Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-11
RANDALL AND THE RULES
HE SUCCEEDS IN SECURING A
CONFERENCES.

Rumors that He VIII Not Accept the Ap-
preparations Chairmanship ~ the Com
mittee's Powers are Abridged-Gen.
LawtOn at the ORpital-AppoiDtive Of
ficers to be Made Elective II Possible.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-Representa-
tive Randall, finding himself out-num-
bered on the Committee on Rules, has
been trying to have caucus Of the Demo-
cratic members of the House called to
consider the proposed amendments of the
rules. He does not want it called a
caucus" however, for he does not pro-
pose to consider himself bound by it's de-
cision. He wants it called as "cOn-
ference" This is what he called the
caucus on the Morrison tariff bill after he
had determined not to abide by its de-
cision.
NOT TO BE CAUGHT AGAIN.
The majority Of the Democrats Of the
House determined then that they would
never go into caucus or conference with
Mr.. Randall again on any question unless
he promised in advance to submit to the
| decision of the majority. Many of them
therefore have been inclined to refuse to
enter his proposed conference ON the
| rules. There was another reason why the
majority of the Democrats, desirOus as
they are that the rules should be amended,
did not wish to have the proposed amend
ments considered and adopted by Demo-
cratic caucus.
THE REASON OF THE OPPOSITION.
1t was that to place this sanction upon
them would be to make them distinctively
Democratic party measure and so alien
ate the Republican support and enable
Mr.. Randall by a combination with the
Republicans to beat them. Mr.. Randall
| does not like the present situation of at
fairs. In fact it troubles him not little.
1t is reported that if the Appropriations
Committee is deprived OF any of its powers
or prerogatives he will not accept the
| Craftsmanship OF it should it be rendered
him. 1t seems certain that it will not be
rendered to him under any other c0ndi-
| ton.
THE CONFERENCE TO BE HELD.
1t is stated late tonight by the friends
| Of Mr.. Randall that despite the opposition
there will assam informal conference of
| the Democrats of the House tomorrow
night to talk over the proposed amend
ment to the rules with view to an agree
ment. Mr.. Randall, itgseems, is willing
| to make concessions. He win agree, it
is SAID, to the proposed prohibition of
| legislation on appropriation bills, and
also to tina prOposition to give the
| majority ofTr4e House payer 10 say
what shall be considered, but he
will not consent to distribution OF the
| appropriation bills. 1t is sam by his
friends that as the result OF many ooneul-
tations to-1ight, q change has occurred in
the opinions q alaAnR The Democrats In
the majorily AT ti0uIarly among the new
members, and that now there is a dis
position to compromise with Mr.. Randall.
The new members particularly are said
to distrust the Republican support OF the
proposed amendments in the rules.
GEN. LAwToN's PETITION.
Gen. Alexander r. Lawton is here, to
argue before the United States Supreme
Court, the case of the Southwestern rail-
road company, versus the State of
Georgia. Gen. Lyon, who appears with
him for the railroad, and Attorney Gen
eral Anderson, who appears for the State,
is also here.
Gen. Lawton's political disabilities will
be formally removed by Congress at this
session. His petition to this end,
presented in the Senate yesterday,
Will also be presented in
the House, and bill framed by the Ju-
dietary Committee will be passed.
In his petition, Gen. Lawton distinctly
states that his opinion has always been
but that in order to remove all doubt he
makes this formal application for relief
from the alleged burden.
CLIPPING PRESIDENTIAL POWER.
Representative Bayne, of Pennsylvania,
said to-day that he proposed to ofier a
resolution proposing an amendment to
the constitution making POstmasters,
United States District Attorneys, Mar
shals and Collectors elective officers.
Civil service reform will be advanced, he
thinks, by curtailing the number of Presi-
Dental appointments. The idea OF maxi
ing POstmasters elective is regarded fa-
vOrably by many public men, although
when il is mentioned IL is usually sug-
gested that the President Should have
power to annul the election of obviously
Objectionable persons.
CLEvELAND's OMISSIONS,
The Presidents omission OF any refer
ence to the national bankruptcy bill In
his message Is not TO be construed as in
dicating that he does not approve the
bill. He omitted recommendation In its
favor, as he did other recommendations,
simply because there was no room for it.
He realized that his message would be
long one, but thought it inevitable be-
cause Of the necessity OF presenting a
review Of the government at the end Of
tion.
DIRECT TAX SCHEME.
Representative Price, Of Wisconsin,
will offer on Monday, in the House, two
interesting bills. The first provides that,
whereas the direct tax under the levy Of
1861 was only paid in full by the Northern
States, that whatever was paid shall be
repaid out OF the United states Treasury.
The second provides that the income from
national bank taxation shall form fund
for payment 10 depositors OF falling ma
tional banks Of any deficiency after the
distribution OF the assets.
sHERMAN's FoRGETFULNEss.
Senator Sherman said tonight that
Ohio men who had settled in the north
west were writing him and other Repub-
llcan Senators that Commissioner Sparks
OF the land Office, was troubling them
greatly by Withholding the patents for
their holdings. Mr.. sherman said that
the conduct OF Mr.. Sparks would be scru-
tinized carefully when his nomination
came before the Senate for confirmation.
Mr.. Sherman had forgotten that Mr..
sparks was confirmed March 25, last.