Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-04-16
FROM WASHINGTON.
lspecial Correspondence OF The AIexAnorlh dazette
WASHINGTON. D. c., April IL, 1884.

Tho House Elections Committee met this
morning, and by a party vote instructed
Mr.. Lowry. chairman of the subcommittee
to whom the case had been referred, to re-
port to the House that in the contested case
Of O'Ferrall, democrat, VS.. Paul, Mahoneite,
from the 9TH district of Virginia, the con-
testant. Mr.. O'Ferrall is entitled to the seat.
The district has not been represented in this
Congress, because Mr. Paul, to whom Ma
homes returning board gave the certificate
of election, was appointed q. s. Judge soon
after. Mr.. Miller, the republican member
of the committee who was threatened with
q forced exit from the committee room by
Mr.. Lowry short time ago for questioning
one Of the lattcr's statements, ana VINO nao
previously been dubbed a "cur of low de-
gree" by Senator Butler, of South Carolina,
saws that the report in the O'terrall case ID
a minority report, in that while twelve OF
the fifteen members of the committee were
present, only six, all democrats, voted tor
O'Ferrall, and four, all republicans, Tor
Paul two democrats, Elliott and Adams,
refusing to vote, and that Cook, who was
absent, the other democratic member, told
him that he would vote for Paul. he says
that he will prepare the minority report
and that it will include the above state
ments. He also says that the six votes MIR.
O,Ferrall got in the committee are all he
will get in the House, but that should the
report in his favor be adopted, Mr.. Wise
will have TO 60 too as the questions involv-
ed in his case, are precisely the same, and
that to avoid that necessity the democrats,
who don't like Mr.. Massey any more than
they do Wise, have determined to try that
case before the whole committee, in which
the two democrats who refused to vote to-
day. and Mr.. Cook, who will then be back,
can by uniting with the republicans prevent
report in Massey's favor. The committee
did in fact, agree this morning to commence
the investigation Of the Massey-Wise case
before the whole committee on Friday next,
and as the POINTS in this case are, as Mr..
Miller saws the same as those in the OFFER
rail- case, there is every probability that the
seat Mr.. Wise now holds will soon know
him no more for ever, for otherwise the
committee will stultity themselves.
Mr.. John S. Barbour in reference to his
vote Yesterday against taking up the Nor
rison bill, says he did not vote so because
he is opposed to tariff reform, but for the
same reason that he voted against increas-
ing the duty on wool, which is that be is
opposed to running any risk of dividing the
! democratic party, as the republicans hope
and some democrats fear, may be the result
of making the tariff the subject OF discussion
| in the present Congress and leading ques-
ton in the next Presidential campaign.
1t is understood in the room of the House
Committee on Ways and Means this morn
ing that no measures tor the reduction or
abolition of the internal revenue will be
reported By that committee in connection
with or as part of any tariff bill. Should
the tariff bill be passed it is probable bill 10
reduce or remove the tobacco tax will be
reported Immediately.
The House Coinage, Weights and Measures
Committee this morning agreed to recon-
mend the prohibition of the issue of Treas
urv notes of lower denomination than five
dollars, to issue silver certificates of the de-
nomination Of one, two and five dollars
and that the coinage of the silver dollars
shall proceed as at present.
The report that au invitation extended to
Mr.. John S. Wise to address republican
meeting in New Jersey was revoked in con-
sequence of his being repudiator, is said by
friends of Mr.. Phelps, through whom the
invitation was extended, to be substantial
| ly correct.
The Senate to-day, after the presentation
Of some petitions against tho newspaper
copyright bill and against the further issue
/ of silver dollars, considered the resolution
asking if Paul Strobach, whose nomination
for Il federal office in Alabama was rejected
by the Senate, is in charge Of that office
and if SO, by what authority. After that the
Senate resumed the consideration of the
| bankrupt bill.
The House resumed the consideration o.
the Morrison tariff bill to-day, Mr.. Russell
republican, OF Massachusetts, leading Off il
a speech against it. He spoke to empty
benches in the gallery and to empty
seats on the floor. About one hundred
members will speak on the bill, so that nc
man now knows when the debate will end
To day is being celebrated here by the
colored people az the anniversary of their
emancipation. There is q procession oil
their military companies and uniformed so
cieties, and the sidewalks aud porticoes oil
the City Hall and Capitol are thronged by
them To witness it.
The Danville investigation is practically
over When the subcommittee who have
been conducting theinvestigato adj ourned
Yesterday, it was to let the whole committee
determine whether testimony should be ad
mitted to prove that Sims character was so
bad that the evidence he had given was
worthless. The majority of the committee
being republicans and having consulted with
Mr.. Wise have decided that such testimony
shall not be admitted. The witnesses there
fore have been discharged, and the com
mittee will now proceed to make its ma
iority and minority reports, the former to be
used as republican campaign document in
| the North.
All the Mahoneites here except General
Malone are at sea about what to do now in
reference to the next Presidential nominee.
Malone sticks to Arthur, but they seeing
that Arthur has no chance are casting about
| for the strongest man in sight. Mr..
Hooper had 4: long Interview with Mr..
Logan this morning. Mr.. Blaine is by no
means cordial to them.
At the star route investigation to-day Second
Assistant Postmaster General Lyman testified
that he and R. G. lngersol and Dir. Elmer then
the Second Assistant Postmaster General were
the arbitrator TO adjust the Salisbury cases, but
that tho board of arbitrator never held meeting.
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee agreed
to-day unanimously To report a bill paying Mrs.