Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-12-12
SENATORS IN CAUCUS
Senators Reaf>ange the
Membership of the Committees.
Ednunds Resigns the Presidency Oh
the Body---Bliis introduced ia
the House, Capital City
News Items.

WASHINGTON CITY, Dec 1.-THE caucus
of Republican senators was well attended,
Senator Malone being present. The report
Of the caucus committee upon membership
,Sf senate committee was adopted. The fol-
lowing are changes in chairmanshipS OF a
majority of the committees:
On foreign relations, Senator Miller OF
California vice Window; manufactures,
Senator Riddleberger, vice Conger; agricul-
ture, Senator Miller, of New York, vice
Malone: postoffices and postroads, Senator
Hill, vice Ferry; pensions, Senator
Wilson, vice Hill; revision OF laws,
Senator Conger, vice Miller OF
California; improvement OF MISSISSIPPI
river. Senator Van Wycke, vice Mitchell;
Transportation routes to the seaboard, Sena-
tor Aldrich, vice Harrison; to examine
branches of the civil service, Senator Cullam,
vice Sawyer; Nicaragua claims, Senator
Maxey, vice Davis, of West Virginia; public
building and grounds, Senator Malone, vice
Rollins; revolutionary claims, Senator Jones,
of Florida, vice Johnston.
Senators Sherman and Wilson were placed
on the committee of foreign relations. Sena-
tor Miller. of New York, fills the vacancy on
finance, and Senator Frye holds the fourth
place on the commerce committee. Inc re-
manning changes were uuimportant.
Senator Edmunds, who was not present,
sent the following letter, which was read:
To NV Republican Brethren of the Senate
GENTLEMEN: At the close of the last session,
when large number of Republican senator's
elect had no voice in the selection OF preSl-
dent pro tenn, and when none OF those then
in Office reelected could be chosen for the
place, you did me the great honor to place
me in that office. l felt that had your
H. Ionr, aC
another senator would have been your
choice as he would mine. The difficulties
then existing are now removed. gladly
hasten to return to your hands the unemoar-
raised disposition of the trust the senate I'M
posed on me, and invite you to proceed to
senate With grateful thanks for the un-
sought proof of confidence shown in me, and
of which wish to be relieved, l am faith
fully. YOURS. GEORGE F. EDMUNDs.
The caucus postponed action on the letter
for the reason that Senator Anthony has
not been sworn in for the present term, but
informally determined when the time of
action was reached Senator Anthony should
receive the nomination of the caucus for the
presidency of the senate. A motive was
carried to consider the question of electing
officers of the senate caucus on Thursday.
At the caucus of the Democratic senator's
the minority chairrnanships were fixed as FOL
lows: Private land claims, Bayard; en-
crossed bills, Salisbury; epidemic diseases,
Harris; revolutionary claims, Jones, of
Florida: Nicaragua claims Maxey;
Additional accommodations for the library,
VOORHEES, Jones takes the place OF Barrow on
elections; Vance and Brown succeed johnson
and Call on foreign affairs; and Call takes the
place of Davis, of West Virginia, on finance.
The other changes are unimportant.
Amongst the bills introduced in the house
was Que by Mr. Oates, repeating the pre-
emption laws and amending the homestead
laws, and another by Dunn, declaring the
forfeited lands granted to the following COM
panies and to the states in aid
of such companies; The Gulf & Ship
Island, Alabama & Florida, Coosa &
Tennessee, Mobile, Alabama, Girard, Coosa
& Chattanooga, Alabama & Chattanooga,
Pensacola & Georgia, North Louisiana &
Texas New Orleans Baton Rouge & Vicks-
burg, st. Louis & Iron Mountain, Kougton
& Ontongon, North Wisconsin, Wisconsin
Central, St Paul & Pacific (St. Vincent ex-
tension and Brainerd branch), Hastings &
Dakota, Oregon Central, and Texas Pacific