The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-28
WASHINGTON.
The Democracy and the
Presidency.
August Belmont in Caucus
with congressman.
POSTUM FOR THE PRESENT.
Louisiana's Loggerheads Adjust
ing Themselves.
THE RUM0RED NAVAL DUEL.
Steamboat BurninEs on
the Ohio.
THE RUM0RED NAVAL DUEL
KU KLUX PLEADING GUILTY

CampaiRn-P0osum Tor the Present.
Mr.. August Belmont the Chairman OF the Ma.
tional Democratic Committee, reached this city this
morning, and Immediately after his arrival sent
invitations to the leading members OF MS
party In Congress to meet him at Welcker's
| in the evening. About eight O'Clock the faithful
began assemble, and by nine not fewer than forty
| OF the principal politicians Of both houses had
! gathered TO participate In rye whiskey and cigars
| and confer ON the political situation. Mr..
| Belmont stated the object OF the meeting
| to be to discuss the coming Presidential
canvass, and asked for an expression Of opinion as
to the proper course Of the parry In the present
emergency. The question OF holding
national convention was fully and freely dis
cussed by Casserly, Frank Blair, Stockton,
| Bayard and Others As the meeting was
without Official form or old-fashioned democratic
sanction, action was taken; but the feeling was
| unmlstakable against calling convention at this
time or indicating any positive policy until after
| the action Of the Cincinnati Convention Is known.
While the necessity OF coalition with the dis
| contented republicans was generally admitted it
was urged that there must be surrender OF DEM
| ocratic principles disruption OF the democratic
party. The coalition, If 1t is made, will be
made with party lines intact, ana there
| will be only union OF strength and interests
| The meeting was very respectable, both in numbers
and the character of the who participated in It.
Mr.. Belmont was the only member OF the democratic
| committee who was present. 1t was agreed that
| 1t would be proper TO advise that no democrats
should participate in the Cincinnati Convention,
being thought best that the work there should be
left entirely to the dscontented republicans. The
feeling with regard to candidates was not favor
| able to Judge Davis. there being less dis.
| position to endorse his nomination than
| was expected. Senator Trumbull has many friends,
nd na
was suggested but 1t is thought that some new man
| might be preferable to any one who has been
named Frank Blair still urges the nomination OF
| Gratz Brown. Outside or the meeting the name OF
General Logan was talked of and his availability
| discussed
The meeting lasted till midnight, the conference
taxing very wide range. calculation made by
| Mr.. Randall Of Pennsylvania was submitted, from
| which many crumbs OF comfort were gathered,
| this comforting formula showing that even after
| concedinR Illinois, Pennsylvania and Indiana to
| Grant, there would be still votes enough In the
Electoral College to defeat him. This put the meet
ing in excellent Spirits but the doubtful state Of
affairs Connecticut operated somewhat against the
hlarlty Of the occasion The necessity OF carrying
that State was vehemently urged, ana with the de-
termination to carry it the conference came to an
| end.
| Salt and Land Steal In tho Senate.
1
resolution which passed to appropriate 81, 600
for conducting French Arms investigation, after
| which Mr.. Davis, Of West Virginia, called up and
had passed the bill to extend the time OF payment
to the citizens Of Harpers Ferry who purchased
| property at the government sale In 1860. This bill
also forces the spectators who purchased the vau-
able water power at that place and have let 1t lie
idle either to pay for 1t or return 1t TO the govern
ment.
| uov Oh tbo fNwotv DoxA a
land steal and urged concurrence in the House
! amendments upon which considerable debate en-
| sued but the question finally recurring upon Mr..
| Sherman's motion TO concur IN the action OF the
| House 1t was found that the Senate still was IN
cned to bolster up this palpable swindle, for the
motion was rejected by vote OF 16 to 80. and the
| question required to the main question OF non-con
| currence, O general debate ensuing, which was
interrupted by the expiration OF the morning hour,
| and the bill went over. The unfinished business
| being in order The bill to repeal the tax
| on tea and coffee was then taken up,
| Mr.. Blair, OF Missouri, renewing the motion
| made yesterday 10 place salt upon the free list.
| Mr.. Blair made furious attack upon the salt In.
| terests Of the country, declaring 1t huge monopoly
| whose profits were almost beyond calculation. He
was especially severe upon the Onondaga Salt Com
| pany, which brought Mr.. Conkling TO his feet in
| their BEHALF Mr.. Conkling said that the profits O
that company were less than seven per cent instead
OF over twelve, stated by Mr.. Blair, and that If
the tariff was taken OF the salt interests Of the
wnole country would be destroyed. Mr.. Carpenter
| followed Mr.. Conkling. and advocated a repeal OF
the duty. Mr.. Fenton then addressed the Senate in
| opposition, Mr.. Blair occasionally Interrupting him
with statistical questions upon the manufacture of
salt in New York. Mr.. Chandler next took The floor
and made argument against the repeal OF the duty
in which he was very severe upon Mr.. Blair and his
| statements In relation TO the manufacture OF salt.
| The yeas and nays were then demanded upon the
| question to admit salt Tree of duty with Messrs
Alcorn, Bayard, Blair, Carpenter, Edmunds, Hamil-
ton OF Texas Harlan, Hill, Howe, Kelly. Logan,
| Norwood, Patterson, Pratt, Ramsey Sawyer.
| Scnurz, Spencer, Stevenson, Sumner Trumbull and
| West voting in the affirmative. The nays were
Messrs. Ames, Boreman, Buckingham, Chandler,
Clayton, Cole, Conking, Corbett, Cragin, Fenton,
| Ferry OF Michigan, Frengnuysen, Gilbert, Hamil-
ton OF Maryland, Hitchcock, Morrill, OF Maine Nor.
| rin OF Vermont, Morton Osborn. Pomeroy, Rice
| Scott, Sherman, Sprague and stewart Those ap-
| sent or not voting were Messrs Anthony, Brown
low, Caldwell, Cameron, Casserly Cooper Davis of
| Kentucky, Davis OF West Virginia. Ferry of Con-
nectlcut, Flanagan Godthwaite, Hamlin, Johnston,
| Kellogg, Lewis, Nye, Pool, Robertson. Salisbury
Stockton, Thurman, Upton, vickers, Wilson, win.
| dom and Wright
| The Obstinate Fibustcring in the House.
| Another day was spent In useless attempt on
the part of the opponents or the Depot Site bill to
to get concession from Mr.. Stark weather to allow
| amendments. There was considerable canvassIng
| going on among the opposing factions during the
| early part OF the day to effect compromise. but
nothing was accomplished, and the calling OF the
yeas and nays made up the days work. Mr.. stark
weather weakened somewhat after the dibusering
had become decidedly tiresome ana made PROPOSE.
ton to recommit the bill, upon which proposition
two hours debate should be had, which should in
clude discussion OF the amendments, and before
the vote was finally taken the House
should decide whether the previous question be
sustained, and the bill as reported voted