Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 January 1871 — Weekly News Summary. [ARTICLE]

Weekly News Summary.

CONGRESSIONAL. In the Senate, on the 4th, bills were introduced Bud referred—to enable honorably discharged soldiers and sailors, and their widows and children, to acquire homesteads on public lands of the United Slates; making a grant of land to tho State of Kansas, in alternate sections, and to aid in the construction of certain railroads; amending the Bankrupt act so as to give priority In the distribution of bankrupts’ estates to wages due any operative, clerk, or nonse servant to an amount not exceeding *2C9... .The bill amendatory of the funding act of last session, authorizing an Increase of the Issue of five per cent, bonds from *200,009,000 to *600,000,000, and making the intorcst on the same. payable quarterly, was taken np and passed... .Resolutions were adopted —calling fer information on San Domingo matters; directing Inquiry by the Finance Committee ss to tlie expediency of imposing a tax of one dollar on eacli application for an official position having u salary of less than *I,OOO, and the same on each signature thereto, made to tlie ITewdaut, or made and presented to any authorized department; and where the salary is In excess of tI.CKO, a further tax of fifty cents is added .. .A resolution Was iatroduced and re erred, directing inquiry into the alleged complicity of Senator Sprague with blockade runners during tlie late rebellion... .The bill for the re'ief of Congressmen from Importunities in ai>polntmq(fii to olfic# was briefly considered.... Executive session and adjournment.

In the House, on the 4th, bills were re-ported-the annual Indian Appropriation bill, saado the special order for the 11th; and a bill making an additional appropriation of *2 0,009 for tlie improvement of the Louisville and Portland canal, made the special order for the 10th... .Bills were introduced and referred—to extend the benefits of tlie homestead policy to disabled soldiers and sailors, and to widows and orphans and dependent relations of those who died in the service ol the country; to provide that no pensions shall hereafter he allowed, except in cases where the wounds or disabilities were contracted in actual hostility aganst tne pulHic enemy; to repeal ?o much of the National Currency nctof July 12, 1870, as provides that no banking association shall have circulation in excess of *,">00,000; requiting the modification of the Newport and Cincinnati bridge recommendation; authorizing the establishment of a Bureau of Mining The San Domingo ques- * ion was debated at length, and notice v.as given if an amendment tp the Senate joint resolution in f ferenre to San Domingo, with a view to its application to Cuba Adjourned. In the Senate, on the sth, a bill was introduced directing the President'to nominate to the Senate six Inspectors of Indian affairs, to be under tho direction of the Interior Department! and at a salary of *4,000 per annnm, to visit the Indian tribes, and Inspect their sanitary, industrial ami educational condition.... Bills were passed—relative to internal taxes; to make restoration for destruction of this Union troops of a house at Paducah, Ky., during the war.... A resolution was adopted calling for the correspondence between Minister Motley and the Department of State....An opinion of the Attorney - Gcneral was reported, that the United States is .bound by the treaty obligations to Ibsub to the Choctaw Indians *260,000 in bonds, and a resolution was adopted declaring the President to have the power, without fnrtherlegislatlon, to issne the bonds.... The vacancies in the Committee on Naval Affairs and the Pacific Railroad were filled by the appointment of Mr. Jewett, the new Senator from Missouri... .The Vice-President announced as a Select Committee to consider the charges against Senator Sprague for connection with blockade-running anting the rebellion, Messrs. Thurman, Trumbull, Howe and Wiley.... Executive session and adjournment. In the House, on the sth, a letter was received from Mr.Schensk,announcing bis resignation as a memher, and the speaker announced that he had appointed Mr. Orth, of Indiana, to fill the vacancy in the Committee of Ways and Means, caused by the resignation of Mr. Scbeuck On motion, the President was requested to furnish copies of the report of John Hogan, United States Commissioner, on the resources and condition of the Dominican Republic, made during the administration of I’resident Polk, and the report of Capt. G. B. McClellan ou the same subject, during the administration of President Fierce A bill was passed, giving Mr. Schenck, the United States Minister to England, an additional allowance of *2.500 a year, for'private espouses Adjourned.

