The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-12-11
WASHINGTON.
House Committees,

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-It is understood that
the House committee on rules will report fa-
voraDy the resolution to create New commit
tea on the improvement of rivers and harbore,
which shall have charge of the river and har-
Dor bills. The House will probably create
such a committee.
Speaker Carlise proposes to appoint on the
committee of commerce, which will then be
able to attend to its legitimate duties, men
like Messrs. Reagan of Texas, ,Dingley of
Maine, aud James of New York, who have
practical acquaintance with questions affect
ing our internal and foreign commerce. Rep
resentative Dingley'S knowledge of the ship
ping question entities him to the position on
the commerce committee, which he will prob
ably receive
Supreme Court Decisions.
A decision was rendered by Chief Justice
Waite in the Supreme Court to-day. The case
was the Canada Southern railway against VIM
Ill. Gebhard ct al, and the suit is brought to
establish the legal status of the Canada South
ern in the United States under scheme of re-
organization. The decree was in favor of the
corporation.
In the contested will case OF the heirs of Sa-
rah Ann Dorsey against Jefferson Davis to re-
cover possession of certain property left to the
latter by Mrs Dorsey at her death, the judg-
ment OF the court below, which was in favor
of Mr.. Davis, is affirmed.
The Holiday Recess.
1t is generally understood among the mem
bers OF Congress that the holiday recess will
be taken within week or ten days. An effort
will be made by some of the representat yes
to secure an adjournment oa Saturday next,
but 1t ls thought by others that Speaker Car
Isle will want another Sunday to devote to
the work of arranging the committees, and
that ha will not be ready to announce the re-
suit of MS labors before the following Monday
or Tuesday. No opposition to adjournment at
that time is expected on the part of the sena-
tors, who must give their consent before the
House can take recess of more than three
days.
Minority Chairmanships Assigned by the
Democrats.
At caucus of Democrats this morning a
list of assignments of Democratic Senators up
on the committees was reported by the com
mittee. Few changes were made and upon
the suggestion of Senators interested no other
subject was discussed. The minority chair
manships were fixed as follows:
Private Land Claims-Bayard
Engrossed Bills-Saulsbury.
Epidemic Diseases-Harris
Revolutionary t.lains-Jones of Florida.
Nicaragua Clams-Maxey.
Additional Accommodations for Library
Voorhees,
Senator Jonas takes the place of Mr., Bar
row on the privileges and elections comm ittee;
Vance and Brown succeed Johnston and Call
on the foreign affairs committee. Call takes
the place formerly held by Davis of West Vir-
ginia on the committee on finance. The other
changes are unimportant
Big Batch of Bills.
In the House to-day 824 bills and joint reso-
lutions were introduced, which will nearly av-
erage seven to each member.
Dinner 20 Governor-Elect Robinson.
Representative Hiscock gave dinner to-
night to Governor-elect Robinson of Massa-
chusetts, at which IA gentlemen were present
including Speaker Carlisle.
senator L0gan's Pension Bill.
Senator Logan has introduced bill granting
80 acres of public land to any person who en-
tered the service of the country during the late
war, IN the army or navy, who has been honor
ably discharged after period of service of less
than enc year. If he served between one and
two years he is to be entitled to 100 acres of
land. He has also offered bill directing the
Secretary of the Interior to place on the PEN
sion rolls the names of such officers soldiers
sailors and marines who, while in the United
States service and in the line of their duty
were taken prisoners OF war and confined in
Confederate prisons between May /, 1861, and
May l, 1866. Those who were prisoners from
two to six months are to receive a one-half
pension, from six to twelve months three
fourths pension, and one yearor longer iull
pension. In addition each surviving prisoner
is to receive 50 a day for every day he was
confined. Such survivors as are now drawing
pensions shall be entitled to such increase Of
their pensions as this act may grant them.
Ex-senator KeiIogg's Trial.
The case of ex-Secator Kellogg indicted for
having received $4,000 while a Senator of the
United States from James B. Price, q star
route NAL contractor, for inducing Second As
sistant Postmaster General Brady to make an
order allowing an increase of pay in two of the
prices of routes, was appointed for trial in
Judge Wylie's court today. Kellogg was pre-
sent with counsel, and there was also present
large array of legal talent. Walsh and an
other important witness being absent, the
government asked for delay.
After discussion, in which Col. Ingersoll and
Attorney General Brewster took part, Judge
Wylie said he would take the application and
atfidavit5 and announce the decision of the
court tomorrow morning.
The Craftsmanship of the National Re-
publican Committee.
The principal candidates for the chairman
shin of the National Republican Committee,
which meets here on Wednesday, are Messrs.
Fortes OF Massachusetts,, New of indiana, and
Frye of Maine.
Miscellaneous.
Gen. Cults, of the Coast Survey, is danger
ously i'll from an attack of paralysis.