The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-14

andris district OF Virginia on the ground that he
(HackBnsieD really was not chosen nom locality
from which constitutional representative could DO
sent u Congress- Papers taking this view OF the case
were Ilaced before the Election Committee, and TO-
DAY General Paine, OF Wisconsin, chairman OF that
committee. moved to have the constitutional ques-
ton n retrocessi0n referred to the Judiciary
Committee for an opinion This gave rise 70 regu-
lar LITTLE tempest The capital movers saw the drifs
or It right away aud. headed by Logan. opposed
opening the question anew, contending that II
had been passed upon twenty years ago,
and ever since then until Mackenzie's time
quietly acquiesced in the end Of the discus
sion vas that Paine sustained defeat,
but whether tnis betokens unexpected strength
or not In the Western movement to carry or the
capital buildings and all to the Mississippi 1t Is not
easy TO decide 1t Is certain that some OF the mem
beers who voted against Paine did 80, not because
they favor changing the capital but because they
believe Mackenzie s entitled to his seat during such
time as Alexandria may remsin part OF Virginia.
States which Have Ratified tho Fifteenth
Amendment.
The President to day sent message to the House
In response TO . resolution asking what States have
ratined tho proposed fifteenth amendment TO the
constitution OF the United States. He enclosed Q
letter TO him from the Secretary OF State giving the
souri, Kansas, North Carolina, west Virginia, Masaa
chusetts Wisconsin, Maine, Louisiana. Michigan,
South Carolina Pennsylvania, Arkansas. Oonnecti-
cut, Florida, Illinois, Indians, New York; New
Hampshire, Nevada, VERMONT and Virginia. Mis-
souri, and Kansas are generally defective in their
returns. In the former the second section OF the
amendment 10 omitted, and in the latter the phrase
ology Of the second section Ii changed.
Discourse from Mr.. Drake.
Mr.. Drake one OF the Senators from Missouri, has
several times OF late attracted attention through the
absurdltJ Of some Of his public acts To day the
wortny gentleman delivered lengthy, aston
ishi ng and incomprehensibie harangue upon
his bill to destroy the independence OF
coordinate branch Of the government the
Supreme Court OF the United States. II is
understood that the gentleman was engaged all
summer preparing this windy discourse, and the
impression left after he got through that he was
not only out Of his element and considerably beyond
his depth, but that he might have been more
probably employed. The honorable Senator had
erected on his desk . sort Of forum OF
dry documents, and from the summit Of
this pile OF legislative lore he read his piece.
During this innicti0n two Senators made repeated
EFFORTS to give him their attention, but failed. The
rest Of the Senators took such q favorable oppor-
tunity to frank documents, write letters and read
newspapers. For I'VE minutes Senator Conkling was
the most attentive listener in the Chamber his seat
being Immediately In front Of the speaker. He was
evidently disturbed with much noise In his rear.
After Drake had taken his seat Senator Edmunds Of
Vermont rose and In about five minutes completely
demolished Drake and his whole argument. or rather
his statements Drake stood the screening manfully
vigorously masticatng and expectoratng. Senator
Salisbury, Of Delaware, who has not been heard
from for some time, next took turn and threw in
an additional peppering. Drake appeared to be
satisfied and allowed his bill to be laid temporarily
ASIDE without an effort
The Mexican Claims Commission. !"
Mr.. Ashton, counsel OF the United States, to-day
presented Q written statement to the Mexican Com,
mission In regard to the rules prescribed by the
Commissioners, suggesting among other things, that
express authority be given to American Consuls in
Mexico to take dispositions In American claims for
use before the commission, ana that copies OF all
papers on die In American consulates duly certified
by the ConsulA We admissible In evidence before the
Commission.
Mr.. Cushing. in behalf Of Mexico, asked leave to
reply TO this communication, which was granted by
the Commission.
Proposed Consulate at Pesth, Hungary.
The attention. Of the government has recently been
directed TO the importance OF establishing United
States consulate ~ Pesth, the capital OF Hungary.
Since the elevation Of the Hungarans to voice in
the affairs Of the Austro- hungarian empire it Is
urged Pestn has assumed new Importance
commercial as well az political. and nearly every
European nation, including France, England and
Prussia have established full c0nsuates there.
Native Hungarlans residing In this country have
petitioncd Congress for the establishment OF con-
suse at Pesth, chiefly as recognition OF the poltl
cal advancement OF Hungary, but also on account
OF the commercial relations between that country
and the United States. Many Hungarians who
during the revolution OF 184S lied to this country and
became adopted citizens have since the union of
Hungary and Austria returned to their native land
and are settled In Pesth. Some Of them carry
on an extensive business with the United
States, especially in exporting wines and
importing in return agricultural implements The
Hungarian government has sgnifled Its desire In an
unofncial way that the United States, which SYM
pathized SO strongly with the Hungarians in their
trouble years ago, should be- represented at their
Of government now that they nave attained the
much desired constitutional government controlled
by Independent ministers. The Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations will take the matter under con-
nderaton, and 1t is probable consulate at Pcsth
will be created during the present session. AS might
be expected Secretary Fish Ii Indifferent about the
matter, but Senators Sumner, Schurz and other
members OF the Committee on Foreign Relations
will take the matter in hand without regard to the
Department OF State.
Ben Butler's Little Gnrne.
What is the matter with Ben Butler, They say
that Ben Is going into the purchase OF large and
small arms to huge extent as the agent Of q New
York firm, and that he has recently applied to an
oricer OF the War Department to sell him a tremen-
dous assortment Of warllke implements
"what do You want Of al these ~ said the officer
to Ben.
''Tnst's my business" quoth Benjamin.
II will have to refer the matter 70 Secretary Bel
knap," said the officer
Beiknap was consulted and responded
II don't care damn what Butler wants them for
II he only pays for them. II he wants them Tor i'm
proper purposes after buying them from u.s. it win