Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-12-04

ARRIVALS,
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec, 3.-Tbc members
of congress have arrived in such large numbers
that there will be more than quorum to.mor-
row.
THE PREsIDESf's MESSAGE.
prominent western senator who has read
the presidents message says it will be one of
the most popular state papers ever sent to con-
gresS. 1t will recommend civil service and reve.
nue. reform, and, in place of amnesty, will ask
that the kukluX enforcement bill, which expires
the first OF July next be extended for another
year.
About one week since a paragraph had been
prepared recommending the recognition OF bel
ligerent rights to the Cuban revolutionsts, but
representations made through the Spanish min
lister, on behalf of his government, have induced
modification Of this portion ofthc message, and
it will now simply call the attention of congress
to the state of affairs in Cuba, and ask that the
proper committee give it the consideration Its
importance demands.
A REMRDY NEEDED
The subcommittee which investigated Georgia
and Texas report that one curious feature was
discovered in the operation Of the rcconstruc-
ton laws in those states. Under the cautionary
provision to secure negroes from being intimi
dated at elections, polls for counties were only
to be established atcounty seats, where all votes
were TO be received.
It is claimed that, under tile most favor
able circumstances, but one vote can be re-
ccived per minute, or at the rate of 72O for each
twelve hours, so that, where the time for hold.
ing elections is not extended, large majority
of the voters are excluded from casting their
ballots. 1t is proposed to call the attention OF
congress to this anomaly, when the report of
the southern committee is finally submitted.
PROGRAMME OF THE SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS.
The southern democrats propose to open war
on the administration as soon as congress comes
together. Mr.. Beck, of Ky, will ask that the
rules be suspended tomorrow, in order to intro
duce resolution inquriug of the president I'M
der what provision of the enforcement bill he
caused suspension of the writ of habeas corpus
in South Carolina, and also calling for informa
tion as to what acts Of INSTRUMENTATION nterfer-
enceS with processes of courts, Or other offences
enumerated in the kuklux law passed last
spring, have been committed three months prior
to issuing the proclamation under the same.
This information will be called for in anticipa-
ton of a minority report, which the democratic
members of the southern investigating commit
tee propose making, and also 10 show that the
president has acted without the authority of
law in suspcuding the writ of habcas corpus in
South Carolina.
MIR. BLAINE AND THE COMMITTEES.
Speaker Blaine has been ovcuun at his resi-
dencc all day by members, who were DESTROYS
of learning to what positions they had been as
signed on various committees. The chairman
ship of the ways and means committee being
the most important, has received the greatest
share of attention. Some time ago it was gen
orally conceded that this position would be
given to Mr.. Garfield of Ohio, but general ru-
NOR to-day has conferred it upon Mr.. Dawes,
and the latter himself, while protesting against
such assignment, fears that the use of his name
in this connection has too much truth in it, the
speaker being wholly reticent upon this subject
Rumor has given Mr.. Kelley the committee on
appropriations, General Butler that on military
affairs, and MIR. Shcllabargcr the committee on
claims the latter being considered of the frs
Importance in view of the vast amount Of south
ern claims soon to be reported by the commits
sion which has been in session examining the
same all summer. Mr., Garfield expects to be
retained as chairman Of the banking and cur
rcncy committee, in which event Mr. Lynch
hopes 10 get the committee on commerce. Mr..
Kelley said tonight that he would, on no &C
count, accept the committee on appropriations,
if bciDp n committee vhich no knows notb;ncr
about, and, beside, he desires to remain on the
ways and means committee, where he can be of
some service TO his state. KELoN.