The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-17
The Bill for the Resumption Of
Specie Payments.
~~~>~~~~~~~-~~~>>N>-~~~o
Speech Of Senator Morton i'm
Favor Of Its Passage.
The Workingwomen's Question
in the House.
Mems Wages for Mems Work Conceded
to the Female Clerks.
New Drawing Of Seats Among
the Representatives.
Butler and Farnsw0rth in the
Democratic Camp.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 49, 1858.
Senator Norton's Speech ON Resumption Of
Specie Payments.
Senator Morton's speech in the Senate to-day on
the finance question was the great sensation Of the
session. He delivered it sitting in Senator Spragues
chair, and for nearly two hours commanded the
closest attention from the whole Senate. The gal
leries were crowded with ladies and gentlemen
who honored the speaker with interest
even greater than that displayed by the
Senators themselves. Secretary McCuloch
and Attorney General Evarts were also on the noor
OF the Senate chamber during most Of the time. Mr.
Morton's speech was generally conceded to be the
ablest delivered in either house for long time, and
at its conclusion the gentleman was warmly con-
graduated
Proceedings Of the senate Finance COM
s..@E4ss.. mittee.
The only business transacted this morning In the
Senate Finance Committee relates to the Copper
Tariff bill, which 1t was agreed to report in the
shape it passed the House, and which has already
been published. No action was taken on the nomina-
ton Of Alexander Cummings for Commissioner Of
Internal Revenue and the belief obtains credence
that it will be allowed to lie at least TIL the ex
plration Of the holidays.
The Alaska Investigation.
The first meeting OF the House Committee on Pub.
lie Expenditures to whom was referred the subject
OF the alleged bribery to the passage OF the
Alaska appropriation, held It's first meeting this
morning on that subject Two witnesses were ex-
amined to wit-George Riggs, the banker and United
States Treasurer Spinner. These two gentlemen
were examined at considerable length as to their
knowledge Of the disposition Of the $1,000, 900 ap-
pr0priated by Congress. General Spinner testified
ap erect that the whole amount Of the Alaska pur-
chase money, s7,2oo,ooo was paid by the Treasury
Department to Baron Stoeckl, the Russian Min
lister, who left the coin in the Treasury
vaults, deposited to his credit. On the LIST
OF August George W. Riggs presented check for the
ful sum, endorsed by Baron Stoeckl to him, and
drew in the form Of transfer cheek on New York
t70o0,O00, and afterwards on the same day he drew
100000 Mr.. Riggs subsequently obtained from
the United States Treasury the following
amountA which he paid to Baron Stoeckl:-
On tho Sd Of August $4,000: on the 4th Of
August, $4,000; on the 9Th Of September,
100000, and on the 10th Of September $4,000.
George w. Riggs testified that Baron Stoeckl en-
and to transmit it to New York. He then testified,
materially, the same as General Spinner in regard
TO the sums he drew from the Treasury. Mr..
Riggs knew nothing Of the disposition made
Of any portion Of the money transmitted by
him to New York. After II had reached
there he forwarded to bankers In New York named
Ward the transfer checks amounting to 100000.
OF the remaining 100000 he knew that $26 900 was
paid to Robert J. walker for legal services, ana he
himself received one-twenties Of one per cent for
collection. The remainder Of the money was paid
by him to Baron stoeckl in the amounts called
for BY the Minister, ana Mr.. Riggs knew
nothing OF the way in which it was expended.
Inc Seo 900 was paid to Governor Walker the 4th of
august and the balance Of the $a5 900 was paid over
10 Baron stoeckl. The sum drawn by Mr.. Riggs on
che Cd Of August $25, 0o0 was paid to the Russian
Minister, and 1t is understood that whole amount
was paid by him for teleTaphing. Robert J. Walker
mas been summoned to testify before the committee
tomorrow in regard to what he knows of the dispo-
alton made Of the money
Removal Of Political Disabilities.
The Senate judiciary Committee held q meeting
thIs morning and agreed to report favoraby some
and adversely On other bills for the removal Of po
litical disabilities.
Drawing for Seats In the HOuse.
Drawing for seats in the House is always attended
with good deal Of confusion and more or less mer-
rment. 1t Is not usually done except at the begin
ming OF new Congress; but there has been no draw
ina since the 'carpetbaggers" came in, and many
of them were dissatisfied with being compelled
TO stake back seats" They, together with
few old members not well located succeeded In get
Ling q resolution through to-day for q new drawing
Tor seats. The members who had good seats Of
course fought against the resolution to the last.
Considerable time was spent In fibustering and at
one time the resolution was actually laid on the
table. The "carpetbaggers," however, went TO
work among themselves, and, with the aid Of the
dissatisfied among the old members, were able to
move reconsideration and to pass the resolution.
The nrst name drawn out Of the box by
a n~rr of mt
aois, who had the choice OF seats. "shake up the
box more, MACPHERSON r was called to the Clerk
from dozen members, who feared some foul play.
eypher. Of Louisiana, was the second name called.
with modesty well becoming Q carpet-bacger the
representative Of the New orleans district walked
directly to the seat formerly occupied BY Old Thad
stevens and sat himself down with an air Of assur-
ance which seemed to say, ~ am the man to step
INTO old Thad's shoes" II was nosed that carpet.
baggcrs and several members who are OF little &C.
count IN the House had their names called nrst nd
of course got the choice OF the best seats Schenck
Boutwell,, Bingham, Butler, Kelly, Wilson tof Iowa.
r. B. Washburne and other leading members were
kept out in the cold until all the best seats taken
The irrepressible Mullins Of Tennessee, who Is a
character in the House, and has heretofore occupied
Q seat on the first row, directly In front OF the
Speaker, ran down the manl aisle when his name
was called at rate OF speed remarkable for an old
man, amid roar Of laughter from all parts OF the
House. when he reached his old seat and found 1t
still vacant he kicked up his heels after the
OF young colt to the infinite amusement OF all pre-
sent, and then took his seat When Dickey, Of
Pennsylvania was called he walked over to
the seat next the one formerly occupied BY
his predecessor old Thomas. The modest sypher,
TO show his generosity arose and rendered him the
OLD mans seat, which he accepted and will hereafter
occupy. washburn, Of Massachusetts, the brother
Of L. b. washburne, was called before Z. b., and in
order TO secure the latter mis- old seat occupied 1t
on'u =. b. could get a chance. BY this means the
Estner OF the Housev was enabled to
get nis old seat again, and his generous
Drosnsr got one Just behind him. Garfield,