Year: 1871

| WASHINGTON, January Z0.-lt having
been conjectured that if the apportion-
ment act is not passed in time to be ap-
piled to the Forty-second Congress, the
number of Presidential electors in 1872
will be determined by the present basis
of representation, it is proper to say
that as the President will be elected at
the same time as the Forty-second
Congress, both will be elected on the
same basis. This is in accordance
with the precedents Of 1882 and 1852.
The only event in which a failure to
make a new law apply to the Forty
second Congress can possibly affect the
Presidential election, would be the fail
ure to elect by the people, in which
case choice would be made by the
House of the Forty-second Congress,
and on the present basis.


Collector Murphy and the Fenians.


Collector Murphy's action in receiv'
ing the released Fenian prisoners with
government vessel and apparently
in the name Of the government, is the
subject of official criticism here, but it
is not likely that any action will be
taken unless there should be a call
upon this government for an explana-
ton, which has not yet been made.


Bill 10 Repeal the Test Oath.


The Reconstruction committee met
yesterday, and instructed their chair
man to have the Senate bill to abolish
the test oath, taken from the Speakers
table and referred to the committee for
immediate action. A large majority of
the committee is understood to be in
favor Of the bill, which, if it becomes
a law, will remove all disabilities except
those imposed by the Fourteenth
Amendment to the Constitution. Por-
ter's subcommittee, who had in charge
the subjects of providing a more ample
protection to loyal people oil the South
and relieving persons appointed to
office who cannot take the iron-clad
oath, made no report and were given an
extension until next Tuesday. Porter
is preparing careful report on the form
er subject. If the full committee
agree to the entire repeal of the test
oath, there will be no occasion for ac-
ton Of the subcommittee on the sec
ond subject referred to them.


Indians Suffering for Want Of Sup


plies.


Reports from the Indian country
north of the Pacific Railroad indicate
much suffering among the Indians. Mil
itary officers at Forts Laramie and
Fe,terman report destitute Indians
daily arriving, and the Indian Bureau
being wholly without funds wherewith
to purchase supplies to feed them, it has
been determined that supplies should
be furnished from the Commisserat Of
the Army until other arrangements can
be made, and an order to this effect has
accordingly been made.


The West Point Committee.


The sub committee of. the Military
committee to visit West Point is COM
posed of Gen. Cobb Of Wisconsin, Gen.
Asper of Missouri, and Gen. Slocum of
New York. They expect to leave
Thursday of this week, and to be occu-
pied two or three days in examining
witnesses relative to the breach of disci-
pline by the first class in the expulsion
of three of the fourth class Of cadets.


Mr. Seward Among the CelestiaIs.


A dispatch from Rear-Admiral
Rodgers, commanding the Asiatic fleet,
dated Flag ship Colorado, Wusung,
China, Dec. II, 1870 reports to the
Navy Department his return to that
place, with officers, staff and guard, in
company with Mr.. Seward and party
from Pekin. Admiral Rodgers had
several conferences with Minister Low
regarding Chinese affairs, and also in
regard to the proposed visit to Corea for
the purpose OF establishing treaty with
that country for the protection of ship
wrecked seamen, and it was arranged
that in MAY next Mr.. Lout and Ad-
miral Rodgers should 90 to Corea and
declare their desire and purpose. Dur
ing the journey to and return from
Pekin, the party were every where re-
ceived with courtesy In Pekin Prince
Kung and officers OF the imperial
cabinet returned a visit which mad been
made them. The interview was agree
able but the conversation was confined
to generalites. Mr. Seward once or
twice touched on serious matters, but
;he discussion was eyaded by them