The New York herald., 1871-02-01
WASHINGTON.
Artf,0l DOdges Of Arkansas
Politicians.
Disgraoeful Struggle for the
Senatorship.
The Income Tax Repeal Bill-A Question Of
Constitutional PrerOgatiVe
Another Move i'm the Settlement
Of the Alabama Claims.

Of the Alabama Claims.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 81. 1871.
The Alabama Claims.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations began
the consideration to-day OF that part OF the Message
OF President Grant relating the adjustment OF the
Alabama claims. The discussion, however, was OF
general character, the committee not having re.
Oeived the bill which Secretary Fish was requested
to prepare, together with such facts about the
amount Of the claims as he may have. The main
proposition Is whether or not the government shall
assume and pay the demands Of private claimants
and then settle the with Great Britain at Its own
convenience 1t is probable that this Will be before
the committee for some time before definite action
1saken. All the parties concerned, the holders OF the
claims growing OF the depredatlons OF the rebel
cruisers the Secretary Of State together with the
President and, ir is believed, majority Of the Com
mittees Of the two houses ON Foreign Affairs favor
the plan proposed by the President In his Message
The chances are that this win finally be adopted.
Arkansas Politics-Disgraceful Struggle for
OGlce.
Private advlces from Arkansas indicate that O
very formidable opposition to Governor Clayton has
sprung up in the Legislature since his recent elec-
tion TO the United States Senate TWO three
since. 1t seems to have arisen mainly on The cues.
ton Of the succession to the Gubernatoral chair.
The democratic members, backed by the republicans
inimical to Clayton want Lieutenant Gov.
ernor Johnson to be Governor. Clayton
has always been opposed to this sug-
gesron, and prior TO the Senatorial election
endeavored 70 have johnson ousted from his seat
The ground that he mad not subscribed the oath OF
ONCE within the time specified In the State consttu
uon for the performance OF that act About the time
OF the election for Senator, Clayton effected an
rangement for securing the democratic support on
the Joint ballot for senator by agreeing to refrain
from any further proceedings against johnson.
Alter his election charged that he determined
to disregard this agreement ana recently
had introduced In the lower House measure
providing for the impeachment OF Johnson. This
was laid upon the table by strong majority vote.
bill introduced in the Senate few days previous
declaring vacant all offices the incumbents OF which
had not taken the oath within the prescribed time
met with violent opposition on the ground that 1t
would AFFECT several excellent officers in different
sections Of the State az well as Johnson, against
whom the opponents Of the bill charged that 1t was
specially introduced. State Senator Mallory, the
mover OF the bill. is Claytons choice ana
the programme is said 70 be to COM
pei Johnson to vacate his seat, elect
Mallory TO the Presidency OF the Senate which DO.
sition would entirle him to the Gubernatoria chair
his friends assert that as Johnson cannot legally
hold his ONCE Mallory has the strongest claims to
II, as he Is by them considered OF the strongest
representative republican politicians in the State
Meanwhile Johnson holds that he was legally quail
ned at the proper time, and that he cannot be ousted
under the Clayton programme. Should he
succeed In maintaining his position and
continue to receive the support OF the
enemies Of Clayton, whe have recently rallied
alnwd
moralizaron of the Clayton wing when that gentle
man comes to the Senate.
1t is rumored here that the friends OF Senator
Mcdonald, OF Arkansas, who refused TO enter the
senatorial contest against Clayton on the ground
that the Legislature was not legally constituted
Will make strong and united effort to prevent him
from being admitted to his seat and Will demand
thorough investigation into both the State election
at which the members OF the Legislature were
chosen, and also into the circumstances OF the
organization and subsequent action Of that body in
the matter OF the Senatorial ballot With an eye to
the possible success of this measure, of which the
Governor has information, IL is understood that he
ts moving TO secure adjournment Of the State
Legislature prlor to the 1st Of March, to the end
that In theevent OF the discovery that his chances
Tor seat fathe Senate are hopeless he could with
draw, and, sstn holding his seat as Governor, have
In his hands the appointment OF some one OF his
friends S,ynx tor. These the facts in the case
and 1t very evident that the republican party
OF Arkansas. .disintsgrated 1t is. will meet with
late similar hat in several other Southern States
unless measures are very speedily adopted for
restoring harm,,ny.
General she vm an Ku Klux Outrnges.
The Secretary of War to-day transmitted to the
Senate, ON appli cation from r. L. M. Camden. OF
Philadelphia for Military protection for the employ es
OF an association eug,aged In gold mining in York
county, South Caro- un, against the outrages Of the
socalled Ku Klux 1aL and invited attention to the
remarks Of the Gene raj the army thereupon. The
latter are endorsed H follows by General Sherman
on the applicauon:-
Respectfully returne Y to 1.-THE Secretary Of War.
individual men or thei Interests and advise that
this and all similar PAL ers he referred to the Con-
outrages In .he South frhat some general and ade.
quate remedy may be deN used.
A Nice Question Of constitutional Preroga-
tis eJ
The Senate Finance Comm lttee, in anticipation Of
the return by the House of ,e bill to repeal the tax
on incomes, held meeting Il his morning and agreed
by large majority to standby the action Of the
Senate. Subsequently, when the bill came over
from the House, Senat or Scott moved
that the Senate insist upon its right to Orlgi-
nate and pass q bill to decl eNse taxation, and
that q committee OF conference I've requested. This
was agreed to- and at later pei sou Of the day the
House granted the conference. the question to be
considered and settled in the com. .utee OF confer
ence does not relate to the bill to re peal the tax
incomes but to the right OF the Senavesto originate
and pass such bill. Mr.. Hooper, with otAer men,
bers OF the Ways and Means Comnahee, hold
that the Senate infringed upon the rights
vested In the House by the constitution in
originating this bill. While it is not strictly bill
70 raise revenue 1t has close relation sue bblls
The Senator's, on the ptner hand. hold that this is
simply bill to repeal portion Of an existing INV,
and as such could originate in the Senate well as
In the House. should the position Of the Senatebe