The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-01-12
Washington.

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GOES TO THE HousE-PERsoSAL NEWS
GENERAL GRANT BEFORE THE SENATE
FOREIGN AFFAIRS coNMITTEE-ToBACco-
| THE VIRGINIA BOND cAsE--JAMEs RIVER
NORTHUMBERLAND NEWS ITEMS.
from Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, January 1.-THE Senate
gallery to-day, in spite Of the bad weather,
was crowded, owing to the fact that vote
was to be taken on the Fitz John Porter
case. Mr.. Conger was quite bitter, and
declared that to pass the bill would reflect
on the memories OF Presidents Lincoln and
Garfield, the former OF whom approved
the sentence OF the court-martial. while
the latter was a member Of the court. The
Senate agreed to an amendment cutting of
all back pay, whereupon Mr.. FRYE said that
! IL Fitz John Porter was an innocent man
and had been unjustly convicted he was
entitled to back pay. Mr.. Logan gave q
resume Of the strong points Of his remark
able speech and addressed Republican
senators. He urged them to go against
Porter's restoration. Senator Cameron, OF
Pennsylvania, read speech in support OF
General Porter, and told Of the impression
he made on the people Of his State by his
energy and ability at the opening OF the war.
Having been Secretary OF War, his opinion
had weight with senator's. A vote being
reached, on q motion to postpone the bill
indefinitely, there was good deal OF inter-
est manifested In the gallery as the roll
was called. The result-24 ayes to 81
noes indicated that General Porter had
the Senate on his side. No Democrat
from the South said word on the merits
of the bill, and General Malone was
among those who voted against indefinite
postponemcnt, but declined to vote for the
bill on its passage. Senator Hoar, OF Mas
sachusetts, made speech In favor OF the
report OF the Military Board" which re-
viewed the Porter case, and on after-ascer-
tanned testimony made report in his favor.
At quarter past the vote was taken on
the bill and it passed-33 ayes to q noes.
The Republicans voting aye were Senators
Cameron, OF Pennsylvania; Sewell, Of New
Jersey and Hoar, Of Massachusetts. There
was no Democrat in the negative. The
question now goes to the House, and there
is but little time left TO secure action on It..
General Porter's friends, including General
Grant, are tonight highly gratified at the
result in the Senate this afternoon. The
Senate gallery was evidently on the side OF
General Porter. The bill was taken TO the
House this evening before adjournment.
TuE SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS.
To-day there went to the Senate Commit
tee on the District Of Columbia bill pro-
hibiting the sale OF intoxicating liquors
to be used as a beverage. 1t proposes to
allow druggists to sell liquor as medicine
in the District, but makes the penalty very
strong in the event they sell it to be drunk
by healthy people. A number Of petitions
on the same subject went to the Committee
on Education and Labor.
Personal NEWS ITEMS.
DR.. Morris, Of Lynchburg, was on the
House side OF the Capitol to-day. Genera
Grant and ex-Minister Romero went before
the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
and talked in regard to the proposed com
mercial treaty between the United States
and Mexico. Governor Dorsheimer, o.
New York, was on the floors OF the House
and Senate, and attracted a good deal O.
attention. Among those who paid theil
respects TO him was the Hon. George
ID. Wise. Alexandrians here seem pleased
that there was a hung jury in the case o
s. c. Neal. Western Virginians thinl
that the action OF the Democrats a
Wheeling last night increase the chance
of the reelection OF Senator Davis. Mr.
Kenna's friends, however, are still yer.
confident. Hon. George ID. Wise has pre-
scented a petition of 1ifty-siX citizens O
Richmond who want the duty on suga
reduced. The duty on sugar now realize
for the Government S40,000,000. Senate
Ransom was to-day congratulated by Re
publican and Democratic senators on hi
unanimous denomination. Captain Jac
Hudgins, of Caroline, was at the Capito
to-day.
THE TARIFF AND INTERNAL REVENUE.
The Ways and Means Committee to-da
after considerable discussion fixed til
tariff on hemp, iute, and flax at what
, now is. The tobacco-men were active
and General Malone stated that he wa
very certain that the Senate would reduc
the tax on tobacco to eight cents pound
THE VIRGINIA BOND CASE.
7 had thought that on next Monday tn
opinion Of the Supreme Court in the Vii
ginia bond case would be rendered, bu
tonight | heard that there would be n
decision until after the recess, which end
, the 9TH Of March.
THE JAMEs-RIvER IMPROVEMENT.
Hon. George d. Wise has been seekin
an opportunity to get hearing before tn
( House Commerce Committee in favor c
; an increased appropriation for James river
but has not succeeded. To-day he aske
the chairman OF the committee TO alloy
him TO show that the James is a part OF
great national highway between the Paciti
and Atlantic, and that Congress would b
economical really in making liberal ar
preparation to deepen its channel.
BRIEF NEWS ITEMS.
Government receipts to-day: Internf
revenue, $40, 496; customs, S564,036.
There was meeting Of the Lighthous
Board to-day, and it was agreed to elect
presiding officer in place Of Admiral Wy
man next Thursday.
Governor Sherman. OF Iowa, arrive