The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-31

The Caucus and Programme Of
the Democrats.
the nARpERS FERRY INVESTIGATION.


Interesting Letter OF Old Browns Sec
retary of State,
As., &C., Ae.
Oar Special Washington Despatch.
WAsHINGToS, Jan. 80, 1860.
THE CONTEST FOR The pEAKERsmp.
The effect of party drill was never more finely dis
played than in the House to-day Notwithstanding many
Il the Northern democrats smarting under the
record they made Friday, in leaving Mr. Bocock and
ether democrats, and voting for American and not
whhstanding many Of the Americans sore at the
Misrepresentation Friday Of the principles Of their
leader, Mr.. Smith, explanations were postponed, and
every man-Americans, democrats and anti Lecompton
democrats-who voted for Mr.. Smith on Friday, united
upon him again to-day upon three different ballots; but
p they could not increase his strength.
As was indicated in my despatch to the HERALD last
night Nessrs. Holman Davis and Allen could not be
duced TO vote for Mr. Smith. The record Of to-day also
yerines my despatch of last night that all who voted
Mr. Sherman would vote for Mr. Pennington to-day with
enough others-Messrs Riggs, Adrain and Reynolds II
@ B. Cochrane paired-to elect Mr.. Pennington The
pair could not be Obtained and for want Of 1t Mr. Pen.
nington was defeated
The democrats do not disguise their belief in
ton with republicans to night that ~ Pennington will
be elected It subject Of universal talk to night how
unitedy the Shermen man. at the request Of their leader
wheeled into line for Mr. Pennington, not wagering
" complaining although many Of them are much more
radical than Mr.. Pennington.
Mr. Riggs gave his for Mr.. Pennington, supposing
would elect but Mr. Briggs who has repeatedly pledged
his vote for Mr.. Pennington, refusing to give IT, Mr. Riggs
then changed his vote from Penniug to Mcernand,
but will vote again for Pennington when his vote will
eject,
the democrats in caucus tonight decide TO leave Mr.
Smith for democrat Mr. Briggs according TO his public
pledge day will vote for Pennington. Ia reported to-
night that he will vote Tor democrat II tho democrats
decide to change In such event Pennington,
Hh believed will be elected without Briggs or Clark.
THE CAUCUS AND PROGRAMME or TIE DEMOCRATS.
The democrats in tonight after considerable
discussion the tendency Of which was to drop Mr.. Smith
and concentrate McClcrnand, Larrabee Mllson
decided appoint committee consisting of Messrs Rea-
gan Florence and English to decide which OF the three
gentlemen named shall be the democratic candidate to
morrow II is understood that all the Americans except
Davis OF Nd, viii vote for him.
The repub cans are in high glee. considering the action
q, the democratic caucus equivalent the election o.!
Mr. Pennington.
Mr. Briggs, IL is understood, will cast vote TO morrow
fer whoever may be supported by the democrats, in
eprocaon Of the generous support awarded their cand
date Mr. Smith In the event Of election he will then
vote for Mr.. Pennington.
lis reported here that Mr. Stallworth democrat is
peced mere in to morrow afternoons Southern train.
THE uERKsHIP HOUSE.
The impression is that the contest for Clerk of the
House viii be between Messrs. Edward Ball, of Ohio;
Forney Of Pennsylvania and Underwood OF Kentucky.
APPOINTMENT CONFIRMED.
The Senate in executive session day confirmed q
large Of unmportant appointments and referred
proper committees quite number of the same character
GENT In o-day. The nomination of Mr.. Grund Con-
sui to Havre win be taken up and decided Wednesday
next.
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVECTION.
Judge smalley is in Charleston, making arrange
mens FOR the meeting Of the National Democratic Con-
renton The Resident Committee here are already en-
gagged in preparing for the Presidential campaign by send
ing out political documents.
THE HARPERs FERRY yvEsnGAuc.,-Srrrrp OF rHADDEps
AYArT TO IBs INVESTIGATING oOxHrrKE-m REFUSES 10
Ifi eAnh ~ ssr TO THE SUPREME rGuRr
me .st,er from Thaddeus Hyatt, President Of
.ne NAV .aa Kansas Committee, was received by the
<.e Brown Raid Investigating Committee today. The
toedoo taken by Hyatt snstained by the opinions Of
samuel K sewal, of Boston, and the venerable Judge
Fletcher formerly Of the suprene Court of Massachusetts,
also by high legal authority in New York
New York, Jan. ~, 1850.
70 THE Hox j. NJ. MASON, Chairman Of the Select Com
m!,see OF the Senate of the United States:-
SUI am in receipt Of the summons Of your commit
tee shall comply with It's requiations 70 the extent Oh
presenting myself before your honorable body the ap
pointed hour But and mean no disrespect to your
committee, its chairman nor to the honorable senae oy
wbcec act the committee has exstenccl shall not
rs inierroQasories AZ citizen of the republic faithful
10 its traditions its genius and its laws, protest against
the pquisitoral Of tribunal that In the exer
cse of its merely normal functions, sinks and degradcs
its witnesses into .informersp Powers such those
with which Jour committee have been clothed BY the
hasty action Of the honorable Senate not incident
ssept judiciary nor do nd In he constitution any
warrant Tor !hs, exercise by your honorable
parent that the Judicial branch Of government Is i'm
potent reach and TO punish the special crimes aimed
p by the Senate resolution which gave birth To your
sntee TO make inqusiton with a view 10 farths,
1erjs}ation against interstate other couspiracies
against the government ho,ns 70 as constitution aad
ia safeguards, ec bound 10 duty, as well 70 the public
10 myself to ignore as usurpaons the exercise OF
In matter Of import grave aod
reaching ss the present Unrcbukcd cncroachm.nts o
power become the preccdent Of 70 morrow
Not nsreoe Sscaass a. Of o ss Sr,
but because Of loyalty 10 the constitution and 70 zoe eo
PIE, do here and and III this wise protest sgsins
and refuse 70 be obedent ID the VI your committee
am, sir, respectfully, and with consideration,
Your obcd!cnt servant.
rt THADpEUs HYATT.
What action the eommicc will take in relation to Hyatt
letter VIII nat be developed until aftcr next Wednesday
1he day npon which Mr.. Hyatt will appear besor
ihem. Hon. 8. E Sewsn Of Boston acts as counsel TO
Mr. Hyatt Thereis little doubt that II Hyatt refuses
the questions pro poun LED 10 him by the commit
that ne vii De ieemed contunacious witness,
lYyagne3 ct the nsr Of the Senate contempt HIS rea
sons !or nJ answering vii ten be The same he gives ia
bts letter. Tbs will hs comm.t.sl writ o
abeas corDus VII hen rr his release ad thus .h
question VII hs Tough, before iho Supreme Court o. az