Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-12-07
T,In Tm1KrY-EIGHTH COMPRESS.
Preliminary Caucusing.
Reports about the Organization OF tho
House of Representatives.

WASHINGTON, Dee. 5.-The Union or re-
publican members of the house of represent
Representative Morrill, OF Vermont was che
sen chairman, and representatives Rollins of
New Hampshire, and Boyd of Missouri, Sec
relaries. Mr.. Dawes OF Massachusetts nom
mated for speaker of the house Mr.. Wash
burne of Illinois, but that member declined.
Mr.. Pomeroy nominated Mr.. Fenton of New
York, as the choice of the republicans from
that state. He too declined Mr. Orth Of
Indiana then pl9ced in nomination Mr.. Col
fax, and this was agreed to without dissent,
and by reclamation. No nominations were
made for the other officers of the house, the
subject being held in reserve for future CON
sultation.
long discussion took place, bringing un-
der review the acts of the present clerk Of the
house, Mr.. Etheridge, who, it was said, omit
ted from the list the names of legally certified
members elect for intormaities in the Certi-
fcates. Whether this is or not, it is Ger.
tain that the printed official list Of members
shows no such omissions. This information
was obtained from Mr.. Etheridge, the clerk
himself
Among the members present at the caucus
were the following from the border states ::
Messrs. Smith and Anderson of Kentucky,
Boyd, Loan and McClurg of Missouri, Cress-
well Davis and Thomas Of Mary land, and
Legg from East Virginia.
The democratic or opposition members
held meeting in one of the committee rooms,
as the republicans occupied the hall Of repre-
sentatives. Mr.. Dawson of Pennsylvania,
was elected chairman, and Messrs. Perry and
Morrison secretaries. Sixty or seventy MEM
bers were present, including several from the
border states.
The object Of the consultation was to sug
gest or argue upon the proper means to con-
centrate what is regarded by them as the
Union or conservative elements. No nomi-
nations were made. The meeting adjourned
to meet again on Monday morning
The pro-slavery delegation Of five from
Louisiana had an interview with Montgomery
Blair Saturday morning. He tavors their adj
mission to seats in the house. 1t is feared
Mr.. Etherdge, the clerk, will recognize them.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-The presidents
not be accor'li"e ~ -, assss until Tuesc.ayi"
TherGorwarAf9 conversation relative to the
course OF the clerk of the house of represent
atives in making up the roll of members.
The law to regulate the duties of the clerk
in preparing for the organization of the house,
passed on the Sd of March last, provides that
before the first meeting Of the next congress,
and of every subsequent congress, the clerk
of the next preceding house of representa-
tivcs shall make a roll Of the representatives
elect, and place thereon the names of all per-
sons and of such persons only, whose creden-
tials show that they were regularly elected in
accordance with the laws of their states re-
spectively, or the laws of the United States.
On inquiry to-day, it is ascertained that no
credentials have been filed from Minnesota,
Kansas, or California, up to this time. All
the other states have fled, and all are correct
excepting West Virginia, Oregon, Vermont,
Missouri, and Virginia.
Last Friday the clerk sent a telegram to the
secretary of the state of West Virginia, to be
here by Monday to correct the returns from
that state. He will doubtless arrive in time
on the same day. lie also sent dispatches to
Vermont, New Hampshire, and Connecticut,
the last two of which have already filed cor
rected credentials. Vermont has not yet done
80, but will by tomorrow.
A Washington special to the Times says,
Mr.. Etherdge, clerk of the house, rejects
certificates of election of members from Mas
sachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Com
necticut, East Virginia, California, Oregon,
and Maryland, on the ground of informality
Their phraseology is ''duly elected to the con-
gress of the United States" and he throws
them out because they do not read selected
in accordance with the laws of their respec-
tive states and the United States, and refuses,
it is said, to refer the matter to the attorney
general except upon order Of the president
The Herald specials say it is rumored that
Stanton, Welles, and Blair, are to retire from
the cabinet. In fact. WelleS' place is offered
to Grimes of Iowa, and refused.