The New York herald., 1871-12-07
WASHINGTON
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Debates and Cross Firing i'm
Congress.
>ktb4f4 ~>~->~-~>~~o~~~~~~~->>~s t.s
A Special Committee of the House Ap-
pointed on Civil Service Reform.
THE NEW APPORTIONMENT BILL.
Secretary Fish and the Repub-
THE NEW APPORTIONMENT BILL.
Secretary Fish and the Repub-
Ill lioan Senators. p
He VIII sHOld Fast,' Until Gene
ral Schenck Retires from
the English Mission.
Fire in the State Department-ADxiety Con-
cerniDg the Government Archives.

cerniDg the Government Archives.
WASHINGTON Dec. Q, 1871.
PROCEEDINGS In Congress.
There was perceprible lessening In numbers Of
the devoutly inclined in the halls Of both houses
this morning, many members not arriving until
after tho prayers. In the Senate there were only
one or two points Of interest. Senator Scott, the
Chairman Of the Joint Select Committee to Investi-
gate alleged Ku Klux Outrages, who remained
perfectly quiet during Senator Blair's attempted
onslaught on the administration yesterday, came to
the front to-day with resolution for bringing con-
tumacious Witnesses before the mar OF the Senate.
Two VI these-Davld Glst ana Clayton Camp--are
from South Carolina. aud another-Wm. L. San
ders-is from North Carolina Sanders Is regarded
as the leader OF the Ku Klux Klan In his State. He
is CLERK OF the House OF Representatives there.
General Avery, OF Yorkville, s. Co. also reported.
He IL supposed 10 be in Canada, and has
been shown before the grand inquest IN the pro-
claimed district to have been the chief in that
section. The name Of General Forrest was not re-
ported to-day, but the question or doing SO was
considered in committee ana postponed till another
session. Tie only other business discussed In the
Senate was an Amnesty bill which Mr. Robertson
had In charge. general measure was passed
last April and sent to the House, where
certain exceptions were made on motion
OF Judge Poland, and the bill was passed and sent
back to the Senate There it was referred to a COM
mitlee. whose chairman reports 1t for passage.
the exceptions are those who were members OF
Congress- former officers OF the army and navy,
ana members OF secession conventions. Should the
bill pass In this FORM the excepted persons viii be
very few. In Kentucky no but Mr.
Breckenridge win be left out In the
cold. All persons relieved are first to
appear before the clerk Of United States Court
or United States Commissioner and file an oath OF
allegiance, which Is to be sent to the Secretary OF
State to be placed on record In that department.
Ar. Pomeroy objecting to Immediate consideration,
the Senate went into
The House having resolved ITSELF into Committe,
Of the Whole Mr.. Burton G. Cooks Apportionment
Dill was considered. This provides for 2s1 members
In the next House, the additional unit heing de-
sign to give Illinois representative for fraction
somewhat less than half Of the basis OF repre-.
seniation. Under it Vermont and New Hamp-
shire Will lose one member each table pre-
pared by the Census Bureau, giving the basis for
appOTtionments ON $50, 260, 27o, $50. 200 ana 800
members was distributed to the members. Mr..
Saercur. OF Pennsylvania, to whom as o sub-com-
Aittec Of the Judiciary Committee the matter had
been referred In the last Congress- and who has re-
ported bill. moved TO substitute that report for
the bill now before the committee. Mr.. Mcrcur's
bill proposes to make the next House
consist Of 2so members. This would be
upon the basis OF 1871 900 for each Representative
and would make the whole number about two hun
cred and seventysix-the additional iour members
being allowed 70 States having large fractions. The
Iwo New England states named would still loose
one member each. II was evident that the Pennsyl-
vania Representative had mastered his subject and
et once the House was clustered around and about
his seat Though not brilliant man Judge Mercur
made figures attractive and handled his theme
with great grace and ease. Mr.. Finkelnburg, of
Missouri, was very anxious to know why and how
It the large traction OF his state the basis
on which twelve members were given was not
recognized hy an additional member. Almost the
entire Missouri and Illinois delegations with stray
vermonter were on their feet. eager to badger Mr.
Mercur with gu estions 10 how he arrived ct his
conclusions. IL was o treat to witness his perfect
C0mposure and the facile ease with which he man.
aged Finkelnburg, FarnswOrth, Willard and others
VINO interposed objections. The general
impression seemed 10 be that lie made all mis- points
and clinched them. After short speeches by Farms
worth and Garfield the committee rose and reported
progress. Alter the disposal Of mere formal busi-
ness, the House having ordered an unnecessary
holiday on Friday. probably for the purpose Of al
loving members to welcome .he Boston wing OF
convention on thst day, the usual adjournment was
had until tomorrow.
A meeting OF the House Elections Committee was
held this morning.
The claim OF General Clarke, Third district Texas,
70 seat on his certliicaIe was taken up. Judge
Paschal appeared In opposition and K. M. Corwine
and Judge Casey, or this city, with Judge Colwel,
Of Texas, for tho claimant Mr. Corwine opened
the case, cOnfining him self 10 argument on the
legal character of the certificate. Judge Paschals
reply s reported as being IN the nature OF an
attack on the State government OF Texas than O
rebuttal on Mr. Corwlnc's position. In answer to q
question put by Mr.. Hoar Mr.. Paschal assumed that
Il was the DUTY Of The Clerk OF the House OF Repre-
sentativcs to go behind certificate on which
doubts were thrown and to examine the return.
Tnis position is considered TO be quite un-
fenable. The committee adjourned at the
close OF Judge Paschaps speech, and wll
hear Messrs. Casey and Colwell tomorrow. The
probability s that report in favor Of General
Clarke's admission win be made Most OF the more
important committees OF the House will meet and
organize for business during the ensuing three
days. and the general activity IN this respect ind
Gates cl attention to the work waiting consldera
tiOn.
in TuE KU KLux INvEsTrGATING COMMITTEE MEETING
1his morning Representative Stevenson moved that
she committee report bill removing all disabilities
also one extending tho period for suspendiag the
writ OF habeas corpus until the asse milling OF Con-
gress In December next and holding all Ku Klux
aud other so-caled reasonable conspirators respon
sble for the acts OF each other.
Executive session.
Legislation has assumed again Its usual course,
and the morning hour was devoted to presenting
and referring regular bills and resolutions
Considerable merriment was INDUCED in by the
members over tilt IN regard TO the drawing OF
seats. The tournament was opened by Mr. Stark
weather, or Connecticut, who onered resolution
providing for this to many very unpleasant pro-
ceeding. Mr.. Peters, OF Maine, promptly met thus
~ moving TO lay on the table, The scene then be-
came quite animated, as the lances were drawn and