Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1871 — Weekly News Summary. [ARTICLE]

Weekly News Summary.

CONGRE&IONAL. In the Senate, on the 17th, the credentials of Ell Jg. Saulabnry, as Senator from Delaware lor six years from March 4th next, were preedited, read and laid on the table.... The House hills for the apportionment of members of the Territorial Connells of Wyoming and Colorado were passed... Bills were reported—House bill to protect National Cemeteries, nnd for other purposes; to provide for the election of cadets for the military and naval academies....A blit was introduced and referred, providing for assistant treasurers at Chicago anil Cincinnati.... The Legislative, Executive and Judicial Appropriation bill was further considered.... Adjourned. In the House, on tho 17th, a memorial was presented from the Minnesota Legislature for an appropriation for the Improvement of Dulnth harbor... .The report of tho Committee on the bill creating a territorial government In the District of Columbia was then taken np and agreed t 0.... A bill was Introduced aud referred to provide for tho exportation of distilled spirits, regulating the forms to be observed... Bills relating to tbb District of Columbia were considered... .The River and Harbor Appropriation bill was reported and made the special order for the 20th. ... An evening session for debate was held.... Adjourned. In the Senate, on the 18th, the House bill authorizing the construction of bridges over the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, by the Louisiana & Missouri Railroad Company, as amended by the Senate Committee on Host Olllccs, was passed. ... On motion the Judiciary Committee was discharged from the further consideration of various petitions referred to that committee for female suffrage.... The Legislative Executive and .Indicia! Appropriation bill was further considered, aud various amendments were disposed 0f... .Executive session and adjournment. Iu the House, on the 18th, the Army Appropriation bill was considered In Committee of tl* Whole, reported to the House and passed.... Tire bill reported by the Committee on Foreign Affairs authorizing the President to co-operate w ith the Government of Great Britain in tbe appointment of ajotut commission for determining tlie boundary line between the United Slates and British Territories between the Luke of tbe Woods aud tlie Rocky Mountains, amt an appropriation of SIOO,OOO annually for the expense of the work, was considered In Committee of the Whole and reported to the House... .The report of the Judiciary Committee ou the McGarrahan claim was debated. ... .Adjourned. In the Senate, on the 20th, House bills were reported—favorably, to guard the purity of election; without amendment, allowing homestead settlers In cage of glckneftfl to make final affidavits at their residences; without amendment, extending the time for filing bounty claims under the act of July 8% 1860, to Jan. 13* 1870 The Legislative Appropriation bill was taken up, and amendments were disposed of, one repealing that, part of the lawjregulatiu" evidence in the Court of Claims, which makes the possession of a pardon proof of disloyalty, which was concurred in. ... .Adjourned. In tlie House, on tho 20th, resolutions of the Wisconsin Legislature iu favor of the renewal of railroad grants were Introduced and referred ... .A memorial was presented and referred from the Kansas Legislature for the immediate removal of the National Capital to the Valley of the Mississippi... .The bill reported from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, authorizing the President to appoint a joint commission to establish the northwestern boundary line, was taken uu, aud, after discussion, was passed....A dispatch from the Associated Press, announcing the safety of the Tennessee, was laid before the House by the Speaker.... The Sundry Civil Service bill, appropriating $30,000,000, including $4,600,0(0 for pensions under the recent, law. was reported and made the special order for the 21sc....The report of the Judiciary Committee on the McGarrahan claim was considered, and the substitute ottered by the n lnority was adopted— llo to 91—directing the Secretary of the Interior to cause a record of the patent to Panoche Grande to be transcribed into the records as the same stood on the record book in the General Land Otllce at the time it was examined, without any mutilation or erasure whatever, so that the. legal effect of the record so transcribed shall be the same as if the original record had never been interfered with or mutilated, and authorizing and requiring 'the President of the United States to do iu the premises whatever may in his judgment be just and equitable, without regard to any action or proceeding had subsequent to the 14th of March, 1803, the date of the patent recorded... Adjourned.

