The New York herald., 1877-11-02


not be returned 1879 and he should select his
seat. To this Senator Morton responded that
he likod his taste In the selection, but
could not commend the judgment OF his colleague
Senator McDonald In encouraging any belief that In
diana would not continue republican State "Never-
theess," said Mr. Morton, task TOR my seat" few
days after this General Ransom observing that SEN
ator Morton not as robust usual, declined to
allow his namo 10 be entered for the seat since tho
meeting Of In Ocisbsr there been no less
than nve Senator'S prompted BY the democratic vie-
tories in Indiana who have become TO secure
Mr. Mortons chair, but according the late Senator'S
own suggestion IL will be given 10 Senator Ransom
unless that gentleman should decline TO accept IT, tho
unfounded report having gone abroad that the appi-
cation had bcsn made In view o! Senator Mortons
pcctcd death is customary for Senators 10 ask
bc assigned to desks one and two years advance OF
probable change In the representation OF State
and IL is interesting In this connection to know that
Senator Hill, oi Georen, anticipating Mr. Conklings
retrcment to private life, has asked assigned his
desk on the sth OF March, 1873.
SENATOR coNKLNa AND THE coNF1RMA.
TIoNs- ATTITUDE or THE MEMBERS OF THE
COMMITTEE ON CoAMERcE--A FIGHT ON THE
NEW YORK APPOINTMENTS CERTAIN.
The Senate IN executive session to-day confirmed
two collectors OF customs, for tho district OF New
port l., and tho other for the district Of George
town, d. c. Tho oflccs arc comparatively unimpor
tant but as the combinations proceeded with tho
approval OF the Commitec Commerce. which has
not held a meeting ths session, the nou nee ment
caused much surprise. Tho eyes OF the Senate arc
upon the chairman Of that committee, and as tho
New York Custom House appointments are in his
hands the action to-day naturally excited curiosity.
The explanation TO some extent relieves Senator
Conkling from the prevailing supicon that he is pro-
crastnating tho consideration of the important
nominations Il is customary for Senators 10
ask OF their colleagues committees tho
privilege OF favorably reporting unimportant
nominations without tho formality of mceting OF tho
committee In this way Mcssrs. Pratt and Dodge
confirmed collectors OF customs Hearing that there
talk about delay the part of the chair
man OF the Committee Commerce in calling the
committee together, Senator Conkling yesterday and
to-day took occasion 10 personally explain to tho
mcmbors Of the committee that concate-
nation OF circumstances had prevented full meeting
of the committee until aitcr the elections, and that
on Wednesday next, after the elections no should
call tho members together. II will DO remembered
that the Senate committees werc appointed ON tho
second day OF the session and that over two weeks
have passed sinco the Commerce Committee has been
revived. Tho members are Messrs. Conkiing, Spcn-
cer, Burnside, Patterson and Mcmillan republicans
democrats. There rs, however, another complexion to
the mmtee Senators conkling. Spencer and Pattcr
compose the administration cotorie Messrs.
Mcmillan and Burnside are regarded rapport
with the President, whilo the democratic members
are, to expression attributed 10 Mr. Conklng
scamp followers OF the administration which pitches
its tents sometimes in southern State and some
times in another" His explanations to the members
OF the committee exceedingly gracious, and II is
the leaders OF the committee and means promptly to
report the OF Messrs. Roosevelt, Merritt and
Prince Having reported these nominations 10 tho
Senate official duty Mr. Conkling proposos-it is
said good authoriy-to stand aside interested
party, and upon Senator Spencer will devove their
management, while Mr.. Conkling assumes the posi-
tion OF an injured party and appeals to the re-
publican Senators whether during the remain
der of their terms while the majority
they going to waive rule OF courtesy that has
obtained so ongnamcly, that OF allowing the repub
lican Senators control federal combinations their
respective States. Mr. Conkng's purpose will be,
according his frerds parry tho arguments Of tho
Presidents supporters with quotations from tho elec
tion returns in Ohio and other Statcs 0f Senator
Conklngs determination to fight thcro is now, accord
ing TO hts friends, not the least doubt.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT INvEsTIGATIoN-ITs
PURPOSES AS STATED by CHAIRMAN WILLIS.
Mr. Willis Chairman Of the House Committee on
Expenditures in the Navy Depart mcnt, will offer at
the first opportunity resolution authorizing q
searching Investigation into the affairs OF the Navy
Department. Tho objects OF tho resolution, as stated
by Mr. Willis tonight, are to ascertain the true con-
dition OF accounts In the Navy Department;
whether any expenditures have been made with
out warrant OF law; whether any appropriations
have been diverted from the purposes intended by
law; whether any Deficiencies exist IN the several
bureaus. If so the extent oil such deficiencies and
whether they arose fraudulcntly or otherwise;
whether any contracts have been illegally entered
nto If their datcs and characters what steps nuve
been taken BY tho Secretary Of tho Navy TO inquire
into tho disposition OF old other material the
navy yards OF the United Satcs The resolution par
tcuarly Includes instructions for full scrutiny OF all
the OF the Navy Department bcwcon tho 4,h and
1lth Of March last when tho pay OF the navy IS sup
posed to have been mado away with.
THE PAY or THE ARMY-PURPosEs OF THE
ARMY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.
rho subcommittee Of tho House Appropriation
Committcc-Messrs. Atkins, Hewitt and Fostcr-havc
devote their entire time tho consideration OF the
Army Appropriation bill, which has been reduced to
an estimate Tor only 900 men. Tho reductions
however, the general estimates will bc so argo
might at first DO supposed. Tho deficiencies must
Oe lOf ana tuc expense OIL IN
moving the army is very great. II is said that tho
committee will not, under tho pretcnce economz-
ing expenditures re usc 70 recommend tho appropri.
alton required by the statements OF army officers.
POSTAL Affairs SUBDIVISIONS or THE COM
MITTEE AND THE DUTIES ASSIGNED TnRM
The House Committee OF Post ONCE and Post Roads
has ocen divided into subcommittees, to which has
been referred all matters relating to post routes
adjustment Of pay to railroads Tor transportation
OF the mails and rcadjustmcnt OF salaries OF
postmasters. The committee holds It's hrst
meeting on Monday next, when the chairman, Mr..
Waddc, will present the bill for payment OF Southern
mail contractors before tho war, which was passed al
the last session. but which has been suspended by tho
Treasury Department pending the fling OF all tho
claims Of this cbaracior. The amount appropriated
$3s5 ooo which Secretary sherman does not think
Will cover the claims.
RELICS OF THE FRANKLIN EXPEDITroN-THE