The New York herald., 1871-12-20
Yho Fight I'm the House on the
t Labor Bill.
Conkhng's Compromises on The Retrench-
ment Commission.
How England Got Possession Of Missing VOL
) sme and What Has Como Of Il.
The Civil Service Message In and
Out Of Congress.
The Mormon Machiavelli's
Latest Move.
eeSraw Bids"- Specie Payments-Marine
Hegistry-The New York Ma.
- tional Bank Failures.


f11&sy - M. WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1871.
9sne Duslness Transacted In the Senate at
Lass-TAe chicago Court House BiII-The
Retrenchment Committee and What it Has
- NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., the Recusant Witness.
The proceedings In the Senate to-day were devoid
OF that profound interest which characterized the
long and neroe political battle OF the past two
weeks. Something like practical legislation was
once more attempted. The House bill appropri-
ating a. 600 for erecting the public buildings at
Chicago was passed, with unlmportant amend
ments. and resolutions were adopted instruct
tng the new Committee on Investigation
and Retrenchment TO inquire into the
recent defalcations In General Spinner's ONCE the
Hodge defalcaton. the case of Calender, the Bank
Examiner, and the General Order Businessn In the
New YORK Custom House, with the alleged connec-
ttOn OF the White House VITA the fraudulent trans
actions tA
The last named inquiry Is founded on the resolu.
ti0n offered by Senator Conkling Yesterday, but it
was to-day amended by Mr.. Sohurz SO as to de-
velop the corrupt practices OF officials Of every
arado In the Custom House, and Mr.. Upton
further amended 1t so as to cover the
allegations Of the use Of public money In the syra-
Cuso Convention last summer. Mr.. Conkling SAID
the purpose OF the latter amendment was very EVIL
Dent but he was Wiling to accept everything
which Senator'S could suggest.
The only comment which is made on this result
OF these angular proceedings s that 1t would have
been better 90 have accepted the inevitable before
the fight began than after 1t was over. Mr..
Chandler, In moving that much Of the Presidents
Message a. refers to the telegraph system OF the
country be referred to the Committee on
Commerce, took occasion to make fierce attack on
the Associated Press; but he did not 60 into the
merits OF the Presidents recommendations In re-
m atAl
ledge Of the primo pies OF newsgatherng. The
subject ia . very interesting one ana is so far
from being distasteful to Senatorial committees
that iss consideration was postponed till Mr..
Ramsey, chairman Of Post Onices and Post
Roada could be on hand TO claim IL
Senator Scott brought up the case OF Gist, the
recusant witness from South Carolina, who failed
20 testify before the committee charged with the
investigation OF Southern outrages but without
making any disposition OF the matter, the Senate
went into executive session. This was the result of
the first business day Of the Senate lit amounted
20 httleu 1t was at least q step toward business,
though the business Of Presldentmakng cannot fail
TO be the great purpose OF the whole session
Tho Labor Qssssiss Among Protectionists,
Ercc Traders and Ignorance In tho House
Of Represessaslvss-The Dsbase 70 Close
To-day.
In the House today, after the passage Of several
other unimportant resolutions, the subject OF the
Labor Commission was again introduced, Mr..
H0ar's bill being under consideration. An AMI
mated discussion arose In regard to the arrange
ment OF the debate. Mr.. Perce, chairman Of the
Committee on Education and LaOor. after nenec-
tual effort to come to an understanding, gave notice
that tomorrow, at one O'clock ne should close the
debate. This proposition did not meet with favor
from the other side, who wish. for more Time to
fno Of IA mi Mr. parco
ceedea to explain the nature Of the work to be
complished by this commission, whose business 1t
shall be to inquire into the cause 0f discomfort
among the working people, and of the relations Of
capital ana labor. MI. Perce has evidently given
tnOught 10 this subject and brings earnestness and
practical suggeshons In regard TO 1t. The opposl-
ton followed up the initiative taken when the bin
was 1rst presented. Mr.. Campbell offered q
substitute to Mr.. Hoar's bill in the form Of
Q proposition for q joint committee, but was
ruled out Of order. Mr.. storm, OF Pennsylvania,
showed great courage In standing up against the
high tariff ideas OF his own State, at the same time
that ne favored inquiry into the subject Of education
and labor. He favored committee Of inquiry
rather than commission, and met the whole ques-
aion gracefully and ably. Messrs. Cox anu Kerr
arraigned the republican party before the ber Of
public opinion as the criminal in the matter of op
GLASSES. and showed that the machinery which
u grinding the lie out Of them Is the
tariff and high taxation Mr.. Slocum spoke Of the
poor man generally. He SAID the President was
poor once himself but through the partality Of his
friends ne was poor no longer. He named CON-
mission, which he offered as an amendment, con-
sisting Of Horace II. Day, Richard Trevelck and
Alexander Troup.
Mr.. Townsend OF Pennsylvania, spoke Of the
Presidents Civil Service Message proof OF de-
sire to correct abuses. Mr.. Hawiey favored the bill.
Mr. Amber wanted the Bureau OF Statistics to do
the work proposed. Mr.. Farnsw orth thought the
Committee on Education ana LABOR would
have plenty Of time to attend to 1t. Mr.. Kiiinger
proposed to give 1t in charge Of the head OF the
Agricultural Bureau. He also wished TO limit the
term OF the commission to one year, and to have
practical miner on the commission. Mr.. Kelley
made plea for protection, and sent letter to the
Clerk be read, vndcating his position. Mr.. Ste
venson, OF Ohio, followed IN warm appeal
for reduction Of taxes. Between the pro.
tectAonists revenue reIormers and the igno-
rance which seems to prevail upon the
whole subject the bill providing for q
commission to Investigate the labor question Is
having stormy time The vote will be taken at
one O'Clock TO- morrow, It's fate at present looks
doubtful. A little sparring occurred over Mr.. Gar
fields resolution asking for an appropriation OF
$4,000 to defray the expenses Of the Committee
of Investigation on Southern Outrages Mr..
Wood inquired II there was any constructive
mfleage to be paid from this Appropriation. Mr..
Eidridge withdrew his motion for the reading Of
ana bill upon consent being given that It be con.
,Didered AZ read and It was agreed, amid great
0srrimens that when printed in the Globe It should
- incorporated In hts remarks.
1ae House then adjourned in better spirits and
ostgntsr looks than they commenced the day.
The Legal Tender Discussions.
Ine Cnief Justice OF the supreme Court Of the
united States to day announced to the Bar that the
opinions In the legal tender cases will be read at an
early DAY after the recess ana that the delivery Of
fse opinions had been postponed at the request Of
che H,inorty.
1Ese House Civil Service COMMITTEES.
The House Committee on the reorganization OF
1hN Utvu Service have commenced thar ,ahors nv