Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-19

c..,,,r Enss's Ship-Rsilwa, scheme-Thc
rara-t.s John por'cf's Case fiasl D's'
cussien.
IRON oar Regular CORRESPONDENCE
WASHINGTON, d. c., February is.
Chairman Reagan Of the House Com
mefce Committee is so much interested
IN Captain Eads's ship-railway scheme,
which is now under consideration by
hal committee, that he has allowed his
lifelong ho5by--national regulation
of Interstate railway trafiic-to
drop out Of sight for the time
beng. Mr.. Reagan is an admirer
Of Eads. and is convinced that the pro-
posed ship railway is the most feasible
method OF securing interoccanic commu-
nication. From what has leaked out Of
the committee majority will probably
recommend that the United States shall
guarantee the bonds Of the Eads Com
psny but certain members have
delayed the matter by demand
ing that the alleged conces-
sion from the Mexican Government
be produced. The reply was that the
committee might have it, but that it
was in Spanish, and as that is an un-
known tongue to the Commerce Com
n.ittee, they adjourned to await a
translation. Now prudent committee
men have raised, among other trouble
some questions, an inquiry as to how
the United States could compel the
Eads Company to comply with its OBJ
legations, since all property will be out
side OF the Uni,ed States and beyond
the jurisdiction Of United States courts.
There was lively discussion in the
Ways and Means Committee to-day
over motion by Reed, Of Maine, to
refer the tariff bill to the Secretary Of
the Treasury for an opinion as to its
effect upon the revenue and upon the
administration Of the tariff laws.
There was q tie vote on this, Mr..
Hewitt voting with the Republicans
and twelve members being present.
Morrison changed his vote, so that
the motion was carried. lie then pro-
posed that in the mean time the COM
mittee should proceed to consider the
bill, and this was agreed to by party
vote. Outside of the Ways and Means
Committee and a very few members on
the Democratic side, very little interest
has thus far been shown in the tariff
question. But Mr.. Morrison will press
the subject and agitate it until he will
bring the Free-Trsders up to the mark.
lie is a man of strong convictions and
great pertiDacity.
The galleries we're crowded to-day to
hear the final debate in the House on
the Fitz John Porter bill. The speeches
OF Mr. Curtin, the war Governor Of
Pennsy lvania, and General Bragg, Of
Wisconsin, a gallant general of the
Army OF the Potomac, would be read
with general interest by southern men.
Both were listened to with the closest
attention by all the members Of the
House.
Mr.. Tucker has secured from his
committee a unanimous report in favor
OF a bill that, If enacted into law, will
yut an end TO the arbitrary arrest and
Trial Of civilians for crimes punishable
by imprisonment or loss Of life without
viesentment or indictment by grand
iury. There would be no more drag
cling Of citizens before United States
courts upon mere information furnished
bv United States attorneys, Of which
Great complaint has been made in the
southern States.
The Fitz John Porter bill passed the
House by SIS majority. Sixteen Re-
publicaDs and lj5 Democrats voted for
the bill. and ll3 Republicans against
it. The Virginians voted aye, except
JIigg, Barbour, Croxton, Libbey, and
Brady, who were absent.
New post-offces are established at
Cortland, Norfolk county, five miles
from wallacetOn Horsey, Accomack
county, near Oak Hall /; and McClelland,
Isle OF Wight. seven miles from Ivor.
The following postmasters were APP
pointed to-day in Virginia Mrs.
Nettie Naylor, Bears, Rockingham
B. b. Bryant, Southampton Mrs. S.
II. Lewis, Lynwood, Rockingham.
Captain Richard S. Hanks, of the
Luray NeUs, was at the Capitol.
Colonel John L. Brown, Of North
Carolina, visited the President and had
talk with him on civil.seryice reform.