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

MONTGOMERY BLAIR's MOVE TO TEST THE
! RIGHT OF MR.. TILDEN TO THE PREs1DEN-
| cY-HEAvY RENTS PAID BY THE GOVERN
NENT-THE PROPOSITION TO ESTABLISH Ex-
PORT TOBACCO WAREH0UsEs-THE INCOME
TAX. DISCUSSED - PoLK'S CASE-vARI0US
| ITEMs-PERsoNAL. &C.
from Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, April 3.-Democratic con-
gressmen do not approve, as far as can
learn, of Montgomery Blair's move to test
the right OF Mr.. Tilden to the seat now oc-
cupied by Mr.. Hayes. They regard it as an
effort to keep alive Mr.. Tilden's candidacy
until 1880. 1t is certain that Mr.. Blair is
not, however, acting entirely on his own
responsibility in this matter, because he was
at Wormley's the other day, where he dined
with Mr.. Manton Marble and others,
and there is mystery as we'll as Sig
nificanee about conferences at Wormley's.
In fact, Mr.. Blair daily, harps about
that other historic conference at Worm
ley's, and more than intimates that MIR.
Tildcn was then and there betrayed. Mr..
Blair has since the dinner lunchcd with Mr..
Hewctt, and has declared that he and high
legal official are preparing case for the Su-
preme Court Of the United States, so that
the right OF Mr.. Hayes to the presidency
mas be decided by that august tribunal.
Now, Mr.. David Dudley Field, who has as
much reputation Us lawyer as Mr. Blair,
and who is also q devoted friend Of Mr..
TiIden, took the position after the electoral
bill had become a law that the presi-
Dental controversy could not be taken to
the Supreme Court unless by warrant OF
additional legislation. Mr.. Blair says this
is not needed, as the electoral act provides
that under it no right in the courts which
either Mr.. Hayes Or Mr.. Tilden had pre-
viously to its passage was affected by its
passage. Mr. Blair braggs that he never lost
a law case in his life, and thinks he can win
this. Although Mr.. Hewitt said in his
speech on the diplomatic and consular bill
that the title Of Mr.. Hayes is now unassalla-
BILE, he says that Mr. Tilden believes he has
good case. Your correspondent has talked
with no southern Democratic congressman
in regard TO this movement Of Mr.. Blair who
did not treat it in spirit OF broad humor.
WHAT TIE GOVERNMENT PAYS FOR RENTS.
A report will be soon made to Congress
which, it is claimed, will show that it would
be cheaper in certain cases to sell bonds and
erect suitable public buildings than to con-
tnue to pay the enormous rents now paid
by the Government for unsuitable build
ings. The rents paid last year by the War
Department amounted to $54J,000. Of.this,
S153, 900 goes to the account of the Quarter
masters Department, and $685., 1000 for Of
ficers' quarters. OF the rents paid by the
Post-O Office Department take few at ran
dom: Boston, 1885; Chicago, S6,34O; At
lanta, s1,S0O; Augusta, Ga.,. $1,000; Dam
vile, Va, 5000; Jacksonville, Fla, $1,000;
New York city, $4,000. The following are
included in the rents of the Department Of
Justice Abingdon, $500; Lynchburg,
$500; Danville, $500; Brooklyn, $4,000.
THE EXPORT WAREHOUSES;.
| Many petitions besides those from Rich
mond and Petersburg have been sent to
Congress for and against the establishment
OF the export tobacco warehouses recon-
mended by Commissioner Raum. They have
been appropriately referred. / am able to
state, however, upon the best information,
thatthe sub Committee on Internal Revenue
has not the slightest idea Of reporting the
bill to the full committee, and therefore
that it will never be reached in the Commit
tee OF WAYS and Means unless in an irregu-
lar way, and I now see no probability oil
that from present indications.
THE 1NcoME.TAX UNDER DISCUSSION.
The 1ncome-tay was to-day discussed in
the Committee Of Ways and Means, and the
opposition to it was very decided-its OPP
ponents taking the ground that it will not
be needed-althoIgh the House declared
for it by large majority, and it looks to
YOUR correspondent tonight that il it passes
the committee it will be by close shave.
The suggestion first made in these dis
patches that the opponents OF an income
tax would aid in suspending the sinking
fund for FIVE years and then contend that
no income-tax would be necessary seems to
be now generally adopted here. II this
should be the case it cannot but aid those
now moving zealously for reduction Of
the tobacco-tax.
| THE EFFECT OF SOUTHERN CLAIMS.
The western Democratic members have
nothing to fear in the coming congressional
campaign except the bugbear OF southern
claims. Agents are here now making
tabulsted statement of all that have been
presented, and the Radicals will contend
that If tie Democrats get into power these
and thousands more will be paid, until the
Government will be bankrupt. Now, these
claims in the main come from the truly
loyal, and have about as much chance Of
| passing as have OF getting my share OF the
Jennings estate. One southern senator told
me tonight that he has not even presented
several sent him because he would not vote
for their payment himself, and Virginia
member OF the House to-day expressed
views in regard to them similar to those Of
your correspondent.
DooRKEEpER PoLK's CASE IN THE HOUSE.
|. AS soon as the journal was read to-day
the consideration OF the report in the Polk
lease was resumed. The galleries were filled
and the interest of some Of the spectators
was immense. [ doubt whether they die
not regard it as more monentous state
trial than that of Queen Caroline or Aaron
Burr. Messrs. Crayens and Henry defended
Colonel Polk, and declared that no corrup
+ = n. os,,n