The Van Buren press., 1873-12-09

face in Congress from time to time dur
| ing the session. 1t was found that while
/ q few OF the members were disposed tc
ignore the popular clanor against the
measure, the majority wanted to slide
out OF the dilemma through some small
hole, and the smaller the better, so tha,
| it was large enough to let them take the
swag along with them. 1t was finally
concluded tina. some regular action must
he taken aud taken as n party measure.
Then dispute arose rs to who should
Introduce the requisite bill Everybody
wanted the personal ecat that would &C
company the introduction of the meas
ure.
THE BACK-PAl ADJUSTMENT
No definite information could be gain
ed as to the settlement of this point, bat
it is probable that Coburn of Indiana
will introduce it. The retroactive clause
of the salary act will be repealed. The
repeal will provide for Withholding the
futu.e pay of members sufficiently to
cover the back-pay The fellows who
have drawn the back pay and then stayed
at home are, of course, out of reach Of
the present Congress; but they will be
declared indebted to the United States in
the sums they have drawn as back pay.
1t will also include revival ofthe frank
ing privilege in some shape or other A
lively fight is anticipated over this matter.
BUTLER RAGING.
The back pay agreement will provide
tor the practical reduction of the salaries
of members to $4,000 a year. until the
back pay amounts shall be liquidsted by
the surplus Of the raised salary over that
sum. The fight, in the caucus, was NEST
ly between Ben. Butler, Kasson Of Iowa
and Hale Of Maine while the lesser lights
chipped in as they could get opportunity.
The bold and bilious Benjamin was in
his element He stormed up and down
and ripped and roared He called his
colleagues pack Of Internal poltroons,
and said that while they might be intimi-
dated and brow. beaten by few beardless
boys ana superannuated dead beats in
newspaper row, he would not lie pos
scssed manhood enough to brave any
storm, and he never had weakened in the
face Of clamor, but had always proudly
shouldered the consequences Of his acts.
KAssoNs REPLY
Kasson, not having been interested in
the back pay, rose to champion the cause
OF honesty and economy. He would not
be browbeat by the arrogance Of any
member. He had, he was glad to say, a
respect for the wishes of his constituents,
which had never been blunted by ten
thousand dollar fees. He should see to
it that the records of the Republican par
ty were cleared Of the stains Of the last
session
Thus tho quarrel waxed hot, and when
the caucus adjourned it was amid curses
loud long and deep. 1t is fine row.
A BITTER ALTERCATIoN.
As further facts about the back pay
caucus tonight leak out the interest in
creases The arrangement mentioned
in earlier dispatches is in the hands of .
committee, which is to report to a future
caucus but the bill reported will be sub
I Stdlibltlly az 1T os " i'Ot NS'' W Iht'
rel between Butler on the one hand anC
Hale Of Maine and kasson on the other
was the bittcrcst that has occurred in Q
caucus for many years, if ever. Wher
! Kasson threw out his insnuation ahou
the ten thousand dollars, Butler rose ir
rage and said that no man who stool
| branded as a seducer and violater O
his marriage VOWS, should he permitted
to assail his, Buffers, character for vir
tue and probity. When Halo Of Maine
who is Zach Chandler's 5 son-in law, rost
to protest against such unsecmly person
alities, Butler retorted that he would no
bcstow any consideration on any mar
because he was tho son in law of hi'
| father-i in-law and the mouth piece o
another man (meaning Blaine). This
alteration was parity in the caucus de
bate and partly in the nature ofa person
al collision afterwards. Much excite
ment was created by it, and the feeling
| that has been aroused is very bitter
THE SUMNER sERENAnE
At the Sumner screnalo to night there
were about 400 colored folks. The
Senator talked about civil rights in pret
/ ty much the same strain he always does
THE LATCH STRING OUT, nUr no CARDS
Tho doors Of the Republican Senate
rial caucus will not be closed agaihs
Schurz and Sumner to morrow, but they
will no, receive any special invitation tc
walk in.
! TIE NOMINATION FOR CHIEF JUSTICE
Daring the session Of the cabinet to-
day the President formally rendered tc
Attorney General Williams the position
Of Chief.Justice of the Supreme Court
Of the United States. Col Bistow OF
Kentucky will be appointed Attorney
General The nominations Of Col. Bris
tow and Judge Williams will be sent tc
the Senate tom orrow.
rI Gen Fremont has cancer in the