Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, December 23, 1880, Page 2

} 1 4 ' \ THE CIICAGO TRIBUNE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1880—TWIELVE PAGES. SS SSS eee ee eee ———E——E———E——————————————ee EEE — ~ WASHINGTON. The House Spends Three Hours Over Tuesday's ‘Indecencies. . Weaver ‘and Sparks Allowed to Make Speeches of. Contrition, Weaver's Apology Evidently Sinoore ; —That of Sparks Less Manly and Satisfaotory, The House, Peeling Itself Impticated in . tho Scrimmage, Drops tho Afuir, Judge ‘Woods Confirmed De- spite the Bourbons—The Ponca Chiefs at the Capital. Springer’s Scheme for Congres sional Representation on the Wlinois Plan of Voting. Coffroth’s Son Acting as a Con- gressman—Six Millions for the Mississippi. Senator Vest. Expunges the Record of His Recent Remarks on Old John Brown. Tho Army Approprintions—Funding Program-— Tho Pulldozers’ Confirmattons— Many Noles. ACT OF CONDONEMENT. GRAND DOURLE PANTENRE EXIUBITION. Spectat Diapateh to The Chicago Tribune, Wasiixetox, D.C, Dee. 22.—The House today camo to a lame and fmpotent con- clusion In its attempt to vindicate its dignity. It not only deetined to expel the offending: members, but It evon defeated, by a larze majority, & proposition to inquire whether ‘any one should bo puntshed for the offense that was committed. ‘Three members—Baw- tian of Massachusetts, MeLane of Mary- fand, and Brown of Indiana—undertook to secure sumo action which should seem to Mniicate what the gentlemen, In their reso- lutions, wore pleased to call the dignity of the House. Bowman proposed the very radical cure of immediate expulsion, Me- Lane, who, on various occasions, has’ put himeelf forward as * THE KEEPER OF THE CONSCIENCE AND THE MANNERS of the Tlouse, suggested n bungling plan, which, In effect, would leave the offenses without punishment, Ho proposed that the Tlouso should pass a resolution requiring Weavor .and Sparks to, apologize. Brown proposed the inevitablo investlgation, to find out, doubtiess, whether or not the House needed vindication, and, If so, how it could ba vindicated, Ile was particularly anxious thot the aifalr should receivo pubileity, a* matter to which the press: of the -coun- try ‘had given more liberal attention than--Brown, in- his speech, contemplated. ‘This Congress has alrentty had several speci- mens of ‘these Investigations to discover whether any of its members has committed dishonorable nets. +e THE LAST ONE related to Mr. Acklen’s manifold curious conduct, and ile whitewashing report is not yet forgotten. Nevertheless, another such investigation was exactly what the House by a large majority decided to move to-day until, by even a larger vote, it declded ‘to wash Its hands of tho whole matter, McLane, _ who persistontly sticks in the bark of techni- callties of all sorts,and who is o sortof a Professor ‘of Decorum, In a rasping way presented his harmless resolution with agrave speech, He simply’ proposed to re- quire the two offenders to do that, which they were quite cager to do, and which they only walled an opportunity to do,—to apologize to the louse while thoy continued to glower ue each other, Bowman was very earnest in MSs 23 EFFORT TO SECURE THEI EXPULSION on account of the acts which he thought had disgraced Congress aut the country, but be aid not convince tho House cithor of tha Bravity of the offense or of the necessity of Bo severe & penalty. is speech, in fact, which was of the sentimental order, served rather to creaty sympathy for those against whom ft was directed, Brown's proposition Was tho most meaningless of all, but, inus- much as it proposed the ensfest solution of the difieulty, postponement without punish- ment, agreat majority, in a spirit of free- masonry and of goott-fellowship, gladly ac- cepted it, ‘They doubtless assumed thnt, so Jong as i ie THE PRESENT STANDARD, OF , CONGRES- SIONAL RTIQUET prevailed, tt might be conventent ta call some ono n Har and i scoundrel, and that it) woulkt. be ‘very’ une wise and -perhaps embarrassing to. es- tablish so grave a. precedent, So, in an irregular way,—for the entire proceedings wire confessedly frregulnr,—the yota was taken upon the resolution of Brown to create a comuilttes to Inqulre whether anything had happened, and, if 80, why, Meanwhilo,there were desperate efforts made by the friends of both parties to prevent the House from coming to a vole on the resolutions, particularly upon the one which provided for expulsion, Old parllumentarians sug- Bested all kinds of technieal.quibbles and pettifagging objections, Harris, of Virgiuta, who hinself was noted for some very belllg- erent demonstrations in the abolition con- tests In the House In’ the ante-belluin days, donied the right of the House to proceed In that inanner, Inasmuch as the words liad not been taken down, SPRINGER, Who sat by tho elde of.and who seemed to ba the frlend and counselor of Sparks, Inslsted that the House, as such, knew nothing abont the who)e matter, far the reason that the scenes occurred In tho Committee of the Whole, and that tho Conunittee had not reported them to the - House, Consequently, the louse hind no oftclul knowledge of them, Speaker Randall swept away these quibbles by declaring that the short-hand writers were sworn officers of the House; that tho pro- ceedings were priuted In the Fecurd, ‘and thatthe House and country knew too well What had happened, Finally the House was BuOUGHT TO A VOTE ON TIlE BKYERAL PRoposiTioNs, the first vote belng taken, In. parlia- mentary order, upon ‘the amendment to the substitute, which was the proposl- tion of Brown, of Indiana, that a com- qnitteo of: Sivestigation be: appointed for tis amendinent ina rising vote, ‘There were @ yeas to 43 nuya, There was no division of party Ines upon the question, ‘Theacceptance of this amendient, of course, caused Une resolutions of Kowmun and of MMeLave to fall, as the Brown resolution was j #Beubstituto for the Dill, But there was a More direct way to smother the whole sub- ject and to avold a yery plain duty. That was to lay the whole matter upon the talie. aA motion was quickly made by the kind- hearted Singleton, of Minols, Meanwhile ‘noti’ weAven AND sranks’ wero permitted to make their apologies, Weaver made his iu a very frank, almple, and sincere way. Ho agreed wilh evers> thing that everybody