FOREIGN. A dispatch from Strasbourg announces that the Germans stormed the French fortress of Belfort twice, recently. In both cases they were repulsed, with considerable loss. The Roumanian Government has declared its independence, and repudiates the treaty of 1854. A London dispatch on tlie 29th says Earl Granville had received a dispatch from the Prussian Government at Berlin, apologizing for the- outrage on English vessels on the Seine; slating that pecuniary indemnity will be given if demanded, and announcing that the military commander who wa3 guilty of the outrage will be court-martialed and dismissed the service. Professor Hall, Eastman and Harkness, of tlie Naval Observatory, who went to Sicily for the purpose of observing the late solar eclipse, report that the weather was not propitious, and that tlie results of. the observations were unsatisfactory. On the 29th ult. the Prussian Twelfth Corps occupied Mont Avron after one day’s bombardment. The French, in their retreat, left belaud their dead and many gun carriages and rifles'. Accounts received.on the 30th ult. show that both Prussian and French troops had suffered terribly from cold. Strong reinforcements hail been sent forward to all points, to replace the French soldiers thus incapacitated. Vast quantities of material, calculated to increase the comfort of the troops, had also been sent to the front. A special dispatch to the N. Y. TYibune says a dozen shells were sent inside of Paris on the 27th ult., into the La Villette. and Belleville, from Rainey, at a range of 7,000 yards.

A London telegram of the 30th nit. says the Conference of powers on the Eastern question had been indefinitely postponed, as France had refused to take part, and the absence of one of the signatories to the treaty of Paris would render the meeting useless. A London dispatch of the 2d says the French had evacuated the advanced posts on the northeast of Paris since the reduction of Fort Avron, and the forts around Paris were silent. Marshal Prim died at Madrid on the night of the 29th ult., from the effects of wounds inflicted a few days before by a nnmlier of assasins, all of whom escaped. After Prim’s death the Cortes unanimously voted full powers to the government formed by Admiral Topeto. Minister Washburne, in a dispatch to the State Department at Washington, recently received, gives it as his opinion that the surrender of Paris will not terminate the war. The Frcnch’have at no stage of the struggle showed greater determination, and Mr. Washburne thinks that they will not submit so. (long as they have any men or money left. King William gave a reception on the Ist, in the rnlace at ycrsaille’s, to the officers of the German agmy, in honor of the | j opening of the New Year. 'The occasion i I was signalized by the delivery by the King I

of a brief address, in which he said: “The great events which must have preceded our celebration of such a day, in such a place, are due to your heroism and perseverance, and to the Bravery of the soldiers. Our goal is, however, still unattained. Important tasks remain to he performed before we shall achieve lasting peace, and it will be censurable to make any peace which involves the continuation of the duties which have brought you here.” A Bordeaux dispatch of the 8d says the engagements along the Loire for a week had all, been successes for the French. The London Telegraph of the 3d announces, on authority, that the demands upon Prussia by the British Cabinet, relative to the seizure and sinking of English colliers in the Seine,, were in a fair way of adjustment. Versailles advices state that Mezieres capitulated to the Prussian besieging army on the 2d, and the Prussians entered and took possession of the city. The news from Versailles on the 3d is to the effect that the bombardment of tlie forts on tlie east side of Paris continued with such effect that only Fort Nogcnt was responding to the German fire. A London dispatch ot the 4th says more reliable information has been received as to the movements of the French Army of the North, under command of Gen. Faidherbe. It appears to have occupied the towns of Achiet and Briancourt, after trifling resistance from the Germans. The towns of Envillers and Behaignes were also carried by the French after hard fighting. Losses heavy on both sides. Prince Amodeus arrived at Madrid on the 2d,’ and immediately paid a visit to the widow of General Prim, and expressed his sympathy for her in lier-bereavement. He then proceeded to the Chamber of the Cortes, and took the oath as King of Spain. The enthusiasm of the people is said to be universal. The funeral services of the late General Prim were performed on the 2d.

General Sheridan was tendered a grand reception at Rome, on New Year’s eve. Victor Emmanuel entered Rome on the 31st ult. His reception was most enthusi astic. He was accompanied by the princi" pal ministers of tlie Cabinet. A London dispatch of the 4lh says it was known in the highest German circles that desperate efforts to reduce Paris were being made. The Paris correspondent of the London Times of the sth thought that further resistance by Paris would be brief, and that food will fail before the end of the present month. Garibaldi was at Dijon on the 4th. The London Times of the sth has an article on the Alabama claims question, in which it says England only desires by fair concessions and frank allowance to bring about a settlement of this foolish quarrel which alienates two great nations. The new Spanish Cabinet has been com-pleted,-aaYoHows : - Serrano,—President- of the Council; Martos, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Montero Rios, Minister of Justice; Beranger, Minister of Marine; Sagusta, Minister of the Interior; Ulloa, Minister of Public Works; Ayala, Minister of Colonies.

