New-York tribune., 1874-03-18
CURRENT TOPICS AT TIE CAPITAL
THE LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION BILL.

WASHINGTON. Tuesday. March II, 1874.
The Legislative, Executive and judicial Appro-
priation bill was taken up by the House, In Com
mittee of the Whole to-day for discussion and
amendment by paragraphs. Mr.. Holman offered
number of amendments to reduce the salaries OF the
clerks and doorkeepers Of the Senate and House,
and although he was supported by only very small
minority he kept up the fight with characteristic
persistency for long time, offering one amendment
after another. fast as they were voted down. AT
last he covered the whole ground at once by pro-
vso that no larger salary should be paid to any Of
ficer or employe of either House than was author
lied by the Appropriation bill for the fiscal year 1866
Nearly all salaries have been increased since
then, and the House, might have been ex-
peeted. showed no disposition TO cut them down.
During the course of the days discussion there was
a good deal of talk about the extravaganza of the
Government as compared with the time of President
Buchanan, the Democrats making some sharp thrusts
at the Republicans, who parted them as skillfully
"a they could and after this fencing bad gone for
a time Mr.. Cox made significant little speech, In
which he said that he did not belong TO either party
He took some men from side of the House and
some from the other, and made up party of his
own. The people were fast doing the same thing.
They had done it in New-Hampshire lately, and he
was informed that out West the Changers were en-
gagged in the same work. and that scarcely a member
would be returned to Congress from that section.
THE VACANCY IN THE COMMITTEE ON PRIV
uEGEs AND ELECTIONS CAUSED BY MIR.
SUMMERS DEATH.
The death of Mr.. Sumner leaves q vacant place
upon the Committee on Privileges and Elections,
the filing of which is matter Of considerable i'm
portance. Mr.. Sumner never met with the Commit
tee at ALL and his absence caused tie vote on the
question of admitting Mr.. Pinchback Senator
from louisiana 80 that the had to be reported
to the Senate without any recommendation.
Another important political question is now pend
ing in the Committee-the bill of Mr.. Carpenter for
a new election in Louisiana. Mr. Carpenter,
who. himself q member of the Committee,
has. as President Of the Senate, the
power to ill the vacancy, and as 1t is
understood that the members are divided upon the
bill. just as they we're on the Pnchback ease, his
selection will virtually settle the fate Of the
measure by making majority OF one either for or
against it. The Democrats are not entitled to
another member on the Committee, having two al
ready aud the selection must therefore be made
from the Republicans or Liberals. IL is suggested
that the appointment Of Mr.. Sehnrz would be highly
appropriate inasmueh as the Committee rs pre-
eminently the political Committee of the Senate
and as Mr.. Schurz IL the most prominent Liberal IN
the body. The appointment is OF such Importance
that Mr. Carpenter viii doubt take the advice of
the informal caucus Of Republican Senators before
making II.
THE DEBATE ON THE TRANSPORTATION BILL
The debate on the Transportation bill is proceed
Ing to empty benches, in evening sessions. Mr..
McCrary tried to have the bill come up to-day and
promised that if he were allowed all the time until
Thursday. be would bring it 10 . vote Oh that day.