The Portland daily press., 1873-12-03
Washington News and Gossip.
THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE CAUCUS ON THE SAL
AIRY BILL.

THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE CAUCUS ON THE SAL
AIRY BILL.
At call of fifteen members the republicans
held their house caucus on the salary bill, re-
suiting in the adoption of the folowing:-
Resotued That the act of the Sd of March, 1s73
SO far as increases the salaries of members OF Con.
gress and Of certain officers and employees of The
two houses, ought to be repealed.
this caucus be appointed by the chairman 20 whom
all propositions offered this evening shall be referred
to the house at the earliest opportunity.
About thirty propositions were offered but
many covered the same ground. Mr.. Hale
wanted an expression of the cauevs that the
salary OF members should be repealed, and to-
morrow, according to his notice to-day, he
woulS pSess his bill. Mr.. Kasson wished both
the salary of members and the fifteen per cent
voted to employees repealed. Mr.. Kellogg's
resolution provided for the repeal of the act
and the allowance on mileage going and COM
ing hereafter. Mr., Wall of Florida moved to
repeal the Presidents increase as well. Mr.,
Lawrence of Ohio moved to retain the present
rate for the President and the Supreme Court
justices. Mr.. Townsend of Pennsylvania
moved to amend by fixing the pay at six thou
instead of mileage. Mr.. Hawley of Connecti-
cut moved to reduce the salary to the formt
sum, to reduce the increase to employss. ar d
to have the reduction take effect on the 4th Of
March, 1874. Ellis a. Roberts wanted a con-
stitutional amendment providing that no in
crease 3ogld be made retroactive hereafter.
the debate was lvoly, but there was no unusu-
al wranghng. Nearly all the southern mem-
bers favored the retention of the present rates
as did number OF those who voted for and
took IL from other sections. General Negey
spoke IN favor 2f keeping the pay where it
was,
tsen. Butler said he had not been able 10
Sonvicce his constituents that it was right 10
Heep 1T, and he was for the repeal and for COM
gelllng all who took it to return it. Messrs,
Iremaine, Garfield and SchofeId advocate d
the repeal Several of the colored men spoLe q
in favor of the present law. Among the ne w
members from the North there was a strong
sentim- ut in favor of the repeal, though com,
paratively few took an active part in the de-
bate. The caucus was much more harmon-
GUS than was expected, and it was evidentat st
the close that the republicans in the house are
dsterniued to do whit all agreed the people
demanded.
THE NEW HOUSE.
The House offered but Ii tie interest other
than the expectation of Democratic squab-
BILE. Like those of other men and mice. these
expectations were not realized. Mr. Holman
fought on the first line, going it alone for Mr..
Cox, who declined the blushing honors ard
didn't vote at ALL The spectacle on the floor
from II till u o'clock, was very animated. as
old and new acquaintances met and greeted
very little was said about public affairs con-
vcrsation being familiar and personal as rule.
A. d. Stephens was the object of curious ewes
and remarks. The Tennessee oddty Crntcb
field, was also asked for while Mr. Flint Of
Detroit attracted attention from his quaint cut
suit Of gray. 1t was remarked that there ap-
peared to be a larger number than for some
years of men past middle age. Bald heads
aud corpulent forms are in the ascendant on
the Republican side Some one remarked that
there was an air among these new men of bay-
ing waited long and being tolerably well salts
led with having arrived at last. The Demo-
cratic side had more young men than common.
Only hve members are absent. Every one
seems to anticipate a toilsome session The
Democrats INDUCED in good deal of filibus
terlng. and gave evidence of an aggressive tenn
per. The temper of the House IS rather Mi
cawbelish; and while all seem to be expecting
something no one seems to know what will
turn up. 1t is evident that leading membsrs
mean work, and tomorrow will see large
numeer is.. Of bills etc e.. presented Appear
shrewd working body.
GRAND RAID OF THIEVES.
There has been much talk of a proposition IN
secure government Endorsement of the bonds
OF the Northern Pacific and the Texas and Pa
cinc ROADS. The common understanding il
that the friends Of these two enterprises have
joined hands, and that their plan is to ask for
tt the issue of $75,0O0,O00 in bonds for each of
these lines, bearing a low rate of interest, but
guaranteed by the government. 1t cannot be
ascertalned whether it Is proposed to make
tnese on first OF second mortgage. The com
bna.tion to obtain the object sought is repre-
sented by parties in interest to be very formi-
dabe. N'As-
LAND GRABBER.
Senator Sargent of California. beoar A..
Undertaking policy by offering several h;I,e ;me
iands ;r a swamp grazing and agricultural