DOMESTIC. Gold closed in New York on the sth at 110«£. Orders have been issued in New York city for the survey of all hotels in the city preparatory to requiring them to place fire escapes upon their buildings. A‘ N. Y.) dispatch states that the Assistant State Cattle Commissioner, on the 29th ult., reported one thousand head of diseased cattle in Dutchess county, and that the health of the county was seriously endangered by the people using the milk. It appears from the returns made at the census office in Washington, that the colored population in 1870 in 1,030 counties, is 1,507,011. In the year 1880 the colored population in the same counties was 1,441,402. The gain is a little over per cent., and leaving out the Northern States, which were included, the total gain would be less than 3 per cent. A recent fire at Marshall, Texas, destroyed |150,000 worth of property. The following is the public debt statement as published on the 3d. Total outstanding debt $2,423,182,060 00 Total principal, and interest, including iutcrest due and un-, paid.. 2,470.154,366 00 Amount in the Treasury 188,066,572 00 Debt less amount in Treasury 2 332,067,703 00 Decrease during the mouth 2,240,700 00 Defcrease siuce March 1, 1870 106,260,683 00 Bonds issued to Pacific Railroad Companies, interest payable iu lawful money— Amount outstanding 64,<518,832 00 Interest accrued and not yet paid.. 1,786.564 00 Interest paid by the United States. 8,815,345 00 Interest repaid by transportation of mails 2,460,818 00 A fire at Mifflin, Pa., on the night of the 30th ult. destroyed seventy buildings, inflicting a loss of from $150,000 to $200,000. The gang of laborers engaged in clearing out the ruins of the Spottswood Hotels at Richmond, Va., have discovered portions of bodies which cannot be identified. Chief Justice Beasley, of the New Jersey Supreme Court, has decided that the Erie Company has the exclusive right to make regulations governing traffic through the Bergen tunnel; and, also, that the Erie time-table must have precedence. By the official report of United States Treasurer Spinner, the conscience fund during the year ending June 80, 1870, is shown to haye increased $3,406.03, and the total contributions to the United States Treasury since 1863, through the agency •f the “ silent monitor,” is $117,897.84. The Commissioner of Pensions has recently decided to strike from the list of examining surgeon* employed by the Bureau <#Pensions the names of all surgeons <* the homoeopathic school. The I grounds of his decision are, that all the i surgeons should belong to one school, and i have but one theory of medicine, and that

tlie homoeopathic system is not recognized by the Bureau. A motion haa been made for a new trial in the Jenks murder case, *at Lagrange, ' Ind. The Judge reserved his decision in the matter until the March term. A fire at New Orleans early on the morning of tlie 2d, destroyed the steamers Magenta, Grand Erie, Julia Rudolph, Thompson Dean, and John Howard, all of which are a total loss. The steamship De Soto?*running between New York and New Orieans, was burned to the water’s edge, below the latter city, on the 31st ult. The new tariff went into effect on the Ist. It changes the tax on teas from 26 to 15cents; coffee from 5 to 3 cents; new sugar from 3}£ to 1% cents: sugar above No. 7, from 4 to 2 cents; refined sugar, from sto 4 cents; cane molasses, from 8 to 5 cents; brandy, from $3 to $2; liquors, from $2,50 to $2 per proof gallon; wool, from 30 per cent, to 11 and 10 cents; steel railway bars, from 2% and 10 per cent, to cents; pig iron, from $9 to $7; cast an# wrought scrap are each increased $1 per ton. Fifty-two articles, mostly drugs arc placed on the free list; and the tariff upon'forty reduced.

PERSONAL. - ■ Tliei celebrated Edith Lola Montez, familiarly known to the public as Princess Editlia, lias become hopelessly insane, and has been committed to the Insane Asylum at BlackweirsTsland. The certificate for the pension of Mrs. Lincoln has been completed, and forwarded to Chicago. Mrs. Belknap, wife of the Secretary of War, died at Washington on the 29th ult,, after several months’ illness. She was the daughter of the late John Tomlinson, of Ilarrodsburg, Ky. It is stated that Charles A. Dana has been challenged to mortal combat by Colonel James B. Mix, an ex army officer, and writer for the press, for abusing. Mix in the columns of the Sun, as a common blackguard, drunkard, liar, and thief. Dana refuses to take any notice of the challfbge, and Mix threatens to attack him the first opportunity. On the night of the 29th ult. the jury in tlie Jenks murder trial, at La Grange, Ind., brought in a verdict of guilty, and sentenced the prisoner to the Penitentiary for life. Much excitement lias been created in Boston and New York financial circles by tlie failure of Oakes Ames. There are several firms involved, viz: The Ames Plow Company, Oliver Ames & Sons, and Oakes Ames individually. Owing to the death of Mrs. Belknap, and in order to show proper respect to her memory, there was no public reception at the Executive mansion on the 2d, nor did the families of members of the Cabinet keep open houses on that day. Colonel A. H. Conner, of Indiana, has accepted the appointment of Governor of Idaho Territory, and will assume the duties of that office on March 1. The Boston Times of the 3d, speaking of the Oakes Ames failure, says: “We are able to state from reliable authority that the Ames Company will, after all their debts are liquidated, find themselves enjoying a surplus of at least $8,000,000. The idea of insolvency as connected with this firm is simply absurd.” Among the nominations sent by the President to the Senate, on the 4th, were: A. E. Lyon, Surveyor of Customs at Dubuque, Iowa; M. D. Leggett, of Ohio, to be Commissioner of Patents. Postmasters—J. M. Boreman, Parkersburg, Va." H. B. Wells, Dowagiac, Mich.; C. B. Beevc, Beaver Dam, Wis.; J. L. Parrnelee, Aurora, 111.

