The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-03-12
Washington.

Washington.
THE DEMOCRATS AGAIN is CAUCUS--N0 PROPO-
sITION MADE TO CHANGE THE PROGRAMME
THE REPUBLICANS ADHERE TO THEIR DE-
| TERMINATION TO PRESENT no NAMES FOR
POSITIONS on TIE CONMITTEFs--THE AL
LEGGED IRREGULARITIES IN THE WESTERN
! JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF yIRGINIA-JCDGE DA-
| WIS DECLINES THE GUARDIANSHIP OF THE
! JUDICIARY COMMliTEE--DEFEAT or JOHNNY
| DAVENPORT FOR THE NEW YORK P0STMAS-
! OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES AND BRIEF ITEMS.
From our Regular Core pondentI
WASHINGTON, VI lrch 1.-THE Senate gal
| lery was again packed, and every available
seat on the floor and in the reporters gal
| lery was occupied. Those who anticipated
there would be no debate, and that the
Democrats would be permitted to organize
the committees without opposition, must
have seen their mistake when Senator Ed
munds came in, was sworn IN, and occupied
| his seat. The Democrats, it was soon
known. bad been in caucus, and that no
proposition had been made 10 change the
programme agreed upon IN caucus. The
! Republicans, 1t was also known, h1d made
Z
no names for positions on the committees.
When II O'Clock came there were few mem
bers i'm their seals, and the chaplain prayed
70 empty senatorial benches. They were
soon filled, but there Wa, no indication Of
excitement on either side. Senators had
| been detained at caucus.
THE WESTERN JUDICIAL DISTRICT or VIRGINIA.
Before The main business could be reached
Senator Johnston got the floor aud secured
the passage OF a resolution calling on the
Attorney General to furnish the Senate AL
the information his office has recently re-
ceiyed in regard to irregularities in the
Western judicial district Of Virginia. This
Will result in the publication OF Special
Agent Lancastei's vO4uminous report " hlch
| noticed some days AGO.
JUDGE DAVIS DECLINES THE JUDICIARY CHAIR
MANSHIP.
After the Clerk had read the list Of com
mittees which Mr. PendleiOn had moved 10
adopt, Judge Davis rose in his seat with a
manuscript speech in bis hand. When he
declined the Craftsmanship OF the judiciary
Committee rendered him by the Democratic
caucus there was surprise in the galleries,
but Democratic senators knew OF his pur-
pose, and one expressed the opinion to ne
that if it had been known in advance that
he would do SO, the action OF the caucus, in
bis judgment, would have been the same.
Judge Davis announced purpose, how
ever, TO act with :he Democrats IN organ
liZing the Senate. His speech, which eX-
planned his consistent independence OF both
parties. was listened to with profound at
tenlion, and nobody blamed bin fol what
The did. He spoke with evident feeling,
especially when be alluded 20 hi, final re-
tirement from public life at the close OF hi
present senatorial term. Mr.. Conkling SUBJ
SequcntIy made reference 10 his declinatiOn.
and characterized it a. the failure OF the
oYertures OF the Democrats 10 one OF the
independents Of the Senate.
HOW THE. ISSUE WAS JOINED.
Mr.. PendetOn contended that under Rule
IS the Senate could to-day elect by resolu
ton without proceeding to ballot for com
mittees. Mr. Conklng raised the point OF
order that Rule 4G required an election 10y
ballot, aud to elect by resolution required
= its suspension. Tie further argued that be
fore motion could be made to suspend
particular notice Of a day, rs required by
Rule 81, must be given. The Presiden
sustained the point, and Mr.. Pendleton ap
, pealed from his decision THIS elected al
I animated but not an excited debate, whicl
was entirely partisan in its character
: Mes>rs. EdmundS, Ferry, Conkling, Hoar
and other Republican senator's sustained thu
Chair, and Mcssrs. PendlctOn, Bayard, Gar
land, and Hill Of Georgia spoke earnestl.
} in favor OF Mr.. Pendleton's motion. Pend
ing the debate the Senate went into eXecu
tive session.
A SIGNIFICANT SPEECH OF MR. C0NKLING.
Mr.. CoukIing in his first speech declared
with emphasis that the Republicans had
constitutional majority, and that this woulC
be shown when all their senators are il
their seats. Sepator Hill, in reply, alluded
TO this, and remarked that he was not aware
Of the basis of the confidence OF the Senator
from New York, and ii the Senator wa'
correct. he himself had no knowledge thai
the Republicans had a constitutional ma
jorily in the body. Mr.. Conklng's asser
ton was not encouraging to Democrats, anC
created considerable comment and specula
ton.
THE DEFEAT OF JOHNNY DAVENPORT.
There Is general qualification among con
seryatiye Republicans and Democrats Ovel
the defeat OF the notorious johnny Dayen
port for the posimastership OF New York
The stalwarts would have been pleased t
see him rewarded for his vast amount o
crooked work in the last canvass. Ill
friend, claim that while Dorsey e Co. savet
Indiana, il was Johnny who laid the plan
and executed them that carried New Iorl
for Garfield. Mr.. Pearson, who was to-da'
nominated, is said to be the energetic deput.
who made the administration Of POstmaste
James a success.
| Personal NEWS ITEMS.
United States Marshal Lewis was at tn
Senate to-day. He claims that with so eX
tensive a district be could not know O
every dereliclion Of his deputies. He ha'
been sick for long time and unable TO at
tend 10 the active duties OF his office
Wherever deputy was found to be crook
ed he has promptly removed him. Th'
names Of seventeen postmasters were sen
TO the Senate to-day, but none OF then
were for offices south OF the Potomac. DR.