The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-12-18


OF THE TROUBLES OF A CONGRESSMAN
PASSAGE OF TIE EDUCATIONAL BrII.-PER-
sONAL, &C.
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, December 17.-There is an
Increased talk OF an extra session, and lead
Ing Democrats say it is evidently the pur-
pose OF the Republicans 10 have one. Hence
many OF the Democrats voted in the Senate
to-day against recess from the ODD OF De-
cember to the 4th OF January, so as to avoid
giving the Republicans any plausible pre-
text for having one. Other Democrats,
however, said that il recess were not
taken OF sufficient length. many Democratic
members would take it anyhow. and no
business could be transacted worthy Of
much consideration before the Attn of Janu-
airy.
THE INTEROCEANIC CANALS.
There is still good deal said in con-
gressioDal circles and around the hotels
about both the foreign and American pro-
ieCis for an interOceanic canal. The dis
cussions are rendered the more interesting
by the expedition OF Captain Eads into
Mexico to look after fbe Tehuantepec route
| am certain from what ! learned tonight
| that important action will be taken before
long in regard TO the plans referred 10 in
the Foreign Affirs Committee and the In
teroceanic Canal Committee of the House,
and that the Monroe doctrine will be
strongly reiterated by both committees.
THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE VOTED
| DOWN.
The House Committee on Appropriations
made strong fight to-day to take up the
Military Academy appropriation bill in the
House to-day, but MIR. Bright, Of Tennessee,
chairman OF the Private Claims Committee,
stood up manfully for the right OF his COM
mittee to have the day, and won. A number
OF bills were subsequently, passed OF no
general interest. The consideration OF these
cleared the House galleries Of all who
did not so there 10 rest and keep warm.
The House passed a resolution that It's en-
ployes shall be paid Monday.
POOR EXHIBIT OF FIELD ARTILLERY.
An accomplished army officer informed
me this evening that we haveln the entire
army only twenty-four pieces OF light artil-
lery, borscd and under drill, when we ought
to have at least seventy pieces. All OF these
guns are muzzle-loaders, when they should
be Dreech. leaders. Then the gun-car-
riages are wooden, and the ammunition-
boxes and Implements OF the oldest
patterns. The necessities OF the times,
| he said, required breech-loaders OF
heavier calibre and longer range than the
guns we have, and an improvement and
change i'm the harness OF artillery horses, to
make us equal TO European countries, that
have the latest artillery guns and equip
ments. He added that we have not now a
single battery mounted as horse artillery to
accompany the movements OF cavalry.
THE MEETING OF THE YORKTOWN COMMITTEE
| TO-DAY.
| The full Yorktown Congressional Com
mittee met to-day and adopted the entire
programme agreed upon by the sub'com-
mittee and sent by me the other night. The
| mower of the ub-committee on the site OF
a monument was extended so as to give it
mower to provide and arrange grounds for
1.-THE encampment of the military. The men,
beers OF the full committee all said to-day
that they desired 1t TO be distinctly
understood that it is not the purpose
of the committee to discourage or interfere
i'm the slightest degree with any arraL &C.
ments which may be contemplated by any
OF the State authorities or by the Yorktown
| Centennial Ass ociation to extend the time
beyond the three days appropriated by the
/ Government for the proposed celebration.
Their idea is that they were appointed to
discharge a specific duty by Congress, and
have no right to transcend the powers con-
ferred upon them.
THE TROUBLES OF A MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
| I encountered to-day member OF Con-
gress from distant State who was chewing
ten penny nails because In writing letter
to one of his organs the composition had
made him say, D, temperance, 0, MostS
Instead OF D. Temporal, D, MoreS He
asked me II ever had been treated as
badly. Certainly, replied. Why, only
the other day wrote that Virginian said
he could listen to Senator VOORHEES, for
five hours, and owing to my statesmanlIke
writing the type. made me say for five years.
Then during the session OF the Underwood
| Convention at Richmond, when an unsuc'
cessful attempt was made 10 expel an eccen-
trio reporter now dead, ! wrote, land thus
an effort to muzzle the press was tbwarted,'
but q prin,er-boy who subsequently sue
ceeded in another line Of business set it up
sand thus another effort TO mazzte The pup
,oas started" My congressional friend
went TO his seat greatly comforled in mind.
TIE EDUCATIONAL BILL.
The discussion of the educational bill was
resumed In the Senate to-day, and there
was running debate for time and several
set speeches. Mr. Pendleton spoke in favor
of the amendment to divide the fund,
arising from the sales OF public lands In
bulk among the States. and allow them to
spend the principal for Their schools, or,
where they have sufficient school fund, Ia
add their shares OF this fund to their schoo
fund II they see fit. At Il few minutes to
O'Clock this amendment was adopted. Aftei
other immaterial amendments the bill was
passed.
The educational bill, as 1t passed The
Senate tonight, divides only the interest
upon the proceeds OF the sales OF public
lands among the States, the amendment to