The New York herald., 1872-12-03

Speaker Blaine mounted his rostrum to indicatd
that the hour had arrived. All eyes were turned
toward him. Perceptibly he has grown Senatorial
to wit, gray and stout-since his last appearance.
No one could observe, however, In the cheerful and
metallic ring OF his authoritative voice, that hd
had been sleepy or Indifferent actor In the Late
Presidential contest. The Rev. Mr.. Butler, the
Chaplain, made an appropriate prayer, In which hd
touchingy referred to the hand OF death among
the great and small. His pathetic reference waa
listened to with prayerful attention. Then the rol
was called, and then, again, the absenteea
were summoned. A quorum appeared and the
Senates customary message was received. The
House responded to it by the appointment OF q
committee to wait upon the Executive and INFORM
MIN OF its anxiety to hear from him. Thereupon
MI Dawes, OF Massachusetts, the father OF the
House and leader OF its most important cOmmitteek
onered by way OF resolution testimonial OF regret
and respect to the memory OF Horace Greeley.
There was hush OF profound and reverentia1
silence following the reading OF the resolution,l
which was broken by the recognition OF Mr.. Cox,l
OF New York. Mr. Cox, in low and tremulouS
tone, stated that he had just been requested to-
say word in honor OF a former member and ant
liustrious citizen. Mr.. Greeley had represented
In Congress the district in which Mr.. Cox resided.
referring 10 MS service in Congress AMI his great
services to the people he gave brief analysis o6
his benevolent, earnest and courageous nfe In
Journalism and In society no one could flI
the void left by Horace Greeley. In few
graphic sentences he referred to the relation Of
the deceased to both parties, and closed with the
remark that the representatives OF the people
would be true to their constituents in the highest
sense by following sadly his bier into the silent
dignity OF death with their sorrow and sympathy. :
The resolution passed unanimously, OF course, and
generous and gentle feeling therefore inaugurates
the present session.
Then General Banks, in a few apt and grace ul
words, asked to be relieved from the Foreign Az
fairs Committee. The House, In the same kindly
feeling which it had shown with respect to General
Banks dead candidate, refused to excuse him from
the service Mr.. Brooks, OF New York, entered hia
protest against making political or partisan ques-
tion OF our foreign affairs.
Speaker Blaine then left the chair and called s. s..
Cox to it, as Speaker pro tenn. This the signal for
the utmost attention, as 1t had been whispered about
that he would call for committee to investigate
the Credit Mobicr charge. In flve-minute speech
the Speaker referred to the distinguished legslatora
and ex-legislators who were inculpated with him
self In the Credit Mobllier scandal and brbe, and
then stating that he had on Saturday advised the
present occupant OF the chair that he would cali
him to discharge its duties on Monday and that hex
would offer resolution OF inquiry, the committee,
to be selected by Mr.. Cox, who 1T was well known
entertained opposite political views He then senH
up to the Clerks desk the resolution. Somo
notifications were made in the phraseology or thet
resolution. Mr.. Archer, OF 'Afy Maryland" waa
the only member Who opposed its adoption. Hef
thought that investigation, as recently conducted.
had better be omitted and business done. Mr.. Ram
dan, Mr.. Dawes and Mr. Holman urged the
adoption or the resolution, and II passed.
Mr.. Cox stated that he was prepared to
name committee, which, In his judgmentI
would do justice fairly ana impartially. He named
Judge Poland of Vermont; General Banks, OF
Massachusetts; Mr.. Beck, OF Kentucky; Judge
Niblack, OF Indiana, and Mr.. McCrary, OF Indiana.
This committee is regarded as having been fairly
and ingeniously framed. No party has dominancy
in 1t. II General Banks is republican, he is with
the majority; If ne is democrat, he is with thol
majority. AS he is a liberal and an honest man
and ex-speaker, well posted in all the procedure of
legislation his selection gives satisfaction In every
regard. The standing and character OF the other
gentlemen named on the committee Is considered
suflcicnt evidence that the investigation viii be-
thorough and impartial For his judgment the
Speaker pro tenn. received the commendation OF
both republicans and democrats; while Mr.. Blaine,i
in trusting to the appointment Of the committed
by one opposed to him politically, has in measure
Recess followed the Credit Mobilier excitement,
and about halfpast one O'Clock the Clerk COM
menced reading the Presidents Message. The
members listened attentively. but few engaging In
any work.
Expression Of Opinion ON the Message@
The Spanish Minister Pleased-6cneraL
Banks ON the Opposition Strength.
The Message provoked very little adverse crti-
cism. Even the most determined opponents OF tha
administration could fnd point for attack In It.
1t is conceded on all hands that 1t is q sensible
though not very striking document. AS General
Banks remarked to your correspondent this evcn-
ing, all the main points had been given In advance
by the HERALD Commenting on the Presidents
Message, Sir Edward Thornton expressed his satis-
faction with that part OF 1t which relates to the
settlement OF the difficulties with England. He
said there may be people on both sides who do not
like the terms OF the settlement bud
the main point has been gained; all causes
of misunderstanding have been removed, and
the two kindred nations may henceforth live al
peace with one another. Admiral Polo, the Span
ish Minister 1t appears, is not at all surprised at
the statement Of the Message with regard TO Cuba
and slavery. He thinks the President is perfectly
justified in his confidence In the present govern
m ent Of Spain and In the expectation that II VILE
pursue liberal policy and deal fairly with the
question OF slavery. He believes that the Pres-
dent takes practical step in the matter ana
makes q good point in c0ndemning in the Grst
place the practice OF those citizens Of the United
States and naturalzed Cubans who are holding
slaves in Cuba. The Marquis de Noailles, the French
Minister, was pleased with the complimentary al
lusion to France as "our earliest ally" while Baron
Lederer, the Austrian Minister, seemed highly,
delighted with the favorable notice the President
has taken OF the Vienna Exhibition. The distinc-
tive feature Of today's proceedings, both in the
House and the Senate, is apparently the era Of
good feeling which has been inaugurated. One
prominent opposition member Of the House, how
ever, remarked that there is already feeling Of
dIstrust among the members Of the dominant