The New York herald., 1871-12-07


the members became uproarlous when the results
OF the votes were given from time time. and the
Speaker was moved by 1t to administer rebuke to
them for the childishness displayed in expressing
80 much feeling over so small o matter" The
vote was finally taken on the main resolution.
and 1t was lost by three, when Fernando Wood
clinched the result by moving reconsider and lay
on the table. The frolic being over the Speaker
made The announcements OF o special committee to
take charge OF matters pertaining to that part OF
the Presidents Message relating to the subject OF
CIVIL SERVICE REFoRM,
gratifying Mr.. Kelleys ambition as national man
by making him chairman. Thus things begin to
look as II this subject was passing from mists and
theories into practical solution and that everybody
is ready for civil service reform whose OK is not to
be gored by it. was evident from the entertainment
furnished the House In passage at arms
to-day over resolution to allow the
chairmen OF the different committees to
appoint clerks to serve until bill could
be framed providing regularly for their appoint
menr. Messrs. Cox and Randall claim such action
to be contrary to the spirit Of reform recommended
As an administration measure these gentlemen are
swift TO see all openings to apply the proposed
civil service reform. They fairly brtstle with
inconsistent action upon that subject holds out
Mr.. Kelley, however, carried his resolution, and
the scramble for clerkships has already fairly
begun. A1s seos .ua 8
Government Onlcos and Appointments-Who
is 70 Succeed Secretary Eishs
The great question OF the hour is who is to
retain and to obtain place Ana, as is unusual
ut 80 late day in the history OF national admins
Iraon and at this particular stage Of Congressional
activity the question involves ofhcials OF every
grade, from the once OF Secretary OF state down
to the committee clerkships For the thousandth
time the immediate resignation of Mr. Fish
Is denied, and II his resignation did take
place the opposition to the confirmation Of Judge
Pierrepont would be terrific. Tie leading republi-
can senators to-day united in very strong letter
to the Secretary Of state asking HIM hold on for
a little while longer, and 1t may be counted upon
as q certainty that he win continue to hold on.
AL along Mr. Fish mas been looking forward to his
retirement and has put his department In complete
order for this event upon the shortest notices. but
he will neither be forced ont Of the Cabinet nor
kept In 1t against MS win. The hostility manifested
among the republican Senators towards Judge
Perrepont will IN itself be reason ag ainst his
tlring with precipitancy. ana 1t Is well known that
he Is not yet quite ready to accept the mission to
England. which he Is to receive on the return OF
General Schenck. #9tHA
The OHlce of Attorney General.
There Is also some opposition to the appointment
OF ex-senator Williams as Attorney General in
place of Akerman but his nomination. as AFFAIRS
now stand, is likely to be made before many days.
1t was remarked to-day that the nomination or MIR.
wv. Douglass as Commissioner OF Internal Reve-
nue. has not been sent TO the Senate The Peason
ton. Boutwell, fight yet to on and Mr.. Douglass
chances hang In the balance. The place OF Con-
gressiona Printer Will also be lively bone OF con-
tention. few days Will tell the whole story In
many directions but for the present the Senate mas
Its hands full OF big and little Vaccinations. In the
executive session to-day nothing OF importance was
accomplished. and, indeed. there was nothing OF
importance to accomplish. II was In the republican
caucus where the interest settled
There the great question who is to retain and
to Obtain place began develop itself In the posi-
tions which are moro directly In the gift OF the
Senate. Messrs. Buckingham, Sawyer, Pomeroy,
Frelinghuysen and Ferry (of MichiQan) were ap-
pointed o committee to revise the standing COM
mltrees. Their report will not be made for some
days. ostensiDly TO give the democratic Senators an
opportunity TO indicate what they expect IN tine way
OF consideration from the dominant party, but In
reality to shape things for q new deal What
changes will be made 1t is impossible TO predict al
this time with any decree Of certainty, but 1t Is
likely that Morton win be put al the head OF the
Foreign Relations and Cameron, transferred to
Privileges and Eectiona Aside from these the
changes In the committees viii be unimportant,
but when the caucus meets again o question OF
graver import IN q political sense viii have to be
determined.
The Scrgean Arms TO BE Relieved.
An effort Is to be made to relieve Mr.. French, the
Sergeant-atArms from his onerous duties, and 1t is
likely to prove successful. rfm n.
Postmaster Taft Ticke.cd.
DR.. TAFT the Postmaster is also among the tick
eted. Other places OF still lower class are to be
overhauled. and altogether q very happy time may
be anticipated. As the scramble for ONCE Is always
perfectly delightful everybody is ready for the fray,
and some Of the old public servtors will undoubt-
edy be compelled 10 give place to the new men. 81.
Preservins the Archives Of tho State-Fire on
Tuesday Night. e .eS
The resolution OF General Banks calling on Secre-
tary Fish to report what measures necessary for
the protection Of the archives of the state Depart
ment against destruction by fre, pending the COM
pleAon OF Its new building adjacent to the War and
Navy Departments. is intended 10 AFFORD the Secre-
tary an opportunity Of explaining TO Congress the
perilous situation OF the most valuable papers
of the government The department. Is now
wretchedIy accommodated In fragile brick struc-
ture, built for orphan asylum and located far out
in the northern part Of the oit close to she bound.
ary and remote from the apparatus extinRuisn-
ing nres. even the supply OF water being short ana
uncertain. Last night the accidental presence OF
tile clerks in some Of the rooms OF the depart
ment engaged at an unusual hour IN
copying the Catacazy correspondence to be
transmitted TO the Senate to-day, but which that
BODY did not evince as much eagerness to hear
as was expected waa the prObable means of eavinu