New-York tribune., 1873-01-18
WASHINGTON NOTES.
.BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE I

WASHINGTON, Friday. Jan. II, 1873
The House Judiciary Conruttee spent the entire ses
sion OF to-day in consideration OF the bill and report Of
Gen Butler with reference 90 the in which the
damages arising out Of the Alabama claims shall be adj
Indicated among claimants TIE bill printed in the
most secret manner and until today the Com
mttee knew Us import. copy was furnished by Cen
% pu'el - ~ tj,s m ~ TJe renort which
the General had prepared read bat all the members
yefusc TO say what il contains That will be printed in
The same confidential manner and the consideration Of
The Committee viii be continued ON Tuesday.
The House Committee Elections reached decision,
to-day IN the Florida OF EiDlack agt. Walls. and
unaniuousy agreed to give the seat 10 Nblack. Walls
Is oolored Republican, who gwen the certificate
by the Republican Governor Of Florida, and has man
aged delay a decision in the until the term OF
ofhce which his opponent was elected and he was
not has almost expired Nblack will have the poor sat
fsetou OF holding for six weeks office for which he
was duly elected for two years ana the people OF Florida
will be represented for that brief period by the Congress
who received majority Of their votes OF course
Treasury will over $4,000 the poorer by Of te
action OF the Governor in giving the certificate TO the
Defeated candidate
Senator Morton's speech in the Senate to-day on the
mode electing President, listened TO with more
than usual interest, especially by the Senators them
selves who Will probably give the matter very careful
cons ieraton the next session Of Congress II
20 be very prevalent impression that II any legislation
take place on this subject It wiz 90 no further than 10
propose constitutional amendment abolishing the Flee
toal College, and allowing the people TO vote directly
for President and Vce-PresidenI. but making the elec
S0n still determined by the States-that ls allowing each
State 10 cast fixed number Of votes, now. No gen
esl discussion will be likely 10 take place this subject
At this session. unless IL arises the report OF Mr. Nor
toms committee regard 10 affairs IN Louisiana aud
Arkansas
GENERAL PRESS DlSPATCHl
The large increase in the membership OF the next
House has already been considered by the Committee
on Public Buildings and Grounds. In view OF the made
ouacy OF the present hall of the House for the accom-
mediation OF the increase OF fifty seats Gen Butler was
selected at the confer with the Committee
IN view OF tho fact that he presented plan iof reform
ing The dcuty Either the present desks In the House
must be replaced with smaller ones or else tbe In OF
The hall must be extended. There are now 245 Repre-
sentsyes aud 10 Delegates IN the House and In the pe1t
Congress there will be 2J2 Representatives and 10 Dele
gates making II necessary 10 provide 800 seats.
The Vienna Exposition bill called up by Senator
bchuIz this morning. the pending question being on Mr.
Carpenters amendment apprOprating s3OOOOO for the
completion Of the Washington monument. Mr. Carpen-
Ger said ne would withdraw the amendment, he
Rad been informed that II doubtful whether the
monument could be completed, account OF the
soitness ground which il stands. The bill
then passed by OF 20 10 ls. The bill back TO
the House Cor action the Senator's amendment in
sreasng the appropriation from 100000 To $4,000.