Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-25

journals.
The Night Session of the House.
AN EXCITING PASSAGE BETWEEN MEssRs. BLACK
BURN AND COFFRoTH.
Some of the scenes during last nights session
OF the House were of a farcical character, with
one episode of more serious nature. 1t ap-
pears that Mr.. Coffroth of Pennsylvania, who
is high-tariff democrat, happened to be under
the voice of Congressman Blackburn. The lat
ter was denOuncing Speaker Randall. He said
that he was traitor to the democratic party,
and that it would be much better If he would
move, bag and baggage, into the republican
camp. Coffroth Interrupted Blackburn in his
denunctation of the Speaker, and said, Il will
not stand idly by and allow you to thus speak
of my colleague. and ii you persist IN doing so
! think I would feel justified in striking you.'
''Well." retorted Blackburn, ''yOu have heard
what have said and if you mean to say that
what have said is not true you, are a liar" At
this Coffroth made menacing gesture towards
Blackburn, but demonstration between the
two was averted by friends. AS Coffrosh
moved away he said, "You say, Col. Blackburn,
that the Speaker is traitor to sthe democratic
party. There is one charge you cannot impute
to him, and that is that he ever was traitor to
his country"
OF THE AMUSING SCENES
there was one particularly comical. Mr. Frost,
of Missouri, who is the youngest member Of the
House, was arratgned at the bar and asked
what excuse he had to offer for his absence.
The Sergeant-at-Arms had dragged him from
dinner party, and he was arrayed in full eve
ming dress. His excuse was that he did not
think his presence was necessary. He had long
sought to catch the Speakers eye, and had
never succeeded. 1t grati1ied him, however, to
be placed in position where he could get such
recognition at last.
MR.. RoBEsoN's DINNER PARTY.
At one time Secretary RoDeson and several
members who had been dining with him were
brought upfh group, The eX-Secretary made
an excuse that be thought the good sense Of the
gentleman from nenuucky woulu nave coli-
fn hou nfrjxr hat
the House have adjourned long ago. The others
said they had been more agreeaby employed
than in either fillibustering or watching filibus
tefers. Mr. Hellman, of Pennsylvania, who was
asked what his excuse was for his absence
made answer in the German language, which
provoked hearty laughter. AT twenty minutes
past II O'Clock the House adjourned. With the
exception of the Blackburn -Coffroth scenes the
best OF feeling prevailed among the members.
PROTECTING THE P. o. D. AGAINST FRAUD
The Senate committee on post offices and post
roads to-day agreed to report and recommend
the passage Of bill authorizing the Postmaster
General to adopt such a uniform. cancelltng
INK and stamping pad, or other appliances, as
tect the revenues of the department from the
frauds heretofore practiced on it, and which
when adopted be distributed In the same
he may designate. fhe bi limits 18th the cost cost o;
securing the use Of the desired appliances to the
government to $25.01O Some of the statements
furnished to the committee by post Office Off
eials concerning the e1tentto which the reve-
nueS are defraud ed by the use of washed stamps
estimated the amount Of loss at not less than
one and half million dollars per annum
THE Two HUNDRED AND SIxTY-THREE APPII-
CANTs for appointment in the Pension Office
will be glad to know that they Will not be kept
upon the uncomfortable edge OF expectancy
longer than the I'd of April. The examining
board expect to complete their work and report
TO the Secretary on Saturday Of next week.
instead Of on the 10th of April, as announced.
WORK OF HOUSE COMMITTEES To-DAY-Owing
probably to the lateness of the hour at which
the House adjourned last night, very few men,
bers were in attendance at the various commit
lee roonS this morning. The subcommittee of
upon the river and harbor bill, and the public
lands committee upon the bill now before them
prepared by the land commissioner. The ways
versy in the House, has virtually suspended
action upon any Of the tariff questions. The
committee on Pacific railroads gave another
Qa.) bill to revive certain land grants in
favor OF Morgans Louisiana and Texas
Railroad and Steamship Co. President
road Co., made an argument in favor OF the bill.
The subcommittee OF the appropriations CON-
mittee charged with the star route tnvestiga-
examination of j. R. Miner, the contractor on
the route from Bismarck, Dakota, to Fort
Keogh, Montana, and other routes Mr. Miner
was questioned entirely in regard to the route
mentioned, and stated that it had been losing
investment to MIN, and that his receipts from
the Post Of1lce department and from freight and
passenger business combined did not pay the
expenses OF running the route.
Col. CASEY, superintendent OF public build
ings and grounds was before the Senate COM
mittee on appropriations to-day, in advocacy of
an additional appropriation OF $40 900 for the
new State, War and Navy department building.
and Prof. Baird in support OF an appropriation
ing apparatus for the nearly completed national
museum building
WASHINGTON MONUMENTAL Joint meeting
of the Senate and House committees on public
buildings and grounds to-day it was decided to
for the appointment Of Joint COMMITTEES of the
Two houses to sit during the recess for the pur-
pose OF definitely selecting plan and making
arrangements for the completion of the Wash.
1ngton Monument, reporting at the next session
Of Congress.
PERSONALITIES. Gov. Brough, Of Ohio. and
daughters, and ex-Mayor Wickham and wife of
New York, are at the Riggs House.-It is ru-
mored that Mr.. Frederick w. Seward Is to be-
Is doubtful, however, whether his health would
permit him to do so even were he SO inclined.
H g. Otis, formerly OF this city but latteriv
OF the Santa Barbara Press, Is at the Ebbif
Kallocn cn,aoa n Is coming east 70 lecture On the
newly appointed Minister to China WIS for. for
merly an editorial writer on the Providence
.jtu1ndl--Mr r. c. N. Bowles, who is known
to thousands OF travelling Americans as the
nine years, Of the American Exchanee RI IoDr ,ul
don, has severed hts connection with that in
sutuuQ0 ana mas returned TO Boston to live. =.