Year: 1879

WASHINGTON, March /. 1879.
PARTISAN CHARACTER OF THE MAJORITY REPORT
OF THE POTTER COMMITTEEMAN THE RE-
PUBLICANs SAY.


The republicans of the Potter Committee busy
to-day with the minority report. They appear to be
under good deal of excitement about the majority
report which, they privately say, is unexpectedly
partisan. Democrats who have it say that it is
extremely forcble document, giving a concise
summary the history of the last Presidential eec
tion in Louisiana and Florida


AN EXTRA SESSION OF THE SENATE NECESSARY.
1t is thought in quarters that the republican
Senator's foresce the necessity for extra session
the Senate in any case, some important nom-
nations remaining still to be made and
that those of them who evidently favor an
extra session of both Houses do so on the ground
that they lose control of the organization of
the Senate they may well give the democrats in
the House a chance also to show their folly in an
extra session of Congress.


REPUBLICANS IN FAVOR OF AN EXTRA SESSION


SLAUGHTER OF SOME HEAVY JOBS.


1t is remarked to-day that many republican Sena-
tors appear to be ready for an extra session as
many democrats are and if the language they hold
about it fairly represents their views and wishes,
their willingness will make it inevitable. Senator
Window said to-day that with hard work and rapid
agreement in the conference committees the needful
bills could be got through. but it evening before
the Sundry Civil bill got through the Committee of
the Whole i'll the Senate. and though some of the
worst jobs attached TO it by the Senate Appropria
tions Committee struck out several were
left in. Notable among them was the Birkett
Indian Agent appropriation. which is one of
the most shameless jobs of the session. and which
the House in conference will certainly reject This
"A 10 setu III N al m for
$4,000 for expenditures, which documents in the
House Appropriations Committee prove con-
clusively not only unauthorized. but
were probably never made. Birkett has one or two
persistent friends in the Senate who have !e
such defence they could, but the claim is rejected
by the Indian Bureau and stigmatzed there gross
attempt at swinde, and ii condemned by the
House Appropriations Committee ON documentary
evidence entirely conclusive.


DEFEAT OF THE NATIONAL QUARANTINE AND


HEALTH PROJECTS.


The House this evening after struggle Of six
hours killed all the quarantine and health schemes
by laying them on the table. Mr.. Casey Young had
the House bill in charge but it was seen soon
by the House that he really preferred the Senate
bill. and this contributed to the failure of this
whole subject The House bill establishes
government board of health. but does not inter.





would probably have accepted, but the Senate bill
which attempts to establish a national quar-
aptine system under the charge of a national
director of health and paves the way TO the abolition
of local quarantine systems was vigorously opposed
by Mr.. Chittenden, OF New York. Mr.. Goode of
Virginia, and others uncalled for, an interfering
in an injudicious and needless manner with State
authorities ana guardianship. and. motion of
General Garfield the whole matter was finally laid
the table.


THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING.


The attempt TO transfer the government printing
Office to private firm at nominal rent failed in the
Senate 1t is understood here that this job was put
up by a ring OF speculative persons resi-
dent here, of whom are notorious for
doubtful transactions in past times and
the fact that these were able to persuade
a majority of the Senate Committee on Appropria-
tons to favor their enterprise is the subject of good
deal of comment. The clause, also inserted by this
committee, authorizing the purchase of building
here for city post office at very extravagant price
was also struck out.


THE SITUATION At MIDNIGHT.


At midnight the Senate completed the Sundry Civil
bill. determined to ake up the Legislative bill and
then went into executive session Senator's are gem
orally OF opinion that the necessary legislation can
not be got through In time and an extra session
is inevitable.