POLITICAL. Several members of the North Carolina Legislature arrived in Washington on the 28th, from Raleigh. They state that Governor Holden expects that he will be impeached. It is doubtful whether he will attempt any defence. It was proposed to engage some eminent counsel from among the Conservative lawyers of the State, but the Raleigh Sentinel, in a recent article, says no one would dare defend Governor Holden. An Atlanta, Ga., special to the N. Y. Tribune of the 30th ult. rays that returns enough had been received to warrant the statement that three Republican Congressmen had been elected to the Forty-second and Forty-third Congresses from the Se«ond, Third and Fourth Districts of Georgia.

The Minnesota Legislature met on the 3d. In the Senate, F.E. Snow was chosen Secretary; A. A. Howard, Assistant Secretary' ; John T. Williams, Sergeant-at-Arms; C. T. Tuthill, Enrolling Clerk; C. T. Rambush, Engrossing Clerk; Iter. J. Marvin, Chaplin. The House organized by electing Colonel John Merriam Speaker; General E. P. Jennison, Chief Clerk; C. H Slocum, Assistant Clerk; M. B. Bcrusner, Enrolling Clerk; A. M. Kimball, Engrossing Clerk; S. M. Phelps, of Olmstead, Chaplain. In the Louisiana Legislature on the 3d, J. Pinkney Smith, Democrat, was elected Warrant Clerk. The Ohio Legislature met on the 3d, and the Governor’s Message was read. The Pennsylvania Legislature organized on the 3d. In the House, Hon. James H. Webb, Republican, was elected Speaker, and General James L. Selfridgc, Chief Clerk. In the Senate, Hon. William A. Wallace, Democrat, was elected Speaker, and Jacob Zeigler.'tCierk. The other candidates placed in nomination by the Democratic caucus were also elected. Tho New York Legislature met on the 3d. Mr. Hitchman, of New York, was elected Speaker of the House, and Cbroej lius W. Armstrong, Clerk. The Governor's Message was read. The Michigan Legislature met and organized on the 4th.

The Illinois Senate organized on the 4th, bv the election of the following officers, all Republicans: E. 11. Griggs, Secretary; T. 8. Swan, First Assistant; Second Assistant, O. B. Knickerbocker; Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk, R. 11. Gettemy; Assistant, G. Martin; Sergeant-at-Arms, L. Zeigler; First Assistant, J. F. Moore; Second, Assistant, H. V. Ilarlan ; Post-Master, J. B. Turchin; Assistant, It. C. Staples. Gen. Simon G. Griffin is the Republican candidate for Congress in the Third New Hampshire District. In convention on the sth the Maine Legislature elected the State officers of last year, as follows: F. M. Drew, Secretary of State; Thos. B. Reed, Attorney General"; P. P. Burleigh, Land Agent, B. B. Murray, Adjutant General. In the Republican caucus on the night of the sth, Hon. L. M. Morrill was renominated for United States Senator. The Illinois House effected a permanent organization on the sth by the election of the following officers: Speaker, Hon. Win. Smith; Clerk, Daniel Shepard; First Assistant, J. M. Rice; Second, Eric Johnson ; Third, S. R. Hay; Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk, W. W. Lowdermilk; Assistants, C. C. Tolsack, William P. Squires and C. J. Haydoeker. The Nebraska Legislature organized on the sth. The House elected G. W. Collins, of Pawnee, Speaker. The Senate elected E. E. Cunningham, of Otoe, President. The Missouri House on the sth elected R. P. C. Wilson, Speaker, and Daniel Sutton, Clerk—both Democrats. All the other officers are Democrats. In the Senate Lewis Gottschalk, Liberal, -was elected Speaker pro tern., over Morrison, Democrat, by a vote of 17 to 16. For Secretary, Hendrick, Democrat, over Moser, Republican, by a vote of 18 to 14. The other officers are divided. Miss Belle Fenloysin was elected Engrossing Clerk, unanimously.