In the Senate, on the 21st, bills were introduced—for aid in the establishment and support of public schools in States lately In rcbellon; to Increase the Internal revenue derived from lotteries, and for other purposes.... Bills were passed —authorizing the United States Circuit Court for tudiana to make partition of the Miami reserve fund; to provide for a Solicitor for the Department of the Interior; the Legislative, Execntive and Judicial Appropriation bill, with amendments. ...Adjourned. > In the House, on the 21st, the Senate hill entitled sn act to Incorporate 'he Texas & Pacific Railroad Company, and to aid in the construction of the road, and for other purposes, was discussed at length, amended and passed—l3l to 79. ....A report was made from the Committee on Elections in the Missouri contested election case, Shield* against Van Horn, and resolutions Were 1 adopted declaring that Shields, the contestant, is not entitled to the seat, nnd that Van Horn, the dttlug member, is, aud Hint Shields shall be paid $. r ),UOj for expenses... .Adjourned. In tlie Senate, on the 22d, the credentials of Lot M. Morrill, as Senator from Maine for six years from the 4th of Mnrch next, were presented nnd read ...A petition was presented and read, from the citizens of Dublin, Fayette County, Ala., praying for protection against Ku-Klnx out rages.... The annual Post Route bill was considered and passed... The Indian Appropriation hill was considered, and several amendments were disposed 0f.... Adjourned. 4 In the House, on the 22d, the Deficiency Appropriation hit), appropriating $10,677,526, was considered, and a lengthy and personal debate ensued, after which the bill was passed—96 to 44... - Adjeurned. In the Senate, ou the 2fiil, the House joint resolution relating lo Panoche Grande, being the M Garrahan claim, was received from the House and temporarily disposed of by being laid on the table.... The Texas Pacific Railroad hill was also received from tho House, and action postponed until tho bill is printed.... Bills were passed House hill to extend the provisions of tho tlfty-ttfth section of the hanking act of June, 1564, punishing embezzlement by hank officers, to hanks organized under the provisions of the hanking act of February, 1S68; Indian Appropriation hill; Senate bill to amend tki! bounty laws, providing that all soldiers whoGvcro muatered Into tho service of the United States forthrec years, between May 4 aud July 22, 1661, and who were honorably discharged before serving two years by reason of disability contracted In the service, arc entitled to receive SIWI bounty.... Bills were reported—Army Appropriation bill, with amendments; to facilitate commerce between the United States anil China, Japan, and countries of Asia, Incorporating the Asiatic Commercial Company for the purpose of carrying on a general mercantile aud shipping business, with amendment; adversely, to Increase internal revenue arising from lotteries aud other purposes... Adjourned. In the House, on the 23i1, bills were passed—relative to taking depositions In Courts of the United States; for an extension of the time for tho completion of the Eortage Lake and Lake Superior Canal; making appropriations for the construction, preucrvatiokv aud repair of certain fortifications, uud i*her works of defense; with amendments, making appropriations for the completion nnd preservation of certain public works on rivers and harbors, and for other purposes.... The Senate resolution prescribing the oath to be taken by Senator-elect Miller, of Georgia, was passed... .Adjourned.

FOREIGN. A Bordeaux dispatch of the 17th says a majority of the Committee of the Assembly were favorable to the proposal to appoint Thiers the Chief Executive. 1 4, The Paris Figaro of the, 17th says: "It is reported that the German propositions for-peace run thus: The cession of Alsace and Lorraine and a portion of the Department of Daubs, and indemnity of one and a half milliards thalers. The Prussians to keep all material of war they have captured, and the French fleet and Colonies to remain intact.” The official declaration of the result of

the election for the Assembly was made in Paris on the 17tli, before the Hotel de Ville, in the presence of a large concourse of people. The names of Thiers, Favre, Vinsoy, Cochin, Picard and Simon were badly received, while that of General Ulrich was cheered. In the French Assembly on tho 18th there were over 000 deputies in attendance. Tlie executive power of tlie government was conferred upon Thiers. The proceedings were tumultuous. Immediately after the vote, tho English, Austrian and Italian Ambassadors officially visited Thiers and recognized the French Government. Lord Lyons on the 18th announced verbally to Thiers the recognition of the Government by England. A Versailles telegram of the 19th says, not the slightest doubt was entertained in high quarters, since M. Favrc’s return, regarding final peace. Favre had expressed the opinion that the Assembly could be relied on to make terms. There was an evident disposition on the part of Prussia to yield a good deal of her demands. It was considered probable that, the Emperor would-abandon the idea of entering Paris. A Berlin dispatch of the 19th says: “ Napoleon has received notification not to again overstep the privilege of a prisoner, and to abstain from an} 7 interference in politics, in the form of protests or proclamations. Orders have been given to watch him closely.” A San Domingo letter of the fid says: “ Tlie Commission arrived from Satnana Bay yesterday. Every one connected with the party is in excellent health. The want of coaling facilities detained the ship six days at Samana. The Commission was formally received by Baez. Hon. Ben Wade explained its character and objects. Baez and the Cabinet gave a cordial welcome. President Baez said that peace aud a stable government would follow a union with the United States. The people were all anxious for union.” The Commission intended to start for home in about four weeks.

