The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-19
Washington.

Washlngton.
DEMOCRATIC ABSENTEEs RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
FAILURE OF THE EFFORT OF THE HOUSE COM
MIrTEE TO REDUCE THE ARAF-THE PARIS
EXPOSITION BILL, &C.
From O,,r Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, November 17.-Democratic
absentees are responsible for the failure Of
the effort OF the House Committee on APP
preparations to reduce the army to 10000
men, The Senate amendments, leaving the
law as it is, were concurrcd in by the House
BY n vote OF 1874 to 129. Mr.. Atkins and
the members OF the committee labored hard
to have the House non-coneur in the Senate
amendment which allows the army to be re-
cruited to $4,000 men, and would have sue
cecded il the Democrats had all been in
their seats. The five Democrats from Texas
and Williams OF New York and Williams
OF Michigan voted against the committee.
After the army bill was disposed Of the
House, on cali of yeas and nays, decided
to 90 into Committee OF the Whole and in
dulge in four hours debate on the bill OF
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, appro-
priating money for proper representation
Of the Governments at the French exhibit
ton. After an hours debate on this sub
iect the House adjourned, and the debate is
pending. Cox has long and humorous
speech prepared ridiculing the idea OF an
appropriation, but the House will probably
pass the bill.
The determination to discuss the Paris
Exhibition bill drove Ewing's bill over IN
til next week, and it is doubtful now il n
vote is reached before Tuesday.
The House Judiciary Committee has sent
for the court records in the case Of Smals,
the colored member from South Carolina,
who has been convicted and imprisoned in
the penitentiary, with view Of ascertain
ing whether any OF his rights ~ a member
have been violated
Associated Press Reports by telegraph TO the Dis
nttcl.J
HISTORY OF COINAGE.
WASHINGTON, November 1.-THE Com
mittce on Coinage, Weights, and Measures,
OF which Mr.. Stephens is chairman,
heard Mr.. Z. II. Elliott, OF the Treasury
Department. and a member Of the American
Neurological Socict$, on the subjects before
the committee. Mr.. Elliott gave the COM
mittee learned and elaborate history OF
coinage, and strongly advised the existing
system of having silver subsidiary to gold.
CAUCUS OF REPUBLICAN SENATOR'S.
A caucus OF the Republican senators was
held at the Capitol this afternoon. There
was full attendance, and the proceedings
were expected to be interesting and Of i'm
portancc. Mr.. Edmunds and the various
other senators who waited upon the Presl-
dent last Tuesday evening to acquaint him
with the general tenor and spirit OF the
comments expressed by the majority Of the
Republican senators in the last caucus con-
corning his civil-service policy, etc, gave to
the caucus to-day Ue,batim account Of
what occurred at that interview. They're
ported that the President, in response to
their statements of the widespread uneasi-
ness and dissatisfaction which had been
created among his party friends by his ap-
pointments of Democrats to southern Of
fees, &C., had argued that his policy in this
regard was not preiudicial 20 the Interests
OF the Republican party, and certainly was
not adopted by him from any want OF
earnest desire for the perpetuation and
maintenance Of Republican power and
principles. On the contrary, it was his eX-
pectation and belief that the pursuance OF
this policy would promote coalition OF the
old Wing and various other elements natu-
rally opposed to the Democratic party in the
South, and eventually secure six or seven
southern States for the Republicans. All
the senator's who were present at the inter-
view expressed themselves to the caucus
as being convinced that the President
was thoroughly sincere in his belief. 1t was
also reported that the President said be was
very DESTROYS to be in harmony with the
leaders OF the party, and was gratitied to
have had the opportunity OF ascertaining
thus definitely and clearly the views which
had been expressed in caucus. A wise and
candid criticism would always be welcome
to him. In closing he said he hoped and
believed that there would be less cause for
complaint in the future; and in any event
il there should be differences OF opinion
there need be no occasion for lll-fccllnS, and
he trusted there would be none.
After the reports, Of which the foregoing
statement is Il correct but brief summary,
had been made to the caucus free discus
sion ensued rs to the propriety and proba-
bic effects OF the Presidents policy in case
it should be acquicsced in by the Senate.
The interchange OF views developed an al
most unanimous opinion that the policy OF
appointing Democrats to Office in the South
is not wise or sound, and even those SEN
ators who are most distinctively known rs
''friends OF the Administration en-
pressed doubts whether its perform
ance woud have the effect OF what
the President is sanguine. No. ac-
/ ton was taken by the caucus to-day, and
none was> proposed. Nothing was said
about the New York clstom.h house appoint
ments, nor was there any discussion Of the
contested senatorial Eases from Louisiana
and South Carolina. The questions involved
in these contests for seats in the Senate
seem to he generally considered as purely
judicial in their nature, and therefore out
side of the control Of caucus control.
VARIOUS ITEMS. "''
The judiciary Committee OF the House
has sent for the court records iii the case OF
Congressman Smalls, Of South Carolina,
held for felony. ~ .a. .-..taE -,
The Committee of Ways and Means will
take 20 action during the present extra
session to disturb existing revenue laws.
XLvTH CONGRESS---Extra Session.
WASHINGIoS, November II, 1877.