Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-09
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.

reading of the journal, the oath was ad-
ministered to Jones, of Arkansas (re-
eIected), Dubois, of Iowa, and Call, of
Florida.
The papers in the matter of the cre-
| dentials of Davidson, the claimant for
| Calls seat, were referred to the commit
tee on privileges and elections with in
structions to report at an early day.
Like reference was made of the papers
in the case of Claggett, claiming the
seat OF Dubois. The senate then took a
recess till p. m.
Another recess was taken to O'Clock.
after the appointment of Sherman and
Barnes as committee to join the house
committee in the visit to the president.
At 500 the senate adjourned until
tomorrow.
WHY HoAR DID NOT VOTE.
Sherman Hoar of Massachusetts, when
asked why he did not vote for speaker
on roll call today, said: 'Last fall /
stated that in the coming contest for the
speakership would vote for no candi-
date who would not promise to use his
influence, If elected speaker, against the
consideration of bad financial legisla-
ton and the extension of silver coinage.
When Crisp became the candi-
date of the party I sent to him
and asked him to give me this
promise, which he declined to do There
was then nothing left for me to do but
refrain from voting for him. In my
judgment, however, he will do exactly
what he refused to promise to do,
namely, use his influence as speaker
against the consideration of measures
looking to the extension of the coinage
of silver. feel fairly sure that such
will be his action, but as could not get
his promise, be could not get my VOTE"
VACANCIES IN SENATE COMMITTEES.
The Republican senate caucus ap-
pointed committee to reorganize the
committees. The committee assumes
task of greater magnitude than usual
in such cases. Serious inroads have
been made by the death, resignation
and failure of election in the ranks of
the senate, as it stood at the close of the
fifty-frst congress. In forty-two stand
ing and thirteen selected committees,
there are not less than seventy-two
vacancies, including elk chairmanships
in the list of standing committees, and
one in the list of selected committees.
The committee on finance retains every
one of its thirteen members, while
Senator Sherman's committee on for
eign relations has lost five of its nine
senators. The committees on judiciary,
education and labor and District of
cluding the chairman. Other commit
tees have been depleted in like manner.
CONTESTED HOUSE ELECTIONS.
When the house committee on elec-
tions is appointed and proceeds to con-
slider the con tested election cases which
will. come before it for the first time, it
will have as a basis a digest of the
reports, testimony and legal questions
relative to the elections which came be-
fore the previous congress. This digest
is intended by Clerk Rowell to assist the
members in reaching an impartial con-
applicable to any election contest.
RECIPROCITY WITH GERMANY.
While it is impossible to obtain Fan
official acknowledgment to that effect,
it is known that commercial conven-
ton, under the reciprocity clause of the
Mckinley act, has been practically con-
cluded between Germany and the
United States, and that the president
will soon issue proclamation announc-
ing the fact. The convention contem-
plates sthe free importation of Ger
many's sugar into the United States
and reduction OF duty on American
cereals imported into Germany from
to 31a marks.
PACIFIC COAST SHIPPING.
TIE census bureau today issued bull
letin on the subject of transportation by
water OH the Pacific coast, considered as
an industry. The information furnished
relates to the business of transportation
by water as carried on in 1889 by all
craft over five tons registered in the
ports of California, Oregon and Washing
ton. Information is given in detail in
fifteen tables, from which the following
summary is drawn: Total craft, 1912;
value, $23 ,OS7 ,37O; freight movement by
ton, 8,Sl8, 1863 gross earnings. $2S $685.
316; expenses, $l7 ,274 300.
WASHINGTON NOTES.
Secretary Fosters case showed de-
cided improvement this morning.
The cabinet met this morning as u.s.
ual, but the session was short one.
The state, war and treasury departments
were not represented.
The Democratic senators at caucus
this morning unanimously reelected
Senator German chairman and Senator
Faulkner secretary Of the caucus for the
ensuing term Of congress.
The executive committee of the na-
tional Democratic committee has decid-
ed to call meeting of the national
committee at the Arlington hotel,
Washington, d. c., January 81, 1892, to
decide upon the time and place for hold
ing the Democratic national convention.
The senate Republican caucus COM
mittee which is charged with the re-
arrangement of the senate committees,
held short meeting today, at which it
was agreed that efforts should be made
to learn the individual wishes of the
Republican senators upon the question
of their assignment.
British commissioners from the West
Indies were in conference with Secretary
Blaine several hours today, with view
to the establishment of reciprocal trade
relations with the United States. 1t is
understood considerable progress was
made toward an agreement for CONNER
cial reciprocity.
The departure of the Atlanta for her
new station in South Atlantic waters,
will be delayed a few days, by reason of
q change of commander. An order was
issued today relieving Captain Phillip
from the command of the vessel, and
ordered Captain Higginson to that duty.