The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-09
WASHING ON.
Waiting f0f the
Message.
Passage Of the Bill in the House for the
Transfer Of the Indian Bureau TO
the War Department.
WASHINGTON Dec. g. 1868
House observation-disclosures Over the
Oregon Resolutions.

6pcclal INTEREST. MOST OF the members succeeded
yesterday in relieving themselves OF the bills and
resolutions which they had prepared during the
recess, and they are disposed to wait now for the
Presidents Message before transacting much bust
ness. Some little feeling was aroused among the
republicans when the Speaker laid before the House
the resolution Of the Oregon Legislature, calling
upon Senators Williams aud Corbett, OF that State,
to resign, and denounclng IN severe terms the con-
duct OF the republicans In both houses Washburne,
Of Illinois, was the first to appreciate the anront,
and he moved that the paper be returned 10 the Ore
gOn Legislature. At that time however, he had only
heard the title Of 1t read Fernando Wood called for
the reading OF the whole paper, and insisted that
that much respect was due to 1t as coming from
sovereign state. At the words sovereign State"
Woods voice was fairly drowned with excited cries
of ''0rdcr' from the republican side. The paper,
however, was read; and the title rufied WASH
burne's temper the contents acted on him as water
does on o mad dog. In an excited manner he
added to his resolution series OF descriptive adjec
tves such as "indecorous', 'lmpertinent," .in-
decentn and scandalousn
Transfer of the Indian Bureau TO the War
Department..
The call Of the committees for reports brought ont
two resolutions from the Committee on Indian Al
fairs-one directed against the Secretary OF War,
and the other against the Commissioner OF Indian
Affairs. In these, together with the discussion OF
Mr. Gardeld's bill to transfer the Indian Bureau from
the Interior to the War Department, it became
manifest that division exists among the members OF
the Committee on Indian Affairs. Window, OF Mime
sota the chairman OF the committee is Of those who
believe that in oil Indian wars the whites are gen.
orally the aggressors, and that the military do more
harm than good and cost the government more
money than they are worth. He Is opposed to re-
moving the Indian Bureau to the War Department,
believing that much Of the Indian troubles arise
from bad management OF the army on the frontier.
Mr.. Clarke, Of Kansas, another member of the Indian
Committee, is Of different opinion. He regards
the management OF the Indian Bureau under the In
terror Department as hopeessly inefficient and cor
rupt If he receives the reply to the resolution he
offered to-day which he evidently expects he hopes
to show that the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs is
little better than a common swindler. In his speech
Mr.. Clarke limited that an impartial investigation OF
the affairs Of the Indian Bureau would astonisn in
nocent people who suppose that it is conducted
upon honest principles. Mr.. Clarke is q member OF
I the Indian Committee and ought to know whereof
he speaks.
Republican Caucus-The Radicals Outgen.
erRled.
The necessity OF arranging the committees in
order to get along with business induced the Senate
to adjourn early. caucus was held Immediately
after for the purpose Of revising the list Of standing
committees It the intention Of the radicals not
only to secure the chairmen Of the committees but
obtain possible, clear majority OF their members
They hoped by thin means to reduce the anti-im-
parchment members, many Of whom are now chair
men OF committees. from their commanding posi-
lions to the ranks This was to be by way Of punish
ment for their recreancy to the party last summer.
AZ soon az the caucus had assembled, however,
Senator Anthony, its chairman, called it to
order, and Immediately Senator Edmunds was
upon his feet to move the appointment
OF the committee OF seven to revise the
list OF committees. Anthony IL regarded as decided
conservative, though he did vote for impeachment
He appointed as the committee Of seven the follow
ing Senator's Edmunds, Conkling. Ramsey, Trum-
bull Rice, Sherman and Pomeroy. On this commit
tee it is conceded that the conservatives have =
majority. Trumbull has heretofore manipulated the
appointment Of the committees, and 1t Is probable
ne VIII do the same thing this time. II SO, there will
be no reduction OF the antimpcachers to the ranks
on the contrary they will not only be allowed to re-
tain their own positions on the committees but to
provide good ones for themselves At all events
the radicals are thoroughly disguised at the whole
proceeding. Another caucus will be held tomorrow,
when the list OF committees viii be submitted Tor APP
prevail
General Grants Influence an Congress.
The passage OF Gar1elds bill to place the Indian
Bureau under the superintendent OF the Secretary
OF War Is the first indication OF the influence Grants
recommendations President will have upon Con-
gress similar bill was passed at the last session,
but by vote much less than that recorded In It's
favor to-day, and it finally failed in the senate. Gar
ncd made the recent annual report OF General Grant
together with General Shermans report the basis Of
his argument for the passage OF the bill. 1t had
manifest effect upon members, some OF whom op
posed the measure last session. and when the roll
was ended the vote stood more than two to one The
bill win probably meet with some opposition in the
Senate, where q strong feeling exists against
thinning the Indian Bureau over TO the
War Department. It remains 10 be seen,
however how far Grants recommendation will 90
towards dissipating this feeling among honorable
Senators, who are not only candidates for Cabinet
positions, but who hope to have large share Of
patronage to deal out under Grants reign Of peace.
American Citizens in British Prisons.
Towards the close OF to-day's session w. f. Robin.
son. Of New York, obtained the 6or for the purpose
OF delivering a speech In behalf OF the American
citizens imprisoned by Great Britain. Before he
commenced there was an understanding that after
he concluded no other business should be transacted
during the day. The object Of this was to allow such
OF the mepbers as did not care to listen to the
speech to 60 home. Whatever may be the interest
Of the majority OF the House in the subject is but
lust TO state that before Robinson had been speaking
i've minutes the seats on the republican side were
deserted, with the exception Of General Banks and
one or two members Of the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, TO whom Robinson gave notice at the out.
start that he would pay his respects. when he
closed his speech, which was an hour long not more
than dozen members were I'm the hall.
Protective Tariff I'm Prospect.
The passage OF the bill imposing q tariff or three
cents per pound on all imported copper is regarded
here by The tarig men as good omen In favor OF
the passage during the session of general tarin
bill. Last session the copper bin met with strong
opposition from nil sections, but especially from the
Western members. Its prospects were SO doubtful
that Its friends thought II prudent 10 Withdraw It
rather than encounter the risk OF defeat The vote
on It to-day, however, decided one, and It has