Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-14
AT THE NATIONS CAPITAL
FOLGER TO REPEAT HIS FOR
MER RICE DECISION.

Chairman Springer Puts Counsel Bliss
in Hot Water-The Fate of the Mexi-
can Treaty Soon to be Decided-PostaI
Telegraphy and Other Important Sub
jecis, Promising an Interesting Week
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.-Secretary Fol-
ger said to the NEWS correspondent to-
night that he would close the arguments
in the rice case next Wednesday, and ex-
pected to render a decision this week.
The question which is being argued is
the same that was talked over and decided
last summer. 1t IS whether under
the new tariff granulated rice
shall pay duty as rice -four
or the higher duty OF rice wholly unmanu-
factured. Importers are, of course, for
the lower duty, and the planters for the
higher. Secretary Folger, it viii be re-
membered, decided last summer in favor
Of the importers. Chief of the Customs
Division OF the Treasury Department
James and Assistant Secretary French
say that no new arguments have been
brought out by the pending discussion,
and that they think Secretary FOlger will
render the same decision as before.
THE OTTMAN STEAL AGAIN UNDER FIRE.
At a secret meeting of Mr.. Springer's
investigating committee yesterday Brew
ster Cameron was examined. The state
ments which he had made in regard to
the Marshals' offices in several States,
were substantiated by the sworn reports
Ofspecial agents of the Department of JUS
tice which he submitted. The committee
appointed subcommittee to frame a bill
providing for the pay Of Marshals,
Deputy Marshals and District Attorneys
by salaries instead of by fees as now. A
subcommittee was instructed to confer
with the First Comptroller of the Treasury
and get his views before fixing upon the
salaries to be paid each of these classes
Of officers. Brewster Cameron, at the re-
quest of the committee, agreed TO get up
all the facts in connection with the Ott-
man compromise case. This in
formation will come before the
committee through request for
it to be made to the Attorney General by
Mr.. Springer. 1t will be remembered that
the Ottman case involves a direct rob-
berry from the Treasury of $42, 900. 1t was
compromised by the payment of S12, 900 to
the government, when there was more
than that amount enjOined In the
Alexandria (Na.) bank to the credit
Of Gilman. G.. ii. Bliss was
of Ottman's counsel. He conducted the
compromise while he was special counsel
for the government, and got $4,000 from
Ottman for his services. The incOmpati-
bility of such proceedings is evident. 1t
is also evident that Mr.. Bliss will through
the whole investigation be put in bad
light He claims that all he has done has
been under the protecting shadow of the
White House. He will have chance to
prove this. Mr.. Springer instead of
sulking, is awful glad now that he was
made Chairman of the Committee on EX-
penditures in the Department Of Justice.
THE TREATY WITH MEXICO.
1t is expected that Il considerable por-
tiOn of the present week will be devoted
by the Senate to consideration of the Mex
lean reciprocity treaty. A proposition
has been made in executive session that
this discussion take place with open
doors, and many Senators have expressed
themselves in favor of it, but precedents,
with one exception, are against such a
course, and ii is uncertain what decision
will be reached by the Senate in the
present instance. The treaty will
doubtless be ratified, but several objec-
tiOns to it will be made in the progress of
the discussion. There are Senators who
apprehend war and prospective annexa-
tion as result of complications which
they think are sure to grow out of at
tempts by Americans to establish them
selves in business in Mexico. Others
hold the opinion that if the President and
Senate may establish free trade relations
with one nation they may with all, and
thus exclude the popular branch of Con-
gress from any participation
IN the exercise Of one
Of the most important functions of the
gOvernment--that of raising revenue. 1t
will also be argued that reciprocity trea-
ties exist between Mexico and other pow
ers, comforting upon them all the advan-
tages granted to ''the most favored ma
tiOn," and that a ratification of the pres
ent treaty would not therefore confer on
the United States conspicuous advanta-
yes, since other treaty nations must be
admitted to share in its benefits. BY the
provisions of the treaty the ratification
must take place during the present week
or the matter fails.
A CHANCE FOR A DEBATE.
The Committee on Accounts will make
its report Monday or Tuesday and a some
what lively debate is anticipated over the
committees clerkships and kindred mat
ters of personal interest to the members.
A proposition to make an appropriation
to supply the deficiency in the fund for
printing the records of the Supreme Court
is also likely to be considered in the COM
mittee of the whole on the state of the
Union during the present week, and will
doubtless meet with the usual opposition
to any deficiency appropriations.
THE MILLION FOR THE MISSISSIPPI.
An attempt will be made tomorrow by
the Chairman of the House Committee on
the Improvements of the Mississippi RiV-
er to call up for immediate action the
Senate bill appropriating 81, 900, 600 for the
continuance of the improvements on the
river. A single objection will be suffi-
cient to defeat this, and if it should be
offered, the Committee on the Mississippi
River Improvement will report a similar
bill on Tuesday and ask its consideration
on Wednesday.
sHERAIAN's BANK BILL.
1t is possible that Senator Sherman's
bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treas
ury to issue TO national banks an amount
of circulation equal TO 80 per cent. of the
market value OF their bonds will be re-
ported from the Finance Committee on
Tuesday, in which case itis likely to re-
ceive the attention of the Senate during
the week.
MILITARY APPROPRIATIONS.
The pension, Notifications and military
academy appropriation bills will be COM
pleted and reported to the House by the
Committee on Appropriations early in the
week, one or more of them probably to-
morrow. They will be brought before the
House for action in quick succession.
POSTAL TELEGRAPHY.
Senator Hill will probably make a speech
tomorrow upon his postal telegraph bill,
after which the subject will be LETT with
the Committee on Post Offices and Post
Roads until several pending measures
shall have been analyzed and finally
passed upon by the committee.
COURTING A FLOOD.
In the House of Representatives, to-
morrow. the regular order will be the call
of States for the introduction of bills and
joint resolutions for reference only.
UTAH S LEGISLATIVE POWER.
Should Senator Harrison return during
the week. discussion of the bill to reorgan-
ize the legislative power of the Territory
of Utah may be resumed.
Diseased Cattle in Washington.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.-Representa-
tive Wilson, of Iowa, exhibited at the