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Swaiuiah 3ttoruiq Jlctrs. HTAKMSHKD 18S0. ) J. n. EHTILL, Editor and Proprietor.] EDMUNDS OPENS FIRE. Mil. PUGH UNLIMBKKB HIS GUNS XO REPLY. The Vsrmonter’s Uefunie of bl> Claim that the Senate hue a Kltbtto Urnunil the freildent’i Reasons for Making Removals—The Speech Full of Inter est. Washington, March 9.— ln the Senate this afternoon at 2 o’clock other business was cut off by the iinilnished busiuesa, beiug the resolution reported by Mr. Kd tnunds from tho Judiciary Committee concerning the Duskiu controversy be tween the Senate and President and At torney General. As the resolutions were read by the Chief Clerk the most absolute silence prevailed on the floor and in the galleries. The galleries were crowded, many persons being compelled to stand. This was notably true of the reseryed gal leries, to which admission is only permit ted by cards lrorn Senators. Many gen tlemen and ladies were present, and, though early, failed to find vacant seats. Mr. Edmunds began his remarks in rather a low tone, but his voice soon ac quired its usual full, clear, ringing vo - ume. Forty years bad elapsed since the last controversy of this kind between the legislative and executive branches of the government had occurred, and it had then been many years since a similar occasion bad arisen. REFUSALS NOT FREQUENT. Instances In which there has been evinced the slightest reluctance on the part either of the Executive or the heads of departments to respond to the calls of either house of Congress or ol the com mittees for papers in possession either of the Executive or of the departments have been very lew indeed. Mr. Edmunds then caused to be read portions of the statutes relating to the tenure of office, recess suspensions and creating the De partment of Justice and documents cov ering the appointment and suspension of Mr. Duskin and the nomination of his successor, as well as the resolution of the Senate calling for the papers in the case and tne Attorney General’s reply. “The question,” Mr. Edmunds said, “was what was the nature of the romina tion sent by the President to the Senate. The President had not undertaken, in the tace of the statute forbidding it, to remove Mr. Duskin from office, butbad suspended him. Mr. Duskin still reinaiued Attorney of the United Stales for Alabama. He stood in the attitude of a military oflicer under arrest, as the President might place the Lieutenant General of the army, Gen. Sheridan, under arrest. That would not take Gen. Sheridan out of the army. NATURE OF THE ACT. “The act of the President, therefore, was not an attempt to remove Mr. Duskin, but to withhold from him the right to per form the functions of the office until the judgment ot the Senate could be taken in aoepeetofhis removal and ths appoint ment of a successor. The President took pains, as he should in his order of suspen sion and in his order of designation to state that both were subject to all the laws applicable thereto and the sections of the Revised Statutes forming part of the law of 18H7 and 1869 declared In explicit terms that this man should not be re moved except by the advice and consent of the Senate. When the nomination of Mr. Burnett came to the Senate, there fore, Mr. Duskin was Attorney of the United States for Alabama, and the proposition was that he should be re moved by the appointment of the gentle man selected as his successor if it should meet the approval of the Senate. THE SENA'IR A JURY, “Therefore the Senate, if it were even a jury and had to submit to the judgment ot the President, as Judge, as to what evi dence should be laid before it, connected with the case and Us relevancy, it would have been relevant (on the very issue submitted by Judge to jury) to know what was the conduct and management of that office in the hands el the person whom the President asked the Senate to assist him in displacing bv anew appointment. That question had arisen before—not be tween the President and the Senate—but in the Cabinet councils of the President.” Mr. Edmunds hud the Clerk read a long opinion of Attorney General A Herman, dated Aug. 4, 1870, relating to the ease of George H. Yeaman, commissioned Minis ter to Copenhagen, in which Attorney General Akermun, among other things, says that the word “suspension.” when applied to an office, never signified final removal of an officer. NOT IN AUKYANCE. He also bad read an opinion of Attorney General Devens, dated Oct. 4, 1877, in which that officer, among other things, says: “An office, the incumbent ot which is only suspended, is iu no case placed in abeyance.” “It would be seen then,” Mr. Edmunds continued, “that in spite of sundry mis leading discussions in the public press, and in spite of sundry inaccurate things state.) in the message of the President of tne United States to this body, and in spite of the sundry Inaccurate views nt the minority of the Committee on the Ju diciary, as to what this case is that we now have to consider—that as well by the law, as it has been placed on the statute books, by theaction or Uieaduiinistrations tbai bad existed alter the law was passed, and by the action ot the President ot tne United States himself in obedience to it— be has invited the Senate of the United Stal'-s to agree w.th him in removing Mr. Duskin from office by the appointment and commissioning of his successor. ■§ THE OFFICIAL I’AI’KK*. being so, the question was whetb jH the official papers in the Department bearing on tho administration the officer we vvero asked to remove •1: ild be sent to the Senate on its call. |Hinre was but one answer to that. Bic relevancy of the papers called for Ijust be a matter for Ibe decision of the Bnate and nobody, els, |HMr. Edmunds uid not think the wartn ■l administration man would say mat t* ting it year In and year out, decade in ar and decade out, century in and century ■t, it was any part of the duty of tho or the head ot any department whether thcoffieisl mini ma- B>n in the department, which was re quired by either bouse of Congress, was 4o be furnished or withhold w-cordlng to it opinion of the officer cal led on, that it nld or would not be uselul to them in Ir deliberations. THE PATERS IN THIS CASK. 