New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-31
PERTINENT QUESTIONS UNANSWERED.
10y rELEGnAph TO TIE rRRnNEl

soil is explained.
PERTINENT QUESTIONS UNANSWERED.
10y TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30-The debate upon the Re-
funding bill in the Senate to-day was protless, no
votes having been taken aud no progress made IN
any direction. The debate was chiefly on Mr.
Vests amendment and consisted for tho most part
of assaults upon the National banks as they
Scuator Edmunds who has taken little part in dis
cusSon, addressed some pertinent questions to the
debatcrs just before adjournment this evening. He
asked, in substance what Senators, who were so
ready in their attacks upon National banks, would
have substitute. Mr.. Beck, who was on the
floor at that moment. answered evaslvely. Senator
Ednunds repeat ed the question and showed in Il
few sentences that it duty which Senators
owed the people to make known, whlo they were
aSsang the institutions which now furnish the
currency. what should be substituted Would they
have the Government 90 into the banking business
Should gTccnbacks be furnished Should State
banks be set up again as substitute for National
banks These questions were part and parcel of
the present discussion. IL the Senate was only re-
qnircd to vote the simple problem of TIE National
debt that cOnll be done aIYISedlY now; but II the
Vest amendment, or any other measure which
would affect the National banks, was to be adopted,
il became duty Mt once to consider VIII Il should
with the currency they required for their business
TIE PRESIDENTS PRIVATE SECRETARY.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I
WAsHNGTON, Jan. 3O.-PTesident Arthur has per-
formed graceful action in tho manner of his ac
ccptance Of j. Stanley Browns resignation private
secretary. The President sent him a letter saying
that action had been deferred his letter of resig
nation in the hope that he would reconsider his
declination to remain in the Office, and adding:
OF the high regard You were bed In by my
predecessor, hs friendship for and confidence IN yon
aud OF The marked ability with which you discharged
the responsible aud delicate duties OF your position
recognize also the gratitude you have displayed, and
OF the properly arrange and classify hls
literary eecls In accepting your resi- gnation desire
10 assure you Of my friendly regard aud OF my interest
in your future succcss and happiness.
The gentleman who has been appointed to succeed
Mr. Brown is +. J. Phillips Of New York, who has
been disclarging the duties Of the position since
Jannary l. II goes without saying, that tie sclcc-
tion Of the Presidents secretary is important to
every person having business to do with the White
Honsc and that it is place i'll which discretion and
tact Of rare order are necessary. II is the judg
neut of all those who have had occasion to resort
TO the White House that Mr.. Phillips Is admirably
qualified for the place He Is young man Of
about thirty and was. during the seven years of
General Arthur's incumbency as Collector Of New
York, his private secretary At the end OF that
time hc engage private business hut left it. upon
the request of the President TO take Ills present po-
sition.
THE ARREST OF LIEUTENANT MCDONALD.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3O.-The War Depart
ment s receipt OF copies Of kilograms etc. relative to
tho arrest and Imprisonment OF Lieutenant j, " Ne
Donald and scouts at Ascension, Mexico, by
Mexican troops aud their subsequent release. which
papers have been referred 10 the State Department
From these kilograms appears that Lieutenant Nc
Donalds action crossing tho frontier unauthor
led and that he was ordered back by Colonel MacKcn
zic and held ut Fort Cummings for investigation. In
his telegram Colonel Mackenzie states: Lieutenant Nc
Donald is brave officer, but has done something very
foolish and very tronblesome'
Colonel Forsyth was ordered to call upon tho com
mandng officer of the Mexican troops at El Paso and
also upon the Governor at chihuahua to endcavor TO cf
feet quiet settlement The last telegram received,
dated at Fort Cummings n. NJ. Jannary 49, is fol-
lows:
Warrington the chief scout Of Lieutenant McDonaid's
ant Mcdonald on trail, and went into Ascension
tn Inv forage He first applird to the Aleale who
told him that President had just been elected who
would he back to town in hour. lie returned said 1t
all right and asSeued 70 their obtaining forage.
The people all treated them very kindly, and gave th6u
an entertainment. During the night they were eur
rounded 10y Mexican troops, who insisted on dsarmiNg
the Indians This Mcdonald permitted Aftcr this was
accomplished tIey then dlsarmed the Anericans and
Lieutenant Mcdonald. This was on the night of the
9TH inst The next day they were taken as prisoners to
anOs stayed there two days. then taken 10 Casa Grand
were there four days when orders came for the release
OF the whole oary, and directing that all their arms
and ammunition supplies aud animals be returned and
anything was returned IL should be paid for When
the party left JanOs the Mexican officer who made the
srrest at Ascension was reported H. arrest Mcdonald
is on his way Warrington says, and Will be In the
2Ist 221, but mems mOccasins are badly worn, and
they travel slowly. FORSYTH commanding
IN AID OF NEW-YORK COMMERCE
,e,,NCrDN Jan 9O.-Ihe President In 1av