Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-24
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
COMBINATIONS BY THE SENATE,
HOUSE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
ADJOURNMENT TILL JANUARY 5th
The Senate.

Mltmn ten minutes the Senate had disposed OF
Sucn little morning business offered-consstincr
or petltlonS etc. The chair then laid before the
senate the calendar OF bills unobJected to- but on
@ @nolion OF MI Morrill, without further business,
Iue oeaate, at l2lO, went into executive session.
ADJOURNED OVER THE HOLIDAYS.
The doors were reopened at 1875. The chair an
nounced the signature to the concurrent resolution
providing Tor holiday recess from December oath
to January 5th.
On motion of Senator Allison the Senate, at 1888,
ADJOURNED until January 5th, 1885.
Combinations by the Senate.
The Senate in executive session to-day confirmed
the nomination OF VIM. H. Pilkenton, OF Kansas, to
be receiver OF public moneys at Wakeeny, Kansas,
ana or John Claghorn jr. OF Colorano to be regis
ter OF the land Office at Del Norte Colorado.
House of Representatives.
There were about fifty members present when
Speaker Carlisle called the House to order this
morning.
Mr. Moulton Only desired leave to withdraw Ger.
tain private papers from the files OF the House. but
the speaker stated that he mad been advised that
IN the absence OF a quorum objection would be
maze TO any business being transacted, and de-
clined 10 recognize the gentleman.
Mr Randall, OF Pennsylvania, called up the ad-
lournment resolution, and moved concurrence In
the senate amendment which provides that the
recess shall begin today wednesday, and last
until January 5th. 1885.
Mr. Beach, of New York. wished to debate the
proposition, but the Speaker ruled that it was not
oeoaVaoie, ana the motion was agreed 10.
COAAlTTEE ASSIGNMENTS.
The Speaker announced the following committee
assignments: Electons-Mr. Smith, Of Iowa. Mill
tary afrairs-Mr. Connolly. Public lands-Mr
Campbell, OF Ohio. Territories-Mr. Hill Educa-
ton and Labor-Mr. O'Ferrall. Revision of Laws
nf Mr Garrison T ,p Expenditures in Treasury depart
meht-Mr wallace. Printing-Mr. BrattOn. Pen
slohs, bounty and back pay-Mr. Wallace Alcoholic
liquor traffic-Mr English.
ADJOURNMENT TILL JANUARY 5TH.
The House then, at 12:a5. motion of Mr.. Ran
dali, adjourned until January 5th, 1885.
Capitol Topics.
THE RIVER AND HARBoK APPROPRIATION BILL.
The members OF the committee on rivers and
harbors, who will remain here during the holiday
recess, have been authorized by the full committee
TO continue consideration OF the appropriation bill
Tor rivers and harbors, that it may be reported
to the House after the reassembling of Con-
be completed by January 18th, and that ft will
amount to about Sl0000,OO0. No consideration has
YET been given to the proposed appropriation for
STEEL GUNS.
The joint commission OF Congress- appointed at
the close OF the last session to visit various cities
and take testimony relative to the manufacture of
steel guns lor the use OF the government, has not
yet begun the preparation OF report. A member
OF tne house or Representatives, who was a men,
Der OF the commission, says that in all probability
no report Will be made. At no meeting OF the COM
mission, he says, was quorum present The in
'rmation obtained, while valuable. was NOT suffi
clent, he thinks, to enable the Senators and Rep
resentatVeS TO form such an opinion as the i'm
portance of the subject demands
HOW SENATORIAL DIGNITY RELAxEs BEHIND CLOSED
DOORS.
Oh motion OF MI. Morrill, the Senate went into
executive session almost Immediately after the
reading Of the journal to-day. There was nothing
to do except walt for report of the action OF the
House ON the recess resolution. 1t seems that the
Senators prefer to have the doors closed when idle
Ia fhop n
then relax the strain OF dignity their position puts
upon them, without Subiecting themselves to the
gaze OF the outside world With feet reared upon
opposite desks. some smoke, Others snooze on the
sofas, some tell funny stores, and upon the whole
1t Is said that, with the doors closed upon them and
nothing to do, Senators disport themselves much
as ordinary mortals do under similar circum-
stances.
