The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-03-15


WASHINGTON, March l3.-Neither House
OF Congress is in session to-day and com.
mittee meetings did not develop onything
OF special importance. Monday, in the
House, is still under the new rules the day
when new bills, sensational resolutions,
and matters intended TO help members at
home are introduced. On Tuesday, how
ever, the consideration OF the bill to pre-
vent the assessment OF Government Off
GERS and employees for political purposes
will be resumed. and the Repub-
liclns will leave untried no device, par
Ilamentary or otherwise, to defeat it.
1t is matter Of the utmost importance, in
view Of the approaching presidential cam
paign, that they should be lett free 10 COL
Iect money as formerly from the Depart
ments and the pOstmasters. IL will be re.
membered how much Secretary Gorham
collected, according to bis own testimony,
from these sources at the last congressional
election, and 1t is not to be expected that
the Republican members will be willing
now to surrender without a great struggle
such rich bonanza. The proposition Of
Mr.. Epson, Of Texas, to modify the bill so
as to leave oflice-hodeis TO make cOnribu-
tons without being solicited, did not seem
to satisfy Mcssrs. Conger & Co., because
Republican ofice-hOlders, unless pressed by
collec'o rs whom they are afraid OF, will not
contribute literally.
Personal NEWS ITEMS.
General Sherman has, during Mary An
ders0n's engagement at the National, which
closed tonight. been a frequent attendant.
The gifted young tragedenne is great IA
vorite with him. Senator Davis expects to
get through the resolution authorizing the
United States Geologist 10 make surveys
OF the States at an early day. Sen
ator Johnston is preparing for the
Committee on Foreign Relations Il report
on Bulgaria, Roumania, &c. In the history
Of the Senate there have never been harder
worked committees than those Of Senators
Cockrell, Randolph, Wi;hers, and Gordon
viz, the Committees on Claims, Military
Affairs, Pensions, and Commerce. The war
left three Ct these committees more work to
do tban all the Senate committees had to-
gether prior to 1860.
ASSOCIATED Pre- Reports by telegraph 10 the Dis.
patch.l
TIE EXODUS INVESTIGATION.
WASHINGTON, March - The examine
lion Of the negro Henry Adams was con-
tinued before the Exodus Committee to-
dly. lie testified that in 1SGj-'66, III Ee
Soto PARISH, La. he was twice slot at hy
bSnGils-WbiIe men-tbe reason given for
the assaults being that he was trying 10 got
negroes to leave the parish. He was en-
ployed by Major Merrill as servant at so
a month. but thought rail-splitIng the safer
work. His people lost all hopc in 1877, not
because HAYES was inGugnrated, but because
their condition seemed hopeless. They
had urged Hayes to help Them without
success. The Republican Governor OF
Louisiana had been appealed to for aid, but
without success. He thought Kellogg llt-
lie cowardly. He had been in ArkDnsas
and Texas and found the condition of the
negroes in Texas very bad. He did not
want to tell all his business. He expected
TO get killed for what he had already SAID
| il he went back.
THE BEST METHOD OF COUNTING THE ELECT0
RAJ VOTE.
WASHINGTON, March l3.-The Democratic
caucus committee, consisting Of Senators
Thurman, Bayard, Garland, C0ckrell, John
ston. and Morgan, held long session thi:
aitern on upon the subject q providing
some method OF counting the electoral vote
but no conclusion was reached. Opinions
differed Is to what was best 10 be done, but
the action most likely 10 be taken Is q rtyi'
val Of the Joint rule hat formerly governed
that subject. The whole matter was very
generally discussed, and the committee VII
come TO some conclusion at meeting neX'
week. Some OF the committee are in favor
of allowing the matter OF counting TIE
electoral vote just q. 1t Is now.
THE DUTY on PAPER.
WASHINGTON, March l3.-The hearing or
The paper question was resumed before The
House Committee on Ways and Means To-
day. Hon. Warner Miller concluded hi,
argument, urging the INJUSTICE Of removing
the duty on Mood-pulp as contrary to The
spirit of our legislation, etc.
Hon. Erastus Brooks followed IN fayOl
Of removing the duty, which he said couC
be accomplished by simply giving proper
construction 10 the existing law. lie uTget
that the rise in the price OF paper was en-
tirely dispropoItionate to The rise in othel
commodities, and was due TO the blnl
tion Of western manufacturers.
THE IYTER-OCEANIC CANAL.
WASHINGTON, March 13.-Captain }. B
Eads was before the Committee on Inter
Oceanic Canal his morning, and continued
bis argument ia support OF his plan for al
inter.0ceanlc ship railroad.
RESIGNATION OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
THE TREASURY.
WASHINGTON, March 13.-Ilon. John b
U1wlev, Assistant Secretary OF the Urea
surv, has resigned. j. X. Upton, at pre-
sent chief clerk OF the Department. VIII u
promoted to bill the vacancy. U plon en
tered the Department as a first-class clerk il
1868.