Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-02-04

OdS diilOunIeu 10 SS4.u!2.5o.
AT THE CABINET MEETING this afternoon no
business Of general interest was transacted
THE COMMISSIONS OF the officers of the New
York custom-house, whose nominations were
confirmed yesterday, will be made out imlDedi-
diately and sent 10 them.
AT THE WHITE HopsE.-Senators Saunders
and Mcmillan, and Representatives Kelley.
Harmer, Neal, McCOOk, Stephens Mckinley.
Camp. TowDshend and Wait were among the
Presidents callers to-day.
SENATOR BUTLER returned from South Caro-
lima last evening accompanied by Gen. NJ p.
conner, the member of Congress elect from the
Charleston district.
HEADSTOEEs FOR SOLDIERS GRAVES. The
President to-day approved the act authorizing
The Secretary OF War to erect headstones over
the graves of union soldiers who have been in
lerIed In private villages. or city cemeteries
he act authorizes the Secretary to use in this
Work so much OF the one million appropriation
OF 1913 for placing headstoncS OF union soldiers
inferred In national military cemeteries as re-
mains uneXpended
QUITE STORMY DEBATE arose in the House
to-day on the army appropriation bill on an
amendment offered by Mr.. Cox, of New York.
10 reduce the army to Il, 800 npn. in the course
OF which Mr.. Mills, Of Texas, charged the den
CCIatS win Deing 1eaponSible for Gel. Clusters
Ccath, because OF their miserable economy
which he stated appeared TO be the only idea Of
SlateslnanShlp which the House possessed. The
debate was st!ll running ON at 3 O'Clock. An
amendment reducing the force OF the army to
l3.cVo bad previously been defeated by large
majority. The amendment reducing the army
to IL $50 men and also one reducing il to 20 060
were rejected. Tie vote was 66 ayes TO lis
noes.
SENATOR MCPHERSON returned to Washington
this morning from short trip to his home in
New jersey. Yesterday he visited the state
calnol at Trenton. The legislature, which Is
rel ubllcan in both branches, was in session. AS
!; u ARK OF the regard which Is felt for Mr.. Nc
IleIson oy Doth political parties in New jersey
ire senate and assembly took recess. the mem
beiS Of the Legislature raid their respects to Mr
&cPherson ana he responded with a speech of
thaDks 1or Tie kindness OF his reception
How THE PRESIDENT RECEIVED THE News
lie first news of the confirmation of Gen Mer-
1ltt as collector at New York was conveyed to
tie President by Mr. Gustin one of his secreta-
lies, WHO heard the result at the door of the
senate chamber and drove rapidly to the Ex-
ecUtive Mansion. He found the President sit
ting in the library, reading, and told him OF the
Confirmation. Tie Presidents countenance did
LOT chaHge, nor did he betray the slightest emo
tCn- lew moments afterwards a dispatch
was handed him giving the vote, which he read
simply remarking that il was good news The
iltSlGehl today received numerous congratula-
telegraph.
THE robson ISvEsTIGATIoN-The House
committee On naval affairs to-day listened to
The reading OF the report prepared by Chairman
NhitthOrne with reference to the investigation
OF lie administration of the Navy department
under eX-SecTetary RObeSOn. II is understood
that it erGbOdieS the views of the democratic
members OF The committee and viii receive
their signatures. The report is somewhat mol
lE6d III comparison to the one heretofore sub
United by Mr. Whitthorne. 1t charges extrav-
aealce fraudulent contracts, and favorItsm to
contractors. Instead OF recommending thai
the District Attorney CT the District be request.
cd TO proceed crlminally against the eX-Secrc
1ary: the report simply calls the attention OF
the President TO the charges contained i'm if
and leaves the matter of further proceedings 70
his discretion. The minority will be ready 10
submit their report On Thursday, when a vote
VIII be taken on both.
THE CITY Posi- OFFICE QUEsTIoN-The sub
committee Of the Congressional committee on
public buildings and grounds, appointed to Sc
lect site or building for the Washington city
post office, consisting of Messrs. Bliss, Young
ana stone, have referred the matter to an advi-
sorry commission, consisting of Edward Clark
architect Of the Capitol, Montgomery Blair, w.
r 5 Sanger, Chief civil engineer of the Navy
department, Thomas j. Brady second assistant
postmaster general, and John McArthur jr ar
chitect in charge OF the public buildings at
Philadelphia. The committee met to-day at
b.
Ject to Architects Macarthur and Sanger as a
subcommittee.
A CONGRESSIONAL CONTESTANTS PAY.-Yes
terday, In the L. S. Supreme Court, the case of
tie L. s. vs.. Geo. A. Sheridan, error to the Lou
isiana circuit, was decided In this case the
court divide In opinion on the question whether
sheridan was entitled to his pay while contest
ing the seat OF f1nchback IN the FOrty-thlrd
Congress. under the act making appropriateness
Tor such purposes. The court below held that
LIE was, and as the court now consists of onI;
eight judges {because of the Illness of Judge
nunD the Judgment is affirmed in consequence
Of the division.
MR.. CoNK1ING appeared in the Senate this
morning at the opening hour, looking quite as
flesh and undisturbed as though he had won a
victory. instead of having suffered defeat YES
terday in the matter OF the New York custom
house appointments. The result of the contest
10 the executive session OF the Senate yester-
day was the single topic OF conversation about
the Capitol this morning. The honor OF the
victory or the administration Is aScribed to
secretary sherman. and he is Familiarity culo-
gized as bigger man than Grant" The ac-
ton or Senator Mcmillan, who voted In the
committee on commerce for rejection of the ap-
pOlntmentS. and who voted yesterday to con-
nrm them, Is severely criticised by the Conk-
ling men. The republican Senators who voted
1or continuation are considered now to be fully
entitled 10 registry among the small but con-
stanfly increasing number of Senators who
SNHIPocc Nldt Is CdlleU lQe administration
party.
A LARGE INCREASE in the force and room of
the Pension bureau will be necessary under the
Eow pension law.
THE BUTLER CORBIN CoNTEsT.-The Senate
committee On privileges and elections met this
morning. The majority of the committee for
mally agreed to present report and resolution
recommending the seating of ID. T. COrbin, OF
South Carolina, In place of Senator Butler. A
minority report In direct antagOnism to the re-
port OF the majority. Both reports were pre-
sented to the Senate.
DESPERATE PUNsTER AT LARGE IN WASH
Notwithstanding Star: II Mcmahon has gone to
Glasse mas not the republic turned to Gravy?
NIx-CUM-AROUS.
NAVAL ORDERs.-Chief Engineer Robert to
special duty at New York. Passed Assistant
surgeon j. NJ. Amber from the Norfolk, Va,
naval hospital and ordered to the Trenton,
Philadelphia. Assistant Surgeon w. r.. Dubose
from the Trenton and ordered home. Paymas-
Ter j. f. Tolfree has reported his return home
from Villefranche and has been ordered to settle
his accounts.
THE ORDER transferring Second Lieut.. A. L.
smith, L. :. A., from the 10th infantry Is re
yoked, and he is upon his own application trans.
ferred TO the 4th cavalry.
THE L. S. SUPREME COURT yesterday ad-
,ourned until March Sd.