Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-18

which give republican majorities, and are pro-
n0unced republican states.
1t is matter of fact well known that the
"machine" In politics controls the political con-
ventions. Yesterdays work viewed in this light
shows: That If the Grant boom continues and
he is really candidate, he Is aheadol all rivals,
but with Blaine pressing him a close second,
with the certainty that he would go to thefirst
place were Grant out OF the way.
Gen. Robinson. chairman of the republican
executive committee, of Ohio, who is here, last
night telegraphed to Chicago and reserved fifty
rooms at the Grand Pacific hotel for the Ohio
delegation. Judge Martindale and Col. Halo
way, also telegraphed to the Palmer House to re-
serve quarters for the Indiana delegation. both
from June 1st next until the convention does its
work.
WAR CLAIMs.-Mr. Phil. B. Thompson, jr., of
Kentucky, chairman Of the subcommittee hav-
ing charge of the classification of all claims
now pending before the House committee on
war claims. presented its report to the full COM
mittee yesterday. The subcommittee divided
all claims into six general classes. The sixth
class embraces what are pOpularly known as
''rebel war claims" The main feature Of the
report is the declaration by the ub-committee
in reference to the sixth class that the govern
ment is not legally responsible for these losses
and that the claimants are dependent entirely
upon the generosity Of the government for the
payment of them. The reports recommended
tons of the subcommittee will doubtless be
adopted by the full committee.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS OF THE CENSUS AcT.-
The bill introduced in the Senate yesterday, by
Mr.. Pendleton, amending the census law; pro-
poses to exempt from postage all mail matter en-
dorsed "official business" and addressed to cen
sllS officials at Washington. 1t provides for the
striking out OF the census act, that clause re-
quiring an inquiry relating to the ownership Of
the public debt OF the United States, also to
amend the census act SO that the enumeration
OF the population shall commence on the first
day of June instead OF on the first Monday in
June, 1880, and shall end within two weeks there
after.
PROPOSED TARIFF COMMISSIoN.-Mr EatOnin in
troduced in the Senate yesterday an important
bill proposing the creation OF a tariff commS
sion. The commission is to consist of nine men,
bers, to be selected from civil lfe who are to be
appointed by the President, by and with the ad-
vice and consent Of the Senate. The duties
Of the commission, as defined inthe bill,
are to take into consideration and thoroughly
investigate all the various questions relat-
ing to the agricultural manufacturing in
teTests Of the United States, so TAR as this may
be necessary to the establishment Of a judicious
tariff The bill also provides that for the pur-
these questions fully, they shall be empowered
to visit different sections of the country; and
employ such stenographers and clerks as may
be needed. After a Thorough investigation OF the
subject the commission are to report the results
to Congress.
GOVERNMENT PURCHASER OF SMvE. - The
Treasury department to-day purchased sls,ooo
mint at Philadelphia.
The SENATE COMMITTEE ON PRIVILEGES AND
ELECTIONS, at special meeting yesterday after
noon, discussed the questions raised by the re-
quest OF the manager of the Western Union Tel
egraph Office at Topeka, Kansas, to be excused
from compliance with the sweeping terms Of
the subpoena served upon him in the ingalls,
no m l1n gIlh
cept to notify him to appear before the commit
tee this afternoon, with view to his personal
examination. The indications are, however,
that the committee will still further modify the
subpoena duces team; so as to narrowit to tele-
grams which relate more or less specifically t.
the matter in hand for investigation.
CoNFIRAATIoNs.-TheS Senate, in executive ses
sion, yesterday confirmed the following nomi
nattons:-Robert w. Welch, of New Hampshire
to be consul of the United States at Carrara;
also number Of collectors of customs, receiv-
ers OF public moneys and registers of land Office
Also the following to be Indian agents:-C. Hat
Ian. of Michigan, for Indians of the Shoshone
agency, Wyoming territory; j. @. Tufts, of
Iowa, for Indians of the Union agency, Indian
territory.
GEN. SHERIDAN TO ACCOMPANY GEN. GRANT
TO Acknowledgement Grant will prefer the re-
quest that General Phil Sheridan be allowed to
accompany him ON his tour through Mexico and
Cuba. General Sheridans health is not very
good and the trip, 1t is thought, would benefit
him. He and General Grant are boon compan-
ions, and their journeying together would be
very pleasant. There is but little doubt that
the request will be granted, and that General
Sheridan will accompany General Grant, If the
health of the former does not become much
worse before the start than 1t is now.
LOANS UPON REAL EsTATE.-After the House
banking and currency committee had disposed
of the bill relating to bank reserves yesterday,
as stated in THE STAR, Mr. o'Connor, OF South
Carolina addressed the committee in advocacy
OF bill introduced by him in the House, and
now pending before the banking and currency
committee. The bill is one authorizing national
banks to make loans upon mortgage of real
estate to the extent of 25 per cent. OF their CAPT.
tai and surplus. subject to such conditions as
may be required by the boards of directors of
each bank. Mr.. O'Connor urged its favorable
consideration by the committee in behalf OF the
agricultural communities OF the south east and
west, where, he said, the welfare of the banks
and Of the people alike demand the utilization
OF rea! estate as security for safe proportion
OF their loans. He favored the bill especially as
measure of relief for the south, where so vast
an amount OF personal securities have by the
results OF the war and the Shffnkage of values
been almost annihilated, and have ceased to be
available for securing loans. The bill was re-
ferred to subcommittee for consideration and
report.
FIELD ARTILLERY FOR GEORGIA MILITIA.-The
subcommittee of the House committee on mill
tia, to whom was referred the resolution au-
thorizing the secretary of War to furnish the
Cherokee artillery company OF Rome, Ca, with
battery OF field artillery and equipments, have
agreed to report favorably upon the bill, with
an amendment that the Secretary Of War be au-
th0I1zed to loan to said company battery of
four guns with equipments; and take bond for
their safe keeping and return when called for.
Gen. Benet, chief OF ordnance, has assured Rep
resentave Speer, chairman of the sub-commit-
tee, that he can readily supply the guns and
equipments.
THE POSTMASTERSHIP.-No new Developments
have taken place In the matter of the postmas-
tersh1p, and as stated yesterday the choice seems
to be between Messrs Tullock, Richards and
Williams We understand that Mr.. Sayles j.
Bowen has not at any time been candidate for
the position, and that the report that he was a
candidate or was working to secure the posi-
tion for another while Judge EdmundS was liv-
ing, did him especial injustice. considering his
close relations Of friendship to the deceased
NAVAL ORDERs.-The following Officers are
ordered to the Alliance: Lieut.. G. E. Ide, as
executive Leutenants c. p. Perkins and c. H.
West, masters W. K. Schwenk and j. p Aupar:
p,tdc II z ID