Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-12-12

| retire from the finance committee
MI. Seller from military affairs, Mr..
KirkWOOd from naval affairs, and Mr..
Saunders from the committee on the
District of Columbia, leaving vacancies
to be filled by appointment of such adj
ditional democratic members as a eau
Gus of the minority may designate.
The caucus assigned Mr. Kellogg to
three committee positions, viz: on pen
s1Ons, on transportation routes to the
seaboard, and on the Mississippi levees
committee. 1t was also arranged that
Messrs. Window and Matthews shall
succeed Messrs. Howe and Ferry, who
retire from the committee on railroads.
APPOINTMENTS.
Washington kilograms of Dec. 5th say
the entire session of the cabinet to-day
was consumed in discussing the tenure
of-office act and the results that are to
follow the action Of the senate in not
confirming a number Of appointing nts
A variety of theories were suggested,
but it was finally agreed that in cases of
suspension where the nominee is re-
jected the old incumbent becomes rein
stated, while in cases where the nomina-
ton not acted upon or rejected was to
fill a vacancy caused by death, resigna-
ton, or expiration of commission the
office is held in allegiance, and the deputy
Or officer next in grade officiates until
a new nomination is made and confirm
ed This condition Of things will work
embarrassment in two particulars; first,
with respect to suspensions, as in most
OF these cases the person was suspended
hn ,,.fo e
his bond and inability to execute valid
one. AS it is, however, these persons,
irresponsible and untouched for as they
may be, and suspended for a good cause,
Will all become reinstated. In the
second place. embarrassment will fol-
low III cases where vacancy has oc-
CURED by death, resignation or expira-
ton Of commission.
THE HOUSE INDIAN BILL
The bill transferring the Indian bu-
reau to the war department is now I'm
der consideration by the Indian COM
mittee. Enough has been ascertained
to indicate the standing of the com
mittee on the subject. 1t will receive
the unanimous support Of the demo-
cratic members, as well as that of one,
republican. Several important changes
IN the management Of Indian affairs
will be contained in the provisions of
the bill which have not yet been per-
fected by the committee. Among 9TH
er things contemplated in the bill is
the abandonment of the practice of
treating with the various Indian tribes
az separate nations. The Indians will
first be made to respect the authority
of the government, and then, as an in
ducement to good behavior, and
progress In the civilizing arts, the right
to hold property as individuals and &C
quire citizenship will be held out to
them. Another provision Of the bill
will be incorporated either to extend
the laws Of the United States and tri-
bunals, to enforce them, or laws will be
framed specially adapted to the ext
gencies Of the new order of things A
police will be provided for to enforce
the laws. This the army will supply.
The war department will have entire
management Of the new system, ex-
cept the administration IF judicial
functions All agents Of the bureau as
newly constituted will be taken from
the army, and will be amenable to
military regulation The tendency of
this, it is thought, will be to lessen
fraud on the government and injustice
to the Indians A bill of this character,
it is believed, will pass both the house
and senate, and if it becomes law will
remedy the evils Of the present system,
as it will tend to secure justice to the
Indians, and better administration of
law for their protection and restraint
THE HOUSE INVESTIGATIONS
The committee on ways and means
had to-day before it a resolution intro
duced by Morrison in the last congress-
and brought before this by Glover, en-
powering the various committees of the
house to enter On q general investiga-
ton, each within that branch of the
government assigned to it by the rules.
The committee to-day decided to pre-
FIX to the resolution as preamble that
part Of the presidents message defining
the powers of the house in the admin
jstration Of the government to consist
in the correction of abuses, and inquiry
into them. Two questions were before
the committee, whether general pow
er to send for persons and papers
should be given, and permission to re-
port at any time. 1t is not probable
that the last named power will be
given.