Secretary Pruden reached the Senate this after
noon Just after it had adjourned with a large
batch of nomin ations from the President
Mr.. Randall's Southern Trip.
REASONS SAID TO HAVE INFLUENCED HIM-TALK OF
Plight TO BE MADE UPON HIM By TARIFF RE-
FoRMERs-THE COAL AND IRON INTERESTS IN THE
SOUTH.
One OF Speaker Carlise's friends, speaking with
a STAR reporter to-day, said he did not think Mr.
Randall's southern trip was move towards the
speaSership of the next House, and that he did not
think he would be a candidate.
"The object of his visit is, think, to strengthen
those who hold his opin ion with regard to tariff
and inc ncidentaly to test his strength. He has re-
ce1ved many Invitations from his southern ad-
mirers, and through these motives is led to ac-
cept"
Another reason given for the trip is that there is
movement on foot, led by Mr.. Morrison. to throw
the pennsylvania overheard. 1t is stated that
some OF MI. Carlisles supporters have concluded
that II the Kentuckian is reelected to the speaker
ship, Randall shall not be again put in a position
leader and in fha nj
tion he Will not be retained as chairman of the
appropriate committee. nor will he be put on
either Oh the three leading committees. Knowl-
edge OF this fight which viii be made against him,
1t is said, has had something to do with his ac-
cepting the invitation to the south at this time.
1t Is not claimed that Mr. Randall has really de-
termtned to enter the speakership contest, and in
view OF the fact that he d1SclamS any such mo-
tive no one would assert It, but that he desires to
test his strength and strongly entrench himself in
case open war should be made upon him. But his
friends believe that If when the time comes the
Carlisle men are determined TO fight him, he will
enter the held and give them a stubborn resist
ance, and with no Insignificant support.
the SToR If # they aSSea py
termined to return Mr. Randall, said that he did
not believe any one had come to such conclusion
this early in the game; that the organization of the
committee would depend upon the spirit OF the
next House.
Aside from any political motives there is sufficient
reason Tor the PennsylvananS to take the proposed
trip. A number OF members OF Congress and capt.
talsts areinvesting large of money In the iron
anu COdl lauuS III tennessee ana AiaOana, ana are
preparing 70 open up the mining industry of that
region The coal and iron lie in parallel ridges
few miles apars, passing through Alabama, Ten
nessee, Kentucky and into Virginia, and in Alaba-
ma and Tennessee 1t is said to be the best In the
world. Northern men are at work at Birmingham,
and the English and TennesSeeans are working out
the iron at South Plttsburg and the furnaces In
Tennessee. Representative Mcmillan and his
brother have bought 10000 acres OF coal and iron
lands in that region since the adjournment last SeS-
sion. For year they have been getting out iron
below the lowest price 1t can be brought here from
Europe, and they are sending pig iron to PitIsourg
and Philadelphia cheaper than they can work It
out there.
For several years past the river and harbor bill
has made appropriations to remove distractions In
the Tennessee river This year the last appropria-
ton, $500 900, will be made. When the work is
completed there will be waterway open all the
year round from the iron furnaces OF the south to
Cincinnati, St Louis, Louisville, Pittsburg and
Philadelphia Southern members say that when
this is open the Pennsylvania furnaces will have
shut down, as the southern furnaces can undorselI
any furnace In the world, and the question of pro-
lection does not enter into their calculations The
fact that the opening OF the Tennessee meant SO
much TO the northern iron workers has been kept
secret up to this time. This will sufficiently &C
count for Mr. Randalrs trip.
Congressman Duncan's Successor
Elected
An election was held yesterday in the nineteenth
congressional district OF Pennsylvania to hll the
vacancy caused by the death Of Hon. w. A. Dun
can, and resulted In the election OF Dr.. John A.
majority OF $500 over DR.. C. A. BreSser, republl
can