New-York tribune., 1879-12-12
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

APoLICY OF INACTION ON FINANCE.
CONGRESS GOING ON QUIETLY WITH GENERAL WORK
AND SHOWING A DESIRE TO AVOID FINANCIAL
DISCUSSIONS.
Congress debated pension bill, acted upon
a matter Of appointing messengers for three
Republican Senate committees, and attended
quietly to variety of general work.
The subject Of finance appears to he
avoided. Senator Mcdonald thinks that
nothing will be done in regard to finance at
this session. Senator Morrill, regrets the in
action of his party on this subject. The out
look for action on the Presidents recommended
tions is not favorable Mr.. Shelley, of Ala
bama, is agitating for special Commission
on the negro exodus.
AN HOURS DEBATE ON PENSION CASE.
BILL IN DkHALF or COMMODORE WHITING HAS
TILY REPORTED TO TuR SENATE AN UMPIRE
PARED COMMITTEES "A HEAVY FIRE UPON IT.
IBY TELEGRAPH To TRIBUSE
W.sHIYGroS, Dec. 11.-Au important pension
case was under discussion for an hour in the Sen
ate to-day.
In 1851 Commodore Whiting, when about to start
for duty with the Japan squadron. thrown
from a carnage and permanently disabled. lie has
SINCE then performed some duty of grade lower
than that of his rank but is now completely help
less. His application to the Pension Office for an
invalid pension was refused on the ground that it
did not appear that his disability incurred in
the discharge of his duty. He has memorializcd
former Congresses. and his case has been two or
more times defeated.
The Pensions Committee brought in bill to-day
granting him a pension. Chairman Withers and
Senator ingalls,. of the committee tenaciousy ad-
vocated its passage. The committee seems not TO
have exercised its customary care and sagacity,
however, i'm examining this case, and the members
were unprcparcd TO answer questions uDon some i'm
pOrtant points. The measure opposed by Sena-
tor Cockrell upon the ground of its injustice to
thousands of soldiers aud sailors equally deserving
and equally disabled. who receive only $7 month,
while Commodore Whiting has been in the receipt
of large income from the pay-rolls of the retired
Navy list since 1851 for which he has been able 10
render little no service. Senator Logan and
others opposed it upon the ground would ere
ate precedent which would be followed by appll-
cations from many other officers the retired list.
The bill, il passed. would add $50 per month TO
the Commodorc's income, and would probably be
same rate extending back TO 1851. There is grow
ing impression among Congressman that pensions
have been granted altogether too lavisby. and that
il is time TO stop, though very few of them seem
willing 10 stand up boldly and advocate more prl-
dent policy for the future. This case of Commo-
dore Writings is chiefly important as possible
Further consideration was postponed until next
Monday.
THE IMPUDENCE OF MR.. SHELLEY.
HAVING RENDERED LIFE IN HIS DISTRICT IN
ToLERABLE FOR COLoRED MEN, lie NOW ASKS
CONGRESS TO DO SOMETHING 10 KEEP THEM
THERE.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WAsHrNGToN Dec 1.-The House of Representa-
tves was treated this morning TO specimen of
what some people would call cool impudence.
Representative Shelley introduced the following
preamble and resolution:
whereas Large pumber or citizens OF certain States
Of the Union have been induced through the false repre-
senatons Of certain persons 10 leave their homes Tor
tie purpose Of emigrating TO certain States and,
ThsreGs said persons emigrating have iailed for
wants OF reach their destination, and have be-
come charge upon the several communities "hefe tney
have been compelled TO stop In their journey, being
without food or proper clothing in many instances;
Resolved That a special committee OF nNe De ap-
pointed investigate the causes OF such emigration
and 20 report such measures to TINS onse as VIII aI1f @
such have leave to sit during the recess, and
employ stenoerapher; the expenses Of saia commit,
tee paid of the contingent fund OF the House
on vouchers filed by the chairman thereon.
III committee ls raised under this resolution, one
of the very first witnesses called to testifyas to
tie causes" of the colored emigration ought 10 be
Representative Shelley himself lie represents the
Iyth Alabama District. which has registered
white vote of about 1000. and registered coored
vote Of about 23, 900. The returns Of election by
virtue of which Mr.. Shelley holds his seat in Con-
eress showed Democratic vote OF o,514 and
Republican vote of 0,5i5, OF a total vote not ex-
ceeding half the number OF registered voters. Mr..
Shelleys Republican competitor AYERS IN petition
on ile with the House Committee on Elections that
gross frauds and intimidation of coored voters
were practised by Mr.. Shelley and his political
friends in that election
Trustworthy information has been received in-
dicating there will soon he a large emigration of
cOlored people from Mr.. Shclley's district. The
reasons given by the intending emigrants are that
they are deprived of their political rights by Mr.
Shelley and that they don't receive fair play IN
other respects. The emigration viii be so large as
10 cripple the planters.
Congressman can be elected without the negro
vote; but the number of Southern Democratic
Congressmen must decrease unless the coored
voers and their families remain to swell the census
returns Nor can cotton be raised without negro
muscle Therefore Mr. Shelley and his State supre-
macy friends bescech the House OF Representatives
10 do something to prevent movement which it
has 40 more power TO interfere with than 1t has to
step the ebb and flow of the tides.
AIARGER SUPREME COURT
Mr. MANNING, WHO CANNOT FORGET THE DECISION
OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION, HAS BILL IN
HAND To REoRGANIZE TIE SUPREME COURT
COMPLETELY.
(BY TELEGRAPH TIE TRrBusE1
WASHINGTON, Dec. .11.-RcpresentatiyeM MaDnng,
of Mississippi informed n TRIBUNE correspondent
today that soon after the holiday recess he shall
..t.,oa "a hill to nroV ide for a IeOrganlZatlOn OF