A London dispatch of the 20th says the composition of the new Ministry under President Thiers produced an excellent impresssion. A Berlin special to the London Times of the 20th says the London Conference had agreed to open the Black Sea to foreign men-of-war, and to authorize the Porte to admit the passage through the Dardanelles of all armed vessels, the Russians and Roumanians alone excepted. Russia was not opposed to this settlement of the question, but Turkey hesitated to agree to it. A cable dispatch of the 21st says all the European States would recognize the new French Government. M. Louis Joseph Buffett, the new French Minister of Finance, arrived at Bordeaux on the 21st, anil his appointment was announced in the Assembly. Official returns received at the War office in Berlin, show that during the month of January the Frencli lost 800 pieces of artillery and 850,000 men. Queen Maria Victoria, of Spain, was dangerously ill at Alassio on the 20th, and a report of her death prevailed at Madrid on the 21st.

The China papers received in London on the 21st, l>y overland mail, report that an assault was made on Ex-Secretary Seward, and his party, during their visit to Woo Chang. A Berlin dispatch of the 22d says that, in consequence of tlie negotiations between Favre and Bismark, during which the latter had consulted the Emperor several times, the armistice had been cx tended until the evening of the 20th. The word “Republic" has been struck out of\all public acts, by the present French Government, and. “La France” substituted. A Versailles dispatch of the 22Isays: “The Emperor received Thiers to-day. General Chanzy was present at the tnteiview. The peace is considered concluded, though it has not yet been signed.” A letter fr.'na NTiooac, lu Frussi.tn Silesia, states that the French prisoners had been compelled, during the cold weather, to sleep in the country under small canvas tents, and that the sufferings caused thereby had been intense. It appears from the writer's statement that over 500 of the unfortunate men were frozen todeith in a single night. In the) British Parliament on the 23d Lord Harlington declared that disaffection in Ireland existed to such an alarming extent that it would be necessary to appoint a secret committee to ascertain tlie cause s. A dispatch from San Domingo, dated February 14, gives the following news from the commission :' “ Tho health of the whole party remaining here is excellent. While thus far the bulk ol the testimony taken has indicated a very favorable condition of affaire, certain information, the exact character of which tho commission does not make known, has been obtained, which, in the minds of some of its members, introduces obstacleswhich the earlier testimony did not promise. The Haytien complication is occupying serious attention. The commissioners’ intention now is to devote much more time to its investigation than was at first agreed upon. Full transcriptsof such government records as relate to leases, concessions or grants of land for railroads have been taken. They aro very numerous.”

DOMESTIC. Gold closed in New York on the 83d at 111?*. A hurricane on the night of the 17th destroyed or damaged a majority of the buildings left by the recent fire at Helena, Ark; Mrs. Stewart,'widow, was fatally injured, and her little son instantly killed. The Baptist church was demolished, and a large number of other buildings were either destroyed or badly damaged. The French relief fund in Boston amounted to $711,000, on the 81st,

An Omaha 'dispatch of tho 21st says there were still several thousand Indians in the vicinity of Fort Lamarie, being fed by the government. A terrible storm of hail, thunder and lightning visited San Francisco on the njght of the 10th. A fire wall, twelve feet high and sixty feet long, was blown over, and fell on top of a three-story frame building adjoining, crushing it into ruins, beneath which were buried fifteen or twenty persons, four of whom were instantly killed, and several others injured. On the morning of the 22d seven fin* men on the steamship Ismalia, on the North River at New York city, were suffocated by burning charcoal in a close room. Five were found dead, and the others were taken to a hospital, with but little hope of their recovery. They were all natives of Scotland. In their verdict the Coroner’s Jury in the case of the New Hamburg disaster say they “ believe that the oil train could not have been stopped soon enough to have prevented the accident; that the employes of tlie oil train used all the means at their command to promptly signal the coming express train; lhat thu signalmen did their duty in the premises; that the express train was half a mile from the obstruction when first signaled, and could have been stopped, provided all the appliances had been effective; that for some reason to the jury unknown the patent brakes were not effectively applied.” 1 A frightful accident occurred at the Brookfield Coal Bank, near Youngstown, Oliio, on the 22d. Fifteen men were descending the slope in two cars, and through the alleged carelessness of the man whose duty it was to attach the chain, and failed to do so, the cars with the men descended at a fearful rate, witli .nothing to check them. A man named Redmond was killed, and five others so badly injured that they could not recover. The rest, with- the exception of one, were more or less injured. A convention of delegates, representing the colored people of Tennessee, met in Nashville on the 22d, the object being to obtain information relative to the mental, moral and pecuniary condition of the race in the State, and to take steps for their improvement. A race between ice-boats came off at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., on the 21st. The winner ran twelve miles in eleven minutes.

An accident happened to the night express train on the Northern Central Railway, between Baltimore and Elmira, on the morning of the 23d, by which three passenger cars were thrown down an embankment. One passenger was killed, and several others were injured. A destructive conflagration visited Springfield, 111., on the night of the 22d. The collection of minerals, stones, coals, etc., belonging to the Illinois Geological Bureau, was entirely destroyed. Several business establishments were destroyed, aggregating a loss of about $60,000.

