Morning journal and courier., 1882-03-16
sergeant Mason on his atch Horse.

Sergeant Mason on his High Horse.
 WASHINGTON, March 15.-A writ of hd6ea corpus was applied for for Mason before Judge Wylie to-day on the ground that court mar tial had no jurisdiction in case of assault with intent to kill since the 5th article of war l confers on a court martial the power to try such cases only in time of war, insurrection or rebellion; also on the ground that Mason's 1 sentence was excessive and illegal The judge took the application under advisement. Sergeant Mason before he started for Albany to day sent letter to the Washington Critic in which he says he was sentenced to prison for eight years for missing Guiteau, that everything was all straight in his court mar tial and he don't wish to be pardoned by a Guiteau President
 At late hour this afternoon Judge Wiley decided adversely on the writ of Aa6eas c01'- pus.
 Americans In British Prisons Corre-
 spOndence With Minister Lowell-A
 Report That Robertson Is to Be Dis
 placed-Other Matters.
 WASHINGTON, March 15.-In the corre- spondence which the Department of State has sent to the Committee on Foreign Affairs be- tween the department and our legation at London respecting the Imprisonment of Americans in Ireland under coercion, it ape pears that In the negotiations regarding Me Sweeny Mir. Lowell failed to obtain from the British government any information beyond that contained in the warrant of arrest, but was assured by Lord Granville that~ Me Sweeny's conduct had brought him under the coercion act and he could not be released. Harts reputation is reported bad, and he will In answer to an instruction to waive for the present all discussion of the justifableness of these arbitrary imprisonments, but to press for early trials, Mir. Lowell states that Her Majesty government has promised to give the matter immediate attention.
 The President has been notified by Judge Samuel Blatchford, of New York; of his ac- ceptance of the office of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
 The National Tobacco association met to- night. G. w. Helm, of New York, was elected president. Mir. Helm said the object of the convention was to oppose free leaf to- bacco, and voted to allow iobbers seats in the convention. Sixty-ive delegates were present. It was stated that Congress had decided to reduce the tax from 16 to 10 cents per pound. There was strong senti- ment against the passage of the free leaf bill and against any reduction.
 It is reported here tonight that the scheme for putting s. B.. French in the New York collectorship in place of Robertson has as- sumed definite shape and that Secretary Folger is not adverse to the proposed change1
 At the meeting of the Democratic Con gressional committee after adjournment Gen. eral Rosencras was made chairman of the Executive committee. Mir. Fowler, of New York, was elected a member, and these two were authorized to select the other five.
 The Republican caucus met in the hall of the House tonight and lasted two hours A resolution was offered by Shellenbarger de- claring it inexpedient to legislate any re ducton on the tax on distilled spirits, tobac- co or liquors. Speeches were made by Messrs. Shellenbarger, Kasson, Dunnell, Kelley and others. The resolution was finally adopted. A feeling of willingness to afford relief to diStillers by extending the time whiskey may remain in bond was indicated. The subject of amending the rules as reported by the committee was discussed by Messrs Reed, Cannon, Robeson, Robinson and others. While the members generally favored the roposed amendment it was deemed unwise to make it partisan question by the caucus and no action was taken.