The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-06

washington.
Mr.. ORTIZ AND THE FLARE-UP IN THE HOUSE,
A STRONG LETTER FROM GRANT IN Favor OF
PITT JOHN PORTER-vRGINfA ITEMS AND
PERSONALS.
IRON Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, January 5.-m spite OF the
bad weather, Judge Davis, President pro
tenn. presided to-day at the opening Of the
senate. but subsequently called Mr.. Ed
MINDS 10 the chair. The former Is still
suffering from cold contracted in attend
ing the receptions on Monday. The body
adjourned at | O'Clock. On motion OF Mr..
Garland, the Finance Committee was in
structed TO inquire into the propriety OF re-
funding TO parties who paid under the
trademark legislation the fee required
by the act OF Congress touching that
subject. which was decided by the SUI
preme Court Of the United States in the
trademark cases to be unconstitutional,
and report by bill or otherwise. In the
Uonse there was little excitement created
when Mr.. Orth, Of Indiana, arose and not
only declined the Craftsmanship OF the
Committee on Rules, but read protest
against the manner in which the Speaker
had constituted the committees. This from
a prominent candidate for the speakership
and one OF the ablest Republicans in the
body shows how general is the feeling that
the House committees are anything but
what they ought to be. The Democrats,
while feeling the injustice done them,
have not given so public an expression
10 II as did the Indiana congressman
to-day. The number OF visitors to the
CAPITOL was very large for q snowy day, but
many were seeking places under the new
organization. / noticed but one OF the old
doorkeepcrs on duty, and he is retained
until Mr.. Van Horn, Republican, OF Mis-
souri,, shall name his successor. Mr.. Hew-
lit. OF New York, was excused from duty
on the Committee on Public Grounds and
Buildings because Of some private interest.
The Senate will meet tomorrow, but the
House has adjourned until Monday.
GENERAL. GRANT AND TIE FITZ-J0HN-P0RTER
CASE.
1t has already been stated that General
Grant had changed his opinion in the
Fitz-John-Porter case. Tonight learned
that on the 22d Of December he wrote the
President a iour-page-letter, in which he
stated this fact in strong terms, and re-
GREETED that while President and General
of the army he had done General Porter
Injustice. He asked the President to lay
the matter before the Attorney-General,
and this will be done. General Porters
friends therefore have n right to believe
that PREPARATION as far as possible will soon
be'done this gallant and much-iniured Of
ficer. The report last night that General
Grant was In the city grew out Of the fact
that his son was here.
PERSONAL NEWS ITEMS.
General LomaX, who was at the head OF
yhe stationery department OF the House I'M
Ill the Republicans got control, will leave
here on Tuesday for Fernandina, Fla,
where ne goes to engage in engineering I'M
3 der tTtHtIdl iAl0 II i'hhp Wt''
him good luck and n heap Of it. Mr.. De-
zendorf is pressing bill to pay to the per-
sonal representative Of the late collector ut
Norfolk, John s. BraXton, 1882 wrong
fully taken by subordinates in his Office.
Moses Lacy, Of Lynchburg, has claim be-
fore the House for $500 for rent OF ware
house upon contract made with United
States quartermaster. The announcement
that Hon. L. John Ellis is to lead Il
ReRdjuster movement in Louisiana has oc-
casioned some surprise among his friends.
Mr.. Brewster, the new Attorney-General,
visited the Senate and House to-day. lie
talked with number OF Democratic men,
hers OF both bodies. There is not a south
ern policeman left on the House side Of the
/ Capitol. Postmaster-Ge General Howe was
sworn in to-day. Captain Ramsey, super
intendent Of the Naval Academy, called on
the Secretary Of the Navy this morning.
Guiteafs counsel, Messrs. Scoville and
Reed, were in conference all day, and do
not seem to have much hope. Jesse Grant
and Ex-Governor Warmoth are in the
city. Attorney General Brewster was
formally presented to the judges Of the
Supreme Court to-day. A private tele-
gram announced to senators to-day the re-
nomination OF Senator Lamar.
BRIEF NEWS ITEMS.
Papers in the Richmond rent cases went
to the Senate Committee on Claims to-day
The Civil Court to-day was occupied in
trying the case Of Mr.. III. j. Ramsdell, bro
Their of United-States-M Marshal Ramsdell, Of
Chesterfield, who is suing the city for go.
600 for having broken his leg some time
AGO in consequence Of defective sidewalk
Ex-senator Sargent, of California, wa,
on the floor Of the House to-day, and hi,
/ Republican brethren treated him very much
a. il he was really the coming Secretary Of
1 the Interior.
| There was a flood of petitions presented
to-day in the Senate, and a good many re-
lated to railroad transportation. Some
were for the removal Of taxes on banks.
The report Of our commissioners to tho
Paris Exposition OF 1873, in five volumes,
is the best yet published by the Govern
ment. The paper used for printing it il
very fine, and the binding attractive.
The District Commissioners think the
Government Printlng-Oflice needs altera
tons TO make il safe in ease OF fire.
Pennsylvania avenue was filled this af
ternoon with sleighs.
The report that Secretary Hunt has been
rendered the Austrian mission is denied
and his friends say he will continue as See