'ho papers called for in this case were >e.rs filed in the department. “Filing” s a technical term—a term of art in law nd in the administration or the law the title read to the Senate marie the \t ney General, and not the Piesidont, {Bp custodian of those papers, and that lie should preserve them. The people •who made the statute* had been laboring nnder, perhaps, a delusion, but Mr. Kif munds thought not; tlmt the papers t hat, were In public department must ol necessity bv public papers—official papers—and certainly that would be true In respect to “papers” tiled. NATURE OF AN OFFICIAL PAPER. Mr. Edmunds inquired “What is an oflieial paper?” And asked the presiding oflicer whether he ( Mr. Sherman) would consider art “official” letter addressed to him as “President pro tempore of the Senate, relating to the measure pending before the Senate?” “I take It,” said Mr. Edmunds, “that there would be but ono answer to that question. You would hardly think it within the fitness of things, I tako It, to carry it to your house, or put it in your pocket, or put it in your fireplace and destroy it. It is addressed to you in your official character, and that is what gives character to a paper of whatever kind it is. whether official or private. SUSPENSION AN OFFICIAL ACT. “As to the suspension of an officer, the I’rosident and minority of the Judioiary (Jonimittee said it was an act solely with in the discretion of the President. So, also, said the majority of the committee. But was it not an official act? The slat, utes said it was. Tne President said it was, and ol course it was an official act. Every paper, therefore, addressed to an officer exercising that official function upon that topic must be an official paper; no matter how vile or false it may be. It did not belong to any man, whether the President or Attorney General, but to the officer in his character as an officer. NOT CALLED PRIVATE. “The Attorney General gave no hint that any part of the papers called for were private or unofficial, or even confidential. Public papers—official papers—were called for, and such papers only were spoken of in response. Did those papers relate to the motives of the President in suspending Mr. Duskin? Did anybody suppose that the President or any ot his friends had tiled a statement of his mo tives? By no means. That would be ab surd. The papers therefore stated facts, on the statement of the Attorney General, that they related exclusively to suspen sion ; stated facts, or alleged facts, as to the conduct of the officer suspended. ALL BEAR ON THK SUBJECT. “Sinee the Senate was called upon to as sist the President in displacing this man permanently, every paper existing there relating to him on tue admission of the Attorney General related to the conduct of the office while in possession of Mr. Duskin. But the papers weie refused be cause they would not only give tacts, but would enable us to understand the reasons of the President for exercising his official act. Tnerefore the proposition w as, that the Senate being called on in the exercise of its jurisdiction to judge of tbe official conduct ot Mr. Duskin—the President having already been called on, within his jurisdiction, to pronounce judgment on a similar question about the same man—the Senate could not have the papers, because if it did they would disclose the grounds on which the President acted. “If that.” said Mr. Edmunds, “Is not a proposition which would stagger the credulity and amaze the understanding of any intelli gent man in a government ofiaw or In a government of reason, 1 am quite unable to comprehend what would be. ALL OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE. All the operations of the government, Mr. Edmunds continued,” were executive, and bad it come to this, that because the President was the chiet executive officer ot the government. Congress could know nothing as to tbe facts and circumstances relatiug to the execution of the laws, be cause, if they did, they might be able to comprehend the motives or reasons of tbo President in carrying out the laws. W ny, such a statement was shocking. Yet that was the logic of this whole thing.” Mr. Edmunds continued that the At torney General had said that “public in terest” would not be subserved by send ing the papers to the Senate. According to this public interest would not be sub served by telling the Senate, which was asked to help remove an officer, what the truth was lest the truth should disclose to the Senate and possibly to the public what tbe President’s reasons were in ex ercising an official act. TREMENDOUSLY SACRED. “The reasons must be ’tremendously sacred’ it tbe tacts were never to be re vealed, lest the reasons also might be re vealed. The jurisdiction of Congress was infinitely broader than that of the Presi dent- His was executive powers. Con gress made the laws, and when the constitution command* him to give Congress information on ‘the state of the Union,’ it says he ‘shall’ do it. That had reference to the universal power of the knowledge of the two houses of Congress in respect, to every operation of tne government, and every one of Its officers. ‘That is—tbe state of the Union—the state of tbe Union is made up ot every drop In the bucket—of tne execution of every law, and the perform ance of every officer under the law. There was no one thing, no one subjected that represented ‘the state of the Union.’ A CONDITION OF THE GOVERNMENT. “It was a condition of tbe government and every part of it, not only its legisla tive parts—about which the President could comiiiunica’e no intormatioa with out impertinance, for the constitution had declared that the two houses were to reg ulate ibemselves—but be was to give Con gress. and was positively commanded to do so. from time to time information on the state of the uniou, and it is because Congress was entitled to have it every time thev called lor it, and he violated the positive command ol tbe constitution when on a constitutional call in ths regu lar way he omitted to do it.” THK DEFICIENCY. Referring incidentally to the fact that a deficiency of SIBO,OOO in tbe Department of Juatice lor the fees of jurors and wit nesses was pending before the House, Mr. Edmunds said “there must be added for this current fiscal year ending June 30 next, covering a year of purely Demo cratic control, n deficiency ot $185,000. U the enso of Mr. Duskin was fairly Illus trative of tbe circumstances of all the District Attorneys and Marshals of tbe United States—everything that Went to make up tbo autonomy of tbe administra tion of Justice—then we have drawn In tbe question, wbat has become of tbe money that was appropriated at tho regu lar session to carry on the administration ol justice through the Department of Jus tice in tbe I'nip'll States? DUSKIN INVOLVED. “Mr.Duskin was one of the persons who were <to draw upon that fund. In that dial riot be was the very person whose agency mme than that of any other would he more economical or an extrava gant, just or an unjust, expenditure ol public money. Could we not know nnv thing about it? Take tbe other 6or7U districts in the United States. If It were denied tons a*to Mr. Duskin it must be deuled at to Mr. Dorshelmer, and as to Mr. Henry, Marshal of Vermont, and every other Marshal and every other Dis trict Attorney. What then were we to do? the raiNCiruc involved, “If we bad passed this resolution while we were iLcting In a legislative way—a* if there were aay difference in the power* of the Senate whether sitting with ooen SAVANNAH. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1880. or with olosed doors—if we had sent pre cisely this resolution and applied it to all the districts in the United Slates, if the Attorney General and the President were right now, they would t>e right then, in saying, ‘No, we can give yon no informa tion, because if we do you" may be able to know the reasons why so many of these Marshals and District Attorneys have been suspended, and that Is purely within the province of the President of the United States.’ THE MESSAGE. “That was the logic of ourgood friends, the minority of committee, and their good friend and ally, the President of the United States, who, with a courage cer tainly unique, had interjected his supple mentary report to the report of the minor ity cf the committee before the Senate had even considered it. Was it possible to carry on the government In that way ?” He (Mr. Edmunds) thought not. “There was about titty years ago, a very celebrated Senator from a Southern State, who on a similar occa sion in an executive session concerning the Pauania Mission, Mr. Hayne, of South Carolina, discussing a resolution which it was proposed tbe Senate should adopt for the purpose of getting possession of all the facts relating to an assembly of a Congress of the Houth American and Central American States, and the United States. NOT ACTING ON FAITH. “Some very zealous frieuds of the Presi dent, apparently opposing the resolution, said: ‘However the gentlemen may be enamored of this new doctrine of confi dence in rulers, it is not ground, I appre hend, on wnich the Senate ought to act in fulfilling their constitutional duty ot giving advice to the President. If we are to act by faith, and not by knowledge, wc have no business to be here?” He (Mr. Ed munds) thought so too. The knowledge was denied, and if tbe SenateNkcted in tbe direction that the Attorney General and President desired it to act in putting through these 643 or 650 removals and ap pointments by faith and not by knowledge, then he agreed with Senator Hayne that we have no business to be here.” PREVIOUS to 1867. He would say in fairness to the gentle men on the other side, the minority, as they say in their report that there had been no instances of calling for papers in such a case as this that had been obeyed until 1867, that it was true, because until 1867 there was no statute authorizing the President to suspend any official at all. It was therefore to him a perfectly easy and safe proposition that until 1867 no case of a call for papers had appeared In which the President, or head of the Department, had acceded to the demand. CALLS FOR REASONS. Perhaps tbe minority had simply meant to say the Senate had never with success called on the President for his reasons for a removal. In 1885 President Jackson removed a Surveyor Geaeral, a man named Wirtz. as he had a lawful right to do. He had not suspended him. Toere was no law fur ..nspensioos. Hs appoint ed to till the vacancy a man named Wil liamson. The Senate called on the Presi dent for papers and information regard ing the removal ot W irtz. Tbe President replied in a characteristic message, saying in substance that that was one ef the nntnerous calls made on him by the Senate which he had hitherto complied with, but he was going to stop now that be had removed Wirtz, as he had a right to do, and the reason was none of tho Senate’s business. WILLIAMSON REJECTED. The Senate the next day without di vision rejected Williamson, although in tbe very message In which the President said he would not tell anything