hind said in denuncia- on of the scenes of yesterday, acknowledged tat they were wrong, unpariiamentary, and unjustifiable, and gladly apologized to’ tho Ifuuse, He left no possibly doubt, however, by his Inngunge, manner, or expression, that It was to tho Mouse he apologized, and not to Mr, Sparks. Sparka, In ku manner, with moro hosltation aud less skill, made, in aubstanee, the same apology, fuitating Weaver tn that he was careful to make tt ap- parent that his apology was to the House, and not to Weaver, Singleton pressed his motion, and itwas carried by’ A LANGE VIVA VOCE VOTE. Desperate efforts were made to prevent a record voto upon the question. Iowever, there were enough who: thought that tho Jlottse ought not to be trifled with to insist upon n vote by yens and nays, which was hud, and the Singleton motion preyatted by a vote of iM yeas to 44 naya,—just ono more than a quorum,—so the great seandul of yes- terday is onded fn THE GREATER FACE OF TO-DAY. ‘The Houav has dechded that it hns no dignity worth vindicating or worth Inquiring about. FROM "THE RECORD.” a To the Western Associated Pres, Wasnrnaton, D. G, Deo, 23.—After prayer by the Chaplaln, the Speaker, as is usual, rected the Clerk to read the journal of yes- terday, whereupon Mr. Bowman rose to 2 question of privilege relative to the disgrace- ful proceedings which had occurred In the Hlouse yesterday. The Speaker said the Chair would prefer the genticman showld wait until the journal should Gave been read, Mr. Bowman galt it was only on this point that he wished the Spenker to rule, AL rule of the Houseatnted that members should not be héld to answer nor be held subject to the censure of tho House for mnything sald in debate, {f further debate on business had intervened. Ne desired to know whether the reading of the journal could be construed as stich intervening business as would shut off further proceedings by the louse for tho gross violation of Its dignity. . THE APEAKER sald the rending of the journal would take from the House none of its privilerc, Immediately after the reading of the jour- nal, Mr, MeLane, asa question affecting the dignity of the House, called attention tu the scene and disorder which took place on the floor yesterday, and which he characterized ng offensive, derogatory, and discreditable to the House as a pariiamentary body. Ue called upon both the offending members, be- fore any business was entered on, to relleve themselves of that offense by ample apology. . NO RESPONSE MAVING BEEN MADE . ¢ by either of tho members immediately con- cerned, Mr. Bowman rose to present what ho called a substantive proposition, Ile spoke of the sctne of yesterday asa erime, and as an Insult offered to the House, to Congress, and to the country. ‘There was not, he sald, & man present who dd not yesterday hang hishead in shame, aud did not regard that scene ns oO personal disgrece; and all over the country and the ‘world meu were readiug this morning of the pot-house brawl, the gambling-house quarrel, and the fight with fists (only prevented by force) that took place yesterday. z Mr. Jarrls, of Virginia, suggested that porkaps both tne offending members were now willing to make apology, and, if ko, they ought to have the opportunity atonce, - ” Mr. Haskelt suggested that other. members had been guilty of conduct eaually worthy of censure, MR, ALANE INSISTED on his question of privilege, and offered a resolution requiring tho two: offending mem bers to apologize to the House, In the course of Mr. MeLane’s remarks, he acknowledged that most of the members present yesterday were partly responsible for tho scene of yes+ terday, ‘ 7 "Lo that remark Mr. F. Wood, of New York, took exception, and said he had interfered in the discisston yesterday and endeavored. toconiine it to the Funding bill. He also characterized the scene as the most shameful exibition that liad ever taken placa on tho floor, Mr. MeLane, without concluding his re- marks, sald he would yield to the gentleman from Iows (Weaver) if he wero now- ready to make an apology, i Mr. Haskell, of Kansas, objected to that proceeding, and declared that, in his opin- fon, the House should rather make an npol- ogy to the country than (having suffered tho adjournment to lake place yesterday with- out action) try to cast off its own, shoulders the obloquy that belonged, there, and to: sin- ele out two members as scapegvots ‘for its sing. - Mr. Rowinan again took the floor, and quoted tho remark of Mr. Fernando Wood na to the charactor -of yesterday's incident, adding that if the two offending members had been boys fighting on the sidewalks THEY WOULD HAVE SPENT THY NIGHT IN "TIE TOMI; and be brought before the Police Court tn the morning. Ife felt that the House should now take action that would bo n warning In the future, He would therefore, he sald, offer o resolution of expulslon,—a punishment whitch would only be commensurate with the of- fense. i After further discussion in tho same vein, and after the reading of an extract from the Congreastonat Itecord covering tha qucation of the offense, Mr, Bownmnn’s resolution was read, declaring that, for gross brench of the privileges, peace, and decorum of tho Iouse, tho two members bo expelled, Mr, Brown moyed ag 9 substitute thata speelal committee ot threo be appointed to report without delay what proceedings should be taken by the Jlouse, . a Messrs, Regan and Converse. {ndleated some orrors Intho report of the Conyresslon- at Record, but thoy were not very material, Mr, Blount suggested that Mr. MoLane’s resolution be modified so that the two mem- bors bo “PERMITTED,” INSTEAD OF .“HEQUINED,” toimake an apology, Mo understood that both gentlemen desired to do so, ‘The reso- lution, by Mr, MceLanv’s consent, wus modl- fled necordingly, Mr, Marsa, of Virginin, mado tho point of order, and argued that the precise words for which the two membors ury. held to anawer mustbe set out before they could be censured or expelled, It would not do to refer generally to thirty printed pages of tha Record. ' ‘ “ Mr. Bowman argued that thera was noth- ing in the polut, as the offense was not words but actions, ‘The Speaker overruled the point of ordor Mt WHAVEN TOOK THE 10018 and said: Of course thore can be no two opinions as to the necessity and propriety of an ‘apology for what took placo yesterday to the Howse. No one regrets the occurrence nore devply than To myself, I know that it is very rare that Laver Jose my temper ab all, either in publle debate or private fife, 1 did not intend to do so yesterday, aud I can only say to the House,—what fy understood by overy member and the country,—that the Kuuze used by me yesterday was wholly unjustifiable under the rules of the House and under tho propricty of tho debate, and that it was ontirely out of order, Lam NOT ONLY WILLING, BUT ANXIOUS, to say to the House that 1 am sorry 1 used such Janguage In the presence uf the House, and 1 nuke my apology humbly to the House. Buch conduct ls wholly unjustifiable. 