The Portland daily press., 1876-12-04
WASHINGTON.
SamuelJ. Randall Nominated for Speak
err of the House-53 for Randall to 63
for Cox.

Samuel J. Randall Nominated for Speak.
err of the House-53 for RaudaII to 63
for Cox.
WASHINGTON, Dec. "A Democratic caucus
was held tonight at the capitol,
Mr.. Lamar called the meeting to order.
There were four candidates suggested for
Speaker. Mr.. Clymer nominated Mr.. Randall
Mr.. Scott Lord nominated Mr.. Cox. Mr.. Nor
rison withdrew before he was formally nomin-
ated with few words counseling harmony.
Mr.. Banning nominated Mr.. Saylor, whereupon
Mr.. Saylor said he had already been honored
by the Representatives of the 44th Congress as
speaker of the House, but now in the interests
of peace and harmony in the party he begged
leave to decline the nomination,
A ballot was then taken resulting, Randall
70, Cox g..
On motion of Mr.. Lord the nomination of
Mr.. Randall was made unanimous.
Messrs. Clymer and Blackburn were made a
committee to wait on Mr.. Randall and acquaint
him with the result of the caucus. Mr.. Ran
plause and spoke as follows:
Representatives, Il thank you for, the high
mark of confidence which your action indi-
Gates shall endeavor to discharge the duties
of the position to which you are about to as
sign me with fidelity, protecting the individual
members in all their privileges and maintain
ing all the rights of the House with which the
constitution and the laws clothe it, having al
ways in view the peace and prosperity of the
country.
These remarks were received with PROLONGED
applause. There was an expression of views
concerning the political situation of affairs in
louisiana, South Carolina and Florida, and a
general agreement that committees should be
appointed to visit those states in order to as
certain the facts attending the electoral votes,
and according to this understanding a resolu-
ton will be introduced in the House en- Mon
day for that purpose.
Report of the Secretary of the Navy.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The report of the
Secretary of the Navy will show that there
are belonging to the navy LAG vessels of 15O,-
LOT tons measurement Exclusive of howitzers
and gatlings they cary 1142 guns. OF these 1913
carrying 913 guns. with measurement of $780,
798 tons. have steam power; IS are in actual
service and are preparing for sea. Sixteen
may be considered entirely unfit for future
service and the remainder are at the various
navy yards. Most of them could be made
ready for any special service in short time
There is on hand, stored at various navy yards,
live oak timber sufficient for IS new ships of
war, besides large quantity of other valuable
timber and naval materials of every kid.
Our navy now is far more powerful for warliKe
purposes than it has ever before been in time
OF peace. 1t does not compare. either in num-
Der or character OF vessels, with the expensive
establishments of the European nations In the
size and power OF their naval vessels and arm
aments, but for the defensive purposes of
peaceful people, without colonies, 1t will be
found sufficient to resist any force which could
be brought across the ocean to attack u.s. The
subject OF constructing armor plated gun bear
ing vessels is discussed at length and the con.
clnson arrived at is that in view of the heavy
expense it is advisable to provide the means Of
destroying such vessels should they appear in
hostile attitude upon our coast. Fast, we'll
built wooden cruisers are in any event most
serviceable as police of the sea and schools IF
construction in time of peace and to destroy
an enemy's commerce in time of war. The
adoption OF the marine ram as an auxiliary of
defence is recommended. As remedy for the
reduction of the force of oar fleet from $500 to
1000 men, and for the purpose of maintaining
trained class of men skilled in their duties
and devoted to their flag, the Secretary re-
peats his recommendations Of last wear that
Congress give the necessary authority to enlist
annually 700 boys Tor the navy under existing
laws but IN addition to the number of men now
allowed. The system of thus training boys has
been successful,
The Secretary also urges that enlisted men
OF the navy may be allowed an outfit of
clothing, and banking system for the navy
such as now prevails in the army The Secre-
tary refers to the report of the bureaus on
astronomical observations, ordnance the naval
signal service, the torpedo station, the nautical
surveys of inter-oceanic canals and other sub
Jects connected with the navy, and renews the
recommendation made in his successive annual
reports In reference to our navy yards and
stations, and urges that their resources may be
increased and that sufficient appropriations
may be made to keep them in thorough repair
and ready for any emergency.
Inc report OF the i've commissioned officers
ofoered py congress to examine fully and
determine whether any of the navy yards can
be dispensed with, etc., will be forwarded when
received.
The estimates for the general maintenance of
Inc navy Tor the next year are $18. GAG. OLE,
The amount estimated for new BUILDINGS. re-
pairs and improvements, necessary at the
various navy yards, stations and hosoitals ia
$2,9O0, 596. In regard to the pay of the officers
OF the navy the Secretary says that after care
full consideration of this subject he has, besides
the ordinary estimates for the next fiscal wear.
submitted an additional one for 81, $50 600 to
supply the inevitable deficiency in the paw
appropriation, and to enable the department to
rescind its order placing all unemployed officers
on Through pay, and to make up to those who
have been or may be so reduced without fault
otherwise have received.
This recommendation will be pressed upon
Congress.
The Presidents Message.
:, H is now uncertain at what hour to-mortoy
me message OF the President will be sent TO
congress, 1t certainly will not until he shall
be formally notified by the usual Joint COM
mittee that the two Houses are prepared to
receive any communication he NAV be pleased
to make to them. Calling of the roll of mem
bers OF the House and the election and INSTALL
alton of new Speaker may probably defer
the delivery of the message till O'clock.
Some of the Democratic members of Congress
say that the party will act with calmness and
circumspection regarding political conplica-
ions, and IL may not be until Wednesday that
the proposition will be made for the appoint
ment OF committees to visit Florida, South
carolina and Louisiana to ascertain all the
1acts concerning the electoral votes of those
states.