The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-01-02

A fetafsSy TliiS circular, 10 b said, was sen
TO nearly every person In the civil service
OF the government and 10 public contract
on and others having relations with thl
government.
am very respectively your obedien
servanks9T3a nf&A. g. THURMAN,
NEW YEARS AT THE CAPITAL.
The advent Of New Years was generally
Fobservedg The principal point Of atttac
ton was the Executive Mansion. The re
kceptiOn of.gnests. began at / o'clock In
company with the Presiden: were Vice
President Wheeler, Mrs. Hayes, Mrs, Jew.
EFT, Of Chicago, Mrs. Austin Sof Cleveland;
Mrs. Hastings and Mrs. Anderson, lof Gin.
cinnsti; the Misses Scott, Mrs Woodworth
and Mrs. Andrews.
Rarely, II ever before, has the Vice
President received with the President.
On such an occasion the only Cabinet ab.
Fsentee vas Secretary sherman, who was
informed edby.telegfaphthis ln0rning, of the
death OF his brother. He had called, how
ever, before the reception began to inform
the President OfIhis.bereay yement. M
The British iesationi being Ii mourning
was hotfepresehted, Nearly all the MEM
bers Of the diplomatic corps were present.
The Chinese legation attracted the most
attention, and many sought an intnoduc-
ton to the Ambassador and his attaches.
The ministers and secretaries, except Mr..
Bartlett, wore Chinese dress. Itwas their
first visit on New Years occasion, and
they were evidently much pleased with
the attentions bestowed on them. All the
Judges OF the United States Supreme
Court, with the exception OF Justice CHI
ford, who Is onia visit to Richmond, and
the Judge Of the Conrt Of Claims.
The Southern Claims Committee and
Courts Tor the District Of Columbia were
present with their ladies. Nearly all the
members Of Congress now here called to
pay their respects to the President and
Vice President. The attendance OF army
officers was very large. Gen. Sherman
was not present. The Navy was well refI-
resented, as were are all classes OF officials
und employees under the Government, and
the public generally. .-.
THE SOUTHERN CLAIMS IN THE sENArE,
The Senate Committee fon Judiciary
has before 1t tile following Constitutional
amendment, which was passed by the
House on the Inst day ofthe session;
ARTICLE NNI. "No claim shall ever
hereafter be allowed or paid by the United
States, whether as damages or otherwise,
for any property, real or PERSONAL taken,
used, Injured destroyed by United States
troops, or by or through any officers, civil
or military acting under or by authority
of the United States, or from any other
cause whatever, during the suppression OF
the late rebellion, In any Of the States that
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the Government
OF the United! States, or for any property
taken, used, injured or destroyed outside
Of the said States SO in rebellion, and
which belonged to persons residing In such
rebellious States, unless the person or per
sons owning the property so taken, used,
injured or destroyed were, during oil the
time of such rebellion, loyal to the Gov.
ernment 'of the Limited States, and gave
neither Ssaa3s gid lHH5 nor encouragement enc to The
This amendment to the organic law was
introduced by Mr.. Conger, OF Michigan,
and passed bya vote Of l45 yeas against
Gl nays, 81 not voting, thus making the
necessary two.thir1s. In framing this
constitutional amendment It's author in.
tended to setatNFes forever the question
of the payment of Southern war claims,
and thus protect the public treasury from
the raid that the ex-C -Copfederates have in
Contemplation when the Democrats oh.
tain. absolute control Of the government.
Those members Of the Senate Judiciary
Committee who have had the matter un.
der advisement, ,fayor the passage OF the
amendment, although they DO not believe
1t is sufficiently strict, since many millions
OF claims can be presented for the relief
OF colleges, churches, lodges, absentees
and minors. But rather than risk the
chances Of its failure to pass the House in
form more in harmony with their views,
the Republican Senators are disposed to
put it through the Senate even with its
present imperfections.A The measure will
be acted upon soon after the reassembling
Of COnprasq H."H- ~.