The New York herald., 1875-12-20
The Probabilities Regarding the Craftsmanship
Of the More Important.
THE MISSISSIPPI SENAToRsHIP.
The Forthcoming Report Of the Southern
Claims Commission.
CHARACTER OF THE CLAIM BUSINESS.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

THE HOUSE COMMITTEES TO BE ANNOUNCED TO-
DAY-THE cHAIRMANsHIP OF THE MORE I'M
PoRTANT.
| The Speaker will announce the committees Of the
House TO after the reading of the journal AS
be ascertaincd night from those who pro-
Tess to be well Informed II is believed that William r.
Morrison, of Illinois, will be chairman OF the Com
mittee OF Ways and Means, and It Is said
| that Mr. Fernando Wood will stand second on the
committee There has been severe struggle over this
| committee, and Mr.. Woods friends have urged him
strongly for the charmanship but his relations the
party here and his attitude the Louisiana business
have probably procured his defeat Mr.. Morrison,
though not known conspicuous debater, is one
| of the ablest and most upright men in
this Congress; man OF principles, very
prominent and influential in his own State where he
will probably be the candidate for Governor next fall
1t his influence and courage which, two or three
years ago induced the democrats in his State to place
themselves squarcly on hard money and free trade
platform, and he is unswervngly devoted to these
principles. He is an able man and fine manager
1t is probable that the Speaker found 1t impossible
mprudcat to take sides in the dispute between the
friends ofMessrs Wood and Cox by appointing the lat
ter to the chairmanshp Of the Ways and Means 1t
said that Cox Will be chairman of the Banking and
Currency Committee, for which Payne, OF Ohio was
second on Banking and Currency. He also is an able
man.
IT. as is generally believed and has before re-
ported, Mr. Swami, of Maryland has the craftsmanship
OF Foreign Relations this will be pleasant appoint
ment to Mr. Fish and excellent one for the
country. Mr.. Swami is familiar with the duties
OF the committee and is able conservative
man. 1t is thought that Mr.. Charles J. Faulkner OF
Virginia, will be second on the Foreign Relations Com
mittee. BE was Minister to France under Mr.. Bu-
chanan, and was Union during the war.
Proctor Knott Of Kentucky, will, doubt, be chair
man OF the Judiciary Com nittee. His place
sidered settled several days ago.
Mr. Lamar, OF Mississippi will be Chairman OF the
Committee on Pacific Railroads He is supposed to get
this place representative Southern man. and one
who though he voted the other day subsidy reso-
luton is the soul of honor. II is said here night
that the Speaker true to his anti-subsidy record
means to give Lamar q committee composed entirely of
members who put themselves the record the other
day opposed TO all subsidies.
II these reports shall prove correct the selections
made by the Speaker will meet with the hearty ap-
prova OF the progressive and enlightened wing OF his
party, for he will have chosen, In every case
mentioned, the best for the chairmanships OF
important committees, and has put forward, by his
choice very clearly the hard money and free trade
the most advocates Mr.. Morrison is partlcu-
larly well esteemed by his fellow democrats here as
man of great ability and high principle.
THE QUESTION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESS
SION IN CASE OF GENERAL GRANTS DEATH
THE PRECEDENTs PRO AND CoN.-PRoPosED
PREPARATIONS FOR POSSIBLE coNTIN-
GENCY.
II is probable that the Senate will think IL wise to
elect a presiding officer, in order prevent any
possible deadlock and squabble the succession
the Presidency in case of General Grants death. The
law Of 1892 intended to provide for such a contln-
gency declares that in both President and Vice
President die or removed the President OF the
Senate cor If there is none the Speaker of the House
OF Representatives for the time being" shall act as
President In order that there might be no vacancy
in the 1t has been usual during many years
for the Vice President himself at the close OF
the session. and thus give the Senate opportunity
choose acting presiding officer. In this way, with
Mr.. Wilson'S connivance, Mr.. Ferry was chosen last
March at the extra session.
Until the new House met this month and chose Mr.
Kerr Speaker there Speaker after the 4th OF
March last Had General Grant dAd at the samo time
with Mr. Wilson 1t would that Senator Ferry
have become acting President and IL he had also
died before Congress met there would have been no
Speaker OF the House. and the democrats raise the
question whether, ir General Grant should die over
night the succession would not fall to Mr.. Kerr Thcy
say Mr. Ferry has not been elected the Pres
dency OF the Senate since that body in this month
and they quote from Jc(rerson's Manual rule which
declares that the Office Of President pro tem Of the
senate terminates with the session OF the Senate and
must be filled anew after a recess.
II is singular fact that preccdents may be found In
the history of the Senate both for against the po
sition of the democrats but the greater number of
precedents forty nine against four favor the claim Of
Mr. Ferry's friends, that he holds without new
election and Is thus the OF General Grant
These fory-nIne prccedcns show, however only that
| Mr. Ferry may hold without reelection; they do
not prove at all that the Senate may not elect now
President pro tenn on the contrary, the four
prcccdents show that has done So and thus may do
/ il aqnn The motion Of Senator Edmunds thar the
| Senate proceed TO elect President pro tenn. on the
4 7th OF January, was referred to the Committee on
l Privileges and Elections which may report Monday.
! Mr.. Edmunds took pains to explain that he meant
\ reflection on Mr.. Ferry. but inclined to nave a
delicate question plainly decided But II election
is ordered there will be several asprants for the place.
and there may be lively intrigue for it, as evcn so
slight chance Of the succession to so great nn Office
thought valuable by several Senator'S
Mr. Ferry is understood to admit that the Senate has
right to elect new President pro tem. in his place
but he asserts that u is not necessary do II the
committee reports that there should be a election
there will be several candidates for tho place but a
s:ro effort viii be made by Western men and Mr.
Fcrry's friends to rc-ecct him.
THE MISSISSIPPI sENAToRsHIp-cLAIMs OF
MR.. LAMAR AND HIS PROSPECTS OF
SUCCESS
The Senatorial election In Mississippi attracts good
deal of attention here, and the conservative and PRO
grcssvc democrats very dcsrous to sec Mr. Lamar
succeed The news hero that he will probably be
elected He Is the most popular In the State ana
the one best known nIl over the Union. lie has
against him Few oi the extremists and fire eaters
whom no offended by his liberal and peaceful counscs
during the canvass preceding tho State election.
Lamar opposed tho coIor.lnc movement OF these cx.