The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-29
Washington.

THE BILL sUsPENDING THE SINKING FUND
ON NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN
TIE SENATE TO THE RIVER AND HARBOR
BTLL--PATENT LAws-PERsoEAL-A PUBLIC
BUILDING FOR LYNCHBURG-THE FLORIDA
CONGRATULATIONS CAsE-oTHER ITEMS.
Iron Ovr Regular Correspondence
WASHINGTON, April 27.-There is no
doubt but that the Ways and Means Com
mittee will on Tuesday agree to report the
bill suspending the sinking fund, and then
there will be before Congress three finan-
cial propositions, between which there is
| recognized connection-to wit: the tobac-
| co, the income, and the sinking-fund ques-
tions. The suspension OF the sinking fund,
all admit, will materially help the movement
for the reduction Of the tobacco tax. but
whether it will, If agreed upon by Congress,
prevent the passage Of the income tax re-
mains to be seen. One Of the best-informed
members of Congress and member OF the
Ways and Means Committee has just eX-
pressed the opinion to me that all three will
pass the House. asked him how much could
be raised by the income tax, and he said.
"From railroads you can realize $4,000, O00,
because last year their incomes reached
| S1G0, 100000, and from other sources of in
comes seven or eight millions more, at the
lowest calculation, can be raised" This, he
said, will more than make, up'for the esti-
mated loss by reduction OF the tax on TO-
bacco, without taking into calculation the
So, 100000 to be saved annually by sus-
a, c.o1-i f,,,1
are, know, to be pressed to vote as soon
as the rush OF appropriation bills is over,
which, like a fast freight line or limited eX-
press, now have the track to the exclusion
OF other important matters. ....
MR. OPDIKE AND RESUMPTION.
Mr.. Opdike, OF New York, we'll known
in Richmond, was before the House Bank
ing and Currency Committee to-day. While
he docs not believe in the published statis-
ties as to the amount OF gold and paper
money in circulation, either in England or
the United States, he believes that resump-
ton can be maintained, and that with $780,
0OO, 900 Of coin we can float five or six hum
dred millions of paper currency. He be-
lieves that resumption has been retarded by
the passage OF the resumption act, and
thinks that ii Mr.. Sherman and the banks
would now give noticeethat they will re-
sumo July 1st, then the small difference
which now exists betwe@ gold and bank
notes would disappear. Then the people
would bring out their boarded gold and
give more coin to the banks than they
would demand OF the banks. Mr.. Opdike
promptly answered all questions asked him
by the committee, but did not discuss the
subject as fluently as some who preceded
him.
are vet to be examined. The time was
when the opinions OF New York bankers
were regarded as oracular here, but they
slipped up so completely OH the silver Dill
that what they say is now taken at great
discount by congressional financicrs.
THE RIVER AND HARBOR BILL.
hear that there will be a strong effort IN
the Senate to strike out all the appropria-
tious in the House river and harbor bill for
SURVEYS. Now, many Of these surveys are
for southern rivers and harbors which were
neglected in the days when the Radicals
had full control Of Congress, and Witnou1
preliminary surveys there is no chance OF
getting appropriations for even the most
meritorious improvements. The opponents
of the bill continue to predict that the Senate
will cut down the appropriations to $1,000
600 or s5.O00,O00 but It's friends are not
prepared for any such reduction.
THE. GENERAL PATENT LAWS.
The House Patent Committee, after hear
ing the views and suggestions of the lead
ing patent lawyers, inventors, &c. OF the
United States, have at last agreed to report
q bill revising our whole patent system. lie
embodies features OF the bill already adopted
by the Senate committee. and is regarded as
Of high Importance by those most interested.
A synopsis OF the principal changes pro-
posed have already been given IN these dis.
matches. The bill will be reported to the
House as soon as the Patent Committee IS
called. s.. s..-ar "ss '...' .-'s
. PERSONAL ITEMS.
Judge Meredith, who is here looking ar
ter suit in which Miller's estate is inter-
ested, is asked, as all other Richmond peo-
ple are, If he knew Judge Alfred Morton.
The Florida confessions have added to Al
frcd's IMPORTANCE, and the history OF ms
appointment at the instance of ConkllnS,
his work as special mailagent i'll Florida,
and his further work as special friend OF Lord
Roscoe, are all freely talked about. Among
the arrivals to-day were General Harry
Heth and Major Fred. Handy. Mr.. tucker
who has returned from Loudoun, was in
his seat to-day. Senator Beck visited the
House and had an interesting chat with
Ben. Butler, who has been wearing white
bouquets since his signal defeat on the
Thurman funding bill. Senator Ward was
at the Capitol to-day. The father OF Colo
mel Franklin, one OF the members OF the
House from Missouri, was native OF Stat
ford.
THE LYNCuBuRG PROPOSED PUBLIC BUILDING.
The House Committee on Public Build
ings have promised Br. Tucker to report
fayorably his bin for the erection OF pub
lie building at Lynchburg. Dir. Young, Of
Tennessee, and Others Of the committee,
say there are applications for twenty-five
public buildings, which. are needed, and
which it would DO economy in the Govern
ment to erect at an early day. The fact is
that no bill for one, two, Or three building s
can pass Congress, and the, only ,one that
will stand ary chance will he an omnibus