Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-12-06
FHE CAUCUS LAST NIGHT.

The House Republican caucus at the Capt.
tol, last mig ht, was attended by about one hum
drtd members.
The following measures, reported from the
select committee, Were agreed upen:
Fnst. To pass a bill regulating the organiZa-
ton OF the House, directing the clerk 70 place
no names on the roll from States not repre-
sented in the preceding Congress or declared
entitled to representation, and providing that
no electoral votes shall be counted from anv
State not represented az the time in Congress-
Second. To pass bill to remedy the defect
in the law which may prevent any State can
yassng the votes for electors for President
and Vice President.
Third. Topass a law changing the time of
meeting OF every Congress with a view to
assembling on The Attn of March.
Fourth. To raise a special committee for the
rigid examination of the New Orleans riot, the
number ef lives lost. the amount OF property
burned, and to what extent the government
officials were in volved, to send for persons and
papers, to be accompanied by the Sergeant-at-
Arms, to report appropriate legislation.
Fifth. To order a select committee to inves-
tigate the proceeding under the laws for the
collection of direct taxes ia the rebel States.
and the seizure and sale of all abandoned and
confiscated lands and other property.
SIKH. committee Or pensions, 10 inquire
whether any pensioners in the disloyal States
struck from the pension roll have been res
tored in violation of the law.
Seventh. A special committee TO in vest tigate
the facts connected with the release of the al
legged murderers OF the Union soldiers in South
Carolina, recently set al large by the Delaware
Judge.
Mr.. Ashley, of Ohio, said he noticed as pres
ent the gentleman who had drawn the address
of the Philadelphia invention, and asked if
ne was member Of the Union party and had
any right there.
Amid .mueh laughter the chairman. MIR.
Morrill,, of Vermont replied: awhile the lamp
holds out TO burn, the yilest sinner may re-
turn"
Mr.. Raymond on being asked whether he did
not participate in the Philadelphia Conyen-
tion, replied that he had. but not in any spirit
Of hostility to the Union party, and that he en-
tered the convention to strengthen that party,
thinking il should be more conservative than
likely TO lead To the defeat OF the Union party,
he abandoned it, and had ever since done his
utmost to maintain and support the Union
party. He also said that he approved the
measures reported here this evening.
Mr.. Scofield moved that the gentleman be
allowed 10 remain in the caucus or not, at his
own option, and to Judge for himself whether
be was member ofthe Union party or not.
Mr.. Lawrence, Of Ohio, asked MIR. Raymond
whether he adhered 10 the doctrines OF the
Philadeiphia address and particularly to the
clause that the rebel States could not ratify
the constitutional anne eudmeRt without dishon-
or.
there was such clause in II. He adhered to
that address according 10 his own construe-
tion Of it, but not according TO the constr ction
sometimes put upon it by others.
Mr.. Stevens could not see how Mr RAYMOND
could pretend TO any connection with tue
Union party after his membership in the Phil
adelphla convention ana mis- authorship of
the address put forth by that body.
Messrs. Darling and Hale of New York and
Mr.. Garfield, OF Ohio, spoke in favor OF Mr.
Raymond's remaining In the caucus, and
Messrs Morris, ofOhio, and Cook, OF Illinois,
against his doing so.
Mr.. Raymond made some further expiana.
tions with regard to the Philadelphia Con ven-
ton, when the caucus adopted Mr.. Schefield's
resolution by a vote of &C against 25.
Mr. Schenck offered a resolution that 'sno
gentleman can honorably and consistently be
amenber of the Union party and act with the
Union members of Congress IN caucus who
adheres TO the address of the Philadelphia
Con vention held in August last"
After considerable debate on this resolu ton,
between General Schenck, General Banks
Mr.. Bingham, and otoers, II was laid on the
table, on motion of Mr.. Bingham, on the
ground that lit was entirely out of order, as il
referred 10 the case of Mr.. Raymond which
had been previously settled by the resolution
OF Mr.. Schofeld. The vote on laying on the
table was close, being 81 against 20.
The caucus unanimously passed resolution
thatthe members Were bound to sustain the
propositions reported as party measures
Mr.. Stevens moved that the Introduction OF
secrecy be removed from the proceedings, but
before vote was taken the caucus adjourned