The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-08
WASHING TON.
The Southern Senators i'm Sc
cret Caucus.
Fashionable Receptions Among
the Elite.
SPICY SCENE IN THE SUPREME COURT.

SPICY SCENE IN THE SUPREME COURT.
| WASHINGTON Feb. Z, 1869.
| An Odd Scene and an Unexpected Result.
| The little funny old man whom Maryland calls
Senator vickers made his first decided impression
Friday evening. The Senate resolved on an evening
session to let him finish the anteduvian speech
which he had prepared. 1t being understood that
vote to be taken only ten Senators, the majority
democrats, were present vickers had something to
say about "cursed be Canaan and the servants that
Father Abraham, in patrarchal days. took unto him.
self to be his property He could not announce
these new and startling statements to less than .
quorum Of honorable Senators. Vain was 1t to as
! sure him that great men before him had made won
| derfu speeches before q dozen Senators; vain to
assure him that others would be In dIrecy vain to
| appeal to him not to waste time; vain for Nye In
| his blandest tone, to ask him to give way and
let him Nye) speak; vain for Sumner facetiousy to
cite past recollections OF eminent Senators; Vickers
would not bulge; quorum he would have. The
| SergeantatArms hired all the carriages at hand
and sent his messengers for absentees. Nobody was
! at home. An hour passed and half another, when
the opp0rtune arrival Of batch Of Southern Sena-
tors completed the requisite thrtyfve and vickers
feeble, empty speech.
The hunt after absent members very Unexpectedly
revealed q circumstance Of some Importance. The
Southern Senators were found assembled in secret
caucus. All republicans were present except Robert
son, OF South Carolina, who was detained by
illness In his family. The fact is talked OF
with varied feeling and comment to-day by
the few Senators who know It, but gene
rally with disfsv0r and suspicion A sectional
caucus Is unpopular. There Is much inquiry con-
corning its purport. Nothing was definitely decided
on because they were too soon interrupted But the
object Of the caucus to united action, to
make the South possible unit several matters.
One Is to secure fair share OF the federal offices or
prevent confirmation Of others. Another is to talk
over railroad matters and to combine to carry
through their local schemes together with the new
bill OF the combined Pacific railroad companies A
third. andlthe one under discussion was plan to in
sist payment OF salaries for the full period OF the
Fortieth Congress and block legislation some
vital measure, II necessary, until the demand is COM
piled with. But thus Interrupted nothing was de-
cided and thus exposed they propose to say that
there was no intention Of particular secrecy.
|. The New Naturalization Bill.
The bill introduced by Representative Poland yes
terday, and referred to the Committee on the Re-
vision OF the Laws, Of which he Is member pro-
nent feature being continuous residence of an alien
in the United States for period Of four years and
six months to entite him to be admitted 10 citizen
ship. The proceedings for naturalization may be
had before circuit or district court for the United
States or Territories.
The Case of John G. Brainc, Of the Chesa.
pcakc.
Senator McCreery and others had long interview
yesterday with Attorney General Evarts In relation
to the release OF John O. Brane, OF the Confederate
Navy. Mr.. Evarts expressed some doubts as to
whether Braine's case could be reached under the
Presidents amnesty proclamation, but listened at
tentively and favorably to the plea for mercy.
The Annexation Of St. Domingo Job.
II one can believe the very smallest part Of what
is being circulated here about the scheme for the
annexation Of st. Domingo there s very huge job
ct the bottom OF It, 1t is said that certain parties In
this country have obtained grants Of nearly the
whole territory OF st. Domingo, and that II the
nexation scheme rs put through our government
Will find itself the possessor OF only right to pay
the Indebtedness Of the acquired territory, with
scarcely acre OF soil to call Its own. II this
be true and the parties Interested are really, as
stated occupying high ofncial positions in this
country Is easy to understand the eagerness mani
tested in some quarters for the annexation Of st.
Domingo,
There Is a rumor afioat here tonight about certain
frauds In the ONCE OF the Commissioner OF Internal
Revenue.
Appointment of Naval Cadets.
The President recently approved the act author
izing and directing the Secretary OF the Navy to
make the appointment OF midshipmen TO the United
Stetes Naval Academy, before the 4th of March
next from any state In which the election Of men,
bers OF the House Of Representatives Of the
Forty-nrst Congress does not by law take place
previous to the LIST Of July, 1859, upon the nomi-
nations OF members OF the House Of Representatives
from such States in the present Congress- provided
no such appointment should be made from a State
not BY law entitled to appointment Of midshipmen
In the year 1869.
Formation Of a Congressional Yale Club.
The alumni OF Yale College In Congress held q
meeting last evening at w. +. Robinson's rooms, In
Wizards Hotel, for the object Of forming society
to be called the. Congressional Yale Club. Judge
spalding, Of Ohio. was elected chairman, and w.
=. Robinson Secretary. A committee was appointed
to frame constitution and bylaws, and the event
Of organizing the society determined to be cee
brated by o dinner. The Attorney General, Mr..
Evarts on learning that dinner was In contempla-
ton invited the society to partake OF at his
residence, where the affair will partaKe OF more
thoroughly social and informal character.
THE FASHIONABLE SEASON IN WASHINGTON.