Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-31

suit the demands of his party"
what was there really in that riot"
the correspondent asked.
''Only this" replied Col. Cabell, "and
nothing more. A whole parcel of negroes.
may be 200, got into a fight involving a
few white men, and half dozen of the
black rascals got killed.
But didn't the whites precipitate it?v
"Well, if they did, it was done to chas-
tise some impudent black men who
insulted lady. l consider this whole
matter of investigation an outrage and an
insult to our commonwealth. That riot
was an Ofense to be punished by the local
officers, and Congressional interference
means the waving of the bloody shirt for
the pending campaign
PRESIDENT ARTHUR'S STATE DINNER.
President Arthur gave the first state
dinner of the season at the White House
tonight TO the members of the Cabinet,
their wives and afeW other guests. The
whole of the main floor of the White
House was brilliantly lighted and hand
sOmely decorated with flowers and trOpi-
cal plants from the Conservatory and BO-
tanical Gardens. The decorations of the
state dining room were especially hand
some. The centre ornament of the dining
table was large mirror representing
a miniature lake, with coral shores
and messy islands, bearing a fleet
of boats filled with roses. Above this was
suspended representation of a hanging
garden of large size, and at either end
were shaded wax lights in tall gilt can
dleabra. while around the table were
roses, carnations and hyacinths. Thirty
six covers were laid, and the dinner con-
sisted of q courses, with 6 wines, and
brandy and liquors as accompaniments.
The full Marine Band was stationed in an
ante-rOOm, and rendered a well selected
programme during the evening.
GARFIELD AND THE PORTER CASE.
The Fitz John Porter debate is to be
closed next Friday, or at the latest on
Saturday. In the course of the debate
last Saturday Gen. SlOcum, who has
charge OF the bill, interrupted Mr.. Horr,
OF Michigan, to say that he had in his
possession the original letters of Gen.
Garfield, saying that he was in favor of
the Commission. Gen. SlOcum said fur
tber: ''These letters will be produced
before this House by gentleman on your
own side, and one whom you have conf
dence in"
1t is learned that the Republican to
whom Gen. Slocum referred is Mr.. Phelps.
OF New Jersey, who is to close the debate
in defense OF Gen. Porter. 1t is under
stood that the friends of Gen. Porter have
placed in MIR. Phelps hands private let
ters and other new evidence of a very no.
table character which will fatty and au-
thoritatyely contradict the various as
sertions made by the opponents of the
Porter bill in the course of the debate.
SHERMAN's BOOM.
The Senate Committee on Elections will
probably be called together Friday to take
action for conducting the investigation
ordered by the Sherman resolutions, but
no call has yet been issued. 1t is under
ct haf ir
ready to be submitted, and it is supposed
that the Democrats will be compelled to
present some evidence as defense against
that presented by the Republicans. The
committee Will probably begin by hearing
such testimony as can be submitted here,
and il that seems to justify further pro-
ceedings, subcommittee will be sent to
Danville and Mississippi. A Democratic
Senator SAID to-day that the Republicans
will get more than they bargained for at
DanUlle. With regard to COpiah county
he had no knowledge of the facts. but
thought that an investigation will show
thar more fuss has been made than the
facts warrant.
GREELY'S RELIEF.
Among the reasons which induced the
Senate cOnferees upon the Greelv relief
appropriation bill to abandon the Senate
amendment providing that none but vol
unteers should take part in the relief eX-
peditiOn was the probability that the older
and more experienced offers of navy men
to whom it would be safest to intrust the
management of its affairs would be least
likely to present their claims to the con-
sideratlOn of the Secretary while the
younger and more venturesOme officers
would he the first to volunteer. 1t is be-
lieYed that in any event none would be
sent who were unwilling to go.
MINISTER WEST AND THE O'DONNELL
CASE.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee.
to whom was referred the resolutions call
ing for an investigation of the O'DOnnell
case, and whether Minister West had
done anything to render ineffective the
action taken by the House to secure re-
prieve for O'DOnnell. today received a
letter from Secretary Frelinghuysen. The
committee had asked the latter if he had
any Information on the subject. Mr.. FIRE.
linghuysen, in his letter, says that he has
information of that character, but it is
secret and private, and cannot be COM
municated to any one.
AN OUTCOME OF TYsON's DISCHARGE.
Representative Dockery. of Missouri.
expects to introduce bill at an early day
to prohibit the discharge without cause
OF employees of the House during the va
cation of Congress. Mr.. Dockery has
been led to the preparation of the bill by
the facts brought out by the Committee
on Accounts, the investigation of the re-
moyal OF Mr.. Tyson, stenographer of
the last Congress, and the appointment in
his stead of Mr.. Games, the nephew of
eX-Speaker Keifer.
THE CHATTAHOOCHEE' IMPROVEMENT.
Mr. Buchanan introduced the petition
of the Board of Trade of Columbus for an
appropriation of $150,000 for continuing
the Improvement of the Chattahoochee.
The petition states that $125,000 have
already been expended for this improve
ment, and that on account of the small
ness of each appropriation work has re-
peatedly been suspended with very costly
and backward results,
THE TARIFF BILL.
The Ways and Means Committee has
not yet prepared the tariff bill. They
have only got so far as to agree upon
horizontal reduction of 20 or % per cent.
1t will not be long before they bring in
their bill. A member of the committee
said to-day that it would be before the
House within ten days or two weeks.
AN ELECTION CASE DISMISSED.
Tbs House Committee on Elections to-
day dismissed consideration of the
Janin vs.. Hunt contested election case of
Louisiana,On the ground that the evidence
of the former had not been introduced in
the time prescribed by law.
ERsKINE's SUCCESSOR.
1t is now generally believed that no ap-
pOintment to succeed Judge Erskine will |
be made until after the Republican Ma
tiOnal Convention.
NOMINATED FOR POSTMASTER.
The President to-day nominated Jacob !
W. Little for Postmaster at West Point,
Georgia.