The New York herald., 1873-11-29
THE MEETlNG or tONGRESS.
Preparations for Legislative Labor at
the National Capital.
Who Are To BE Officers
of the House.
Injecting Omcers OF the House.
WASHINGTON, Nov. rs, 1879.

WASHINGTON. Nov. rs, 1879.
Injecting Ofrscers OF the House.
The republican Representatives will hold their
customary caucus tomorrow for the purpose 0
nominating the Speaker and oficers OF the House.
The election OF Mr.. Blaine as Speaker is foregone
conclusion, and win most probably be unanimous
NJ Nj. Maynard. OF Tennessee, has, in view OF the
utter hopelessness OF his candidacy, withdrawn
Rom the field.
MI. Mcpherson, Clerk Of the last House, will un
aonbtedly be reelected, as he gave entire satisac
sicn, while Mr.. Ordway has the advantage OF per-
sonai popularity with the majority OF the members,
~ well as his untirng industry in working for The
once, to insure his reelection as Sergeant-af-
Arms.
Mr.. LIE Grand Pierce, OF the carpet.bag element
Of the South, and lately member from MISSISSIPPI
is candidate for the Postmastership. His oppo-
nent IL q Mr.. Sherwood, soldier, and one OF the
do0rkeepers OF the last House. who left one leg on
the battlefield. The irrepressiDle sam Bard is
also candidate for tnis ONCE but win no chance
Of success.
The above IS sufficient commentary on the bad
practice OF ex-Congressmen running for ofices Of
the House, q practice which certainly tends 10 be-
little the national legislative body
The democratic members will also have their
rauens to- morrow, to confer the empty honor OF
democratic candidate for Speaker upon one OF
their number Mr.. s. s. Cox has been talked of
but he is too modest to aspire to that altitude.
Mr.. Fernando Wood, who is eminently fitted for
the du ties Of the presiding ofcer, will most prob
ably obtain this mark Of distinction. Alexander
II. Stephens has also been mentioned in this con.
nection, but his infrm health win scarcely allow
him to attend the caucus tomorrow.
The democratic members will also have their
own candidates for every oflce OF the House, In
Guiding that Of Chaplain--the latter, uncer the
supposition, probably, that the prayers of demo-
cratic minister OF the Gospel would be more efbca
oioIs than those ofa republican.
Complaint Against MIR. Blaine-Symp-
TOMS of Revolt by the New Members.
There is much discontent among the Representa-
lives serving their first term in Congress over the
course Of Mr. Blaine and the prospects Of a mis-
chievouH combination against his reelection as
Speaker OF the House would be quite fair little
more time were left Or action talented resolut6
man were on the ground now TO direct an effective
movement. The complaint against Mr.. Blaine is
tnat he has been here for several days. secluding
himeeu from all but members who have served
terms enough in Congress to have gained place
in the little ring OF committeeman that parcel out
tue business Of the session, catch the Speakers
eye by previous arrangement whenever they want
the moor for set purpose and in divers other ways
virtually control the whole legislation, and that he
nas been mot at home' to all the rest. Noses
have been counted among the new members, andit
ss found that by acting together In that character
the republican majority Of new men, making fair
terms with the democratic minority they could
rontrol the election of the Speaker ana al other
pficers, the make up OF the committees and the
whole business OF legislation. 1t is understood
among them that Mr.. Maynard. Of Tennessee,
would be willing TO accept the Speakership on
terms that would leave out OF prominence the
back-pay grabbers and Credit Mobilier victims,
and give the leading places on the committees to
new men. In any such arrangement the republi-
cans would be willing to give to their democratic
colleagues the chairmanships OF some OF the non-
political committees; but 1t is highly probable that
the scheme Will be ended by the caucus of republi-
can members, old and new, called for tomorrow
night, and the inexperience and irresolution of
the newly elected Representatives. 1t is generally
confessed, however that General Butler has lost .
magnificent opportunity OF revenging himself upon
Mr. Blaine.
The Stumbling Block of Polygamy.
AT the outstsrt OF Congress the question OF Utah
Arairs win arise, the admission of Cannon. the
Mormon Delegate, to seat in the House OF Repre-
sentatives. Cannon is q polygamist. He has four
wives and, it is said, was selected BY Brigham
Young to represent the Territory In order at once
10 bring Congressional action on the subject OF
polygamy TO test. Cannon ia a shrewd, keen
man, and known to be one OF Brigham's most
trusted advisers. General Maxwell, who was the
commander Of brigade OF Michigan cavalry in the
Army Of the Potomac and who is at present the
United States Marshal for Utah, is here to
contest Cannon's seat Maxwell is the representa-
tive OF the Gentle element which is the term for all
the people in Utah who do not belong to the Nor
mon faith. he claims that though he had but be-
tween 20oo and 1900 votes he represents the only
loyal and qualified voters OF the Territory; that
Cannon's vote OF some 10000 or more was COM
posed OF illegal voters, Mormons, who had dis
qualified themselves by reasonable sentiments
and actions against the general government IN
naturaized foreigners OF which the larger num-
Der OF the Mormon people are formed, women vot-
ing under compulsion, and even children. 1t
viii also be alleged that Cannon is himself
an Englishman, who has never forsworn his alle-
glance. 1t will be urged that his admission would
be virtually an endorsement OF the crime OF polyg-
amy, and that 1t will be so viewed by Brigham
and his followers. 1t will be further allie ged that
Cannon Is not free moral agent, that he mas
taken an oath in the Endowment House, in which
he has declared that his allegiance is due to the
Mormon Church, and swore to obey the counsels
OF Its head in preference to the laws OF the United
States, and he is therefore direct preventative
Of the theocratic rule now prevailing in Utah.
AS rs well known among the friends OF the ad-
ministration that the President is very much in
earnest about the enforcement OF the laws In that
TERRITORY and to complete the liberation OF its
people from the despotc power OF the Mormon
Church, It Is generally believed that the repub-
lican members will all vote against the admission
OF the Mormon Delegate. memorial setting forth
the deplorable state OF anars in that Territory
has been numerously signed by residents and for.
warded to Congress, with request that such laws
will be passed as may be necessary to correct the
evils and abuses enumerated and give the people
the protection OF free civil government. and bring
the Territory ofUtah into harmony with the federal
government and republican institutions.
II is very probable that the present Congress
win take some decided action with regard to Utah,