1 feet that as decply us auybouy else, cortaluly, & Wish to say, further, that Find borne myself through along-ranning debate, as L thonght, with good humor, and the offensive Inuguaxe was used Just before the close of my Inst re- marks in reply to tho gentlonin from Mls- sourt (Mr. Bland), and was wholly unexpect- ed by me at the thne. I thought that the whole diileulty was settled, Ido not wish to raise a question as to who was to blame, — notatall., Lsay that, whether Lwas to blame or he was to blame, or we were both to blame, thp conduct was unjustitiabte, and I npologize for my partof It to tho House. Task to be excused, ; Mit, BVANKE THEN TOOK THE Toor, ane suld: Dtiring tho great confuston—nnd 1 nin warranted in saying thatit was a arent confuston—which existed in the Committee ot the Whole yesterday I used Innguage that 1 well know to bein conflict with the tules of the House, 1 do not on this ove easton feel disposed fo speak of the part taken tn this confusion by other gentlemen of the House. I know that my language was in conflict with tho rules snd unpartiament- ary. ‘Lo tis Mouse 1 feel that Lowe an apology, and [hereby tender ft. On motion the matter was dropped,—yens, 1M; nays, 44. JUDGE Woons. FAILURE OF THE BOURDON CONSPIRACY, Spectat Dispatch to The Chteago Tribune. Wasuinaton, 2. C., Dee, 22—The petty opposition of some very narrow-mlnded, bigoted Northern Senators to the contirma- tlon of Judge Woods us Justice of tha Su- preme Court proved unsuccessful, and to- day, In oxecutive sesslon, the motion to reconsider tho votu of yesterday, by whieh he was contirmed, was Jatd upon the table after ‘ten minutes’ session. Judo Woods’ confirmation was thus aeeomplished. “Tho smller Senators who have been pursuing Iiiin with the seetional and baseless ery that he wasn earpet-bagger evidently hoped, by inoving to reconsider, that thors wohl not be a quorum present toxtny, that, consequently, theease would zo over until after New Year's, and that, during the recess, something woul ocetr to assist {hem In fnalty defeating him, But they RECKONED WITHOUT THEIR Most, The wenkness of their opposition, and the fact that there were not only no valid objec. tions to Woods, -but that the further the In- vestigation went the better qualifled for the position he was proved to be, mada his frlends enthusiastic In his support, and In- duced some Senators to remain over to make aquorum who otherwise would have left the city yesterday, When the Senaty went tuto executive sesslon this faction of sectional mal- contents discovered that there was very much moro than a quorum present, and that Woods" friends were determined to remain In executive session until the motion to re- consider should be tabled. Finding that thelr opposition would be useless, therefore the sectronalists surrendered and Woods was confirmed ag M ASSOCLATE JUSTICE OF THE AUPRESIS COUNT. This struggle has proved that the Bourbons fre as intelerant us they were before this Administration gave them. so much consid- eration, The most Intolerant seems to be Jonas, of Loulsiana, who Is hlmself a carpet- bagger from [ilinols, and his most enthusins- tie nssistant Is Vest, of Missouri, who called John Brown “an old scoundrel” ti his speech, but who did not brave public opinion sv far ng to leave these words in the Record. CUMULATIVE VOTES. MI. SPRINGER'S ILL TO PNOVINE FoR St NOWITY REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS. Special IMspateh tu ‘the Chicago Tribune, Wasiunaton, D.C., Dec. 22,—Mr. Springer, of Ilinais, proposes to move as ou addition to the Apportionment Dill, a measure in- tended to secure a fair representation In Con- gress to nlnoritles at all future elections, Ho Jy Induced to do this by the very satisfactory result of the. system of cumulative voting, which has been the role in Linols for some yenrs under the new Constitution, Under that system the State isdivideu Inte ifty-four Scuatorlal “districts, ene of whieh sends three members to the Assembly, Ench yoter casts threevotes for Assomblymen, but he may east all three for the same man, or two for ono and one {or the othor, or one-nnit-n- half votes to each of two, us he prefers, or he may east one voto for cach of the three cand dates on his ticket. * RESULT OF THE BYSTEM, The result of this system hns been to give a falr representation to the minority of Re- publicnns tn tho southern part of the State, where the Democrats were so oyerwhelniing- ly strong before tins southern couniles sent no Repubteans to the Legislature at all, and In Ike manner It has given representation to the Democratic minority in the northern and strongly Republican counties, Mr. Springer says that under his .proposition, if it is adopted, Inrge aud powerful minorities In dliferent States, which are now left without representation in Congress, would be made more contented, because they would have o falr representation. Tho solldity uf theSouth, he says, would be broken to pieces, because the Republicans would always be ‘able to send some members fairly representative of thelr wishes and numbers, In Ike manner the powerful Democratic minorities In some Northern States would secure equituble representation, and white tho general pollt- fen] complexilun of ‘Congress would not bo changed, ho thinks an important result would be gained by securing to each party representation in Congress from every State tn the Union, and thus enabling the two par ties to get a better view of tho policies re- quired by the whole country, t COLORED HEPRISENTATION, Your correspondent sald to Mr, Springer: “1 suppose you see that uniler your system the Southern States would probably ‘send. sone