about wbat Wirtz bad keen doing, he took par ticular pains to say that Williamson was one oi the best qualified and most valua ble personages be had ever known. That was the end of the affair between Presi dent Jackson and the Senate on tbe subject or papers about appointments. Tbe minority of the committee bad said truly that no such spectacle as this bad ever been witnessed during tbe time the Democrats bad control of the Senate from 1879 to 1881, and the President in bis supplementary minority report to the deliberations of tbe Senate had stated with fulness of rhetoric, which was as churning as it was unique, that these statutes of the United States and the practice under them bad now for many years fallen into a state ot “innocuous desuetude.” THE PRESIDENT'S DUTY. If that were true it ought to be one of tbe missions of tbd President in discharg ing the duty that the constitution Imputes to him to take that statute of disuse (if be might use s shorter and humbler phrase), and as he was sworn to do put it into faithful execution. Tne minority of tbe committee said that no such spectacle as the Judiciary Committee was now pre senting to an astonished world asd to an astonished and injured Presi dent and Attorney General had been presented in Democratic times. “Let us see.” said Mr. Edmunds. “On March 4, 1879, tbe Democrats bad a majority of this body. Their Commttteeou Judiciary was Messrs. Thurman Chairman, McDonald, Bayard, Garland, Lamar, Davis, Ed munds, Conkling and Carpeuter.” READING THE LETTER. Referring to the committee’s letter book, Mr. Edmunds said; “1 do not know but that it is ‘private and confidential,’ but I will take tn liberty of raading it [laughter!, even If it gsts to tbe ears oi tue Attorney General and tbe President of the United States.” Mr. Edmunds then read a oopy of the letter from Mr. Thurman, as chairman ot tbe committee, to the Attorney General dated March 24, 1879, calling for “such information as may be in possession of ynur department con cerning the following nominations, to gether with any suggestion you may be pleased to note.” A HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR. “On the 7tb oi April,” continued Mr. Edmund*, “there osme in a horse ol a dif ferent color -the same kind of an animal that w bavs here now. [Laughter.] Ac cordingly on that day this letter was writ ten to the Attorney General: •“Til t/m Attorney tienertel of the Vhi ted State*: “*Bi a—Uniter direction of ths JudioaryCom mtllee of ths Senate, I have tbe honor to re ou*t that you will communicate )o the com mittee stiy papers or inrorinatton in your possession touching the question of tbe pro priety of th remnvit (emphasis by Mr. Ed munds i of Michael hh.flVr, chief Ju-tuw of the Supreme Court of the Terrilorj of Utah, amt tne appointment of David T. Corbin lo < nice. Very respectfully, vour obcUlent ser vant, ALLAN G. Thcrran. Chairman.' A VEIN OK HUMOR. “Ala* (for the Democracy ofthoa# days. [Laughter.] Think, Mr. President, ot the influlte idiocy, unpatrlotiara and usurpa tion of that number ot five Senators of tbe Unlied States, of the Democratic par ty, assailing a Republican Attorney Gen eral and a Republican President with an insulting and impertinent Inquiry aa to paper* and information touching a sus pended officer whose successor was nomi nated to accomplish bis removal! And yot those men were in their day in loose times among tbe headlights of the Democratic locomotive. I Laughter.] There was Mr. Thurman; his light is put ; out. [Renewed laughter.] Tue greatest Democrat in the United States [applause I in tbs galleries], and the best one and noblest one and bravest one, for he bad tho courage not long ago In vour State, sir, to denounce the Democratic frauds at the ballot. “JOE” M’DONALD. "There was Mr. Thurman and there was ‘J<>e’ McDonald, a name familiar in the West as in tbe East as the embodiment of upright Democratic pluck and constitu tional law, and there was Mr. Garland, whom we all knew here, a leader on the Democratic side of the Senate, full and runuing over wltn con stitutional and statute and reported law, knowing bis rights ns a Sen ator and as a member of tbe committee, amt knowing his duties, and Mr. Lamar and then all the rest of us on this side joining in what the present President of the United States calls an impertinent in novation of bis rignts in askiiig for papers. “Mr. President, it 1 were going to be rhetorical, 1 should say just there: ‘Oh, shame, where is thy blush?’ but that was not the only instance. OTHER LIKE REQUESTS. “The same chair on many occasions had called for that same class of information, and got it.” in conclusion, it did not seem to Mr. Edmunds that the Senateeould lail to get the papers on the ground that tbe statute on the subject had become absolete or gone into a state of innocuous desue tude. [Laughter.] The President him self had sent to the Senate 643 instances of obedience to that law; 643 nominations made under it, and Mr. Edmunds, there fore. took It that the law was still in force, Mr. Edmunds spoke until after 4 o’clock. Mr. Pugh rose to reply but yielded to a motion to go into executive session, say ing he was prepared to speak now, but if he began he would detain the Senate until long after the usual hour of adjournment. At 4:27 o’clock the Senate went into exe cutive session, and at 5 o’clock adjourned. EDMUNDS AS AN ORATOR, Ilsrd Study or His Subject the Secret of His Success. Washh(gton, March 9.