, 1875-12-09

the Rio Grande, but his requisitiol
was refused and his unconditional sur
Gold closed at 14ss q u.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-The Secretary
of the Treasury has rescinded the ordel
recently issued imposing double dut,
on Washed Wools Of any class.
Ex-Gov. Ward. of New Jersey. has dc
clined the Indian Commissioner-ship.
Rumors are again circulated today
that Secretary Bristow has resigned oc'
\ +casions some excitement, even in thu
House Of Representatives. The Sec
retary has not resigned and it may bs
stated on the very highest authority
that nothing whatever has occurred t.
mar the pleasant relations between hin
and the President.
Consul General Seward will probably
be nominated to succeed Avery as Min
lister to China.
The Central Pacific lobby are hard a'
work to aid Kerr to secure the caucus
nomination of Speaker. Fernando
Wood has come out openly for Kerr
which strengthens the hopes Of hii
friends materially.
The first ballot for Speaker resulted
as follows: whole number of votes cast.
161, of which Randall received SIS
Kerr, II and Cox. 81; necessary for a
choice. SO. Second ballot, whole mum.
Der, 162; Kerr, n, Randall 63. Cox 81.
Saylor 1. On third ballot. Kerr was
chosen by slight majority; his nom.
ination was then made unanimous.
The caucus re-assembled at and
nominated Geo. NJ. Adams, Clerk on
the 5th ballot. L. H. Fitzhugh was
nominated for Door-keeper. He was
Sergeant-at. arms for the Confederate
Congress. j. G. Thompson. of Ohie,
was nominated Sergeant -at-avms on the
lsr ballot.
LONDON, Deb. 4.-The directors of
the direct U. s. Cable Co.. yesterday
refused it is said. to increase the rates
and the result will probably be a re-
newed contest between the rival COM
panies, and low tariff.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. Jacob Un-
derhill & Co., heavy hardware mer-
chants. Nos. 11S and 12O. Battery st..
have suspended payment. No state
ment of the condition of the firm is yet
given.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The opening
of the forty-fourth Congress was marked
by the presence aroundsthe Capitol in q
larger crowd than probably ever before
witnessed similar proceedings. Al
though wet and dreary. the weather
seemed to have little or no effect in re-
straining the eegerness of the multi
tudes which have flowed into the city
during the past few days.
At II, the House was called to order
by Mcpherson, Clerk of the House dur
ing the forty-third Congress, and the
House was cleared of all not entitled to
its privileges.
The attendance of members was very
full, nearly every seat being occupied.
In reference to tbe louisiana delegation
the Clerk said he had received two sets
of certificates for tour districts but both
sets indicating the election of the same
persons. That as to the fifth district,
he had received two certificates, one
signed by VIM. Pitt Kellogg. showing
the election of Morry, and another
signed by John McEnery. showing the
election of Spencer; and as Kellogg was
the de tdcto Governor, the Clerk had
acted on this certificate and had enrolled
Morry.
The absentees were Dobbins, of New
Jersey; Esbert, of Pennsylvania; W
Evans, of Georgia and Oliver of Iowa.
These with two vacancies from New
York and Illinois make up the 292
members.
Mr.. Lamar moved to proceed to the
election of officers and nominated
Michael C. Kerr, of Indiana.
Mr.. Wheeler, of New York, nomi-
mated Jas. G. Blaine, of Maine.
Whole number of votes cast, 280; ne-
cessary to choice, 14l. Michael G.
Kerr received 173 and j. G.. Blaine re.
ceived LOG. The Clerk appointed RAN
dali and Blaine to escort the Speaker
elect to the chair. As Mr.. Kurr was
conducted up the main aisle to the
Speakers chair, there was considerable
of hands on the Democratic
side Of the House; which wasstilled.
The Speaker on taking possession of
the chair said; Gentleman Of the House
Of Representatives. I am heartily graf
flied to you for the honor which you
have conferred on me in calling me to
this exalted station. profoundly ap-
preciate the Importance and delicacy of
its duties; shall doubtless many times
need your patientindulgence; pray you
will grant it. and I promise in all my
official acts will divest myself to the
utmost of my ability of all personal bias
and observe complete fairness and i'm
partiality towards all.
An "affair of honor" recently trans
pired in the lower portion of Colleton
county, South Carolina. hear Rantow-
les. The weapons were shotguns and
buck-shOt, at forty PAGES. At tha first