PERSONAL. Tbe following names were sent to the Senate on the 17th: Jacob Hasckstetter, Postmaster oi Nebraska City, Nebra ka; J. Milton Turner, of Missouri, Minister Resident and Consul General at Liberia. The bodies of Doc Simmons, engineer of the express train, and the stranger engineer who was on the engine with him, were recovered from the New Hamburg wreck on the 15th. From letters and papers upon the person of the latter, his name was ascertained to be James Humphrey, of Carmansville, Pa. The Columbia Typographical Union, at Washington, on the 18th, admitted to its membership Keith Smith, colored printer, employed in the government printing office, by a vote of 229 yeas to 68 nays. This is the first colored printerever admi tied to that Union.

The following nominations were sent to the SennG* 10m : Ij. C. Bryan, Register of Land Office at Fort Dodge, lowa. Postmasters—Francis Brooks, Deflarce, Ohio i T. G. Shurtz, Marshalltown, Iowa; E. Little, Independence, lowa. The Texas Legislature has voted $1,085 to pay for a portrait of Gen. Sam Houston. General Halplne, the liberated Fenian prisoner, arrived at Boston, per steamer Siberia, on the 20th. Rev. Joseph Chester, of Cincinnati, has been appointed District Secretary of the Western Tract and Book Society. On the 18th Bishop Whitehouse formally suspended Rev. C. E. Cheney, of Chicago, as a rector. Mr. Cheney’s church, however, requested him to continue to officiate as their pastor, and he accordingly preached as usual on the 19th, and would probably continue to fill the pulpit ot Christ Church, which is not the property of the Bishop Or the Diocese. Mr. Cheney has solemnly protested against tho action of the Ecclesiastical Court and the sentence of the Bishop. General J. B. Magrudcr died at Houston, Texas, on the 19th.

The jury in the trial at Washington of C. C. Bowen,, member of Congresa irom South Carolina, on a charge of having j three wives, all living, failed to agree after I being out all night, and were discharged on the 16th. They are said to have stood eleven for conviction and one for acquittal Wm. C. Gibbs, Governor of Rhode Island from 1831 to 1824, died at Newport on the aged 84 V At the annual election of the Delaware. Lackawanna & Western Railroad, held at New York on the 21st, all the old officers weretslected. F. Bret Harts arrived in New York on the 21st. The funeral of Edward H. Simmons, better known as “ Doc” Simmons, engineer, killed in the New Hamburg disaster, took place in New York city on the 21st A large number of pooplo wore in attendance,

and tho greatest sympathy was manifested for tho family of the deceased, and respect for his heroism. Eafl de Grey, Professor Montague Bernard and Lord Tenderden, of the Joint High Commission, Viscount Frederick Goderich, and Donald McKay arrived at New York on the 22d, on tho steamer Cuba. The Fenian exiles, thirteen in number, called at the Executive Mansion in Wash ington, on the 22d, in accordance with previous arrangements, and were introduced to the President by a member of the City Council of Washington. After paying their respects a short conversation ensued, the Fenians assuring the President that their treatment in English prisons had told severely upon the health of some of them, and expressing an anxiety to present a written statement of their case to this government. To this the President responded that they could do so, and whatever was proper to be done by the government would be performed. The English members of the Joint High Commission reached Washington on the 23d.

POLITICAL. The lowa Democratic State Convention is called to meet at Dcs Moines, on Wednesday, June 14. The joint conference of the two houses of the General Assembly of Virginia met on the 18th and determined to recommend paying the interest on the 15th of January on what is known as the old debt of the Commonwealth, amounting to about $32,500,000. The United States Supreme Court, at Washington on the 20th, affirmed the constitutionality of the cotton tax by a divided court. ■>< The Michigan Democratic State Convention met at Lansing on the 21st and nominated D. Darwin Hughes, of Ipff shall, for Associate J ustice of the Supreme Court; J. M. Sill, of Detroit, for Regent of the State University. Governor Clayton, of Arkansas, was notified on the 21st that articles of impeachment had been presented against him. The Governor stated that be would receive the notice, but not officially. Wilder D. Foster has been nominated by tho Republicans for Representative in Congress from the Fourth District of Michigan. Little Rock, Ark., dispatches say that on the 22d there was again no quorum in the Senate. The case of Lieutenant Governor Johnson was commenced in the Supreme Court.

Thirty-four Republican members of the Indiana House of Representatives placed their written resignations in the hands of the Governor on the 22d. Their resignations were accepted. This action was taken to defeat the rcdistricting of the State by the present House, which the publicans claim is now without a quorum. The recent Michigan Republican Slide Convention renominated James V. Campbell for Associate J ustice of the State Supreme Court. For Regents of the State University Col. Claudius B. Grant, of Ann Arbor, and Dr. Charles Rynd, of Adrian, was nominated.