colored Representatives 2?” Mr, Springer replied: “Of course thoy would, and they ought to, "The colored peo- ple in the South aro very numerous; they ought to be represented, and If they preter to he represented In Congress by men of their own color that Is thelr undoubted right, Under our Hlinols system the colored people have had a fale chance In this respect, and the only colored nian sent to any North> ern Legisluture,.so far as 1 know, has sat under our system in the LNnots Legislature, His people voted for hfin and elected tli? Mit. SPRINGER’S PROPOSITION, Tho followlug4s the proposition of Mr, Springer: . ‘That Ropresontativos in Congress phall be olected after the next census of tho United States as follows:' The Leylaluture of each State, as goon us practicable after tho appor- tdumont under the cenatus of 1880 f6 mnude, and at overy subsequent apportionment after a new censud, shall divide tho State us hereln provided, States entitled to ono Representative in Con- gress shall constitute one Covgressionul district, States entitled to two Representatives shall bo divided Into two Congressional dletrictsy, as nearly equal in population us possible, States entitied to three Heprescntutives shall constl- tute onfCongressiunal alstrict, in which there shallbe clected three Representatives in the manner bereinafler provided, states entitled to four Representatives shall ba divided intotwo adlutricts, Iu one of which districts thero slall bo elected thruo Representatives, and in the othor district thoro ehull he vlected one Representative. States entiticd tofive Representatives shall constitute one dlatrict, In which five Representatives shall bu elected, Btutes entitled to alx Mopresentatives shull bo divided juto two districts, Invach of whien there shull bo eiccted threo Representatives, Btutes entitled to seven Representatives shall be die vided Into three districts, iu two of which districts there sbull Lu elected threo Repre- eentutives euch, and iu the other district one Representative, and all other States shull be 60 divided by the Legislatures thereof as to cun- wtltuty districts in which ono, three, aud five Representatives shall be elected, aevording to. the number of Representatives to which euch State ly entiticd, each State betoy divided into ua many diétricty us there will bu contained in tho whole number of Representatives to which buck Blute Ja entitled, exceyt whore there ls a fraction of two, in which ense one of tho districts shall bo entitled to five mombers, and where there is n fraction of ono thore shall bo ono othor district in which ono Representative shalt ‘be oleatod, Sko.2, Congressional districts in which ono Representative in Congress shall bo elected shall contain a population equal to the ratle of the population of ono member in Congress; dis- tricts ontitted to three members shall contaly a Population equal to threa ratios; and districts entitled to five members ehnll contaln a poptla> tion equal to Nye ratios, or in all cases ns nearly fons pr@stienble. The districts shall be forme, of contiguous and compact territory, bounded by county or parish Hines, except in counties or paristes having a xrester population than the ratio of one Representative In Congress, in which enses portions of such county or warist muy bo attached to contignousterritory in othor distri Ss i. In distriots ontitiod to one Kepresontn- tlyo in Conyress, cach qualified elector may vote for one person for Representative and no more; In districts entitled to three Representas tives, ench elector inny vote for two persons for Representative and no more; and fn distrieta’ euUtled to five Representatives each clector muy’ vote fur three persons for Represontatives, and for no more, Teall eases the persons thy: ing tho highest numberof votes shalt be declared elected, and in all respects other thins herein provided, tho elcation shall be vonducted and tho batlots counte® and returned 28 berotofore provided by luw. COFEROTIYS SON. * IKE IAS WEEN AN ACTING CONGUESSMAN, Speclat Dispatch to The Chicuga Tribune. Wasimsatox, D.C, ‘Dec, 24—The Civile Service problem which hus engaged the at- tention of the House Committeo on Invalld Pensions eince the beginning of the season hos been tually settled, Capt. Downey, the eMicient clerk-of tho Comumnittes, has been discharged by Chairman Coffroth, and f gentleman appointed in hits stead who’ knows ‘nothing of the duties of tho office, whieh aro of -a nature tu tax the abillty of an expertenced and com petent man, seh as Capt. Downey hasshown hhnself to be. As the Demoernts are just now enthusiastic advocates: of Clyil-Servlee * reform, two or three facts conneeted with the sudden removal of Capt. Downey are wor: ty of mention as 5 AN ILLUSTRATION of the manner In which Democrats practice the doctrine that they preach, Chairman | Coffroth, when he had made up his mind to | remove Capt. Downey and appoint his own son as Clerk, felt eslled upon to explain his rengon to some: leading Democrats in‘ hts Congressional! district who demurred to lits proposed action. He informed them, not that Capt. Downey wis Ineficlent, but that he, as ono of the Democratic Con- gressional conferees, had voted, for 0 number of thues, for Mr. Coffioth’s opponent, who was a candidate for: tho Conaressiona! nomination, Chairman Cot froth wtso alleged that, while Capt. Downey was'an excellent man to perform the routing duties of a Clerk of the Pensions Committee, he was’ NOT QUALIFIED TO WRITE UP REPORTS on cases to be submitted to the House for Its actlon, while Mr, Coifroth’s son was, because he had beconte familiar with that kind of work last winter, while setiig.ns Clerk of the Penslons Investigating Committee. of which Mr..Coffroth Is also Chalrman. ‘This statement throwsa flood of Nght uponngreat mystery. At the Inst session Mr. Coffroth filed written reports upon re very Jarge num- ber of pension claims, aud x good many of thoso claling Re . WERE PASSED BY THE HOUSE upon such reports,, It appears from tho foregoing admission that Mr. Coffroth's son, who was a penston-claim ngeut before his appointment as clerk to his father’s Commit- tee, and who fs and to be Interested In clains now pending inthe Penston-Ollice or before Congress, or both, prepured many of the ro- ports presented tothe House by Mr. Coltroth. , Perhaps the