National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-07
CURRENT CAPITAL TOPICS.
THE TEETISG OF CONGRESS AND
GOSSIP ABOUT IT.

GENERAL DECENTRALIZATION OF BOTH
PARTIEs-NO DEFINITE CAUCUS POLICY
FREE BANKING SOUTHERN POLITI-
CIASs-DEFINITE AND INDEFINITE RU.
MORs.
Yesterday was q day Of excuses and explana-
uOns-excusss regarding the failure Of Repre-.
sentatives to be reelected, and explanations re-
results Of the the recent Congressional cam
Eaigns. One man, for Instance, explains that no
tiOn because no felt assured Of successful results
ana that ne had recently been married; while
another excuses himself because he was most
directly concerned in less significant matters,
but the truth Is that both Democrats and Repub-
heans are sadly demOTalized. and both are at
loss when they make the effort to analyIe tho
The obvious occasion Of this extraordinary de-
mOTalZation requires no explanation, because iE
resides in the fact that neither party can advance
any especial reason for these reniarkable Changes
In short, the uncertainty and indennitsness Of
has served in the pending condition Of party DIS
Indignation to destroy all possibility Of harmO-
nious or even tempOrizing consideration Of the
situation. The direct result Of an this Is that
close observers unhesitatingly declare that both
parties "are at sea-" While few days ago it
was argued that eaueuses should De held on
Tuesday next, tonight the suggestion Ia made
that II will be impossible to reach any Agreement
in caucus regarding the policy to be pursued by
In the Republican ranks there Is some disposE-
ton to ind fault with the Administration, and
to hold the President accountable for the present
condition Of affairs; but suggestions Of this kind
are met by the argument that Congress itself
has been responsible to great extent.
The President himself, In nyersation with
friend few days ago during hieh this subject
was mentioned, remarked that the best way to
future victories regardless OF the differences OF
the past. In the same conversation he declared
himself to be in favor Of unqualified adherence
to the pledges OF the party as regards speedy re-
To snaei0 Daymeut EXPRESSLY EXPRESSED
In its platform, and intimated in most positive
manner that he would earnestly urge action to
secure that result In his forthcoming message. It
is on this point that both parties seem to be at
sea, as before remarked, and It Is because they
are at sea in this regard that they are Just now
80 silent as regards the possibilities Of the COM
IN fact, owing to this unee rtainty regard
ing the future, It is the general remark that no
previous meeting OF Congress has occurred since
the days Of secession, when so little occasion mas
occurred for excitement and the dennite discus
sion Of cardinal principals has been presented as
at the present junet1re. Heretofore, when, as
now, Congress has been ready to assemble, tho
gossip Of the Hobbies and hotel eoETldors mas 9een
ing the DRIFT Of policy In certain direetonsi out
notwithstanding the fact that quorum OF
evident that even the shreWdest political prophets
have lost their bearings.
SOUTHERN POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
A considerable number Of Southern Republican
politicians are in the city, among the most PrOmi-
nent of whom are Judge Settle, Of North Caro-
lima, president Of the FhllsdePniS SonSe Ra
Carolina Republican State Central Committee.
Their presence here at this time Is the occasion
of much comment, and rumOrs prevail that udge
Settle has been rendered the appointment to DO
Minister to Russia. This, however, is untrue,
and the object OF his visit is aseertained to be
desire to secure immediate action by Congress ON
subjects which particularly pertain to southern
politics. 1t is also ascertained that he Is tho
s6ItSerpsPs Tbo viii from time to time visit
Washington, this session, for the purpose OF urS-
ing attention to Southern affairs. While this
movement Is entirely independent OF the OBJECTS
Of the Chattanooga Convention, It Is thoroughly
in accord with its design. Both Judge Settle ami
Col. KeOgh are confident that their State, the
first to hold an election during the year OF the
next national campaign, can be carried by the
Republican party.
THE ARKANSAS MIDDLE.
The Arkansas question is among the eurreaE
subjects Of general interest. Gov. Brooks being
in the city, his claims are very generally under
Stood as he has made it his business to discuss
them with every one who could possibly have
any connection with their final settlement by
Congress. AS has been stated, the question VIII
now be presented devoid Of the presence of Smiths
claims to be Governor, and the contest before
Congress will rest upon the validity Of the con
stituton Of 1858. It Is known that Smith resides
very near Little Rock, and that fl Garland, the
WOuld-be Governor, really desired his arrest no
could accomplish It without much trouble, but
inasmueh as the case Is soon to be presented to
Congress It is believed that Garland will not
commit himself to any overt step which might
bring about collision between his friends and
those Of Mr.. Smith.
THE HON. R. r. BUTLER.
It is reported that Hen. ROderiek Butler, Of
Tennessee will to-day, if an opportunity be given
him, ask for q committee Of investigation as to
his connection with the Sugg- Fort Claim paid by
the Treasury Department on the lst OF July last
on the Recommendation Of the COmmissary Gen
eral after the case had been rejected BY tho
Committee on War Claims Of the House Just be-
fore adjournment.
Serious charges have been made affecting noE
only the character and integrity OF Judge Butler,
but rejecting somewhat upon the COImlssary
General and the accounting officers Of the Treas
uTy. The case has been examined by two special
agents appointed by Secretary BristOW, and Il Is
understood that their report has been subnIttei
If Judge Butler Is innocent Of these charges he
Is entitled to VindicatiOn: If guilty he should be
dealt with accordingly.
FREE BANKING
The certainty that the President will repeat his
recommendation for free banking, has been the
ooc sion Of some inquiry regarding the opinions
OF memb,.vs Of the Banking and Currency Com
mittee and the result OF which shows that q
majority Of its members now here viii no doubt
agree to report bill to carry 0t !l5 IuII eGLellF
Of his well known intentions in this sssPset'
DEMOCRATIC JOKE.
Representative LamlsOn Of Ohio, is RESPONSE
bic for the suggestion that Mr.. Holman, Of Indl-
ton Committee in the neXL House. ssHolmapp
he says. Twill put head on every appropriation
that comes up, and bankrupt this Government by
voting no On every proposition TO raise taxes"