The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-16


committees. There Is no change n the re-
ported slate Of chairmen tonight as far as
l can hear. The Senate will meet to-mor-
row. II determined to-day TO adjourn
over, but rcconsldcred It's action. Little
OF importance in the way Of business,
however, can be transacted until after the
holidays. The wonder Is that Congress
does not meet the first Of January instead
OF early in December. The only argument
hear used against this is that IL this were
done the session would run into August.
Perhaps II might have the effect OF making
the servants OF the people more ex peditious
IN the discharge Of their representative
duties.
BRIEF NEWS ITEMS.
Report says Secretary Frelnghuyscn
viii enunciate strong Monroe doctrine
opinions at an early day.
The records in the Warren court Of in.
quiry have reached the Adjutant-G Generals
office, and would fill an ordinary book
store.
The Government receipts to-day were /:
Internal revenue, Si47,2lG; customs, 1868
597.
As yet, in spite Of the reports published
that there was TO he q full retinue at the
White House, the Presidents only attended
tonight by his two secretaries, and it
does not look rs II the Executive Mansion
will soon be enlivened by social festivities.
ASSOCIATED Press reports to the Dispatch.l
TNTEROCEANIC CONNUNICATON--SRC
BLAINE on THE REMODFICATION or THE
CLAYTON-BULwER TREATY.
WASHINGTON. December IA letter Of
instruction from Secretary Blaine 20 Minis
ter Lowell in reference to the rcmodifica-
ton OF the Clayton and Bulwer treaty was
sent TO the Senate to-day in response TO a
resolution OF inquiry. 1t il a voluminOus
document. Pursuant TO a suggestion i'm a
letter Of June oath, regarding the Panama
canal, the Secretary says il becomes his
duty 10 call attention TO the Clayton
Buwcr treaty. lie quotes the pro-
visions Of this treaty touching inter-
oceanic communication, whether by canal
| or railroad, and says this convention was
made more than thirty years ago under cx-
ceptional circumstances, which have long
ceased to exist, and can never be repro
duccd. The remarkable development OF
the United States on the Pacific coast since
then has created'ncw duties for this Gov
eminent and developed new responsible
ties upon il, full and complete discharge
OK which requires some essential modi-
ficatons TO said treaty. The inter
ests Of the British Government in
VOWED in this question, so far a. may
properly be judged by observation Of the
friendly Powers, are SO incOnsiderablc,
compared with those Of the United States,
that the President hopes a reimbursement Of
the terms of the treaty may be reached in
a spirit OF amity and concord. Among the
most salient and palpable objections to the
continuance Of the existing treaty is the
fact that its operation practically comedies
to Great Britain the control OF whatever
canal may be constructed, binding, as il
does, the United States not TO forify
on land. The British naval pre-
pondcrance is maintained in peace
rs well rs war, secures TO Great Bri-
tain, in the possible case OF a struggle
for the control Of the canal, nh advantage
at the outset which would prove decisive,
and which could not be reversed except by
the expenditure OF much treasure and
force. The presumptiye OF the intention
Of the treaty was to place the two
nations on perfect equality with re-
spect to the canal. hut practically it sur
renders il in effect, il not in form,
to Great Britain. The treaty in terms
prohibits the United States from using any
military force on land to protect it, inter-
eSts i'm such canal. ItfOllOwS consequently
that the entire control OF the canal Is sur
rendered TO Great Britain by reason OF her
superintendent navy. Secretary Blaine
reasons that il no American soldier is per-
mitted to be used TO protect American
interests. no war-yesSel OF Great Bri-
tain should be permitted to appear on the
waters controlling either entrance OF the
canal. Another reason for abrOSating the
treaty is found in the fact that the priority
OF interest Of the United States in qucS-
tons affecting the continent is not recog-
nized, which priority Blaine rcd'scrtS and
seeks TO make secure. Secretary Blaine
claims in this 10 be following Eng
lands policy i'm exercising a wise fore
caste for future contingencies, and
cites British example in securing
the control Of all strategic points
on the route to India through the Mediter-
ranean and Suez canal. British interests
i'm India are not Of more importance to her
than are our interests in the Pacific coast
BESIDES, India is but distant colony Of
Britain, while our Pacific coast is an inte-
grail part Of this nation.
sHERMAN's BILL 10 BE REPORTED.
WASHINGTON, December 1j.-The Senate
Committee on Finance this morning unanl-
mously agreed TO recommend the passage
of Sherman's per cent. funding bill, with
amendment reducing the aggregate amount
of 3 per cent. bonds TO be issued to 200,-
600. 600, and providing that the amount Of
deposit 10 be received shall not exceed at
any one time the sum OF Sd, 00O,O0o. The
committee took this action after hearing
Secretary Folger, who expressed himself
In opposition to the proposition, preicrring
TO retain the Governments privilege OF
calling in 81 per cent. bonds ut any time.
NOMINATIONS BY THE PRESIDENT.
WASHINGTON, December 15.-The Presi-
dent to-day nominated j. c. Bancroft Da-
Wis. of New York, to be Assistant Secre-
tary of State. and number OF poStmasterS.
including Clifford Statham, Lynchburg,
Va.
The GuitcaG Trial.
WASHINGTON, December l5.-Mr. Collier
took the stand again this morning and testi-
=. 4 A.. Io Iad povar 1pfpCfpd any SiUne