Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1879-02-15
CURRENT NEWS.
WASHINGTON.

"A DcmoCTatiC CONGRESSIONAL caucus las
decided to favor the repeal of that clause Of
the Judiciary act imposing test oath or
jurors in the United States Courts, which
debars any person from serving as Jurors
who voluntarily aided the Confederate
cause; also, an amendment providing that
jurors drawn to serve in United States
Courts shall have the re qualifications
and be entitled to the -s&lne exceptions as
jurors of the highest court in the State
where such United States Court is held.
The Secretary of War has sent to the
House a communication from Gen. Hum
phreys, Chief Of the Engineer Corps, trans
mitting and approving preliminary report
agreed upon by the Board of Engineers ap-
pointed to consider and report plan for the
improvement of the navigation of the Mis-
sissippi River below the mouth of the Ohio
River. The general plan of improvement
proposed by the Board is that of contracting
the channel to an approximate low
water width of $500 feet by
means of dykes of brush, etc.,
and where The bed of the river is found to
be too hard to be worn away by the river
current, dredging in addition to the reduc-
tion Of width to be resorted to. The Board
say that the main question is one of cost,
to test the practicability of works Of a light
and comparatively inexpensive character,
be made on Plum Point reach, 100 miles be-
low Cairo, for which purpose an appropri-
alton Of 5000 900 is asked.
The War Department has received in
formation that telegraphic communication
is now open between Forts Elliott, Custer,
Keogh, and Beaufort, which are connected
xx-,fb nj
meets all the frontier forts by telegraph.
The Senate Committee who have had un-
der consideration the matter Of opening the
Indian Territory will report a bill embrace
ing the following points: 1. To establish
United States Court within the Indian Ter
ritory for the better protection of life and
property, with the same powers and juris-
diction of other United States District
Courts. 9. That each of the five civilized
Nations be allowed to send q delegate to
Congress. 8. That the lands now held in
common by the tribes ;be divided in. sew
crafty among the Indians.
The Secretary Of the Treasury has issued
circular to Collectors of Customs, instruct
ing them that in no case will live animals be
permitted to be shipped from their re-
spective ports until after inspection with
reference to their freedom from disease, and
issuance of certificate showing they are in a
proper condition of health.
A meeting of Southern Congressman from
the districts stricken by yellow fever, and
members Of the National Relief Commits
sion, has been held at Washington, to con-
slider plan presented by DIR. G. s. Marshall,
of Mississippi, for the immediate relief of
the orphans, and the establishment of
%v-ol
appointed to secure charter from Con-
gress for the establishment of National
Asylum, and to secure permanent organi-
cation.
Col. Snowden has declined the Director
ship of the United States Mint.
The House Committe on Naval Affairs re-
port as the result Of their Investigations that
the Navy Department was grossly mis-
managed under Secretary Robeson's ad-
ministration.
The Senate committee will recommend
concurrence in the House provisions reduc-
ing the tax en- manufactured tobacco to 16
cents per pound.
The President has nominated A. S. Bad
ger for Collector of Customs, and William
l.. Mcmillan for Postmaster, at New Or
leans; also the following United States Mar
shals; n. P. Banks, District of Massachu-
sets; Sherman Conant, Northern District of
Florida; John Parker, Western District of
Michigan; Jas. Tarrans, Eastern District of
Arkansas; and for Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court of Montana Territory, d. S
Wade.
Secretary Sherman has furnished to the
Senate q full copy of his personal letter to
Collector Arthur, asking an appointment for
the son of Judge Bradley.
The President has nominated John F.
Hartranft, for Postmaster at Philadelphia;
James Pollock, Naval Officer for Philadel-
phia; A. Loudon Snowden, Superintendent
of the Philadelphia Mint.
1t has been determined, by . Democratic
Joint Congressional Caucus, to append to
the Legislative, Judicial and Executive APP
preparation bill amendments repeating the
test oath for jurors in United States Courts
and the Federal supervising election law.
WEST AND SOUTHWEST.
During the absence from home of Mr..
and Mrs. Morgan, who lived near Blue Tank
Station, on the line of the M, K. and T. Rail-
way, in the southern part of the Indian Ter
ritory, their house burned down and their
two little girls, aged respectively 8 and Z,
perished in the flames.
The United States Grand Jury at New Or
leans have found indictments against 25 per-
sons In Caddo, Tensas. Natchitoches and Or
leans parishes for violation of the election
laws.
Percy R. Gaylord, aged 81, night-clerk in
the Gault House, Chicago, committed sui
eide on the 7tb. No cause known.
Jacob Maddox, aged %, the SON Of q
wealthy farmer living near Hallsville, De
Witt County, ILL.,, on the 7th blew his brains
out with q revolver on account of being re-
fused by the lady he loved.
Addie Durham, aged II, committed sui
eide with revolver at Seymour, Ind. Her
father was about moving to Kentucky, and
Addie did not want to 60. She had, besides,
q disagreeable stepmother, and this proba-
bly, had something to do with the tragic de-
termination.
A band OF masked men entered the house
Of Daniel Frantz, 10 miles northwest of Day
ton, o., about o'clock on the evening of
the 7th, bound and gagged the members of
the family, and robbed the house of $500 in
money and s, 500 in securities.
A man calling himself James Cooke, but
whose real name is unknown, was hanged
at Dalles, Oregon, on the 7th, for murder.
The Kansas House Of Representatives has
adopted a resolution for the investigation
of certain charges Of bribery ami corrup-
tion made against members Of said House
in connection with the recent Senatorial
contest.
VIM. b. Heath, x-County Auditor of st.
Louis County, Mo-, has been found guilty
Of embezzling S143,0O0 Of the public school
funds and sentenced to ten years in the PEN
itentiary.
Henry Statesman, a well-to-do German
farmer, bachelor, who lived near Hastings,
Neb., was brutally murdered on the 1lth by
a