The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-12-07
WASHINGTON.
Rumors Concerning she Committees.

Rumors Concerning she Committees.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-The air is full of ru-
mors regarding the appointment of members
OF various House committees. No definite
statements are given, by those most intimately
associated with the new speaker. They assert
that they know nothing of his intentions and
that he has made no promises. 1t is generally
conceded BY the BumUcratfU members of -tizo-
House that Mr.. Morrison of Illinois will be
given the craftsmanship of the ways and means
and Mr.. Randall that of the appropriations
committees As associates on the ways and
means are mentioned Messrs. Hewitt of New
York, Randolph Tucker OF Virginia, Curtin
of Pennsylvania, Geddes of Ohio, Herbert of
Alabama, Seymour of Connecticut, Maybufy of
Michigan, Cox of New York, or Hurd of Ohio,
Democrats, and Kelleysof Pennsylvania, Kas-
son of Iowa. and Haskell of Kansas, Republi-
cans.
The Democratic members do not unanimous
ly favor Morrison selection for the ways and
means Craftsmanship, the ground of the oppos-
tion being as expressed by protectionist, that
his appointment closely following Mr.. Car
isles election to the speakership would pre-
cipitate the tariff issue for 1884, "apd," added
the gentleman, sit is not the province of the
speaker, nor for that matterEof Congress either,
to force political issues uponShe country.
The opinion is expressed that the committee
upon elections will be appointed at an early
date, possibly the first of next week while the
others will not be announced until short
time prior to adjournment for the holidays.
For the chairmanshiD of the committee on
elections Mr.. Cobb of Indiana and T. III. Da-
Wis of Missouri are mentioned.
Mr.. Reagan of Texas, is spoken of for the
committee on commerce; Perry Belmont of
New York, is also mentioned in connection
with the Craftsmanship of the same committee
if he does not get the committee on foreign af-
fairs Mr.. Cox of New York, is considered as
probable chairman of the latter committee
The name of Leopold Morse of Massach usetts
is oftenest heard in connection with the naval
craftsmanship and Mr.. Buckuer of Missouri
who was chairman of the committee on bank
ing and currency when the Democrats last had
control of the House, is mentioned for the
same position again and Mr.. Hatch also of
Missouri is spoken of as likely to be chairman
of the committee on agriculture. Mr.. Tucker
of Virginia, because of his long service in the
House it is believed will be given the judiciary
committee, though the friends of Mr.. Hurd of
Ohio, say he will be made chairman. Speaker
Carlisle is diligently keeping his own counsel
in respect to his purposes.
Democratic Senatorial Caucus.
The Democratic Senators had caucus this
morning, Senator Pendleton, presiding, to ar
range the party's membership of committees
No other subject was discussed. Some feeling
was displayed in respect to the habit of older
members OF the Senate securing a majority of
the important places on the committees to the
exclusion of younger members. A resolution
which shall arrange the minority membership
of the committees of the Senate and report act
ion at the next caucus.
Special WI ssages from the President.
1t was learned at the White House to-day
that the President will make the Mississippi
River improvements, the Hennepin Canal and
other public works the subject of special mes
sages to Congress. Reference tc these sub
jects was omitted from the regular message
with the view of treating them more in detail
in supplemental communications.
A Proposed Amendment to the Constitu-
item.
At the first opportunity, Representative
Mackey. of South Carolina, will offer a joint
resolution for an amendment to the Constitu-
ton, as follows: Section L. The rights, privi-
leges and immunities of all citizens of the Uni
ted States are hereby declared to be the same,
and all citizens are alike entitled to the pro-
lection of the United Stairs: and such rights
privileges and immunities, except as punish
ment for crime whereof the party shall have
been duly convicted, shall not be denied or
or abridged by the United States or by any
State, person or corporation.
"Section 2. The Congress shall have power to
enforce this article by appropriate legisla-
tion.'
Governor RobiasOn Notified of His EIec-
tion.
The Adiutant General of Massachusetts, an
peared at the Riggs House in full uniform to-
night and officially notified George D. Robin
son of his election as Governor of Msssachu-
sets. This is the first official notification that
the Governor-elect received; he said however,
that he had not expected to be notified till the
official returns had been received. The ap-
pearance of the officer in uniform caused sur
prise at the hotel. Mr.. Robinson says that
there was no incident connected with the noti-
fication given him of his election by Adjutant
General Dalton. The only person present in
the room besides Mr.. Robinson was Congress
man Whiting of the Holyoke district
The Adjutant General was sent by Gov. But
Ter to present to him the certificate of his cleo
tion as Governor of the Commonwealth. He
brought also certificate which gave him the
authority to present the notification. He pre-
sented the compliments of the Governor, who
wished Mr.. Robinson to know that the records
OF the State are open to him If he desires to
have access to Them for any purpose The rea-
son for the delay in the notification was that
the official count as to some of the minor local
officers had not been completed.
Carriage of Foreign Mails.
In the Senate Mr. Frye presented bill au-
thorizing the Postmaster General to contract
for the carrying of the mails in ocean steam
ships of American register, the gross amount
to be paid for such service in year not to ex-
ceed $15 5,0000 600; and providing that draw
back equal to the amount of the duty be al
lowed on all foreign materials imported for
and used in the construction or repair of Amer.
ican vessels.
Scramble for Miner Offices.
The scramble for subordinate places in the
House is becoming more desperate hourly.
Few appointments have yet been made, and
they are good ones. Neil s. Brown, Jr, of
Tennessee, has been reappointed as one of the
reading clerks, and Mr.. Ancona, of Pennsyl-
vania, as stationery clerks. Thomas o.
TowleS OF Missouri, who has been printing
clerk for several years, will be promoted to-
morrow to chief clerk, taking. the place of
John Bailey, who has held the place ever since
the retirement of Clinton Lloyd.
Edward MCPHERSON retired yesterday-the |
twentieth anniversary of the day on which he |
first assumed the office of clerk. At the ex- i
piration of twelve gears service he gave way |
to Democrat. His entire service, covering a
period OF fourteen years, exceeded by three
years that OF any OF his predecessors, none of
whom surpassed, il any equalled, him in ef-
hciency. He retires from the office with the
good will, reepect and esteem of political
friends and opponents alike. His successor
was besieged today, and his Office was closed
to all comers except Representatives and their
friends. One of his callers was Mr. Randall
who besought him to give place to friend,
1t was rather novel experience, Doubtless
for the ex-speaker, whose nod was long time
sufficient to provide places for his followers.
Mr.. Welborn, Colonel Morrison Morrison and
other Congressman were seated in the room,
each patiently waiting for his turn.
miscellaneous.
The tenth annual reunion of tho National
Association of Mexican war veterans began
yesterday.
Desperate Attempt to Commit Suicide.
CINCINNATI, o., Dec. GA. G. Ayres, local
ticket agent of the Cincinnati Northern Rail-
road, who was arrested last night for embezzle-
ment made. a most desperate attempt this
morning in the Central station house to COM
a rxyrtc% uxytfb hrnk m