Chairman will now bo good } enough to explain what right he lias ta dele- gate his quthority-and responsibility ay. a member of the House ,of Representatives, and one of Its Cominittees, » i TO 1118 BON, Off TO ANYHODY. ELSE, | especlally where the authority so delegated: and exercised Involves the discussion of questlons affecting appropriations of money: from the Public Treasury, As everybody knows the House of Representatives passes: or rejects a clafn upon the report of a Com- miitee, and never goes behind the report to‘ examina the testimony on whieh the report} 1s based, the Houso, certainly ought, before: passing any more of the claims reported by Chairman Coffroth,to scrutinize them very closely, and aseertatn which reports wera | prepared by clerks or other unauthorized : persons. : THE PONCAS. IN WASHINGTON. Speciat Dispatch to The Chicago Tribune, Wasuixctox, D.C., Dec, 22—The dele- gation of Ponen Chiefs who recolved per- mission some weeksago to visit thelr “Great; Fathor” hero havejarrived, and aro ‘quar.’ tered atthe Globe Hotel on F street. ‘This morning Segretary Schur had a: powwow * with them at the Department of the Interlor, and he Invited Gen. Crook, Mr, Stickney, and Mr, Waltor Allen, of the recently-appoluted Pouca Commission, to bo present. Spueches were inndeby Standing Buifalo, White Engle, and two othor Chiefs, in which thoy disclosed that thoy desired to remain permanently in their new homes In-tho Indian Reservation, and to sell any title they might have to * THEIL OLD DAKOTA HOMES, as thoy did not wish to return. ‘Choy de nounced the white mon who have beon mis- representing thelr condition and stating that they desire to return to Dakota, In short, they fully sustained Secretary Selurz, Ibis intimated by the opponents of the Intorlor Department that the Indians have been care- fully schooled and brought here for this ex- press purpose, ‘The‘murder of Big Snake and the death of other Chiefs havo com- nletely cowed tho survivors, These ara assertions Into which the Commission will carefully examine, A gentleman who heard the entire statemont made by the, Ponca Chiefs to-day sald that from thotr evidence there could bo . NO POSSE DOULT ‘ but that Mr, Schurz’s position In tho matter’ avas entirely correct, and that the opyiosition, engineered by ‘Tibbles, of Omaha, and by the Jndian girl, Bright Eyes, was s fine plece of sentimentalisin which had captured some of the enthuslasts of the Eastern citicy, but which had no toundation in fact. ‘The story that the Ponca Chiefs had been “ conched” by Schurz he denounces os elther a maliclous falschood, or a8 ant {nvention of persons wnxious to have thelr own theories prevail, A GENTLEMAN WHO IAS FACILITIES FoR OUTAINING CONKECT INFORMATION In respect to the Ponca negotiations now penalng says that, in the Interview between the Poncas aud Mr, Schurz to-day, the In- dians distingtly sald; through thelr Inter- preter, that they had been forced to leave their Dakota homes. They accepted the new Jands in the Indinn ‘Territory, not because thoy preferred them, but because they had no option, It bs trup, they expressed u desire to sell their Dakota lands, because, feeling that they. can never, return to them, they desire what money they can get for them to use dn Improving their now homes, ‘This is ag farns tho Indlans have gone in expressing their satisfaction with the action of the Ins terlor Departuient, “ : THE SPECIAL COMMISSION appointed by the President to’ look after tho Interests of the Poncas heard the Interview to-duy, but tovk no part Iu it, ay they had no interpreter of thelrown, ‘hey expect to be. supplied In this regard In afew days, In tho meantine they think it not unlikely that Mr. Schurz Is trying to cluse up the negotiations with the Poneas go us to render the functions of the Commission ‘nugatory, A member of the Commission sald thls evening that he be- Heved this to ho Mr. Schurz‘s_ atm, but ho added that he did not belleve the President would permit Ht until the Speetal Commission find Ume and opportunity to give tho matter some investigation, — FUNDING. , PLOSERCTA, Speetat Dispatch to The Chieaga Tribune, Wastinatox, D. CG, Dee, 22—Tha dis- gtaceful seena of yesterday destroyed any prospeets that there may have been of reach ing a vote upon the Funding bill before the holiday recess, but Fernando Wao took ad- vantage of at opportunity tn the closing hours to obtalit an order in the Honse that when next the subject shatl be considered in the Committes of the Whole, general debate shall close In one day, CILLETTE, THE GREENBACKES, endeavored to avall hinavlf of his parila: inentary right to defent such an ayreement, and did raise the point of order that there. was ho quornin, but, Inasmuch as there wis only one other member who voted with hn, aud as the House was elatnorous that the ordér shoukt be made, he reluctantly as- sented to this order, ; THE FRIENDS OF THE DIL may, therefore, reasonably expect that, with- Ina few days after the holiday recess, tho House will pass, or néSleast will take finn notion von, the Funding bill, Eitorts will be made to prevent any delay tn the Senate, nnd it ls very probable that some Jaw will bo enacted In tine for the Treasury Departnent to alive tts notice In February that interest ‘will stop in three months from that tine, ERS, THE BULLDO INDICTMENTS, Speetat Dupatch to ‘The Chteago Tribune, Wasutnatox, D. C., Dee, 24—Private in- formation from Mississippi hay been reeelved tu the effect that, on the t4th inst. the Grand Jury returned a number of Indictments In and among then two lon Commissioners of De Soto. A large majority of tho jury are fair snen-who will do what Ly right, regardless of outside pressure or sentiment. ‘They aro still examining witnesses, “A Re- publlean resident of Mississippl well known in Washington, «. thoroughly trustworthy minn, says that the election of George to the United States Sennte ought to be contested. He says if the Senate will senda committee to inquire into the election of members of “the Legisiature that elected lim, he will never be seated. “In my part of the State,” snys this gentleman, “soven or eight mem- bers returned to the Legislature never were elected, and the proof of tho fraud can bo easily made. ‘The Republican State Com- mittes is already making preparations, it Is sald, to present this matter to the Senate,”* ieee ve TILE -MISSISSIPLI, Bs SIX MILLIONS, Svletat Dispatch to The Chicago Trihine, WAsitINaton, D. C., Dec, 22.