Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-14

eral witnesses were examined, but nothing
beyond what has been published, and the
court adjourned until tomorrow.
Cabinet Meeting.
The cabinet session to-day was short The
only matters of interest considered were GER
tain questions now before the secretary of
war, among which, il is understood was the
case of Cadet Whitaker, on the point made
by the judge acknowledgement that the court
martial which tried him was illegally con-
stituted.
voorhees, Beck.
Senator Voorhees, intends to make speech
at an early day in defense OF the arrears OF
pensions act. He does not wish the condem-
nation of that act by Senator Beck to stand
before the country as representing the senti-
ment OF the Democratic party. He will
claim that the Democratic party originated
and passed the act and that it stands by it.
| Keep Your MufiIafed silver at Home.
A large amount of mutilated silver has
been sent to United Treasurer Gilfllan, under
the impression that it would be redeemed by
him, and he has always sent such remittances
! to the superintendent of the mint at Phila-
! delphia for purchase as bullion. The super
| intendent saws that under the rules and in
struciions governing that Office the smallest
purchase of silver or deposit of gold
received is 500, and upon all such there is a
melting charge of one dollar, which he con-
siders heavy tax on small deposits. As
| the number of remittances is largely increas-
ing, he says he is forced to decline taking
them in future, and that no less an amount
| than 500 can hereafter be received at the
mint. In view of this decision, the treasurer
| will return TO the senders all such remit
tances.
The Contingent Fund Investigation
The Senate contingent fund investigating
committee continued its work to-day. The
| folIn ua1
| has occupied for some days past with regard
to the purchase of various fancy articles
such as in the nature of things could not be
| required for any branch of the treasury
| department and payment for these articles out
/ of the contingent fund. No new witnesses
were examined, but several who had been
| before the committee heretofore were ques-
toned. The purpose of the committee now
seems to be more to get information that will
| enable them to recommend legislation tend
| ing to prevent abuses and Irregularities here
after than to make any exposures. In fact
it is very difficult, if not impossible, to fasten
responsibility for the many irregularities and
petty frauds discovered.
Cannon for the Garfield Monumsnt.
Senator Harrison, 10 behalf of the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, has submitted to
the Senate an interesting report on the bill
VIII ch directs the secretary of war to deliver
the Society of the Army of the Cumberland
a number of pieces of condemned bronze
cannon to aid 10 the erection of a statue or
monument 10 General Garfield. The COM
mittee report that they find ON inquiry OF the
secretary of war that all condemned ma
terisl of the character described in the bill
now on had, or likely to be available for
long time, has already been appropriated by
acts of Congress to the erection of other
monuments to some of the illustrious dead.
They proceed, however, TO say:
hall fhat II
alton hiss been made of bronze cannon for the
erection of statues or monuments, the material
casting the work. 1t has been customary to sell
the material or exchange it for other material
of the bill cannot be accomplished by the passage
of II in its present shape yonr committee believe IT
given to such objects should not be withheld in
case so worthy Of enduring remembrance as that of
assistance asked may be given iu way not prac
tically different from that which has prevailed in
to pay over TO the proper officer society, out
OF the proceeds OF the sale OF condemned ordnance
stores, the pro per sum OF money for the purpose
named.
The committee has therefore prepared
substitute for the bill appropristing $500
cut of the proceeds of any sales of con-
demned ordnance ordnance Stores and
rec ommend the passage Of this substitute.
Pension Points.
The Fl, use Committee on Pensions to-day
authorized favorable report to the House
on the resolution introduced by Mr.. Browne
Ind calling on the secretary of the inte-
rior for estimates of appropriations annually
to pay pensions during the next twenty-five
years.
Commissioner Dudley addressed the COM
mittee ON the subject OF Indian pensions and
a number of other subjects pertaining to his
department, all of which were briefly con- |
sidered by the committee. Colonel Dudley |
then called attention to the matter of insane |
and invalid pensioners, and recommended
the enactment of provision which would
admit of the payment of such pensions to |
widows or orphans. On this subject the
committee will recommend legislation pro-
viding that when children have resided with
and been supported by the widow of a soldier,
pension to the children shall commence from
the date of the last payment made to the |
widow. 1t was resolved that legal marriage |
must be proved in order to establish the |
widows right to pension, and that adulter-
GUS cohabitation shall terminate the |
pension from date OF commencement and |
continuance thereof. The question to |
what shall constitute marriage being raised, |
it was decided that proof of cohabitation as
man and wife shall be sufficient to secure |
payment OF estopped pensions. Colonel
Dudley informed the committee that
he had issued instructions for the establish
ment OF medical boards at places about forty
miles apart throughout the country, where |
pensioners will be required to appear and
exhibit their claims and undergo an exami- |
nation. On the subject of reducing the ex-
animation fee from 50 to 81, Colonel Dudley |
said in his opinion it was not advisable, as
the lee was already too small to make it an
inducement to any reputable physician to be
a member of an examining board
AFihur VIII BE Leader and VIII Not
BE Led.
Washington Letter To the Chicago Tribune.
The country is beginning to understand
that Arthur is pursuing a course carefully
mapped out, and employing methods delib-
erately devised. The period between Gar |
fields assassination and death gave oppor-
tunity for reflection. During the whole of it |
Arthur rested under probability which to
his mind amounted almost to GER
tainty that he would come to the |
any man, it was a period of discipline, re-
hection-the preparatory stage not far diff
ferent from that which every president has
from the time of his election TO the day of |
his Inauguration. 1t may be assumed for |
Certainty that no president ever employed |
this period more thoughtfully than Arthur. |
If it had its saddening features it had not |
less its qualifications in the prospective |
possession of power and dispensation of |
patronage.
WHEN ARTHUR TOOK THE OATH,
therefore, he was prepared. He had, SO to |
speak, thought the thing through. He was !
prepared, not only to take the first step, but |
many, reaching far beyond the present He |
il now, has from the first moment been, sim
ply unfolding his plan. The instrumental |
ties, so far as they could be selected, have be6 |
employed with deliberation. In framing his |
plan Arthur had helps, although time will |
show that of all the good aduice received !
he has rejected no small part To illustrate |
what is meant by this it may be said that !
scarcely one of the great Stalwart leaders |
Grant, Conkling, Logan, and SO on-is en- !
tirely satisfied with Arthur's course. There |
is growing disposition to complain that !
their potency in directing affairs is less now |
than 1t was at the start, and is likely to be |
less hereafter. The fact is,
ARTHUR HAS SET UP FOR HIMSELF.
1t is no sudden thing. 1t is what he thought |
out and determined to do in the gloomy, |
nevertheless inspiring period which ended in /
bringing him to the executives chair. To |
have been more rapid in manifesting his |
purpose, to have unfolded his plan speedily, !
would have been extremely unwise. Arthur's (
poise has been with his eyes fixed steadily on |
an object. To his credit, il is TO be said, his )