The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-13

Mr.. Banks favor. Considerable earnestness was
displayed by members taking part In the discussion
Lew Campbell, the well Unknown leader OF the House
In anti-belum times, and the successor or General
Schenck sustained Mr.. Garfield. The real cause OF
the interest displayed by members was due almost
entirely to feeling OF opposition 70 the continued
tendency displayed in the matter OF centrazing all
business OF the House into the hands or three or
four Of Its more important committees. Democratic
members naturally, as being in the opposition, were
most active In opposing the motion for reference.
This and the motion adopted yesterday directing
an investigation into the affairs OF the Treasury De-
partment by standing committee long regarded az
merely ornamental seemed to be skirmIshes pre-
luding general engagement over this matter Of
absorbing all power into the Committees OF Ways
and Means, Judiciary ana Appropriations Mr..
Wood, being on the committee sustained Its chair.
man, while Mr.. Cox wanting an opportunity to ven-
tlate his opinions on International questions,
moved It's immediate reference to the Com
mittee Of the Whole. Messrs. Hale and SEQ
field sustained Mr.. Garfield, the former
being anxious to stand BY his chairman. MI.
Banks held the galleries and commanded
the attention OF the House, as he always does when
emergencies require the OF his reserved ntellec-
tual force The matter was temporarily disposed
OF with the understanding that MI. Banks would
make the motion to go into the Committee OF the
Whole to which the bill was to be referred at the
earliest opportunity.
The House then went into The Committee OF the
Whole on the Apportonment bin, Mr. Mercur omen.
ing the debate with strong Argument in support
Of the leading features OF his amendment. The
question OF the effect Of the fourteenth amendment
ID excluding rom the basis OF representation per-
sons DISTINGUISHED by reason OF edu-
cation or property tax, or religious quail
Ana fully
urged his republican friends to stand by their own
policy, no matter whom 1t hurt. He declared the
amendment was designed for the protection OF the
poor and ignorant or those otherwise banned, and
to insure that representation and the franchise
should 60 hand in hand. Mr.. Cox illustrated pun
gently the proverb Of "chickens coming home to
roost' by reference to Rhode Island and the effect
on its representation OF the peculiar electoral quail
acarons that exist there. Mr. Garfield spoke zen.
orally on the eject Of the provisions OF the four
teenth amendment as Affecting representation
supporting Mr. Shellabarger's view. Alter the
usual futter consequent upon motions for the com.
mittee to rise The motion was carried and the
House adjourned In evident good humor over the
results.
Republicans Senators I'm Caucus.
A republican Senate caucus convened this after
noon to consider Mr.. Trumbull's resolution reviv-
Ing the Joint Retrenchment Committee and enlarge
Its powers and to consider the civil service organ-
cation also. The caucus was full, and it was
in session Tor over two hours. Its proceedings
were Of the veliess character filled with the sharp
est personal Debates ana the caucus adjourned
without reaching any conclusion except that there
was an 'irrepressible cOnhct.n In the republican
party the discussion took wide range and was
quite incisive and pointed in character.
The question OF reference to standing or
attack on the committees system now prevailing.
1t was proposed to make an entire revision, to
abolish o number OF committees as useless, and ct
least one which, 1t was broadly suggested,
was only nursery for jobs-that on the
Pacific Railroad. The Revolutionary Claims and
several others were mentioned as unnecessary. II
appears that nearly all the committees have clerks
whose duties are merely nominal ana pay large.
They are usually the private secretaries OF the CHAIR
men. Mr.. Trumbull's resolution appeared to excite
great anger among the "tnick and thinn adj
mnstration Senators. Mr.. Chandler led
or In o furious onslaught on the work
Of the committees in previous Congresses,
declaring their la50rs mad been worthless, and
always marked by want of,comprehension. This
attack brought Mr.. Patterson to his feet, and he
retorted that the Senator must not judge the COM
mittces work by his own standard Of stupidity ana
integrity In replying to charge that the
committee under his direction mad dono nothing,
he stated that 1t had at least saved fifteen million
dollars alone by Its investigation or New YORK Gus
tom house management. Mr.. Patterson was more
than caustic, and Chandler subsidized after O
lame attempt at reply. Senator Conkling came
to his associates rescue and made speech Of
remarkable atrabous character. other Senators
participated In the debate. Towards the close
better feeling was manifested. senator Scnurz
took no part in the wrangle, while Senator Sumner
was not only silent, but left some time before the
caucus adjourned 1t will reassemble tomorrow,
and there seems PROBABILITY that compromise
win be adopted II the understanding is reached
that Mr. Schurz shall not be the chair.
man OF such q committee, II 1t be
raised Senators who supported Trumbull as
well as that gentleman urged that 1t was the duty
OF the republican party to head or In the work OF
retrenchmcnt ana publication. All who spoke de-
clared themselves ardent supporters OF party har-
mony, and only desired action that would benefit
the party. There is little prospect Of any
Joint committee being agreed TO by the
House, even If the Senate does agree,
as py resolution offered by Mr.
Dawes to-day and passed without opposition the
several committees on expenditures Of the various
departments other than the Treasury, already acted
on are instructed to make just SUCH Investigations
as Mr.. Trumbull contempates. Either this activity
IN the way OF reform Is acknowledgment TO accom-
pllsh the purpose 1t is merely Intended to close
the mouths Of the opposition.
Congressional Commit es in Session.
majority OF the working committees met to-day
to arrange for regular sessions. The tendency TO
concentration is more manifest every Congress. A
comparatively few members, by reason OF long SER
vice, are forced to do all the work. Mr.. Stark
weather, OF Connecticut, for instance, is chairman
OF one important committee and second on another.
General Butter is chairman Of one, not yet deve-
oped into active Importance, and ID also member
Of TWO Others OF the most influential standing, and
second ON the judiciary. These are Illustrations
OF the tendency referred to. There were eight
committee meetings this morning. besides
that OF Elections, which meets every day.
The Appropriations Committee meet three times
week. Ways ana Means and the others, so fur,
ha,.a only Ihera forty.