The New York herald., 1875-12-14
INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNTERRIFIED.
The Prevailing Gossip Over
the House Committees.
NOMINATIONS AND COMBINATIONS
A Bill to Increase the Pen
sion List.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON Dec 49, 1875.
ACTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC oAUCUs-No GAO
LAW DISCIPLINE ToLERATED-PRoBABnIrI
REGARDING THE CHAIRMANsHIP OF COM
MITTEEs.
The democratic caucus OF the House met at TWO
O'Clock this Afternoon with Mr. Lamar in the chair.
He said that its object TO appoint some special
committees and consult as TO the best interests OF
the party and the country A motion made by Mr..
Hardenberg OF New York, for the appointment OF
committee composed Of one member from each state
Territory TO be selected by tho respective demo-
cratic delegations OF each State and Territory. Tho
duties OF the committee TO report from time to
time such measures should be supported by the
majority in the House; also to prevent the introduc
tion OF any resolution bill which had not
been previously considered in After lengthy
and warm discussion the motion was voted down by
large majority A resolution presented by Mr..
Cox, of New York, and adopted, that committee OF
eleven be appointed by the Chair consider from time
to time such action would best promote the inter
ests and power of the democratic organization.
resident compaign committee of twelve persons was
appointed; six of the members appointed by
the chairman of the caucus, Mr. Lamar three Of the.
Others are to be selected democrats living in the Dis
trict OF Columbia and three to be chosen from tho
Senate by democratic Senatorial caucus.
alluded to- nor the subsidy question: which. IL was
thought would be brought up by Mr. Holman. Most
of the discussion touching Mr.. Harden
bergs motion and its gag law tendency. The
leading and older members too wary TO
advocate measure so odous. Mr. Cox was unusually
good natured and made rafting speech General
Ward, Judge Swami Hester Clymer and Judge Hol-
participated in the discussion and insisted that
there should be discipline by gag law. Speaker
Kerr present during the first part OF the
sion he did take part orally in the proceedings
sf.er he arrived
Fernando Wood had little to say. He is keeping
quiet since the Louisiana bunder He win very likely
be made chairman OF the Committee Foreign Affairs,
his selection will give satisfaction particularly TO
the New York merchants General Ben Willis has
been OF the prominent supporters of Mr. Kerr from
the beginning and he will probably be assigned i'm
portant place the committees. He is urged the
charmanship of the Committee on Banking and Cur
rency by many of his wealthy and influential consttu-
ents The caucus adjourned at hafpast four O'Clock.
Tic showed to-day that the new members on
the democratic side extremely independent and in
disposed to be led to submit TO dictation. They
claim TO have their views and jealous Of inter-
ference number of them heard their voices to-
day IN the caucus and seemed TO like the sound and
not unlikely that they will let themselves be heard
the floor in open session. There is feeling
that Mr.. Kerr does not at present command the sym
patbies OF his followers very generally but that he will
by and by rule them the House with strong grasp.
ANOTHER DEMOCRATIC BLUNDER-A BILL TO
INCREASE THE PENSION LIST WITH AIDERs
AND ABETToRs OF THE REBELLION.
The democrats in Congress continue play into the
hands OF their adversaries Like the Bourbons whom
they are so often named after they learn any
thing and forget anythingn For example, Sena-
tor Mcrrmon of North Carolina. very quietly intro
duced bill to-day to repeal section ,7le Of the Re-
vsed Statutes. Those who curious enough to
reler to the paragraph found that it section OF
the Pension law which provides that "no money
Of pensions shall be paid to any person TO the
widow, children heirs OF any deceased person who,
in any manner, voluntarily engaged in or aided
abetted the late rebellion against the authority OF the
United States The introduction Of this bill s about
par, II IT good deal worse, than tho blum
der OF the Louisiana resolution The democrats have
put their foot in it twice within q single week.
A BILL TO DECLARE THE INTENTION OF THE LAW
CREATING THE UNION PACIFIC RAuRoAD-How
THE RECENT OPINION OF THE SUPREME COURT
Is TO BE REVERSED.
The bill introduced by Senator Wright TO declare the
intention of the laws of 1862 and 1864 the creating
Pacific Railroad and the other amending its
charter is the first step toward doing justice TO the
government betwccn and the company in the mat
ter Of the deferred interest upon the bonds issued in
aid OF the company With legal definition OF
the laws of 1862 and 1864 in the shape OF
amendment them, a
he made up against the company and again taken to
the Court Of CLAIMS and thence If necessary ito the Su
preme Court with the result Of reversing the opinion
recently rendered that the company not bound to
pay this interest until the expiration of thirty years
With the passage OF this amendment the Court would
be bound to consider 1t part of the law bearing upon
the company and the debates in Congress leave no
doubt what the amendment would be- the company
would be compelled to discharge its honest obligation
reimburse the government semi annually to the ex
OF the interest paid upon the bonds which, by the
way are known Wall street and among investors as
currency sxes.
SOUTHERN sENAToR--AN EXCELLENT Ex-
AMPLE TO FOLLOW.
In contrast with the great zeal shown by Southern
members OF Congress positions under officers
Of the House for relatives and ends example Of
Senator Gordon OF Georgia. is worthy Of special notice
His son, who is studying law, wished TO relieve his
father from the financial embarrassment OF supporting
him during his studies he secured OF the best
positions in abe gift OF the Doorkeeper. Sena
tor Gordon who believes that nepotsm is the Of
our government, promptly Informed his son that he
must accept the Office and he made him send let
ter to Mr. Fitzhugh thanking him for hs friendship
and his offer, but positively declining any position
s~hatever What is remarkable about this Is the
fact that Senator Gordon who Of the most ac
two and influential advocates Mr. Ftzhugh had in can
vassing for the POSITION is not rich, and the salary
tondered young Gordon would have been OF great
sstanoe to HIM But unlike the majority OF the So
called great OF this country the father refused to
countcntnce his sons aspirations for Office even for
his own personal benefit
THE HOUSE COMMITTEES.
The House, committees are to be announced on the
Goth Of This month, and probably two special commit
tees tomorrow--viz, the one on Mississippi Levees
and that on the Centennial
Mr.. BLAINE AND THE THIRD TERM CANDIDATE
Mr. Blaine s said TO be coqueting with leading demo.