The New York herald., 1874-12-08
Opening Of the Short Session
of Congress.
Reception Of the Presidents
Message.
The American Claims Against the
Spanish Government.
Dilatory Negotiations Censured
by Congressman.
CAUCUS OF REPUBLICAN SENATORS.

Opening Day in Congress-A Man9uvre
- Repeal tho "Gag Law" Causes
Hxcitement.
Both houses adjourned almost Immediately after
the reading OF the Message. Before the House
adjourned Mr.. Phelps, Of New Jersey managed
adroity to get in his bill to amend the Freling-
hnysen "Gag law" As soon as 1t was discovered
that his amendment would practically repeal the
"0ag law" the House became very lively. Gen.
eSal Butler insisted on the regular order, and Mr..
George F. Hoar objected also. The bill will como
mp under suspension OF the rules next Monday,
and Will probably pass.
Comments ON the Presidents Message
by Representatives and Senators OF
Both Parties-Apathy OF Feeling
Shown.
The Message was heard In both Houses with sim
gIiar apathy. There seemed no curiosity to near
the Presidents recommendation, and converse.
non this afternoon and evening with number OF
members and Senators shows that they have the
misfortune to be considered OF no public import
Ance. The part relating to the Southern dif1cul-
ties met with the most appreciation, but some re-
pnblicans saw in this and In the menace toward
Spain new plan for third term. Even the
friends OF contraction ana resumption were not
thinking them crude and impracticable or vague.
The Message surprised many by its very moderate
tone and entire absence OF scolding or recrimina-
t10n. Others complained that 1t has no vital
energy and presents no rallyng point for the
party. It was remarked that 1t leaves the party
where 1t was before, and has no power to gather
around 1t the disorganized materials which the
announcement OF q broad bold and positive policy
might have had. '.An administration party which
does not believe in the administration Is in bad
way" said one member. The democrats
had very little to say. They evidently
think that the Message does them no harm.
II was remarked that the Message contained
Two errors; the President states the debt OF the
District Of Columbia little less than s14 900,
whereas the report Of the Board OF Audit, made
public this evening, states 1t at little less than
twenty millions, or at over seventeen Millions de-
ducting unadusted claims. which. however,
tho Board says, will have to be allowed. The
other error Is probably an oversight. The Presi-
dent says that at the last session OF Congress Q
very considerable reduction was made in the rates
OF taxation and the number of articles taxed. But
there was no change made in the taxes 1T the last
oeosaon.
The Nomination Of Postm aster General
Sent TO the Senate.
The President sent to the Senate to-day only
OF Connecticut. 70 be Postmaster General.
Caucus OF the Republican Senators ON
Committees.
After the adjournment OF the Senate the repub-
lican Senators held brief caucus and appointed
Nessrs. Morrill,. OF Maine. Sargent Scott, Oglesby
and Pease as q committee to report Tomorrow to
IN adjourned meeting q revised list OF senate
committees. No important changes are antici-
pated In the present membership.
Claims OF Our Government Against
Spain-The Indemnity Demanded
Congressmen Impatient at fhe Delay
OF Settlement.
Negotiations for q money Indemnity for the
massacre of Americans at Santiago de Cuba have
been going on for q long time, without much head
way being made. Our government VIII not ac-
cept less than $4,000 per mar, white or colored.
and larger sum for The 0fDcers. On this basis
negoriations are proceeding Spain does not deny
her responsibility, but her sctions are vexatiously
d1latory There is increasing impatience with the
conduct Of Spain, and n the House to-day some
disappointment was expressed by members that
she President had not made more positive recon-
mendatlons on the Cuban question. A return
WIN be asked for 10 the House to show how much
our commerce win Cuba has suffered during the
period Of disorder.
A Democratic social-Political Reunion.
vitations to meet the democratic and conservative
members o,the Senate and House OF Representa-.
tives socially. at his residence, Thursday even.
lng next In congratulation OF the recent elections
The card Is headed, "Justice Is slow but sure"
Proposed New System Of Government for
the District of Columbia.
me new government proposed for the District
ol Columbia Is remarkable in several respects. 1t
creates q department OF the District OF Columbia
IN part OF the federal government, and places oil.
most the whole junction OF government in the
hands OF three regents to be appointed by the
President. The regents appoint almost all the
heads OF boards and other officers, and make all
the ordinances or local laws. Tue heads OF the
Board or Education and school trustees are to be
elected, and voters must, after 1879, be able TO
read and write and must send their children to
school. Congress is to authorize all expenditures
Statement by the Com M issioners.
The report OF the Commissioners for the Dis.
frIct Of Columbia to the President gives the re-
ceipts from all sources to the 1st OF December at
$3,0S61SS, and the total expenditures at
$29l7,329, leaving balance Of $I6S,S59,
which, added to the estimated receipts to June
30, OF $1,635, ,6o0 will make total OF 81, ,704 459
The total estimated expenditures to June 80 are
4l,572066, giving an estimated balance at that
time OF $132, 8s2 They say, from their showing
that the actual debt OF the District less the as
sets, is $l3. ols; but the aggregate sum thus
stated includes something more than the funded
debt chargeaoe exclusively to the District OF Co.
lumbia- BY former act OF Congress part OF the
expenses which are included in the debt are to be
borne by the general government. The full
amount OF claims outstanding and still unadjusted
~ Sa147.7S7.
Proposed Treaty with the Hawaiian
Islands.
Hawaiian ENJOYS, who are here seeking to ne
gotiate reciprocity treaty with our government
Aro at work upon the terms and means, in order
te have project OF the treaty ready for presenta
tisn alter the Christmas holidays. They do not
favor cessiOn Of Pearl River.
Richard Schen as the Advocate OF Rail-
road Subsidies.
The hon. Richard Schell openly said to-day that
he camesto Congress as q representative OF New