—An audience as large as that which was on yesterday put off with Mr. Bowen’s silver speech sat patiently in the galleries of the Senate to day from 12 o’clock until 2, waiting lor the much-talked-of speech by Mr. Ed munds. It was well worth waiting for. Mr. Edmunds never spoke bettgr, and never made a more plausible argument. No traces of his cold of yesterday ap peared in the tonos of bis voice, as be quietly rose, after bis resolutions had been read by the clerk, and began to speak in a very "deliberate way. ALL PRESENT. All ths Democratic Senators, with a few exceptions, and almost all tbe Republican Senators were in their seats. All were iisteniag in tently. Mr. Ingalls.of Kansas,seemed to be reading a newspaper, but be was lis tening as closely as the rest. Mr. Logan was in his seat "just beside Mr. Edmunds, and Mr. Hoar was in bis seat just behind him. Once or twice Mr. Hoar made a suggestion to Mr. Edmunds, of which he availed himself, and once Mr. Logan made him laugh with some whispered comment on Andrew Jackson’s motives in the Williamson case. No one spoke on tbe Democratic side except Mr. Beck, who made one or two contemptuous remarks sotto voce to those around him about por tions of the argument which he thought weak. THE HOUSE REPRESENTED. Members of tbe House came over in twos and threes, occupied all the chairs and sofas in the Senate, and stood up againsbthe wall until ruffled old lsaau Bassett could get chairs for them from the cloak rooms. The audience was almost weary of the dry statement and official papers which Mr. Edmunds bad the clerk read for him in tbe outset. When Mr. Edmunds, having presented tbe docu ments in the case, actually began bis ar gument, his audience fully appreciated all his good points. His speeches are easily followed. A MAKYKK OF SNUERING SARCASM. He is a muster of sneering sarcasm. He knows bow to ring tbe changes on a phrase. He alluded frequently to tbe President’s message as “the supplement to tbe minority report of tbe Judiciary Committee.” He referred again and agaio to tbe President as “tbe coadjutor of the minority,” and be pronounced tbe words “Innocuous desuetude” so ludicrously that everybody bad to laugh. He was applauded once. The applause was not for him or his argument, but for bis incidental allusion to Mr. Thurman as the best of Democrats; the noblest, truest and bravest. Mr. Kd munds spoke with great ease, and was apparently as treeb at 4:HO as be bad b ten at 2. He preserved an apparent calmness during most of bis argument, but at times became excited and at otber tunes spoke with much bitterness. EDMUNDS’ HARD STUDY, He has devoted tbe last few weeks to a thorough study of tbe subject, lie has consulted every book, looked up every authority and examined every case or precedent which In any way could throw additional light upon the subject of dis pute between the President anil the Sen ate This Is characteristic of Mr. Kd nitinds. lis does not take an active part in general debate; but when be does be abowsat once bis familiarity witb tbe subject under discussion by the short, in cisive manner in wbieb be elucidates point after point, separates tbe relevant from tbe irrelevant anil quickly reaches the merits el the issue. It is this which makes Mr. Kdmusds an effective speaker. While others employ til tbe known arts Of oratory be is content with stating bis case in a business-like, matter-of-fact way. Hla voice is rarely raised above t in ordinary conversational tone. He never gesticulates. Witb one nand in his nocket, tbe otber resting on Ihe desk before him, he fa quite as effective, and Indeed a great deal inure so, tnsn some Senators wbo saw tbe air, pound tbetr desks and strut up and down tbo uisloa of tbe Cbamher. Yet, with all the outward signs of composure and indifference to bis surroundings, there is at ttmea in the Ver mont Senator an Incredible amount of irascibility and passion. In exeoutfve sessions especially. It Is said, be plsoes himself under obligations to bis brother Senators for their forbearance. He baa a way of dropping bitter and oaustlc remarks In a manner that goads bis ene mies to despair and seems to afford bun muob tbe same amusement that a hoy de rives from torturing a wbslp. For a man of bis experience in a legislative body b displays a strange impatience of contra diction. He laiacapHbleol believing that any qualities reside in blm which are not gr^At. mr. pvqh’h nmrLY. To-morrow Mr. Pugb, or Alabama, who nreseated tbe minority reuurt. will an. • wer Mr. Edmunds, and then the debate will become general. Tbe Republicans will have the advantage in the debate for their leaders are superior as debaters to those on the Demooratio side. It is doubt ful whether tbe Republicans will all in dorse the very broad claim of jurisdiction made by Mr. Edmuuds for the Senate which would give it power to review and puss upon every act of the Exeoutlve. Mr. Edmunds has broadened his claim sinoe he wrote his report. VEST AND THE TELEPHONES. An Opportunity to b Given tbe Senator to Explain. Washington, March 9.—The select committee of the House charged with the telephone investigation held a meeting for organization this afternoon in the Speaker’s room. All the members were present. The general sentiment of the committee was that the examinations of witnesses should lie public. If a suitable room can lie secured In time the investi gation proper will begin next Friday morning at 10 o’clock with the ex amination of tbe Rogers family and Casey Young, and subpunns have been issued to secure their attend ance. Meanwhile tbe sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Hale and Millard, will proceed to take the deposition of Benator Vest, who has requested that ho be afforded an opportunity to explain bis connection with the issue ol Pan Electric stock. CONVICT LABOR. The flout* Pusses a Kill Prohibiting It* K mploy luent. Washington, March 9.