The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-23
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON. Jan. o. 1870.
NEW YORK CUSTOM HOUSE NoMINATIoNs-RE-
PLIES OF MEssRs. ARTHUR AND CORNELL TO
SECRETARY sHERMANs LETTER RECEIVED.
There is good reason to believe that the Senate
Committee on Commerce. of which Mr.. Conklng is
chairman. will act upon the New York Custom House
nominations tomorrow. An unfavorable report il
predicted and the subject makes considerable excite
mcnt in political circles here tonight. The
replies Of Messrs. Arthur and Cornell to
the letter of Secretary Sherman have been
received by Senator Conkling and will he presented
to the committee in the morning. Messrs. Arthur
and Cornell are not in Washington and not ex-
pected here Collector Merritt has arrived. but be-
took himself to private quarters to escape the crowd
of would-be callers.
THE HUNToN-ALExANDER OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ENT VIEWS REGARDING THE CHALLENGE AND
THE AUTHORITY OF THE DISTRICT GRAND
JURY TO ISDIcT.
At the meeting of the Grand Jury of the District
to-day member gave notice that the bust
now before that body was disposed of he would
call up the Of General Eppa Hunton, Member Of
Congress from Tic Eighth Virginia district charged
with sending Mr.. Columbus Alexander, of this city.
challenge 1t is thought that the Yi be reached
letters from General Hunton will appear before the
jury Considerable difference Of opinion exists
among the jurymen relative to the case One
of them said to-day that the question was
mixed and involved many nice legal points. but
there on the Jury fully competent to mas
ter them "Those acquainted with the circumstances
attending the sending Of the challenge" he sad.
express the opinion that there is alternative for
the Grand Jury but to find indictment" Others
claim that the Objectionable letter was not written as
challenge. but simply to have Mr.. Alexander meet
the General in Alexandria, where demand for the
reparation which virginians accord each other in
such cases could be made.
1t will be remembered that Mr.. Alexander had
made charge against the General. and the latter
according to this explanation. desired to meet Mr.
Alexander and talk the matter and il possible
settle the difficulty or misunderstanding satisfac
tory to both parties.
"Still continued the juror. "Mr. Alexander visited
Alexandria afterwards, during the holding of the
Congressional nominating convention at Alexandria.
Va, short time after the quarrel between those
gentlemen, which convention renomnated General
Hunton for Congress. Mr.. Alexander was in that
city daily during the sessions of the convention and
on several occasions me. General Hunton on the
streets. and they passed each other without tho
slightest recognition
There are two sides to this story. The friends Of
General HuAton claim that had he desired, he
could have dono Mr. Alexander at that time bodily
harm; but instead Of doing he allowed MIR. Alex
ander to pass undsturbed and to continue his efforts
to defeat his tho Gencral's) nomination. it was
well known that the object Of his frequent visits to
that city at that time to do all in his power to Sc
cure the nomination of Mr.. Nenle General Hunton's
rival in the convention 1t is also claimed that the
letter to Mr.. Alexander which construed to
y challenge, was not Gent such, q document of
that character would have been conveyed by
|. GER But it was sent as registered letter, which
nccessitated Mr.. .Alexanders obtaining it from the
Post Once in person.
SO far the posting of Dir. Alexander is concerned
that not done in the District Of Columbia, but in
Alexandria, Va, beyond the jurisdiction Of the Grand
Jury Of the District OF Columbia Prominent lawyers
say thst as the so-cslled challenge was sent from
Alcxandria to this city the Grand Jury here have no
right to prevent the General frpm sending it, but it
lis matter belonging entirely to the authorities of
Alexandria
THE CONTESTED SOUTH CAROLINA sENAToEsHIP--
MINORITY REPORT OF SENATOR HILL.
Senator Hill, of the Committee on Privileges and
Elections, has completed the minority report in the
case of Corbin vs. Butler. which will be submitted
at the next meeting Of the committee. Senator Cam
eron. of Wisconsin. who has charge of the majority
report. is absent with the Teller Committee at
Charcso and it is understood that nothing will be
done until his return. Senator Hill takes the ground
that the Of Senator Butler is, by the action Of
the Senate adjudcao. and that Mr. Corbin has no
legal or equitable ground upon which to claim the
seat.
COST OF FORTS KEOGH AND OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
EXPENDITURE FOR TRANSPORTATION.
The House Committee Military Affairs has re-
ceivcd answer from the War Department to the
request for information to the cost OF building
Forts Kcogh and Custer the Little Big Horn River.
The original appropriation s2ooOoo and the cost
Of transporting the supplies purchased $4,000
in Of the appropriation. The Military Com
mttec will call the attention OF the Committee on
Appropriations to this increase Of the disbursement
of funds from the general army appropriation. aud
has in course Of preparation report criticsing the
excessive expenditure.