, 1873-01-13
Zach. Chandler on tho War
Path for a Corre-
spondent.
Ames and Brooks to Be Sued for the Re-
coyery Of Credit Mobil-
ier Stock.
Senator Patterson, Of South Carolina,
to Be Investigated.
Special Despateh to The Chicago tribune.

Special Despatch to The Chicago Trt3une.
WARRINGTON, Jan. 1o.-1t appears to be under
stood that the election Of John J. Patterson as
Senator from South Carolina will beinyestigated
by the Senate abefore he is allowed to take his
eeat. The charge that he was elected through
bribery and corruption has become 30 general,
that the Senators are Of the opinion that the
Committee on Privileges and Elections should
look into the matter. Among the most
prominent and specific Of all his accueers is the
Hon. Robert B. Elliott colored member of the
House from South Carolina, Who was himself a
candidate before the Legislature for United
States Senator. It is understood that as aoon
az Patterson's credentials are presented, they
will be referred to the Committee on Privileged
and Elections. So much has been eaid recently
Of the manner in which Senators hare received
their elections, that the members Of the Senate
are disposed to hare a thorough Investigation.
IRON sHtP-DUuD1Eo.
The question OF the construction Of iron ship
building yards, which has been before the Senate
Naval Committee for the last two years, is to be
revived at this eessson. The Chairman Of the
Committee, Senator Cragin, has made a thorough
investigation Of the subject, and it is understood
that he has prepared speech which be will de-
liver at an early day. In this speech he will
show the necessity for these yards, and point
out wherein they can bo made beneficial to the
Government. The Secretary Of the Nary has
already made report to Congress in favor Of
the measure, Which ia now before tho Senate
Committee on Naval Affairs.
INAUGURATION DAY.
The citizens Of the District Of Columbia are
making preparations for the customary ceremo-
MES connected with the Inauguration of Presi-
dent Grant for his next term. At the meeting
Of the General Committee held Yesterday, Mr..
Mullett presented plan Of the building sug-
gested to be erected in Judiciary square, 400
feet in length and 120 feet width, covering 5000
feet Of ground, and capable of holding 5000 per
sons, With ample arrangements for cook-room,
vestibule and al! other purposes. This is
Il is calculated that this will cost $780,
600, and the question is being discussed, whether
this will be paid out OF the District Treasury OF
BY private subscription: i it is to be paid by
hold an extra meeting Of the Legislature.
TIE COURT OF CLAIMS.
The proposition of Representative Smith, Of
New York, that no part Of the appropriation OF
the S400, 900 intended for the payment Of the
judgments Of the Court Of ClaiIns shall be ap-
captured Or abandoned property seized
before the s0th of June, 1865, and that no such
Judgments shall be paid, except under special
appropriation Of Congress, was defeated BY q
large majority in the. House yesterday. The re-
suit is believed to show q decisive majority in
the House in favor OF an equitable adjustment
Of all Claims held in the South against the Gov
ernment, and may be accepted IS an indication
that several OF the prominent measures for that
section will receive favorable consideration.
FINANCIAL.
The Senate Finance Committee, at its session
yesterday, had under consideration Sen
ator 6cott's resolution Of inquiry AZ to whether,
under the existing laws, the Secretary Of the
1ency to four hundred millions Of dollars. The
decided opinion Of the Committee was adverse
to this right, and bill to that effect will 10 re-
ported at an early day. The effect OF this action
will be to require the Treasury Department to
Withdraw tho two millions and half Of cur
rency, which was issued last fall, under the be-
Lief that the Secretary had the power to increase
the currency forty-four millions.
BELLIcosE SENATOR
Zach. Chandler has now been on the war-pAth
times in that brief period, armed with heavy
walking stick, in search Of the correspondent
who had the temerity to write for the public
print his encounter with Harrlgan, of Indiana,
several years ego. He threatens vengeance
wherever he meets tho correspondent aforesaid,
even to the extent OF quiet funeral.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
Almost every man in Congress appears to have
became suddenly convinced that there ought to
be n change in the method OF electing the
President and Vice President. Tho death Of
BIZ. Greeley before the meeting OF the Electoral
Colleges, aud the contested vote OF Arkansas
and Louisiana, have set our statesmen It work,
studying the constitutional mode Of making the
Chief Magistrate and his possible successor,
and With almost one accord they appear to
parts Of the Government machine the most lily
devised and the most 1ikely to get ont Of order.
Two substitutes are proposed The first is to
elect the President by vote OF tho whole Feo-
PIE, the candidate having a majority Of the en-
tire popular vote to bo declared chosen, and it
no candidate has q majority, then the Houso Of
Representatives is to che ose one Of the IWo hav-
ing the highest number Of votes.
The second plan proposes to abolish the Elec-
torial College system, and permit the people to
time to count the vote Of each State as 4 unit,
and givo it tho game relative strength toward
electing T. President as it now has. This it
is proposed 70 accomplish by providing
shs asf the Of ths each State e
the candidates who receive the highest number
OF votes for President and Vice President, and
that in determining tue result Of the vote each
State shall count just the same SIS it row does
through the medium Of it's Electoral College.
CANVASS the returns, as under the present sys-
tenn, but these returns, instead Of re-
ports Of the meetings Of the Electors
st the several State Capitols and their
votes, would be simple certificates showing for
whom each State had voted. The essential fea~.
tu1e OF the old system would not be changed By
this plan, but only simpllfed. The President
would still be chosen b. the States and not by
The people. It is on this account that the plan
Is preferred by many who do not want
to 500 go radical change in tho
Constitution as I'D election BY = direct
popular vote would be. They insist
hat tho relative poHer Of the States "a political
entities shall not be disturbed On the other
hand, the advocates Of = direct vote declare that
Ibis is ono OF the results they want to accom-
pliah- They belieye thAt the President ehould
represent maiorlH Of the entire roting popa-