Daily Kennebec journal., 1877-11-16
Washington News.
WASHINGTON, d. C., Nov. IA, 1871.
SENATORS INTERVIEW THE PRESIDENT.

SENATORS INTERVIEW THE PRESIDENT.
The committee Of republican senators selected
at the last Saturday, consisting of Senators
Edmunds, kirkwood, llamlin, Christisncy, Bruce
and Howe, called on the President last evening
and had a full and frank interchange OF views up
on the political situation and the relations between
/ the President and senste. Tue topic upon which
most of the discussion turned was the appoint
ment of democrats in the South to Office IN regard
TO which Mr.. llamln is understood to have ex-
pressed very decided views. 1t woe generally
agreed however that where appontees were in
accord with the spirit Of the reconstruction acts,
and would administer the offices for the good
of the whole people, the appointments would be
confirmed Senator Bruce is understood to have
indicated his intention TO give the President 5
policy aud nominations a cordial support Inc
interview IS represented as satisfactory on both
Sides and is certain to bring about good under
standing between the President and the Senate
Another caucus will probably be held late ia the
week.
The ALABAMA CLAIMS.
The House committee on the Judiciary will
have a hearing on tuesday, December IL, before
the full committee, of all persons interested IN re-
opening the question of the distribution of the re-
nainder OF the Alabama claims. The money now
exceeds eight millions of dollars. the Atlantic
Insurance Company of New York is the principal
representative of the claimants for further dlstfi-
button, and it is expected their claims will be sup
ported by a well-known lawyer, whose opinion
that they had no claim on any portion of the mon
ey, is now on file with the committee. The move
ment for the return of the money to England has
few friends in the committee.
The New ORLEANS CoLLEcToRsHr.
Effingham Lawrence, appointed to-day Collector
of New Orleans, is a large sugar planter at Pa
qucmine, Governor Warmoth being partner in
the enterprise and holding mortgage on the
property Lawrence was an ardent secessloniI;
latteTly vatIye democrat; voted for Hayes
and Nichols, and 1t Is believed his appointment
will give general satisfaction to the merchants OF
New Orleans. The contest for the position has
been Intricate and protraCted, Anderson of return
ing board fame having been a candidate. Coec-
tor King was also striving to retain the ofhce,
and his resi- gnaliOn was only received tins morn
lug.
The LOUISIANA SENATORsH1P.
Governor Kellogg has not yet presented to the
senate committee on privileges and elections AN
outline of the points on which the inquiry shall
proceed, and it Is practically certain that the set
tlement of the dlspute will not be reached until
long INTO next session. Judge SpctfoId bases his
expectation of a favorable result altogether upon
a div lsion of the republicans, and expects support
from Stanley Matthews, Christancy aud possibly
Booth and DAVIS. ln committee his most pro-
nounced and determined opponent is Mcmillan of
Minnesota. From the beginning of the contest
the administration has scrupulously retraDed from
exertiug any influence or expressing an opinion IN
favor OF either claimant
CONGRESSMAN SMALLs' CASE.
The case of Robert Smalls came up to-day in
the House, by lis request, and will result III
interesting action. 1t is believed by some promi-
Ient lawyers that the evidence on which Smas
was convicted was wholly insufficient, and that hi.
offence was statutory. His privilege a member
of Congress would protect him from arrest and
imprisonment. Both sides of the House, demo-
crats, under the lead Of Messrs. Wood and Steph.
ems, urged prompt and thorough action to deter
mine the question involved 1t is urged that the
House caunot expe Smalls, as it has been settled
repeatedly that an election to the House condones
all prev ious misdeeds, and Smalls has twice been
chosen to the House since the alleged corruption
for which he was convicted. Smals is absent
from the House without leave, and Is drawing no
pay.