—ln the House to-day Mr. Jamea, ot New York, called up the bill to prohibit any officer, servant or agent of the government to hire or con tract out the labor of prisoners incarcer ated for violating the laws of the United States government. Mr. James said that the bill was In the Interest of honest me chanics. The system which prevailed at some of the penitentiaries of the country of hiring out convict labor bad worked great hardship and injustice to the honest mechanic. In his own district a great in dusiry— the manufacture of hats—had been entirely crushed out because it could not compete with convict labor. The bill was passed by a vote of 249 veas to 8 nays. WHITE HOUSE GAVETIKB. The Closing Reception One of the Most Brilliant of the Season Washington, March 9.—The closing reception at the White House to-night, given in honor of Congress, and to which the judiciary, army and navy and diplo matic corps were invited, was the most largely attended of the season, and in the magnlfioence of the costumes and jewels worn by the ladies eclipsed any of its predecessors. The President was assist ed in reeeiving by Miss Cleveland, Mrs. Manning, Mrs. Kndicott, Mrs. Whitney and Mrs. Vilas. Secretaries Maiming, Whitney and Lamar, and Postmaster General Vilas were present. The Judi ciary, diplomatic oorps, army and navy and Congress were ail well represented. SANTEE HICK FIELDS. The Erection of a S'.'UO Dam SufflcJent to Protect tbe Planters. Washington, March 9.— The Secre tary of War to-day transmitted to the House a report from tbe engineer officer in charge in regard to tbe damage to the rice fields adjoining the Mantes river of South Carolina caused by dredging its outlet to Winyah buoy through Mosquito creek. Tbe engineer believes that the only damage done to the rice fields, or which may result, is due to the suspen sion of operations by the planters through fear ol damage. He says it is possible to damage tbe fields to tbe extent of from $60,000 to fioo.oiK) a year, and asks that a cofferdam dyke be constructed at an ex pense of S2OO to protect the rice growers. NORFOLK’S NAVV YARD. Mr. Kontell* Anxious to Speak os the rominDdßla Rppljr. Washington, March 9.—The Speaker laid before tbe House to-day tbe response of the Secretary of the Navy to tho Bou telle resolution calling for information in regard to the Norfolk navy yard. Mr. Buutelle asked unanimous consent that the document lie ordered printed and laid upon the table in order that he might at some future time submit some remarks upon it. He believed that the substantial allegations made ill the resolution were sustained by the document. .Messrs. B acb,of New York, and Eden, of Illinois, objected to the request, and tbe com munication wa* referred to the Commit tee on Naval Affairs. Indian Appropriations. Washington, March 9.—The House to-day went into committee of tbe whole on the Indian appropriation bill. Mr. Wellborn, of Texas, briefly ran over tbe appropriations made by the bill and com pared them with those made tor tbe cur rent year, summing up with a statement that tbe pending bill carried $6,602,502 as against. $5,777,461 appropriated for the current year. Pending discussion of tbe bill the committee rose and the House ad journed. Confirmed !y Hie Senat e. Washington, March 9. —The Henale on March 3 confirm' and the nominations of Jacob T. Childs, of Missouri, to be Minis ter and Consul General to 81am, and J. D. Komi itv, ol Houth Carolina, to be Consul General to Shanghai. The follow ing Postmasters were confirmed to-dav: J, W. Rcnlroe, at Atlanta, Ua., aud W. C. Davis, at Kllzm etb City, N. O. Mexican War Veteraus. Washington. March 9.—ln the house to-day Mr. Kldrldge, from tbe Committee on Pensions, reported tbe hill granting pension* to soldiers and sailor* of the Mexican war. it was referred to the committee of the whole. Pacific l(allroa<l Lauds. Washington, March 9.—ln tbe morn ing hour to-day tbe House passed tbe bill requiring Pacific railroad* to pay tbe cost ef surveying their land* and to take out patents thereto on behalf of the Commit tee on Labor. The Deficiency Rill. Washington, March 9.—ln tbe Senate to-day Mr. Allison, from tbe Appropria tions Committee, reported, with amend ments. tbe urgency deficiency bill. It was placed on the calendar, Mr. Allteou saying he would call it up to-morrow. Prussia aud the Vatican. Berlin, March 9,—Another stage ha* been reached la tho reconciliation be tween tbe churoh and Mate in tbe ap pointment ef a hiahop to the long vacant see of Ermelaud. REX AT NEW ORLEANS. Same or the Historical luctdents Illns trited bf the Float*. New Orleans, March 9.—The weather during this morning was cloudy and threatening rain, and tho movement of tho royal pageant was delayod until noon, when the procession appeared near Lee Circle, moving In the following order: A platoon of tbe Household Troops muont ed, Boeuf Gras and attendants, trum peters and standard bearers, bis most sublime majesty Hex, King of the Car nival, the carnival court and twenty moving tableaux divided into two divi sions. The first division illustrated the victory of the Emperor Aurelian over Zeno hi a. Queen of Palmyra, and his tri umph on his return. The first car in the procession was laden with gold and treasures from Asia. INDIAN RICHES. The second oar was freighted with In dian riches. Next came the plate and ward 11)00 of Queen Zenobia, followed by a-oar laden with spoils from Palmyra. Theu came a number of cars containing magnificent tableaux. The filth oar con tained the Ambassadors and slaves. The sixth car contained Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, followed by Roman musicians and standard bearers; tho seventh, Em peror Aurelian; the eighth, Probus, Anre lian’s favorite general; tho ninth, the noMe ladies of Rome; the tenth, tho Genius of Peace. Then came the second division of historical scenes, tbe Goddess of Peace having terminated the scenes of the Roman triumph. The second part of tbe pageant consisted of eleven