The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-23
(From Our own Correspondent

| WASHINGTON, December %, 1876.
The Senate was in session only an hour,
during which the Oregon resolution was
passed. 1t provides for an inquiry into the
Oregon electoral difficulty proposition
TO which the Democrats did not object; but
to the preamble Senator Withers and other
Democrats could not assent, because OF GER
tain recitals in regard to Governor Growers
action. ,,..:.
The House passed few private bills
scarcely quorum being present-and
Speaker Randall announced the two COM
mlttees OH the electoral count. The APP
pointments are regarded as being in the in
terest OF satisfactory solution OF the mud
die. McCrary and Hoar are men OF decided
ability, and strong Republicans, yet are
rather conciliatory on the great question OF
the day. Willard was elected as an indie
perdent, as his Republicanism is mild.
Before leaving for Maine to look after his
senatorial succession Senator Blaine, or his
friends, agreed with the committee which
commenced investigating him last session
not to resume its labors for the present, lest
it might have unfavorable influence upon
his prospects for the senatorship.
On the presidential question Blaine has
been very conservative in private converse
ton, and there is good reason to believe
that he will be among the first Of the Re-
publican senators to break the line his party
has maintained upon that question. The
danger is that he may be kept in ranks by
| IL L En,, 1>x,
the Democrats by an agreement that if they
drop the investigation against him he will
90 for Tiden, or at least give up Hayes.
Apparently the Republican game now is
to let the election 80 TO the House, and thus
secure for themselves the, vice-presidency
Somebody must be the scapegoat, to bear
the odium OF the surrender of the party,
and the game is to force Grant to such mea-
: sures rs may excuse them and attach the
blame to him.
Many members Of Congress have gone
home for the holidays, and no important
legislation will take place until January un.
less turn in affairs at the South may make
| it necessary.
There can be no doubt that some Republi.
cans think it constitutional TO go behind
Mr.. Hewitt's seal, il not those of the States
, Yesterday the House postmaster called his
attention to several Of his Hewitt's) letters
lust received, which bore plainly the mark:
of having been steamed, opened, and re-
sealed. Mr.. Hewitt exhibited them to seve
e raj Republican members, who at once con
: Cured in that opinion.
The House unanimously passed resolu
ton, offered by MI. Garfield, directing thu
= Committee on Appropriations to report il
favor OF the widow of the late Speaker
: Kerr an appropriation equal to the amour
t OF Mr.. Kerr's salary had he lived to the enc
: of the present session.
= Cronin had not handed his returns to Mr.
Ferry, president pro tenn. Of the Senate, VI
to the hour when the Senate adjourned thi
afternoon. 1t is generally believed that h
: is counseling with the prominent Demo
cratic members of Congress rs to wha
course he had better pursue.
). Associated Press Reports by telegram 10 the
4 'Dispatch.J
i VARIOUS ITEMS FROM THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
/ WASHINGTON, December 22.-Therc was
4 Cabinet meeting to-day, but the representa-
+ tiyes Of the War, Navy, and State Depart
e ments were absent. .. =.
= Two companies OF artillery from For
!. Reno have arrived. .:.'.,'-'.
C 1t is stated that Mr.. Ferry will receive
n but not accept, the returns from Louisiana
Florida, South Carolina, or Oregon, so tn,
= messengers could go to the Treasury De
e partment and get their money. All partie:
: must wait till Congress decides which bear:
n the proper paper. Mr.. Ferry received tht
It vote Of the Democratic electors to-day, bu
IS refused to accept it, He will treat the Re
e publican messengers from Florida in TIT
l. same manner. -.a ..s
s. The consideration of the consttutionality
y Of the civil-rights act is now of necessity in
p definitely postponed in the Supreme Cour
d by the action of the President in pardonins
It Doom, who was in the Staunton Jail for eN.
q Guiding negro from the cars. -
q The War-Department advices contradict
e the massacre Of Major Randall and his In.
IS dian scout.
Il Senators Bayard and Gordon. and per
It haps Thurman and Ransom also; Speaker
: Randall; Congressman Lamar, and Hewitt
!. and Watterson, go tomorrow to New York
y by invitation, to hold an informal confer
n ence with Mr.. Tilden.
s The Cabinet session to-day was brief and
e comparatively unimportant. There were
: no official dispatches presented.
i THE WASHINGTON AGRICULTURAL DEPART
9 MENT WILL ISSUE NO COTTON STATEMENT
: THIS MoNTH-THE SOUTHERN CORN CROP.
, WASHINGTON, December 22.-The Agri
! cultural Department will issue no cotton
! statement this month.
, The statician Of the Department makes
the corn crop OF the South 100000 bush.
els greater than last year. The total pro.
duct is 1895, 600, 900 bushels. The quality
of South Carolina and Florida crops is
r slightly below the standard. A slight sll.
i periority is indicated in Mississippi, Louisi-
: ana, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
e XLIVTH CONGRESS Session.
e WASHINGTON, December %, 1876.
I SENATE.
The Senate soon after. being called to or.
der this morning resumed the consideration
! OF tho resolution Of Mr.. Mitchell, authoriz.
ing the investigation as to the appointment
3 OF e.. A. Cronin presidential elector in
7 Oregon, and after brief discussion it was
agreed to without division. The ques-
: ton then REQUIRED upon the substitute for
the preamble to the resolutionsubmitted by
Mr.. Bayard several days ago. Mr. Bayard
spoke in favor OF his substitute, and said
1t was not right to reflect harshlv 1Junn q ov-