The New York herald., 1879-02-27
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, Feb &c, 1879.
PROTECTION OF voTERs-sENAroR EDMUNDs'
The bill reported by Senator Edmunds to-day. from
she Committee on the Judiciary to protect the
stitutona rights Of citizens. Furnishes with fine and
imprisonment any person or pers ons who seek by
intimidation unlawful menace or any other unlawful
means. to prevent the peaceful assembling of cti-
gems for the purpose Of petitioning Congress for
the redress OF grievances considering tho subject
Of the nomination or choice Of any person to be q
member delegate Of the House of Representatives
or who shall break up or disturb any such
sssemblages or prevent any citizen from excr-
cising the right Of suffrage. Persons officers
charged with any duty under this net who refuse or
knowingly omit to givo full effect to their duties
shall forfeit $500 to the aggreved party. Every per-
son who shall cast unlawful vote ballot is to be
punished by fine OF S5,OO0 by imprisonment
not moro than five years. or both.
Assault. killing and bribery to be visited with
fine Of 81 900 or imprisonment not more than two
years. or both.
Persons convicted of any Of these offences shall be
disqualified forever from holding any Office Of honor.
trust profit under the United States.
SPEAKER RANDALL coNrRADICTs AN INFAMOUS
sLANDER" AND DEMANDS AN UNQUALIFIED
RErRAcTIoN."
Speaker Randall to-day tefegraphed to the editor Of
thc Philadelphia Ledger with reference to extract
letter of Special Agent of the Treasury H. L..
williams dated September g. 1876, and addressed to
major william d. Moore. Supervising Spe-
cial Agent Of tho Treasury at that timc,
and asserting that "the evidence is In tho
Treasury Building to show that two ppropriation
warrants illegal. signed to get money TO con-
tnue operations of the Engraving aud Printing Do
~. ss~ H.,
Samuel j. Randall. who is large stockholder in tho
paper mill which is alone authorized to supply tho
Bureau of Engraving and Printing with paper for
bonds bank notes. &C., and accomplished through
the influence OF Randall William Hcmphill Jones
aud George b. McCarec" that there is not one sylia
ble Of truth in williams statement. NOR rcsen-
blance of justification for such infamous slander.
Tar as am concerned or know" The speaker also
asks the editor OF the Ledger to publish tomorrow
"fu and unequivocal contradiction
CASH BALANCE IN THE TnEAsURY-ARREAns OF
l PENSIONS. X
Representative Wood. Of New York. under date OF
February II. requested Secretary sherman to inform
him as to the cash balance remaining in the Treasury
on the 18th inst, and now much Of said amount is
held for resumption purposes and how much for
other purposes; also. TO state how much in coin.
United States notes and other available cash rc-
sources. In replying the Secretary says
Ihavc TO inform you that from the latest returns
received there was In the general assets of the Treas
ury upon the date mentioned of gold coin and
bullion, $EB3.3'7.271; of silver coin aud bullion.
$35. sos 43s ~. In all $l6S.yi2 7O9 AZ.
After deducting tho amount of current liabilities
from the amount OF entire assets the balance available
for resumption ut same datc S13G. .t6s 764 %.
but separate designation OF particular moneys
Tor this purposc has been kept nor has IL yet been
determined whether tho resumption fund can lie con-
sidcred as moneys In the Treasury not otherwise ap
propriatcd.
The Ways and Means Committee will meet to NOR.
row morning. and IL is thought some action will DO
taken with reference to the pay ynient claims under
tho Arrearsgcs OF Pensions bill
THE SEWARD INVESTIGATION.
Tho argument OF counsel In tho Seward investiga-
tion was closed to-day by tho Committee on Expcn.
diturcs IN tho state Department. Tho next meeting
OF the committee will lie devoted TO summing up tho
case and determining what report 70 mako TO tho
uousc ON the question Of impeachment.
AN ALTERATION IN THE SENATE LOBBY.
An alteration occurred In the senate lobby about
ton O'Clock tonight between Dom Plata and william