tableaux, each ono being a striking scene irom seine epoch in history. THE CHRISTIAN* MARTYRS, Car No. 2 in the second division con tained a tableau of the Christian martyrs. It represented a scene in the arena at the time when Christians, irrespective of age, sex or social condition, were thrown to wild beasts to be devoured. Car No. 12 exhibited Octavius’ triumph, the 13th Constantine professing Christianity, the 14th Atttlla at Ravenau, the 15th the French dynasty, the 16th Abd Kr Rah man, the great and illustrious Moorish ruler, the 17th Peter the Hermit, preach ing the first crusnde, the 18th Frederick Barbaras**, tbe 19th Timur, tbe Tartar, the 20th Columbus at tbe court of Spain, the 21st Luther at tbe Diet of Worms. THE ORDER OF IHE MOON. Following came the Order of the Moon In twelve floats, representing In burlesque style occurences and customs character istiool each month of tbe year. Tbe sub ject was oalled “Twelve Months’ Ra tions,” andevery tableau was represented with the broken shell of an egg. supposed to be a half-consumed ration. The weath er cleared off about 1 o’clock, and the re mainder of the day was pleasant. The route of the procession was lined with thousands of spectators. CHURCH DiMKftTAHUMRMKNT. A Vote Which Indicates the Feeling ef the House of Commous. London, March 9.—ln tbe House of Commons this evening Mr. Dilwyn (Liberal) moved to disestablish tho church of Wales. Mr. Grev ( Liberal) moved to reform in stead of to disestablish the chtirob. Sir Wni. iiurcourt, Chancellor ol the Exchequer, contended that the questions of the disestablishment of the Welch and English churches were involved and in separable. Mr. Grey’s amendment was adopted by a vote ot 241 to 229, and then as a substi tute for Mr. Dilwyn’s motion It was re jected by a rote of 346 to 49. In tbe first division the minority consisted ot tbe Liberals and Parnellites. In the second division the Parnellites left tbe House in a body. Premier Gladstone, Mr. Cham berlain, Mr. Worley and Mr. Trevelyn ab slalued from voting altogether. LONDON’S LATEST SCANDAL. Arrest of • Wealthy Procuress Gives Rise to Ugly Rumors. London, March 9.— Louisa Hart, a rich procuress of the West End, was to-day committed for trial on a charge of pro viding young girls for a number of aristo oratic patrons. The woman’s business had grown so bold and offensive that tbe polloe felt constrained to suppress it, but despite their best efforts they were unable until recently to eecure evidence that would convict. The arrest of Mrs. Ilart has caused a sensation in certain circles, and gossip bundles aliout many names of titled debauchees as likely to be identified with tbe business by which the woman has grown rich. GREECE BELLICOSE. Tbe Powers Threaten to Leave the Infaut to be Spanked hr T urkey. Vienna, Marohfl.—The continued war preparations in Greece are exerting grave fears in the Kuropean cabinets. It Is be lieved that tbe moral effect of the assem bling of the foreign fleets in Suda bay will not be sufficient to coerce Greece, and that further measures will be neces sary. Greece has been warned that if she persists In her intention ol vio lating tbe peace she will be left to suffer punishment at tbe hands of Tur key. Greece reasserts her claim* to Epirus In accordance with thetermsof tne Berlin treaty, and declares that hitherto she has only yielded to foroe mujeture. England's Merchant Marine. London, March 9.— There is a manifest improvement in the condition of tbe Brit ish merchant marine. The Improvement is especially noticeable in the revival of the shipping trade of the Tyne, sixteen steamer* which have long lain In Idleness on this river have just been chartered for carrying purposes In the English trade. The ship* have engaged British seamen principally, and In no case at reduced wages. Hocialista of Amsterdam. Amstkkdam,Marcb o.—Three thousand Socialists end unemployed workingmen to-day bold a public meeting here to oon elder tbeir grievances. The meeting depu ted a com in it tee to call on tbe Mayor and present tbrougb blm a demand on tbeclty for tbe construction of public works In order to give employment. Anarchy In Annam. LONDON. March o.—Advices Irom An nain state (bat anarchy prevails In tbat country, that hands of robbers are scour ing tbe lend, tbat the people are in revolt against French authority, and that tbe rebels have attached tbe French near Hue, the capital, and killed several of them. Ulimarck's Muscular Uliouiuatlam. Hkri.in, March 9.—Prince Bismarck, who baa been suffering for several days from muscular rheumatism in the shoul ders and cheat, la much worse to-dav j PRTCrgIOA YKAK.I i 5 CUNTS AOOFY. \ TELEGRAPH MONOPOLIES. MR. ANDERSON'S RESOLUTION Ul* IN COMMITTEE. The Gentleman Explains his Ohjnrt la Presenting the Resolution—Land* Grant Koada Charged with Co-opera ting with Western Uuion to the Exclu sion of Other Cotupsnles. Washington, March 9.—There was a full attendance at tbe meeting of the House Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads this morning, called to begin the investigation ordered by the House of certain matters embodied in Hie resolu tion of Mr. Anderson, of Kansas, as foU lows: That Ihe Committee on Post Offlrc* and I’oxt itoadii m hereby empowered to liwertain whether addition,! le-'ltlatlon Is needed to pro)sut iu mopob of telegraph facilities and rerun) to the southern, Wesiern aud Pacltio Stairs the iwnulll* of competition between telegraph eompanics and to protect the peo ple of the United Siates against unreasonable charges tor telegraphic service. MR. ANDERSON EXPLAINS HIS OBJECT. Mr. Anderson was present and ad dressed the committee bristly m explana tion ol bis purpose iu offuriug the resolu tion. He said: My general reason was an organic opposi tion 111 monopoly of an? rort, but