The Portland daily press., 1878-05-15
WASHINGTON.
The President Serene.

lueOt III ayes say uld6 0b SUOWS no QlSQul6I IN
view of the pending proceedings concerning the
alleged frauds. He had not the slightest knowl
eye of frauds by political managers in Florida
aud Louisiana other than the published accu-
satons on the De mocratic side. During the
canvass and investigation in these States he
was entirely reserved and took no part what
ever concerning them, leaving the RESPONSE
bility to the proper officers. The President said
this forenoon that there was nothing new 10 the
proposed investigation, bat while the frauds-if
any were mitted-should be exposed, such
exposure would not invalidate his title to the
Presidential chair, as this had been settled and
declared By the com mission, constituted under
a solemn act of Congress.
Vice President Wheeler called upon the Pres.
idept this forenoon, and subsequently when
asked what the President said regarding the
pending proceedings in the House. replied:
"The President did not even allude to the SUBJ
ect. My visit was on other and entirely differ
ent business"
The Army Appropriation Bill.
The total appropriation recommended for the
army for the fiscal year ending June 80. 1879,
and for other purposes, is $26,929,671 .03, of
which the amount recommended for the pay
and allowances of officers woo may retire I'M
der its provisions is 81, 1877 1000. The total reg
ular sum is 1924, 032 671.03 The estimates in
the bill are for 1000 enlisted men. The cav
airy regiments are reduced to six and the in
fantry to fifteen, and these reductions are to be
effected by transfers aud consultations. The
President is authorized in his discretion hooor-
ably to discharge from the army officers who
may apply for discharge on or before the 1st of
January next, with certain allowances of pay.
Officers unfit for service are to be mustered out
on the report of the commanding officers of the
several military geogrl phical divisions and de-
partments aud the heads of the various staff
departments, and all vacancies now existing,
or that may occur, shall be filled 10 due proper
ton by supernumerary officers, having refer
ence to rank seniority and fitness.
Supreme Court Decision.
The Supreme Court has rendered the follow
ing decision in a Massachusetts case: Delaware
Mutual Safety Insurance Company " Grossler
ct al. Error to Circuit Court for the District of
Massachusetts,. 1t is said 10 this case that the
rules of law, defining the right Of abandonment
| in cases of insurance do not apply in bottomry
controversies. as there is now constructive total
loss in the latter class of litigation. Instead of
that the rule is that If the ship exists ia state
| to warrant the insurer to make abandon
meDt, as where the cost of repairs would great
ly exceed the valIe when repaired, the lender
must ba absolutely and wholly destroyed 10 or
| der to discharge the borrowers. Affirmed
Justice Clifford delivered the opinion.
The Pacific Mail Subsidy,
NEW YORK, May 4-Washington specials
say that senators who voted to report the Pa
clfc Mail subsidy will not vote for It's passage,
| as it is considered a stock jobbing operation.
| DcmOCfattC OauCuS.
A caucus of Democratic members of the
House was held this afternoon. Mr. Clymer
occupied the chair. The first question consid-
cred was the Senate concurrent resolution pro.
| posing the 10th of June as the time for closing
the present session of Congress. The House
| had postponed the consideration of the bill to
the 10Th inst.,-tO morrow. Mr.. Wood moved
that the consideration be further postponed IN.
| til the 9th of June, but this was disagreed tC
whereupon, on motion of Mr.. Franklin, the
postponement was extended to the Goth of the
| present month.
During the debate it was claimed that the
present state of public business would not per
nit day to be fixed for adjournment. The
House should hold this power in its own hands
In addition to the proposed investigation into
the election frauds some of the general appro
preparation bills and the tariff and Pacific Rail
road bills were to be acted on with other pend
Jag business.
Mr.. Wight of Pennsylvania, briefly pressed
the Importance of including in the list his labo
relief bill, there being many thousands of al
most starving mechanics and laborers IN th
country who require relief in the manner pro
posed by him.
The caucus then proceeded to the consdera
| ton OF the resolution offered in the House yes.
terday by Mr.. Potter to Investigate the alleged
frauds in Florida and Louisiana Mr. Wilson
of West Virginia, offered resolution allowing
the Republicans to offer an amendment to the
resolution, but after debate it was rejected, Mr.
1ls
| ton was not intended to disturb the title Of
President Hayes Mr.. Harrison was the only
member who seconded it in brief speech
During an Interchange of views between the
various members it was held that such q
declaration was unnecessary as the preamble
clearly and distinctly set forth the object of the
proposed investigation. In view of thes
statements motion was not acted on by thu
caucns. Caucus declared by large m ajorty
to adhere to the Potter resolution and in
structed him not to yield to an amendment
from the Republican side It was unanimously
agreed that the resolution should bo finally
acted on before any other business is trans acted
On motion of Mr.. Woud it was resolved til Al
all Democratic members out of the CITY be
notified to return to Washington, and tina
after due notice all existing pairs between The
members be declared at an end.
A resolution was adopted requiring the join
campaign committee to submit any measur,
which they may contemplate 10 full caucus
for consideration or approval instead O
attempting to put it into effect irrespective O
caucus sanction.
Various gentlemen had com planned of the
advisory committee springing the investig alto q
resolution upon the House without previous
general consultation, and hence the above res
oluton is intended to refer to future measures
Proceedings on the resolution of investigation
will be resumed tomorrow 10 the House.
The Pacific Mail Subsidy.
NEW YORK, May 14-A Washington specia
says that the Senators who voted to report thu
Pacific mail subsidy will not vote for its pas
sage, as it is considered a stock jobbing opera
ton.
The Fenian Scare.
BUFFALO. May 14.-The report of the militia
being called out at Fort Erie, anticipating
Fenian raid early yesterday morning, is con
frmed. Unusual excitement prevailed alons
the border owing to the reported crossing of 40
Fenians. But nothing has occurred to cause
any such precautions by the Canadians Toe
whole thing is looked upon in Buffalo, by al
classes, as good joke.
OTTAWA, May 14.-Further important des
patches are said to have been received by the
government today from their agents along thu
frontier with regard to Fenian movements. ant
some excitement IS manifested in consequence
from the orders which have been issued by thi
militia department and preparations are being
made from one end of the Dominion to the OF b
er for coast and frontier defence. 1t would ap
pear that the intention of the government is t.
be fully prepared for all emergencies. -Four
| ar,,od xpifh nd