Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-05-15
The Presidents Friends Insist that he lis
Not Bit Scared about the Proposed
Investigation, and that he Knew
Nothing about the Frauds
Committed.
The Potter Resolutions and Other Mat
tiers of Interest Discussed in Demo-
cratic Caucus-SOuthern Pacific
Railway Matters-Current
Events at the Capital.

WASHINGTON, May 14.-Subscriptions to
the four per cent loan to-day amounted to
1888, 200.
LEGAL-TENDER CIRCULATION.
The following is statement of the out
standing circulation of the legal-tender notes
and fractional currency this day: United
States notes, new issue, $40, zoo, 147; series
355, 932; series of 1875, $135, 380, sos; series
of 1878, 1882, 100; total United States notes,
$346, 68l ,016; fractional currency, $16,804,
98l; grand total, 1865, 485, 1897.
THE ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL.
The total amount recommended in the bill
reported In the house from the committee on
appropriations, for the support of the army
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1879, and
for other purposes, is $26, 929, 81, of which
amount, recommended for the pay and al
lowance of the officers who may retire under
its provisions, is $780,, 900; total regular
sum, 1924 032, 81; total amount appropriated
by the last law, $25, 712, 500; total sum of es-
Inmates, $31 1872, 235; decrease from the esti-
mates, $7,159,561 SIS. The estimates in the
bill are for twenty thousand enlisted men.
The cavalry regiments are reduced to six,
and the number of infantry regiments to
fifteen, and these are to be effected by trans
fers and consultations. The President is
authorized, in his discretion, honorably to
discharge from the army officers who may
apply therefor on or before the first of Janu-
airy next, with certain allowances. Officers
unfit for service are to be mustered out on
the reports of the commanding officers of the
several military geographical divisions and
departments, and the heads of the various
staff departments, and all vacancies now ex-
listing, Or that may occur by reason OF The
transfers or consolidation, shall be filed
IN due proportion by supernumer-
AIRY. officers, having reference to
Women are prohibited hereafter from ac-
companying troops as laundresses. The bill
regulates officers pay, and provides for a
board, to report to the President upon or
ganization the practical working and eff
cheney of the corps of engineers, ordnance,
medical, quartermaster subsistence, and
pay departments, of the signal and
artillery service, bureau of military justice,
adjutant- generals department and the
inspector generals department, and TO
make such suggestions as in the judgment
of said board will increase the usefulness or
reduce the cost of the maintenance of the
army and of the several departments Of
service above specified, which report, when
so made, shall be submitted to congress by
the President, and until otherwise ordered
by law no new appointments nor promotions
shall be made in any Of the said departments
of the military service, except to fill vacancies
occurring in the grades provided for in this
act.
TIE PRESIDENTIAL PULSE.
Intimate friends of the President say that
he shows no disqulet whatever Ia view of the
pending proceedings of the house concerning
the alleged election frauds, but exhibits the
same apparent equanimity of temper that
has marked his conduct ever since his inau
guration. He had not in the past the slight
est knowledge OF the frauds by political man.
ayers in Florida and LOUISIANA, other than
the published accusations on the Democratic
side. During the canvass and the investiga
lions IN these States, he was entirely reserved
and took no part whatever concerning them,
leaving the responsibility to those who per-
formed such business. President Grant,
while the excitement existed, suggested that
gentlemen whose characters were well known
should 60 there and examine into all the
facts, so that their report or conclusion should
inspire respect. President Hayes took no
part in the suggestions of his Immediate pre-
decessor, and did not interfere in any way
whatever. All the time the returning boards
were at work, and up to the latest hour,
when the contest was closed, he regarded the
general result uncertain as to either party IN
the contest. He received no communications
from any Republican visitors to those or any
other States, nor was he in the remotest de-
gree complicated by the proceedings of his
friends In the matters stated. In fact, his
intimate friends say that during the period of
uncertainty of his election he manifested no
anxiety to occupy the Presidential chair,
leaving the determination of the question to
others. The President said this morning
that there was nothing new In the proposed
investigation; but while the frauds, if any
were committed, should be exposed, such ex-
posture would not invalidate his title to the
Presidential chair, as this had been settled
and declared by commission constituted
under a solemn act of congress.
Vice President Wheeler having returned
from New York this morning, called upon
the President, and having subsequently been
asked what the President said regarding the
pending proceedings in the house, replied
1.-THE President did not even allude to the
subject. My visit was on other and entirely
different business.
A DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.
A caucus of the Democratic members oil
the house was held this evening Immediately
after the adjournment. The first question
was the senate's concurrent resolution pro-
posing the tenth of June as the time for clos
ing the present session. The house has post
poned its consideration until the fifteenth
Ito morrow. Representative Wood moved
that its consideration be further postponed
till the fifth of June. This was disagreed to-
and on motion of Representative Franklin
Its postponement was extended to the twenty
ninth of the present month. During the de
bate it was claimed that the present Estate Of
public business would not permit a day to be-
fixed for adjournment, the house should hold
this power In its own hands. In addition Il
the proposed investigation into the election
frauds, some of the general appropriation bills
and tariff and Pacific railroad bills were to be
til ~ klor
ness. Representative Wright briefly pressed
the importance of including in the list his la
bor-relief bill, there being many thou
sands of almost starving mechan
| les and laborers. The resolution
| offered yesterday by Representative Potter
| to investigate the alleged frauds in Florida
and Louisiana was taken up. Representative
| Wilson offered resolution allowing repre-
sentatives to offer an amendment to the reso
luton, but this, after debate was rejected
| Representative Young made a motion de
| claring that the Potter resolution was not in
| tended to disturb the title of President Hayes
| Representative Harrison was the only mem
| Der who seconded it in brief speech. Dur
| ing the interchange of views, it was held tina
such a declaration was unnecessary, as tn
| preamble to the resolution clearly and dis
tinctly set forth the object of the propose,
investigation to be the vindication of tn
honor of the nation, and that the truth as
such elections shall be made known; and be
sides, the committee, under the resolution
had no power to disturb the position of tn
President; and furthermore, the general ser
timent of the Democrats was to confne tb
| investigation strictly to the question @
| frauds, without bringing the Presider
into the discussion. In view of thes
statements, the motion was ne
acted on by the caucus, whic