The New York herald., 1879-02-09
CAMPAIGN PLANS.
Defeat of the Indian Transfer Measure
in the House.
ARMY APPROPRIATIONS.
Thirty-four Million Dollars for Ar
rears Of Pensions.
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 8. 1879
MEETING oP DEMOCRATS IN CAUcUs-oBsrRuc-
TIVE AMENDMENTS TO BE ADDED TO APPRo-
PRIATIoN IILLs.
An adjourned cancus Of democratic members OF
Congress was held tonight N .he hall o. the
House Of Representatives. representative Black
burn presiding. There present about
ninety Representatives and eight or ten SEN
Ators. Rules were adopted for the government
Of joint caucuses. At the former meeting the gen.
eral sentiment in favor Of attaching TO one of
the appropriation bills amendment repeating the
test oath required Jurors that they have not
taken up arms against the United States engaged
in insurrection against the same nor given aid and
comfort to the enemy. Tonight the subject
was formally acted upon and committee appointed
to put such amendment in proper form to be at
tached to the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill which.
among other provisions. includes the pay OF
persons connected with the judiciary. The eau
Gus also decided on an amendment repeal
ing the clause of the revised statutes
which provides for the appointment Of federal
supervisors of elections. The committee are also
required to put this amendment in proper form.
Nearly all the democratic members Of the House
Committee Appropriations present
and gave their approval to the proceed
ings of the There entire
unanimity the above measures. The only
point OF difference as to conclusive action
at the present meeting. but i was agreed
that there should be an adj hrned meeting
on Monday night next. when there may be
larger attendance of members. The exact form Of
the amendments will be laid before the caucus for
adoption. Some of those who attended the caucus
say the democrats will insist the amendments
being incorporated in the BILL at the risk os
extra session OF Congress.
ARREARAGEs OF PENSIONS BILL-AMoUNT RE-
- oUIRED TO MEET CLAIMS
The Secretary of the Interior forwarded to-day to
Congress the information desired the subject of
the arrearaGes OF Pensions bll The communication
consisted of letter of transmittal, enclosing
letter from the Commissioner of Pensions.
The Commissioner says that there will be required
to pay the arrears of pensions due in which
had been allowed previous to the date Of the passage
of the the OF sa4. 900 pO0-s 900 of which
will be required for the in the navy
1t is estimated that the round sum
of S2.500,000 will be required to pay the
pensions of the current year, of which
s50,o00 will be required for navy pensions;
S5.000.OO0 may he set down the amount which will
be required for pensions during the fiscal year end
ing June 80 $780, The estimate of ss4,OO0.oOO
is not the result OF actual calculating in all
cases, but averages obtained by calculating
each of the years from ls6s to 1877 inclusive. the
remainder to January l. 1879, being estimated. The
aggregate obtained for invalid is S25 ia 435
for widows cases, ss,75s067; total, $33 $40 5O2.
The balance to make S34.00o.O00 added to
correspond with the arrearages from January l to
the date of the passage of the act As the Commits
soner in making the estimates necessarily inter-
prctcd the act. and his construction subject to
review and approval disapproval, he submits some
observations touching the import and effect of
the and the practice which should be
adopted in the adjustment Of the arrears claimed in
of the classes OF which como
within its provisions, and adds suggestions in
relation to amendments of the act and laws touch
ing the methods of settling claims in the Pension
Office. The Commissioner holds that the OBJ
ject of the act to place nearly
possible upon the footing all
pensions for disabilities which originated during
the war OF the rebellion lie concludes, conse-
quenily that the proviso declaring that arrears in
where claims hled than FIVE
years after discharge and allowed prior TO
January %, 1879. should be computed at the rate
per month which the pensions we're orgi-
nally allowed. is intended simply to facilitate
the settlement Of those arrears without subecting
them to process of reopenng and readjustment
upon uncertain data, and that this Is the only
Gice performed by that provision. so important
are the recommendations deemed that the Com
missioner considers 1t his duty in order
Co avoid complications, to delay the final
adjustment Of all pending claims which within
the provisions of the act, well due pen
soners already the roll until Congress shall have
been informed of the suggestions made and
has had opportunity to act upon
them. Appropriations Of $4,000 for the ad-
ditional clerical force necessary, OF $1,000,
IN add 10 Nv skedf f,,ru
desks, &C.. and of s3 $500 provide the additional
room required commended In conclusion,
the Commissioner calls attention fact that the
system provided by law for the adjustment of
pension claims is pare, and encourages fraudulent
claims. points out that by the arrcarages law the
temptations prevent such claims and the chances
of their largely increased and strongly
urges that the present system be changed. recom
mended In his last three annual reports.
ANOTHER TENSION MEASURE.
The House Committee on Invalid Pensions have
authorized Representative Hewitt TO report to the
House. with favorable recommendation. a bill re-
storing all invalid pensioners who have been
dropped from the rolls on account of resi-
dence during the rebellion. and providing for
the payment OF such pensioners from and after the
passage of the BILL subject TO the United States PEN
sion laws. Tho purpose of the bill is to enable
fIexican war pensioners who residents In the
South during the rebellion TO their pensions
In the same manner they did before the war.
PROPOSED PURCHASE OF THE UTE LANDS.
The President to-day sent to Congress the report OF
tho commission tof which Mr.. Lot NJ. Morrill,. Of
Maine. was memberl appointed under the pro-
visions of the law authorizing negotiations
with the Indians in the state OF Colorado
tor the consolidation of all the Ute bands
into one agency be located the White River or
near that river and for the extnguishment Of their
right TO the southern portion Of their reservation in
That state. The Secretary OF the Interior indorses
the recommendation OF the Commissioners Of Indian
Affairs that the negotiations be ratified. The In.
dams rcnquish their entire right to nearly twelve
millions Of acres Of land. The reservation for
their location will contain about 100000 acres.
The Indians agrco that they Will not obstruct or in
anywise interfere with travel upon any of the high