—Mr. Acklen, Chatrmay‘of the Sub-Committee of the Cou merce Committee to take Into conslderation the recomimentlations of the Mississippi River Commission, salt to-night that he should employ the present Congressional recess in consideration of the detatls of the questions, aud get them, ff possible, Into. shaps for action by the reassembling of Congress. ‘The Comiisaton recommend an appropriation of $180,000 to begin with, for the improvement. of the Mississippl River at diferent points where the channel iy to be narrowed toa width of three thougand yards, THE AGGREGATE ESTIMATED COST. Is $6,000,000. Mr. Acklen says he thinks he can frame a bill which sill “meet all the re- quirements of the case, which will call fora portion only of the $6,000,000, and have it In- corvorated In tho River and Harbor-bill, Ha thinks this will be ready to be reported to tho House by tho Inst of January. ‘Tho other membors of Mr, Acklon’s Sub-Committee are Mr. Henderson, of Uiinols; and Mr, McLane, of Maryland. a! . IN Te SENATE. * YESTERDAY. * Spectat Duapateh to. ‘The Chicago Tribune, - “Wasinnatox, D. C.,--Dee, 22.—Senator Morgan spoke at length: on the Electoral’ count, and his remarks were quivtly evlscer- atedl by Senator Edmunds, who gaye the Democrats plainly to. understand that, ou the day appoluted by the Constitution, the Viec- President will perform his: constitutional duty, and that, ff Itshall be found that Gar- fluld and Arthur have received the greatest number of votes, they will bo declared olect- ed, and will bo Inaugurated, ‘The Senate consumed THE REMAINDER.OF THE AFTERNOON fit Usctissing a small clalm of a few hundred dollars, which wasn sort of a pilot‘ balloon’ sent forth to see how tho wind Init before larger ones were launched, 1t was for the usgof a patent Inchpin for field artillery carringes, patented in 1865 by George Wright, then employed qs Master Machinist at the Washington Arsenal, ‘Chequestion involved ‘was whether, if a person in the illitary em- ploy of the Government devises n yaluablo improvement, he should ho permitted to patent it and to recolve compensation for its use by the Government. Senators learned in the law talked on tho question tediously, and Tt was finally announced that no quorum was presont, sv tho Senate adjourned for the recess. NATIONAL BANKS. BAYAND'S DILL ENLAUGING THEM PRry- ‘Wasinnato¥, D. C,, “Dec. 2.—Sonator Bayard introduced a bill to-day to amend the Nutlonal-Bauking law. It proposts “to amend See, 6,171 of tho ‘Revised Statutes so that any banking association mnking;the re- aulred deposit of bonds shall be entitled to recelve elreuliting nétes equal to but not to exceed 00 per cent of the par value of bonds deposited, and that: at no time shall the total amount of cireutating notes‘so Issued execed the amount actually ‘paid in’ of {ts capital stock.” It is'-nlko “proposed to repenl See, 5,170 of tho Revised Statutes, which provides that no banking association . dreanized subse- quent to July 13,° 1870, shall havea circula- tion in excess of $500,000, NOTES. PENNSYLVANIA, Special Dispateh to The Chicago Tribunt, Wasutnatoy, D, C., Dec, 2.—There Is a good deal of speculation herons to Mr, Wal- Jnce’s successor in tha United States Senate, Ono of the. newest aspirants 1s n Mr, Oliver, of Pittsburg, a large tron manufacturer, 9 friend and ally of the Camerons, Represent ative Bayne, who has beei: spoken of, is un- derstood to: havé ‘withdrawn. Pennayl- vanians here say that'the Senatorial fight will be one of tho sharpest known in the State, and that it will develop a good deal of faction animosity, Ono of the gentlemen said to-night that Grow lias more strength than all the other aspirants, AGRICULTURAL, Tho select Houso Committee, of which Congressman Lvfevre, of Olio, is Chalrman, appointed to investigate the Agricultural Bureau, hold sessions during the coming re- cess, This Conimitteo has been in existence nearly a year without doing anything, Com- anissioner “La Duo is lu South Carolina, to look aftera ten farm, Ilo ts firmly con- vinced that tea of a good quality can bo raised in this country, and says he will glvo his raged S practical test before abandon- lng Ith nee, ¥ phat DELEGATION OF BRULE BIOUX from Dakota arrlyed In tha clty this evening. ‘The party consists of the Chlef White Ghost, Iron Nation, Dead Hand, Medicine Bull, Don'tKuow-How, Dog-Back Bird, Big Mane Ulzi, and Handsome Elk... Tho dolega- uon is in charge of the interpreters, Alex Beucomtse and Mark Wells, aud his come to Washington to negotlate with Mr. J. Lawler, of Chicago, and Messrs. Cook and Hughitt, of the Chicago & Northwestern, relative to | concessions of roadways through thelr ter- , ritory, Theso gentlemen will have a con- ference with the Indians to-morrow, . ELECTOUAL, Warmsatos, D. Cy Deo, 2—We By Bentley, of St. Louts, Mo,, and ‘Theodore Opleaby, of Athens, €in., special messengers of tho Electoral Colluzes of theimStates, ae- Hvered their Electoral votes to Vice-l’res!- dent Wheeler to-lay. THE PUBLIC DENT INTEREST. The Treasury hag authorized the paymont to bo made Dee, 28’of the interest due Jan. 1 on the public debt. No special instructions woro Issued ro- gariling the purelnsa of United States bonds for the Sinking Fund to-day, ‘The Secretary: sstill declines to Incrense the rate heretofore fixed. During tho past, month between $3,000,000 anu 4,000,000 of these bonds have heen purchased, leaving but about, $8,000,000 falling due Dee, 3t to be redeemed, : THT PRESIDENT returned to the city this afternoon STEAMBOATS, Supervising Inspector-Gencral of Steams i honts Duttiont hag Just. completed a states || nent showing the average number of stern: | boats Inspected, and. the average amount of SHULINHONE exiles of lls Buren during the pertod of his Administration as compared with the four years preceding, Lt shows that, from -1873 to 1870, Inclusive, tho average win ber of ateambouts inspected annually was S730, and the averngs contingent expenses per anni S856, wiille, from 1877 to 1830, the year! yaverneg of steambonts thapected mumbered 4,254, with an annunl average of contingent expenses aggregating $35, i4, CONFIRMATIONS. confirmed tha following Post- ast A, DB, Cooper, ab