The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-02-12

SONAI-IHE INDIAN PFACE COMMISSION
ERS-vAEIoUS MINOR ITEMS, &c.
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON. February 1l.-Senator Wal
lace, while In New York investigating the
Davenport case, had a talk with leading
Republicans, who said they did not think
the New York Legislature will pass the bill
for elccting presidential electors by dis
trictS, because IL would be confession OF
weakness on the part Of Republicans that
would have bad effect in c'o,e and doubt
full States. Furthermore, they said they
did not think it would be right, and il done
would be condemned 10y farminded men
everywhere. have again heard that Sena
tor C0nkling does not look with favor on
the scheme, and that he wants New York,
as have before stated, to remain the En-
pire State politically, as it is in wealth and
population. asked one OF Mr.. Conking'S
friends II the Senator had still faith in his
ability to carry it, and he replied, "Cer-
tainly, for any position from President
down." Mr.. ConkIing is keeping very
quiet, and is not active like bis rival, Mr..
Blaine.
GENERAL RUGGLEs BEFORE THE SENATE AG-
RICUL1URAL COMMITTEE.
By invitation General Daniel +. RugglcS,
OF Fredericksburg. was before the Senate
Agricultural Committee today, and eX-
p'ained his plan for producing rain artif-
cialy in arid regions and in time Of great
6rouDb,S in mara fortiIo eoclionO II tvill
be remembered by those who read the sy-
nopsis of his original petition to Congress,
published in this column, that he proposes
to explode torpedoes among rain.cloulS
and bring about rain. Just as is done by the
firing Of cannon in battle. These are to te
ignited by apparatus which he fully eX-
planned TO the committee to-day. Senator
Johnston remarked that the heat in desert
sections elevated and dispersed rain-cloudS.
General Ruggles replied that was 50, but
that these clouds accumulate on the bor-
der Of deserts, and that the outer portions
of arid sections can he first fertiizCd by
means Of rain, and in course Of time the
whole can be 10y gradual approaches re-
claimed. Senator Paddock, OF Nebraska,
and Senator Davis, of West Virginia, SEEM
ed highly interested, and propounded a
number Of questions, which General Rug
giles answered to their Satisfaction. The
former said that portions of his State suffer
severely for the want Of rain, and that he
was for giving the plan Of General Rugg!es
4 fun investigation. The committee re-
quested him to write out in the form
of memorial all he had commune
Gated to them, and asked the chair.
man, Senator Johnston, TO obtain per-
mission OF the Senate TO have it printed.
General Ruggles went right TO work on it,
and infOrmed me that it will make about
| twenty-five pages of ordinary pamphlet
size. was gratified to notice what close
attention was given to the explanations Of
General Ruggles by senators, and their evil
dent appreciation OF his plan. II it leads
to something substantial, it will benefit a
| brave soldier, and one who, since the war,
has battled manfully against adverse for
! tune.
SECRETARY SHERMAN BEFORE TIE WAYS AND
Secretary Sherman appeared before the
| House Ways and Means Committee to-day
and gave his views in full in regard TO
finance and refundng. lie favored the
issue of per cent. bonds, which, he said.
could be maintained at a premium, and was
opposed to 80 per cent. bond. MI. Tucker
asked him il the fact that per cent. bonds
are now worth over 10j does not prove
that a bond at lower rate OF interest
can be maintained at par. He replied
that it indicated that $40 bonds could be
kept at par. He went over the whole ques-
ton OF finance, and cOnended In 1t in order
TO maintain resumption on an improbable
basis and prevent financial fluct uations we
must keep a reserve OF coin in the Treasury
equal TO 40 per cent. Of our greenback issue.
Mr.. Tucker asked him If less amount
would not d0-say three to one, as in the
case of the old State banks. lie did not,
however, think SO. Questions were pro-
pounded TO Mr.. Sherman by Messrs.
Wood, Mills. Gibson, Garfield, Frye,
and Kelley, and his replies were clear.
1t was evident that he is welded to his
own theories and will be slow to adopt
! those OF the committee. l. is evident that
the committee will not report in favor Of a
4 per cent. bond. Mr.. Sherman will fur
nsh the committee volumniOus Information
bearing upon the competing Propositions
to wit, a. to whether it is best 10 refund
| all OF the bon is now TO be called IN, or not
TO refund. but 10 pay off as fast as the sur
plus revenue will permit. Mr. Sherman eX-
pressed a willingness TO carry out in good
faith whatever plan Congress may see tit to
adopt.
| PERSONAL NEWS ITEMS.
Mr.. GoOde will oppose General BeaIe's
bill TO annex West Point to the Richmond
customs district. Ex-Governor Wells and
Others had conference with Senator
Withers to-day in regard to the new bridge
across the Potomac at Georgetown. The
House bill provides for a new bridge, but
the Senate proposes to leave it 10 the Secre-
tary whether 1t shall be a new bridge
or one over the aqueduct route. EX-
Governor Wells is one Of the leSsees OF the
Alexandria anal, and Senator Withers de-
sired 10 learn as TO its franchises. Senator
Mcdonald made speech to-day in favor Of
his land biz. Senator Gordon receives Il
great many letters from Georgia sustaining
his onposition to Simmons. Mr.. Jacob
Of fln fol 10