The Portland daily press., 1877-12-15
WASHINGTON.
sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate

6OEBChAk-at-AFmb Oh tnc SeMHtGs
WASHINGTON, Dec. IA. The Republican
Senators today held caucus to receive the
report of their committee appointed to investI-
gate alleged reasons for change in the office of
Sergesnt-at-Arms The committee submitted
the testimony taken by them but made no rec
ommendaton on the subject. After considera-
BILE discussion the caucus adjourned until to-
morrow without action.
The Navy Department.
The House naval committee today divided
into sut-commttees to inquire into the subjects
Of the list OF retired officers the personnel of
the navy yards, and expenditures generally of
that branch OF the public service.
The south Pacific Railroad.
The House committee on Pacific Railroads
today appointed the following members as sub
committee on various pending bills in relation
to the construction of Southern trans-conti-
mental railroad: House of Tennessee, Morri-
son. Chalmers, Luttrell, O'Neil, Blair, Cole.
House, Chalmers and O'Neil are known to bs
favorable to the Texas Pacific; Morrison, Lut.
yet defined. Subcommittee on Northern Paci
fc and Oregon Central bills consists of Hew-
itt, Morrison, Luttrell, Landers, O'Neil, Rice
and Caswell
A Rowing Commission to Investigate the
Executive Departments.
The Ways and Means Committee this morn
ing decided to recommend the adoption by the
hOuSo VI nAr. OiOt0I to5UluttOu pTONlQ1QR
authority for large number of standing COM
mittees to make such Investigations as they
may deem proper in regard to the administra-
ton of public affairs by all the various branch
es and officers of the executive departments of
the government For this purpose 1t is pro-
posed that the following named committees
shall have full power to take testimony, send
for persons and papers in their own discretion
without being obliged to ask for authority in
any special case from the House: Indian af-
fairs, military affairs, public lands, public
buildings and grounds, and the various COM
mittees on expenditures in the departments of
justice, state war, navy and interior, and the
similar committee on expenditures for public
buildings. Favorable report on the resolution
was ordered by strict party vote.
Cabiaet Meeting.
The Chinese question was leading topic of
attention today at full meeting of the Cabi
net. Recent reports to the President from San
Francisco in addition to several papers on the
subject brought to his attention at various
times were laid before the council and made a
matter OF very earnest consideration. No con-
c,uslon was reached and the consideration of
the subject will be continued at a future meet
ing. 1t is not unlikely the President will at
some time make the Chinese question the SUBJ
Jeck of special message to one or both houses
of Congress.
The Cabinet also gave attention to our Mexi-
can relations, though there was nothing par.
recognizing the Diaz government will, how
ever, very soon be formally acted upon, as the
administration inclines to the opinion that it is
necessary and proper to approach the question
with little farther delay and reach some decis-
ion.
No important nominations were decided up
on and the New York custom house appoint
ments were not subjects of discussion.
Blaine and CenkIins.
1t is an interesting fact that Mr.. Blaine
would have been chairman of Conkling's COM
mittee on Mexican affairs and that too by the
desire of the latter, if his i'll health had not pre-
viously determined him to be absent from
Washington for rest during the holiday recess.
Fhe long existing differences between these
gentlemen encouraged the opinion that Blaine
would be quite likely to support the Presidents
New York nominations, Notwithstanding his
hostility to several features of the policy of the
administration. Instead of taking this course,
however. he took the very opposite at an oppor-
tune stage of the conflict and made strong inn
preston uponsthe feelings of the New York
Senator by what the latter considered gener-
GUS and gallant bearing.
Without any solicitation from any sources, or
any intimation of any intention, he warmly
espoused the case of Collector Arthur and de-
clared that the reforms in the furtherance of
which be was ostsnsaby to be removed, were
recommendations OF the Collector himself, made
semi-annually for years past and regularly
pigeon-hol1d by the department.. The contest
being ended, Conkling expressed to brother
Senator his admiration of the conduct of Blaine,
and when the Vice President came to consider
the composition of the committee to be ap-
pointed under the resolution moved by Conk-
ling on the Mexican relations, the latter mind
ful of the usage which would place him at the
head of the committee, and mindful also of the
fact that the Maine Senator had sounded the
first alarm in July last, at Woodstock, concern
ing the dangers of war with Mexico, REQUEST
ed a friand fn invita al-o
the place of chairman, offering himself to ask
offer was communicated to the Maine Senator
who read it in the spirit of frankness which
prompted it, but was obliged to decline the in
vtati0n in consideration of the state of his
health and need of rest 1t seems to be gener-
ally considered, in view of these facts, that the
twelve years feud between these two gentle
men is at an end.
The Border Troubles.
Capt Corbn of the 24th infantry, temporarl-
~ stationed in this city, but who served on the
Rio Grande since 1869, was examined to-day
before the House military committee in regard
TO the Mexican troubles. He attributed much
of the i'll feeling on both sides of the Rio
Grande to the fact that the title 20 marsh
land in Texas is in dispute, it being claimed by
Mexican residents under the old Spanish
grants He described, however, the feeling of
the superior classes of Mexicans, and of the
nigh officials, as being extremely friendly to
tne American government and people.
METEOROLOGICAL