Union City, Lid. ; A. N.. Curry, at Petersburg, Ite B, Mes Cuteheon, at” Manistee, Aleh.; Ward Vite deusen, at Oneholt, Ja; Mra. Cora W. Har. ris, at Butler, Mo.; Theodore F. Singlser, of Pennsylvania, to be Sceretary of Idalio Ter- rhory, SUGAR INVESTIGATION, Assistant-Secretary Rishardson, who. left to-day on an offihal trip to several Southern eltlus to votleet evidence in regard to tho im portation of artificial colored suzars, was i companied by Speciat-Agent Chiaumberlain. TUE OHIO SENATORSHID, ‘Tho frlendy of Secretary Sherman are con- fident that all opposition to his election to the United States Senate will die out, aud that he WH receive tho nomination wnanimously dt the hands of the Republican caucus of “the meubers of the Oho Legislature, THE NICARAGUA CANAL ; Mr. Bool introduced in the Sonate to-tny n DEL to fieorporate the Marithine Canal Company of Ntvaragun,, which is a copy of the Di Introduced In the Mouse by. Mr. Mor- ton on the Hth inst, {THE JANUARY INTEREST. Tho checks for paylng interest due-on States 4 per ts are ne Nreasurer Gilfillan, says thoy 0 wailed from tho Treasury Monday, Dee. 27, in order to reach thetr destination ‘Tuesday, ‘The Senate Maree upon which the Secretary las authorized the payment to be made. The Register of, the ‘Treasury states that the seheditles for the registered-bond Interest .on Sis tedeemable duly next will also be forwarded from the asury on the 2th, iu order that payment may be made on the ith inst. Paynrent of the bonds of ’80, which have been presented for redomption, will also be made by the As- sistant United States ‘rensurer about the 8th inst.., , in oy TIL RECORD. wc. SENATE, . Wasinxatox, D.-C., Dec, 22.—Notwith- | standing Edimunds’ objection on necount'ot the absence. of n quorifm and the necessity 4 for an executive. sesslin, tho Senate, on mo- tioti of Mr, Mergun, took up the resolution offered ‘by him in June last dectaring that the President of the Senate Is not constitu- Honally authorized to count the Eluctoral votes go as to determine what votes shall be recelyed and counted or what rejected. Mr, Morgan“ spoke at length In support of the resolution, .. pas The A£lectoral-count resolution was, not acted upon. 2 H a\fter an executive session anumbor of pri- | vate bills passed, : ; * Tho Vice-Prestilent appointed Senators -Pendletap , nnd ; Morsii.ns,, mambhers of, the } Ronrd of, Visitors to,t{tond. the.noxtaunualsexy | amination of the cadets at tho’ United States Military Academy, and Senators’ Morgan and Allison as members of tho Hoard of Visitors to attend a ‘similar examination at tho United States Naval Acadamy, Mr. Booth, from tho Committee on Public Landa, reported favorably on tho Houso bill for the relict of sutticrs on restored railroad funds, and it pnased. : diz. Windom introduced n bill providing for a. bile building for the Post-Olllco and other Juyernmunt oflices ut Minnoupolia, Referred, Mr, Hooth introduced it Dill todueorporuto the Maritime Canal Company of Nicaragua, Ro- ferred to the Committee én Commerco. ‘Tho Senate bill granting right-of-way to tho County of Warren, Misulvaippl, and to the Vioks- vurg & Memplis Htallraad Conipuny through tho United States Cemvtory tract of Jang: -noar Vicksburg was taken. or und passed, sa , Adjourned unl dan6, : F ‘ HOURE. {Tho unruly mombors apologized, as scen olso- whore.) . On motion of F, Wood, {t was ordered that, when the Funding bill is next taken up, all gen- eral debate upon it shall bo Uimited to one day, Me. Clymer, from tho Appropriations Commit tee, reported the Army Appropriation bIN, It appropriates $20,100,800, ayiings $2,425,800 ap- Proprinted for 1881, Ordered printed. at Mr, Blount, from the samo Committec, report- eda bilt npproprlating 22,000 for tho expenses of the Internationa! Sanitary Conferenco at Wash- ington noxt Jununry. Passed, . % At 226 the House adjourned till the 5th of January, = oo BOUNCED, * Special Dupatch to. The Chicago Tribune. CLEVELAND, O,, Dee. 23.—Chief Join A, Bennett, of the Fire Department, was ousted from office at the meeting of tho Board of Fire Commissioners to-night, for violation of the rules, Lt was’ charged that ho had arrd- gated unto hinself certaln jurisdictions tn the management of the Department which the Hoard considered belonged exclusively to them, and was also arbitrary toward his men; consequently he was stmmoned ‘to appear for trial this morning with tho above result, Chiof Bennatt bad held his position for soverul yenra, and’ was well known to fremen throughout the country, First- Assistant Chief Dickinson, who las been x member of the Departinent for several years, having rlgen from the ranks, was appointed to fll the vacnucy caused by Bennett's dis- mlesal, . a - JOURNALISTIC, Spectal Disputch to. The Chicago Tribune, Wisona, Minn, Dee, 24.—The Winona Datly Republican, advertised to be sold to- day, was purchased by D..Stnelair, ono of the present propriotors, It is understood that Sinclair is backed by a allent stock com: pany, Tho paper will rematn Republican in polltics, and wilkcontinus a3 an evening pa- er, With expectations of belrue carly changed. oO ninorning dally.” The terms of the.sale are private, - BOOM CHARGES, Spectat Dispateh ¢o ‘Ine Chicago Tribune, x Luprxoton, Mich, Dec, 22.—A sult of Boneral interest to: lumbernicn -has been finished after a lengthy trial in the Circuit Court to-day, in. which the right of tho Boom Company was contested to levy the see laa et ath Pe charges between largo and one. hea points were decided agalnst the ‘Boon Company, -. ci ———_—— OCEAN STEAMSHIP’ NEWS, Queenstown, Deo, 22.—Arrived, the steam- er Hocla, from’ Boston, New Youk, Dee, 3.