Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-03-23


mac Of the committee of the last session, was
to-day authorized by Chairman Wallace to
appoint clerk and other officers
The report of the board of inquiry in the
clse of General Fitz John Porter has been
sent by the secretary of war to the President.
SITTING BULL GETTING UGLY.
The war department has ordered the
Eighteenth infantry from Atlanta to Bis
marcz 10 protect the border, which Is threat
ened by Sitting Bull. Colonel Walsh, COM
handing the Cauadian mounted police.
writes that Sitting-Buli and his two thousand
warriors, well armed and equipped, are
showing a very ugly and insubordinate dis
position.
MEETING OF THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS COM
MITTEEs.
The committees of the house aud senate
Democratic caucus, to make recommenda-
tons concerning the order of business for the
extra session, held a JOINT meeting to-day,
lasting five and halt hours, Senator Thur
man presiding. The first question discussed
was whether the political legislation desired
by the dominant party IN congress should be
effected by the passage OF separate meas
ure, or by the Incorporation of repeating
clauses In the appropriation bills. It was
determined, after some discussion, by vote
of Is yeas against 5 nays (the latter being
two senators and three representatives., that
the latter course would be most expedent,
especially for the reason that 1t seemed likely
to save time, there being a general desire to
finish the necessary business OF the session as
early as possible.
The next question considered was whether
the political portions of the appropriation
bills should now be passed on the same
terms In which they were passed at the last
session, or whether the repealng clauses
in regard to the Federal election laws should
be modlhe so as to repeal only those sections
81. -. r
supervisors and deputy mar halls for elections,
together with the sections CcnterriDg police
powers on supervisors, thus continuing the
authorization Of the appointment OF two
supervisors Of different politics to serve
in testimonial capacity at each poll as
witnesses to the count Of the vote. After an
exhaustive discussion it was decided to re-
commend the adoption of the modified
proposition. The vote was fourteen against
four-tWo senators and two representatives
favoring total repeal.
The Joint meeting then authorized Sena-
tors Thurman, Salisbury, Bailey and ker-
nan, and Representatives Chalmers, SPRING
er, Carlisle and Atkins, to formulate the rr1-
visions in accordance with the decision in re-
gard to the election laws, and also the pro-
visions for the total repeal of the jurors
test oath, and the existing authorization Of
the presence of troops at the polls, for incor-
poration into the legislative, executive and
JUDICIAL anu army appropriation DlllsS TO-
gether with such additional provisions as
they may deem necessary to secure free and
fair elections for representatives and dele
gates to congress. They are also especially
authorized to consider the proprety OF franz
ing a substitute for section 1922 Of the re-
vised statutes, which prescrlbes the penalties
for violations of the election laws.
Mr.. Sprnger's proposition to provide, IN
addition to the repeal OF the law requiring
the presence of troops at the polls, for the
enactment of an existing EDglIsh statute of
George Ill on that subject, was very favora-
bly, received, and the JOINT committee will
probably recommend its adoption. 1t pro-
hibits any soldier stationed within two miles
of the voting place from leaving his quarters
on election day except 10 relieve the guard or
to vote, and requiring him In the latter case
10 return to his quarters Immediately alter
ward.
The joint subcommittee will meet on
Monday, and expects to report to the caucus
committee on Tuesday. The Joint meeting
will also consider whether the legislation OF
the present session should be strictly confined
to the appropriation bills, including the
measures above indicated, or whether gem
eral business should not be transacted by
either house when not engaged on the APP
preparation bills. decided majority ia
vored restriction to the appropriation bills
and the enactment of what is known as the
yellow fever bill.
4 small majority of the house committee
insisted tha- the opportunities for transact
ing general business should be improved,
without, however, prolongilg the session at
| ter the appropriation bills shall have been
disposed of. 1t was finally decided to report
| a disagreement on this subject to the Joint
| caucus, and leave the settlement to a ma ORR
| ty of the Democratic members OF both
| houses.
LIMITING LEGISLATION.
Baltimore Slta: "The hint to congress
! the President throws out In the message to
/ con6ne the business to the necessary appro-
| prIations meets with very cordial response
/ all around. There seems absolutely no dis
position among the members of either party
! 10 plunge into general legislation, and the
! large number OF bills introduced IN the SEN
| ate to-day 10 20 indication to the contrary.
! These bills were referred TO the appropriate
! committees, where, perhaps with the tewest
exceptions, they will sleep TIL next winter.
! 1t Is understood that as matters stand now
! Speaker Randall will make no announcement
| of standing committees until the session IS to
| be terminated, not even the committee on APP
propriations 1t is held to be entirely practical
ble TO reintroduce the two appropriation bills
which failed of passage at its last session,
but which were fully matured, and which dc
not, therefore, need to go through the hands
OF q committee. Of course the Democrats
mean to insist as to the repeal OF the political
legislation which was e1ErGtted on those
bills, but 1t is to be expected that on
tais they will be willing to abate some
thing Leading Democrats of both
houses have Ccncurred In the declaration
that they will be satisfied to reta 4
the provision in the election laws Tor the APP
pointment OF supervisors OF election II the
authority for the appointment OF deputy
ularshals with the power 10 arrest is struch
out There Is reasonable hope that this
, I no
by the Republicans III the two houses, and
+ that at ali events the President would not
} veto the appropriation bill if the repeal i
put into this shape. AS to the repeal of the
Jurors test oath, and the insertion Of the
clause forbldding the presence Of troops a
the polls, 1t Is well understood that :iC
troab.c Is apprehended, as the Republican,
do not care 10 make any bitter fight on thes
two points The house Democratic caucus
will tomorrow. perhaps, definitely settle thj
, programme. Under this condition OF cir
camstances the prospect for an extended ses
sion of congress- IS by no means so alarming
as it has been. However, i Is too soon to b
csttaln.
TEE CASE OF MINISTER SEWARD.
{ The house committee on the judiciar
made a report lust before the adjournment {
: the forty-flth congress, on the conte mpt cas-
OF George +. Seward. the United state
minister to China. Mr.. Seward, as Will b
D remembered, was summoned as a Wltues
before the house committee on expenditure
B in the state department. The committee de
/ ! mandsl the production Of certain books KEEP
. by hr Seward while United States consul
2 general IN China. The committee had evl
= dence to the effect that lEeze books were tn
public records of the consulate, and therefor
, | the property of the government. Mr.. Sew
/ ara c!ained that they were books in whicl
4, he kept his governmental and his priyyat
, transactions, and that he naG returned t
the state department or left in the consulate
all the books of the United States. Mr.
Seward declined to produce the books, am
also declined to be sworn as witness, a
crime was alleged against him, and hi
counsel advised him that he was not obiiget
to produce evidence eliminating himself
The committee therefore reported him t,
the house for contempt, and the lega
questions involved were submitted to tn
committee on the Judiciary. This wa
in the last hours of the session, and a
the power of the house to hold a wit
necs for contempt expired when tn,
| = -