The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-12-17

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LITfCAL IaHROGI.IO IN MAIEE-GEgERAL
GRANT IN PH;LADELpEIA-THE sITUA-
TON IN ARGHANIsTAN: A CRISIS REACH
ED IN MILITARY. OPERATIoSs-TwELvE
MEN KILLED sY AN EXPLOSION IN A
SALT MiEE-THE CASE OF THE ITCH
BORNE CLAIMANT AGAIN IN COURT, &C.
washington.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF vlRGISIA-CoMMIT-
TEE ENTHUSIASTICALLY OLD CLAIM
THE PRESIDENTIAL OUTLOOK, &C.
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, December Ex-senator Da-
Wis, OF West Virginia, informed me this
morning that his committee will report the
amendment to the present law so as to en-
able Mr.. Clarence King to make geologi-
cal survey Of Virginia, West Virginia, and
the other States, and he is very certain Of
getting it through the Senate. It has al
ready passed the House. He is very much
interested in it, and says be thinks the old
States are surely as much entitled to the
benefit OF these surveys as the Territories
which were donated to the Union by them.
IMPORTANT COMMITTEE MATTERS.
The Finance Committee OF the Senate
agreed to report Morrison's House bill
making allowance for unavoidable loss Of
spirits by leakage In transportation from
place OF manufacture to port OF export, and
the Senate will pass it. The same commit
tee also agreed to admit free OF duty COM
petitory prizes taken by American citizens
in foreign countries. This also will become
law. II has been shame heretofore that
the owners OF American racers had to pay
duty on silver trophies won upon the race
tracks OF England. The House Naval Com
mittec to-day reported bill to encourage
Howgatc's Polar expedition. 1t will be re-
mcmbered that Captain Howgate pro-
poses the establishment OF stations
in the Arctic ocean, which are to
constitute the basis of operations in
exploring the Polar regions. This plan
hos the endorsatiop OF the Polar Congress,
and other nations will cooperate with the
United States. Captain Howgate has pre-
scented to the Government his vessel The
Gulmare," which was built for the purpose.
| The same committee reported in favor OF
furnishing Government vessels to North
Carolina and South Carolina for the estab-
| lishment OF naval schools at Wilmington
and Charleston. The House Judiciary Com
mittpe has agreed to report in favor of ap-
pointing committee consisting OF five
members OF the House and three OF the
Senate to investigate the United States
courts and ascertain as to the charges OF
clerks and in regard to alleged abuses. The
alleged crookedncss of the United States
Court in Cincinnati is the cause OF the pro-
posed investigation.
| Personal NEWS ITEMS.
| Judges Meredith and Ould to-day in the
Supreme Court argued the Dixie plough
case-Watt Us. Starke-and reflected hugh
credit on the bar of Richmond. / noticed
that Hon. Randolph Tucker and James
Muscoc Watkins were among the visitors
to the courtroom. George r. Bowden was
confirmed to-day as collector OF Norfolk and
Portsmouth. His case was referred to Sen
ator Hereford by the Commerce Committee,
who reported savorably upon it after con-
sultaton with the Virginia senators. The
English gentleman who is making pur-
chases OF land for English settlers has
gone to New York, and expects soon
to visit Hampton, Va. His purchase OF
| is, 900 acres in Raleigh county, West Va,
| will hardly realize him q great many acres
| OF agricultural land. Mr.. Windows amend
men, to the exodus resolution OF Mr.. Voor-
bees proposes TO investigate alleged cruel
ties to colored people in the South and de-
signate punishment for their alleged OPP
| pressors; also, to select lands for them IN
the West. Mr.. George Augustus Sala, the
English Journalist, is about to visit Rich
mond. Mr.. Edward AyreS, correspondent
| of the Kansas City Times, is the doorkeeper
to the ladies' gallery OF the Senate. He is
native Of Richmond. Mr.. II. b. Little
page, OF King William, was to-day given
OF the Senate. He was in the Con-
lederate navy and midshipInan in
the United States navy before the war.
The Senate will pass House bill removing
the political disabilities OF G. III. Hill and
John NJ. Brooke, OF Virginia. The House
and Senate agreed to pay off their employees
on the 10th, and the employees are happy.
Senator Booth to-day introduced a bill to
appropriate $4,000 for the erection OF q
monument in the Smithsonian grounds to
the memory Of Professor Henry. Cover
nor-elect Hamilton, OF Maryland, was on
the floor Of the Senate to-day.
ATHlRrY-YEAR-oLD CLAIM.
The House to-day sent to the Senate the
bill for the relief OF the heirs OF Henry
Lett, of Baltimore, and the Senate will pass
it. This claim grows out of the fact that in
1s47 French bark wrecked in Chesapeake
bay was purchased by Henry Lett, of Bal
timore, who, after repairing her, loaded her
with -four at Richmond for Brazil. Alex. Ty-
Ter, American, at Bahia, seized her, and Lett
claimed $4,000, which his heirs are about
to realize. There are hundreds OF claim
ants here now living on hope and borrowed
money who thirty years hence. If they
are alive, will not be as lucky as the widow
and heirs OF Henry Lett.
THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE CON-
MsITEE.
Politica, interest now centres in the Ma