—Arrived, the steam- Bhips Wisconsin, from Liverpool; Anchor, from Glasgow; Bothula, from Liverpool; Frigia, from Hamburg. Gow, he rh. Bt. Paul Glube, Dee. 2 P Gen. Jobn A. Gibbon, Colonel ae the Soventh United stata lufuntry, stationed at Fort Boel: doy, tho old commander of the * Iron Brigade " in the tirst yours of the ot with ab exciting, @ traglcal ovcurrence, y rday evening. At & Uttlo after 6 o’cluck, the Genoral driving bis favorit team of pays attached to a balf opon doublu-seated currluge, the driver of un uuloaded buy wagon drove his Couns nite collision with tho: Gencrul'y, starting thomintow run, Thofrlzht- cned horses broke diugonully across tho street, where thoy callided with astatiouary slelyh, overturning the carriage and thruwicg all thy luto unpleasuntaces,” at coe near Ling ania att. Gen. Gibbon, as was retatied his hold of the relns and: wns atunice, When ho was obliged to tune i hold, the horees avout tho same time breakin loosd from the enrringe. Mra. Gibbon Wik thrown forward an her fice ant right aide, cute tng 2 slight gash on hor tawer lip, bruising toe Fight shoulder, and giving bern general physic shock. Shu wis promptly conveyed to tho otlics of Dr. Uristine, where the proper restorative, Wer supplind (andor tho: eiTeat of whitch the lady soon recovered sufficlantly to atlaw of hor removal te the residences o£ tho Hon, Chities Flundran Cor tho night, it nat belne thought nq visable to attempt the journey to the Mort in the shattered condition of her nerves, q ter, very 8! alariy.canu pend withou and the General, though dragzel haut only a fow sifzht brulses to show sult of tho acetdent, AUNANY. GA, Macon, Gay, Duc. 22.—The fallureot Weleh &Tacon, of Albany, Ga, ts reported. Liq. Dilitles, $250,000, ‘Tha firm did oa keneral warehouse, morchantise, atu bank busin 3 Hatiray, raged and was regarded ag strong. —- DETROVE, Detnorr, Mich, Dee. 24-1 1. Marta Co., manufacturers of Hquld pulots in this elty, have ninde an assignment. Ljabilitios not known, eos WHEA TIN ST. LOUIS, The ‘Advance Checkol—The Nansony Bartholow & Co, Katlure. Spectal Dispatch to The Chicago Tribune, Sr. Louis, Mo, Dee. 2.—At nm meeting on ‘Chango to-day a Committee, consisting of DR, Franels, A. W. Evans, and i. We Gol. son,. subinitted the followdng figures as basis for settlement “of all outstanding contracts of Messrs, Nanson, Bartholow & Ca, This report: was adopted by tho creditors ot tho firm, and by Capt. Nanson, representing the firm ltsolfs Wheat, 95 cents for Jniniary,” $1.01 fdr, Febriary, $1.03 for Mareh; edrn, 87 cents for December, 33 eents: for January, $83f cents for Fes runry, 894 cents for ‘Mareh, 4034 cents for, April, 418¢ cents. for May; oats, 30 cents. for December, S81¢. cents for January, 88 for February, 313g for May, ‘This settlement represents’ yesterday's market + prices, °with slight modifications, ‘Tho estimated amount of grain-due the firm fg placed: ab various figures, They aro “Jong”? on wheat-700,000 to 800,000 Uushels, corn not over 500,000 bushels, and oats. a stall amount.” They are not as yet prepared tomake any estimates of thelr lnbilitics, | Mr. Barthotow salt to a reporter this morn ing that the frm would: ‘pay up tn full,.but they had not yet gone over their books, and could not say how. they stood. ‘They hid notilied, thelr customers ‘of thelr suspen. ston, and requested * retnittances to cover their tmninargindd-deals: ff thelr customers responded: It*would: help them -ont In f rent megaures~—but they.did:not antlelpaty much from this quarter.» Anioug- the mer chants numerons. stories were afloat respcet- ing the credit of various hotses atlrcted by the suspension of Nanson, Bartholow & Co, It was currently reported that a very large firm who had been" long? for some tine wer very weak, and, if the market contiuued to EO, sepa then, thoy, would be forced toss pend, + During, tho morning the announcement was mada Hidt“G; “Backinghain & Son shai’ sngpunded:’ A reportor saw Mr. Buck ingham * + on «> 2Change,. * ‘and’ was told tint - the -. suspension - was only a temporary. affairy—that the country customers had got scared and refused to margin up, and they were compelled to huld “up for a few days, “He satu thelr affairs wera in comparatively good -conditton,. and they would bo doing business in a few days, vat, — Tn the Weatern Assoclated Pres Sr, Louis, Mo., Dec, 2.—The wheat.mare ket opened with considerable tirmness this niorntng, and quite u bullish’ dispdsition was mantfested by some of the dealers; resultthg in higher prices for-corn-and: slightly better prices for wheat, but shyrtly, after openly there were free sellers at inside rates, an the advance movement was checked, ‘After tlio*tnily call prices‘ were fixed ab which settlements: should’ be ‘made with Nanson, Bartholow &.Co,- ‘The probabilities ure that the agreed prives will stand. cy No gtatement of , the Hubilittes or assets of Nanson,, Bartholow' & Co, havo” yet been muide, bit the mentbers of tho frm insist that all thelr debts will be paid in full. ‘Phere ara all sorts of reports regarding thelr. llabliltles, the amount ranging froin $40,000 to, $200,00),: and even.more, but these ave mostly con- jectures,.and therefore not retlable, Well. informed persons think the obligations’ of the firm will’ not éxceetl "$100,000, and somo Bay Avery: dollar, will. be- pald, ‘The banks with whieh the firm transacted business say thoy are well sedured, Outside of tho banks the indebtedness of :the house is matily he. St. Louis, and In no single ease fs it large, . ———___—. *- THE WEATHER. OFFICE OF THE Gitte SIGNAL OFFICER, Wasutnatox, D. 0., Dees 23-1 a. m—For "Tennessev andthe Ohio. Valley, generally cloudy weather, ovcasto nal ligitsnow, north- cagt _ horthwest,. winds, and during tho night lower temperature, ‘For’ the Lower Lake’ region, generally cloudy weather and Nght snow, northwest to southwest winds, becoming variable, stations | ary or aight fall in temperature, aud rising followed py falling barometer, For tho Upper Lake region and the Upper MisstasIppi and Lower, Missourl, Valleys colder and partly cloudy wenther, ght snow In the first'and southern portions of tho last named district, winds mostly froin north to west during the day, shifting to sonth and west during tho night, with’ falling baro me ter and rising temperature in tho Just-named districts. . ue oy “| LOCAL OBSERVATIONS, CHICAGO, Hoo. 22=10515 p.m GENZNAL ONSERYATIONS. *QHICAUA! Dec, 24-1958 po, Bee ienf avr Whut, St NUNES REESE REE E: csc PREUSERMBEHE ONE! HNtE 1 SSSI Py at ay » B Fe pty Bw y a Fy a pr ot ES ae AEEE wEEEERSEE! +. RETIREO FROM COMMAND. Spectul Dispatch to Tie Chicuys tridunt. Br. Pavi, Miun, Dec. $3—It is under stood here that the President has Instructe the Secretary of War to retire Col, Carlla from the conmand ut Fort Yates, on avout of the Standing-Rock agitation, or abandon, the post. and distribute Its troops uw stir tloned there at othor:poluts bathe frontlete en pase ie a eee xinum temperature, 32; minimum, 2 ’