Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-12-13

WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. II.
GEN. sICKLEs.
1t is understood that Minister Sickles win not
return to SPAIN His visit to this country was
at his own request as will be, also, his
subsequent stay here. His friends say that he
has had enough of foreign service.
CONFIRMED,
In executive session, to-day, The senate con-
firmed J. W. Douglas as commissioner of inter-
nal revenue, 1t was anticipated that there
would be a short opposition to this confrma-
ton, made by Gen. Peasouton and his friends,
but the only contest Of this character was waged
in the finance committee, to which this matter
was referred,
A TEDIOUS SUBJECT,
Several members of the Massachusetts dele
CATION have had a conference with reference to
the Springfield post office, and have generally
agreed that j. G. Taylor should be recommended
for the vacancy, especially in view of his long
experience in the postal business and hio en-
dorsement by the most prominent and substan-
tial citizens of Springfield Applications in
large numbers are now being received at the
post office department for this position.
ANTI-GRANT
Senator Spencer, of Alabama, who has been
some time cassed among the independent re-
publicans" denies the recent statement TO the
effect that he had been concilated. He is now
engaged in making war upon presidential APP
pontments in his state among which is that of
ex-senator Willard Warner as collector at
Mobile. The confirmation of the latter is now
pending, and is being bitterly opposed by Mr.
Spencer,
MIR. EDAwEs' RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Dawes eight hour resolution still lies on
the senate table, with other unfinished business
Mr. Wilson made his usual effort to-day to get
it up, and Mr.. Sumner came to his assistance
with some remarks in support of the business of
the measure, but the morning hour expired be
fore it could be reached.
Mr. Chillngworth and other parties interested
in the passage of this resolution have succeeded
in discussing Mr.. TrumbulTs mind f the preiu-
dices against this resolution, and it is now un
dcrstood that this senator will not press his
amendment repeating the eight hour law. To
morrow Mr. Sumner proposes TO make Il short
speech, urging the immediate passage of the les
OlutiOn.
LACK OF HARMONY IN THE CAUCUS.
In consequence of the inharmonious proceed
ings in open session, the senate had been in eX-
ecutive session but a short time to-day, when it
was resolved to hold caucus to see if some
general understanding could not be arrived at,
with reference to legislation, and also if there
could not be arrangements made with regard to
Mr. Trumbulls proposed retrenchment commit
tee, without putting republicans on record as
voting against it, and democrats as layoring it,.
The propriety of appointing the committee
was discussed for about two hours and some
bitter speeches were made thereon. After two
hours had been spent in this Improbable man
ner, the caucus adjourned until tomorrow morn.
ing. A compromise has been prepared, which
will be submitted in caucus tomorrow, which
provides for the appointment of retrenchmcnt
committee, but limits its operations to retrench-
ing expenses, without investigating abuses.
Another stormUtime is anticipated before this
proposition will be finally disposed of.
MIR. SUMNER ARoUsED-LIyELY sCENEA IN
THE SENATE.
Senator Morton cal ed up his concurrent resO-
luton to-day, providing for formal adjourn
ment of congress on the third Monday in May.
and a limited discussion ensued. The time it
was under discussion was not so brief, however,
but that it was demonstrated that nothing
which can possibly have any political signifi-
canoe can pass the present session without be-
ing thoroughly analysed, tested and contested.
Coming from a senator whose administration
predictions are so well understood, seemed al
most enough in itself to arouse the suspicion of
theOpposition, and the clerk had hardly finished
the resolution before Mr. Sumner got the floor,
and objected to its adoption at such an early
stage of the session. He gave notice, however,
that if the senate should take up the resolution,
he would insist upon lacking thereto an amend
ment that congress should not adjourn until it
had passed his supplementary civil rights bill.
guaranteeing protection to American citizens,
without distinction Of color.
Notwithstanding this note of defiance, Mr..
Morton insisted on the propriety of adopting
his resolution, and the yeas and nays were
called on a motion to take it up. On this ballot
Mr. Summers threatened amendment as to i'm
partial rights had the effect to drive all demo-
Gratis to Mr.. Mortons support, and, consequent
ly, there were but nine votes recorded against it.
To be as good as his word, as soon as the vote
was announced Mr.. Sumner sent up his proposed
amendment, and, when he took his seat, MIR.
Schurz moved to amend the amendment, provid-
ing that there should be no adjournment until
the bills to reduce internal taxation, modify
the tariff and secure reform in civil service,
had also been acted upon; and then Mr.. Trum-
bull when Mr. Schurz had taken his seat, gave
notice that he would offer, as a su bstitute for
the combined resolution and amendments, a
bill to remove the political disabilities of the
southern States
He protested against any measure which
would tie the hands of senators as to future
legislation, and moved 10 lay the original
resolution and amendments on the table. On
this motion, the ayes and noes were called, and
it was defeated by thirty-one to twenty-five.
Pending further action, the morning hour eX-
pired, and the resolution went over. The vote
has some significance, as ioreshadowing how
senator's may act upon reform measures that
will be introduced this winter, in case party
fight is made upon them.
The republicans who united with the demo
Gratis in voting to lay Mr.. Morton's resolution on
the table, were Messrs. Alcorn, Fenton, Ferry
of Connecticut, Hill, Lewis, Rice, Robertson,
Sawyer, Schurz, Sumner, Upton, Irumbul and
Wilson The three republicans, AIessrs
Sprague, Spencer and Logan, who would have
voted with the minority, were not in the senate
to-day. This would have made the same num-
Der VITO voted to take up the resolution calling
for the retreuchmcnt committee. KELoN.
(TO the Associated Press)
THE NATIONS CHARGE.
Mao mazda at he