Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-13
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
THE LATEST CABINET CHANCES.
Postmaster General James Re-
signs-mississIppi River Improve
ment-The Revision of the Tariff
The Garfield Expenses.

ment-The Revision of the Tariff
The Garfield Expenses.
WASHINGTON, December 12.--The Repub-
lcan Senators this morning held a caucus
Of very brief duration, at which the report
Of their committee on the subject of revising
the Republican membership on some of the
Senate committees was received, explained
and accepted without controversy. 1t pro-
vides for making Senator Window
Chairman of the Foreign Re-
lations Committee; Senator Miller,
of California, Chairman of the Committee
on Revision Of Laws; and Senator Sswell, of
New jersey, Chairman CT the Committee on
Enrolled Bills. Mr.. Window will also be
placed on the Committee on Patents, Edu-
cation and Labor and Transportation
Routes to the seaboard. No comprehensive
resolution on the subject will be submitted
TO the Senate, but the various changes
will be made from time to time separately.
The caucus also this morning adopted a
resolution, providing for the creation OF a
Senate Committee on the Rights Of Women.
Senator Lapham will be Chairman of this
committee, with Messrs. Anthony, Ferry
and Dawes as the other Republican mem
bers.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
In the Senate, Mr.. Hampton appeared in
his seat for the first time this session.
A communication was received from the
Secretary OF War, transmitting reports rela-
tive to the proposed new building for
Pension Office In Washington. Referred to
! the Committee On Appropriations.
The Chair submitted a memorial from the
| Legislature Of Minnesota for an appropria-
tion for the improvement of the Mississippi
river from st. Anthony's Falls to New
Orleans. The paper was read to
to the special committee on the i'm
| prOvement of the Mississippi, as desired by
/ Mr.. Ccckrell, or to the Committee on Com
merce, as suggested by Mr.. Mcmillan. It
states the importance commercially and in
| point of revenue of the region drained by
/ the Mississippi and its navigable tributaries,
which produces 80 per cent. of the corn,
% per cent. of the wheat, 50 per cent. of the
oats, GA per cent. of the tobacco, n per
cent. of the cotton, and &c per cent. OF the
value OF the live stock of the whole coun-
/ try. Referred to the special committee on
the Mississippi river Improvement.
Bills and petitions were introduced and
referred to appropriate committees as fol-
| lows:
! By Messrs. Edmunds and Hampton-A
/ petition for the abolition Of the tax on bank
/ checks.
By Mr.. Miller, OF California-To ascertain
/ and report the losses to citizens OF Arizona
| from Indian depredations.
By Mr.. SaWYeT-FOr re-establishing the
court of commissions of the Alabama
/ claims, and for the distribution of the un-
appropriated balance OF the Geneva award.
By Mr.. Cameron, Of Pennsylvania-FOr the
relief Of the officers and crew OF the steamer
| Monitor, who participated in action against
the ram Merrimac in 1862.
By Mr.. Harrison-For delivery to the
Society of the Army OF the Cumberland of
| condemned cannon to aid In the erection OF
a statue to the late President Garfield.
By Mr.. JOnas-Authorizing the Secretary
Of War to grant the temporary use OF the
United States Barracks at Baton Rouge to
the ate Institution for the Blind.
By Mr.. Butler-Making an appropriation
for continuing the Improvement of Charles
ton harbor. Also, appropriating portion
of the proceeds of the sale of public lands
to educational purposes.
By Mr.. Morgan (by request)-Granting
the right of way over public lands in Ala
bama, and granting lands IN said State In
aid of the Gulf and Chicago Air Line Rail-
road Company.
Mr.. Pugh submitted a resolution upon
which he said, as it related to a matter of
/
for immediate action. It requests the Presi-
dent 10 communicate to the Ser ate, il not
incompatible with public interests, the in
structiOns sent to our Minister in London in
regard to a modification Of the Clayton
Bulwer treaty. The resolution, as modified
at the suggestion of Mr.. Edmunds so as to
read, elf in his opinion not Incompatible"
| etc, was agreed to without discussion.
| Mr.. Hill, Of Georgia, from the Committee
on Privileges and Elections, reported back
Ger ain memorials from members of the
New York Legislature; affecting the right
of the present Senators of that State TO
occupy seats in the chamber, and asked
that they be tabled and the committee dis
charged from theiI further consideration.
He stated briefly that the committee did not
think any one nor all OF the five reasons
alleged by the memoralists as invalidating
the election were sufficient to justify fur
ther investigation, or did, in fact, invali-
date it.
Mr.. Garland, of Arkansas, moved that the
report lie over under the rule So ordered.
The tariff commission bill was then taken
up and Mr.. Garland proceeded to address
the Senate.
Mr.. Garland took ground against Mr.
Morrill, and in favor of tariff for revenue.
Mr.. Beck, OF Kentucky, followed Mr.
Garland, taking the same line of argument
All the bills on this subject were finally
referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mr.. Pendleton's civil service reform bill
has been taken up and laid over as unfinish-
ed business for tomorrow. The bills and
resolutions Introduced to day numbered
over eighty. After an executive session
the Senate adjourned.
THE GARFIELD EXPENSES.
The bill introduced in the Senate to-day
BY Mr.. Edmunds, to provide for defraYing
the extraordinary expenses incurred In con-
sequence OF the assault upon the late Presi
dent Garfield, authorizes the Secretary of
the Treasury to pay necessary and ressona-
BILE expenses incurred in behalf OF the late
President, provided the aggregate sum does
not exceed one hundred thousand dollars
| WASHINGTON NOTES.
The President to-day accepted the resig-
nation of Assistant Secretary of the Treas
ury Upton, to take effect December 3lst.
The Senate confirmed Frelinghuysen as
Secretary of State unanimously without dis
cussion.
A lady Postmaster was among the nomi-
nations sent in to day.
THE GRIFFIN POST OFFICE.
The nomination of T. W. Thurman, to be
Postmaster at Griffin, Ga, will be sent to
the Senate In a few days.
BLAINE's SUCCESSOR.
The President to-day sent to the Senate
| the nomination of Frederick 7. Frelinghuy-
sen to be Secretary of State,
JAMES RESIGNED.
New YORK, December 10.-Postmaster
| General James, who is In this city, this
morning wrote and forwarded to President
Arthur his official letter of resignation as