Morning journal and courier., 1881-12-03
News by Telegraph FROM ALL QUARTERS. THE NATIONAL CAPITAL. HISCOCK LOSING GROUND In the Contest for the
 Speakership. SLIGHT GAINS MADE BY KElFER. The Caucus Appointed for
 this Noon. PORTER DONE WITH 6UITEAU. The Assassin Showing Signs
 of Sickness.
SLIGHT GAINS MADE BY KEEPER.
PORTER DONE WITH GUlTEAU.

Vh0 Sp04kefSh1p-E11SCUC AOS1hS rEOuhU
 The Pennsylvania Delegation Divid-
 ed in Their Preferences-Don Cameron < for KeIfer-The Duties of Bank Direc-
 tors.
 WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-The Republican caucus meets tomorrow at 12 o'clock noon in the hall of the House of Representatives, when the question as to who will be the next Speaker will be settled. The only develop ment during the day is that the fight is fast settling down between the Stalwarts and anti Stalwarts Keller leading the former and Hiscoek and Kasson being the candidates of the latter. It is openly admitted by His cocks friends that he has lost ground during the day and it is plain to see that the oppo- s1tion of Conkling and the presumed prefer ence of the President for Keller have operat- ed against Hiscock and of course favor Keller. The election of the Pennsylvania delegation, which held an angry session of three hours this evening without coming to decision, is regarded as blow to Riscock' s chances. In this meeting it was announced by authority that Don Cameron favored Keller and would expect the delegation to support him. This led to heated debate and it is understood that Campbell and Byene spoke violently against such action. This delegation holds the key to the situation, and if it votes solid, as is now improbable, will elect whoever it supports. To offset Keller it is stated on good authority that the anti-Stalwarts from New York will unite on Kasson when it is found that Hiscock cannot be elected. Kasson is believed to possess more strength in the West than Hiscock, hence the combination. As matters stand, it appears that Hiscock will develop more strength on the first ballot than any. other candidate. Dunnell and Orth are considered out of the contest. After the first ballot Keller will gain and it is then more than probable that the fight will be between him and Hiscock. This combination if success contemplates making Keller of Pennsylvania clerk. At meeting of southern Republi- cans held late tonight nine out of ten deci- ded to vote for Keifer. The odd one is for Hiscock. This of course adds largely to Keifer's chances, which were formerly large ly in his favor.
 A portion of the Comptroller of the Currencys re- port is given to the press tonight This deals with the question of the duties of bank directors and ainers on the use of cheeks and drafts in bus- As to the system of the country regarding the
 duties of national bank directors he begins by saying bank of Newark makes study of the question espe cialy important just now. After quoting the law he
 they are responsible for the safety of funds commit ted to their If shown that any of them had tice of illegal transactions it is serious question whether they are not legally bound to make good any loss which may occur, and it is question whether from neglect of duty without notice. If this is not just and proper of the present law, then it becomes question for the consideration of Congress whether additional legislation this sub ject is not required. Directors elected the purpose of managing the affairs The bank examiner can have but limited knowledge of the character and habits of those employed in the bank If the teller is making false entries and daily abstraction of funds of the bank if the bookkeeper is keep ing false accounts and rendering untrue statements if the cashier is placing forged paper among the bills ting paper to distant places where is purported be payable. it is not possible for an examiner in day two to unravel the evil work which may have tnued for months and obtain correct balance sheet thorough analyzing and scrutiny of ev- erythiug would require one or two weeks : and if fraud were suspected 1t might continue months without entirely aats- factory results. Examinations should be made peri board. The small compensation provided by Con does not contemplate yearly auditing of all the clearly inadequate for such work. The report of the examiner is confidential and for the of the Comp tro1er's office only and in certificate of the tai of bank has been found to be impaired and the deficiency has been made good without the knowl- been obliged to pass their usual dividends using their earnings to nquidate all bad and doubtful debts Hundreds of instances have occurred and many are occurring daily wherein banks under the reports the examiner notified of violations of the act and are brought under the discipline of law These dis asters do not show weakness in the bank system but rather weakness in human nature. It is scarcely be expected robber forger is placed in control of all it's assets national bank be saved from disaster by the occasional visits of examiner. Some additional legislation will be required There is not much necessity for additional restrictions there is increased upon the part of ers increased diligence and sasacty the part of directors and others who in charge of great trusts. The Comptroller gives very Interesting facts gathered regarding the use of bank cheeks, tunI handling of money showing that the percentage checks is far in of the actual handling money. There are in this country 6,796 banks and bankers and the number of checks and drafts in daily by people is far greater than anywhere else in the world.