New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-03
CURRENT TOPICS At THE CAPITAL.
THE SEARCH FOR THE JEANETTE.


conference was held at the Navy Department
to-,lay between the Secretary the chiefs of bureaus
and ex-Secretary Thomson, relative to the proposed
equipment of vessel to be 10 the Polar sea III
search cf tho exploring steamer Jeanette. NJ
Thompson opposed the detachment Of the United
States ship Wachuset fol tie purpose. and SAID that
a suitable whaling ship for the purpose could De
purchased and fitted out at less expense. Such
vessel, he said would reg Iire crew of only about
thirty men. The views Of the ex-Secretary were
approved by those present. including secretary
Cod, who WILL at the request of the President, pe-
pare a statement cmbOdyinG his views and recon-
lnendations on the subject The President Will. by
special message 70 InOrrov, urge upon Congress the
importance of making an appropriation sLincIcuC
to purchase and properly coup VeSiel such az tne
Secretary NAV recommend. Secretary Con sag
there Is doubt whatever that vessel VIII DC SEM
on the expedition, the only question being what
vessel will be selected.
MR.. COX ON REAPPoRTIoEMENr.
Mr.. Cox to-day. after the District Appropriation
bill had been finally disposed OF in tho House, at
last brought up the subject of appoIticnment, and
made a very elaborate and eloquent speech upon IT.
which showed great learning. a vast amount OF
painstaking research and skill in arrangement. and
was delivered in fine spirit. The speech was an
elaborate history of the censuses OF the world. NJ
Cox did not to-day explain IN detail the scneme OF
apportlonment presented by the committee of winch
he is chairman When thar question is reached it
will be found that the measure will meet with the
united opposition of the Republicans, and it may
not secure the approval Of all the Democrats Mr.
Cox himself is opposed 10 it, and is quoted rs THINK
ing it uuiair. The proposed scheme gives TO me
South gain of twelve Congressman, while The
entire North and West are given gain OF only six
over the census of 1870.
TRL sTEEs5 OF THE PEABODY FUND.
The tlr;stees of the Peabody Educational Fnnd
met at the Riggs House to-day. There were present
the Hon. r. G.. Winthrop. MassachuSrttsj Theodore
Lyman, Massachusetts,; President Hayes. Secretary
Evarts Surgcon-Gencral Barnes, Chief-JuStice
Waite General Grant and Mcssrs. Fish. Aiken
Riggs, Wetmore. Whipple Jackson and Naming.
Remarks and resolutions ON the death of Dr. Is.
Sears the late General Aaert of the Fund read
and 1t was resolved to pay the salary of that officer
to his family until his successor shall be appointed
The appli atoms and recommendations ot the various
candidates for the vacant General Agency were then
read On motion of Secretary Evarls tie question
of the duties Of the Gen rA Agent were referred tOa
special comi.ittee. Ii wac agreed 80 proceed with
the election O. General Agent of tho Fund tO-nor-
row al o'clock.
AMENDMENTS TO TIE POST OFFICE BILL.
Tie Post Cl!icc Appropriate - lii was amended
bv the Committee on Appropriations to-day, and re-
ported to the Senate 4, tho following additions TO
vice, S125, OO9; for Steamboat service $4,000;
for fast mail srvico trunk lines, so. 600; iot
mail bags. $1,000; for mail locks and KEYS,
$4,000. The comlnitteo has also inserted a pro-
vision 'lthsr.zng the Postmaster General to pro-
cure the manufacture Of return postal cards, ana
has amended the House provision ~ regard to All
yertisenents OF general mail lettEg5 b. prcscfh-
ing that such advertisements SHAH be JLhii,heG ~
not exceeding ten newspapers IN each State VI IcI-
rif in which the service a. lei
FAVORABLE TO me SHIP RAILWAY.
The Select Con mittec OF the House on the Inter
oceanic Ship Canal held a short session this n'fn-
ing and consumed the time till the hour OF adj"Ir-
mcnt in discussion thout arriving AT any concln-
sion. A majority of The committee favor tho snip
railroad scheme of Captain Eads, though 4 wide
divergence of opinion seems 10 exist az 'be pre-
else manner in which the Government shall be asked
to lend IL countenance and inl"rsenlcIt. ne COM
mlttce ddjrurncd TIL saturday. lien il is beilrNri
& vote viii he reached upon "A diinltc prop0. ton
touching tie Lads schC me Olposcd 10 either ot the
pTOp1 sed canals.