| OCR Text |
Show WASUlXlilOS. Washington, 14. Attention ia called to tho fact taut, while the pending army reorganization bill re-ducea re-ducea trie active list of officers by 338, it repeals the present limitation of tho retired list to 300, and thus eimply opens a door for the trauier to the latter of all officers dropped from the active list. The eastern tobacco manufacture who, last year, opposed the growers' proposition of reducing the tobacco tax from 24 to 16 centa per pound, now uuite with the growers in favoring a reduction lo 20 cent. Tiie chances are t:iat thia compromise will be adopted if any legislation is had. It hae been determined, informally but positively, by tho democratic members ol the Potter committee, that they will not undertake an investigation in-vestigation of tho cipher telegrams unless ordered to do ao by tho house of representatives. Republicans will doubtless treat thia aa a confession of judgment againat tho so-called Tilden copartners and will let the matter rest until the tiino comes to bring it up iu the next preaideutial campaign. An extraordinary petition baa been presented to the house of representatives representa-tives in behalf of one Seth Miner, of Washington, claiming $2,847, as compensation for his loss of seven slavea emancipated in the Diatriot of Columbia. The commission appointed ap-pointed under the emancipation act of 1862 awarded that amount, but it being afterwards discovered that he was a citizen of Virginia when that state seceded and that he had voted for the ordinances of secession, thereby debarring himself from the benefits of the act of 1862, the payment was withheld. He now states in his petition that he voted for the secession ordinances in a moment of weakness and that he has beon loyal ever Bince. He thinks he should be paid the amount which the commission awarded him. The papers were referred to the committee on claims, where thoy will Bleep with others of a like character which have preceded them. Edmunds' electoral bill, which nflHfifif t.hfi BfinsUn VPatorriatr mill n- tainly be defeated in the house unless materially amended. Prominent democratio representatives generally believe that it waa designed to give the republicans some advantages in the next presidential election, and even if they failed to deteot any auoh purpose they mistrust Judge Ed' munds' advocacy of any measure bearing on the presidential contest and are a priori inclined to vote against it because it waB solidly supported sup-ported by all republican senators. They assign the specifio reason, however, as follows: Tho republicans re-publicans now control tho legia laturea of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, three stales which it is claimed are likely to be demo cratic in the next election, but under the Edmunds bill the preaeut legislatures legis-latures would provide the machinery for chosing the presidential electois and for the adjustment of any controversies con-troversies that might arise from the presidential election, and this power mignt be ao used as to assist the ro publicana very materially. The democrats also argue that as Ihey will have control of both houses in the next cougreea, Ihere is no danger of any conflict between the two branches on electoral questions, and for the future bayond tho next congress, con-gress, provision can be made at their leisure. |
