by Congress but
misused and diverted by the last administration
Opponents of the Tariff bill, chiefly from
took occasion air their opposition at
some length. Tho committee finally arose and re-
ported the bill 10 the House, and IL was passed.
MI. Ellis, OF Louisiana, offered the usual resolutions
In regard TO the death OF Hon. J. z Leonard OF Lou-
siana, and gave notice that he would call them for
s-serday Aprst O. anu cue
House then, at i've O'Clock, adjourned.
THE FREEDMANs BANK-sTATEMENT OF THE
COMMISSIONERS.
The speaker laid before the House to-day a com.
munication from the Commissioners OF the Freed.
mans Bank in response TO a House resolution. The
Commissioners say
The total liabilities OF the company up 10 January
last were 81 96S ol4 &c. and the amount Of first
dividend, declared November l, 1875, being
twenty .ses lsa per cent OF the last named sum.
paid January l, 1875 10 24,s36 depositors at
thirty three branches, the sum S533 $40 90 ieay-
ing balance OF 500 392 81, belonging TO 49, 3OS de.
posters. quo and uncaiied for Deducting this sum
OF $50, 1872 "a from our cash balance OF January l.
1S7sDamcy, $377,293 Sl-leaves but 1915 9O1 II APP
piicabie 10 the payment second dividend Tho act
.of Congress entitled San act nding the onarter OF
the Frecdwan's savings and rust Company, ana for
other purposes approved June 20 1874 provides that
the commissioners shall make u pro rata dividend
whenever they have funds enough 10 pay twenty per
centum oil the CLAIMS OF depositors. 10 pay twenty
per centum DIVIDEND requires, as already stated,
$685. $40 rs, and our cash balance available for
Qua Dividend on the LIST day OF March, 1873, but
1926 500 %. Under tho above cited provision Of
tho statute referred to VIC would have
await the accumulation OF amount SUM-
ceut to pay twenty per cent before making further
distribution, but, yielding 10 the desire expressed Dy
many OF the creditors OF the mpany to DIVIDE the
funds hand rather than await tho slow accumula-
ton OF the additional sum necessary tor twenty per
dividend, and interpreting the language OF Inc
law not necessarily prohibiting the pay ment OF
smaller aividends, we concluded In January lust TO
declare dividend OF ten per cent, and under date of
February l, 1878, we aavised the creditors of the
company by circular letter OF our purpose SO to do.
The payment by the Com missioners OF said ten per
cent dividend was commenced to-day.
PROTECTION TO CURRENT COIN
The Committee on Coinage, Weights ana Measures
have agreed TO report iavorably Representative
Maish's bill amendatory Of the Revised Statutes
which is as folows:-
Every person who fraudulently, by any art way or
means deaces, mutiates, impairs, diininshes Ialsi
ics, scales or lighLens the gold ana which
have been, or may hereafter be coined at mints
oil the United States, or any foreign g0ia aud silver
coins which are by law made current, IN
actual use and circulation as money within United
States shall be impr isoncd than two years
and lined not more than 81 000 aud every on VINO
Shall with intent thereafter TO circulate the same,
dciace any OF the CONS aforesaid by placing thereon
by any means whatever. any name, word sign. de-
vice. character picture or who shall utter or ten
der the same as money when doaced, shall BIO I'M
prisoned not more than one year and fined
than lUO0 and COINS mutilted deia.ed as afore-
said shall not be legal tender for the pay OF any
debts
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.