epenttoallS in thin iuatanoe, tils motive waa to lie found in the state of a flu ira existing between this Mooourl river and Pacific ocean region, com prising one-half nr two-thirds the area of the United -‘tales. The state he hail the honor In part to represent {Kansas) was part of thi* region, anil together with the remaining seven State* aud organized Territories wn< interested in the matter of cheap telegraphy. It was also vitally interested In preventing such a monopoly of telegraphing as wood deprive Its people and press of the advantage and safeguard of Competitive facilities for obtaining news. DUTY OF LAND GRANT RAILROADS. It would be shown u> ihe committee that iq the charters of all of the laud grant railroads they are required to operate their toiegrupb lines precisely as they operate their rails; next, that they have illegally, but sulwtantl ally tran-b rn and tbuir telegraph franchises tu the Western Until# Company; ooiissqflently when a rival telegraph company readies the eastern terminus of ono of ibese roads mrle-d of receiving from that company without dis crimination its business they refuse to do, of at least subntauUsUy refuse to comply will* this obligation in their charters. WESTERN union’s monopoly. In other words tbe Weetorn Uniou, so fa* as that whole area is c >uccrnrd. now having a population of H.oOJ.t'M people, ha- practi cally a monopoly, and It l* carrying ft to surh an extent ss to show a tendency to claim, in addition to tho ri cognized rigid of a common carrier, the right also to gather and sell tha new* of the day on us own account. If the committee, would Inquire into this branch ot the subject it wotud find that tlisnollection and sa e of election news and such important matters as the President's mes-age are sought to lie monopolized by the We Peril Union Com pany in some instances, and mat bare-faced attempt* liaii been made by tbe Western Union Company to Coerce uew-papert inti n skmg exclusive contracts to transact sit tludr busiutHw by it* wire*. LIBERTY OF THE PRESS. The committee would sec at once bow such attempts and assumption* threatens! the lib Tty of tbe pres* in the region which was subjected to this monopoly, ft is be came of that fact, and because of oile r mat ter* upon which he would ask to be heard at, a later date Uiat he bud introduced this ruso oluiion. I). H. Bates, President of Che Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph Company, was then sworn and examined. He gave a history of the efforts of his company to penetrate with Its wires the lerrito y describ- and by Mr. Anderson, anil Its failure through what be described as co-operation be tween tbe Pacific railroad* and the West ern Union company. Mr. Bates also offered some suggestions in the way oC remedial legislation. BROKER CAMMACK WEDDED His Bride a Pretty Brunette—The Biala Dill’s Chance* Washington, Marob 9.—Addison Cam* mack, the New York broaer, vu quietly married this afternoon at 3 o’clock to Mi* Gertrude Hildreth at tbe residence ot tha bride'* mother in this city by Rev. Dr. W. A. latouard, pastor of Ht. John’s Kpiseo palcburcb. Only Him Immediate relative# were preseat. I.• bride and groom l*fh for a trip Houth to-night. They made every effort to keep the news of tne wedding; secret, but It leaked out. Miss Hildreth ia tbe young lady to whom Mr. Camtnack has been paying attention for a year or more. Her mother live* comlortably at the corner of Fourteenth and L streets. Her father is in Kurope. They did not gw Into society to any considerable extent. Miss Hildreth Is 20 years old and a hand* some brunette. MR. CRISP’S SUCCESS. Representative Crisp gut through tha Houselo-tlav iu fine style the bill reported by him from the Committee on I’acitiw Railroads requiring land grant railroad# to take out paieuls tor tneir lands and to flay lor the survey of their lands. Tha utter provision will yield the government about $1,000,060, and the former provision will subject the lands to taxation and open them more quickly to settlement. THE BLAIR BILL. Representative Willis, of the HouMi Committee on Education, thinks that seven members of that committee are op* posed to the Blair educational bill, to (our members who taror It, but he think* that the majority will not attempt to smother tbe bill in committee, but will report it to tbe House and leave with the House the responsibility of deciding its (ate. It I* believed by Henator Blair that the bill will command a majority in tbe House. inventions of southerners. The following patents have been issued: John M. Burkert, of Atlanta, Ua., sash fastening device; James M. Johns, of Glenmore, Ga., automatic fan; Robert B. Morrison, of Gakdale, brick kiln; Gsorge D. Barr, of Greenville, 8. C., blotting pad, rule and paper cutter. MUKDKKB His OWN PEOPLE. Terrible Quadruple Hatchery by a Bay of 1 7 In Kansas. Kanhah City, Mo., March 9. A dis patch Irom Osage City, Kan., says: J. W. bells and wife, their son Walter, aged lb, and their daughter Inn, aged 14, were murdered some time Sunday night or early Monday morning, and there is hardly a doubt that the murderer Is William Sells, aged 17, son and brother of the murdered people. This boy gave the alarm to a neighbor early on Monday morning and said tbe family bad been attacked by two strangers, whom ue describes. Suspicion whs directed to tbe boy from bis heartless mariner, and bia underclothiog was found to be saturated with blood, and he bore evidences of having attempted to remove tbe stains. The murders were committed with a liatebet and buteber knife while tbe victims slept. They were all dread fully mangled. Plenty of money ami portable valuables were found in the house, and nothing had been disturbed. lad el one Honor. London. March 9.—Premier Gladstone is taper ted belter to-day.