The New York Herald Newspaper, December 13, 1871, Page 3

RRA SI nctias is Miler oi teu EES calle Sumner’s Solemn Joke Over the Final Adjournment. Wanted, $250,000 for the Geneva Conference Expenses. Another Tentative Debate Over the New Apportionment. The Democratic Executive Con- vention and the Impeach- ment of President Grant, ‘Attorney General Akerman Said to Have Resigned Yesterday. Proceedings of the Congres- sional Committees. WasHInaron, Dec, 12, 1871. Reported Resignation of Attorney General Akerman, : It 18 understood that Attorney General Akerman resigned to-day; but his successor has not yet been Bppolnted, It 1s generally believed that the place ‘Will be offered to ex-senator Williams, of Oregon, but a strong effort is making by some of the South- ern Senatorsand Representatives to have Horace Maynard, of Tennessee, appointed. Tne South is anxious to have a representative in the Cabinet, and this is the secret of the light’ movement in favor of Maynard; but still nother movement was develope! to-day, this being in favor of Solicitor General Bristow, who has been ‘she real Attorney General during Akerman’s admin- Astration of the Department of Justice. General Bris ‘tow has many friends. in both houses of Congress, And from thirty to forty of these, most of ‘hem from the South, have united in asking Tor his appointment, This, it is believed, entirely destroys Maynard’s chances, and unless the Presl- dent should persist in his policy of appointing somebody else, because somebody whom he had al- ready chosen, as in the case of Williams before Akerman’s appointment nad been recommended ali the nomination of General Bristow 1s cer- Fan for Members Over the Question of Ad- Journment-The Impenchment Plans—Dis- cuzsion on the Appropriation for the Geneva Conference. * Presidential gerrymandering continuea in the Senate to-day; but, though 1% was understood that Benator Chandler had gone up to Capitol Hill as full of words on the great question of yesterday as Falstaf was of oaths, the opportunity which he courted was wanting, Mr. Trumbull’s resolution for a Committee on Retrenchment did not come up Again, and thus it was that the great speech of the administration's great champion was choked of. Instead of this, the Presidential firing was cver Mr. Morton's resolution fora final adjournment of _Dongress on the third Monday in May. Mr. ‘Sumner created some merriment by moving @ proviso that no adjournment ‘ball take place wl after the passage of A supplementary. civil righs bill, and Mr, Schurz Gave the fun a somewhat sumbre character by add- Ing that bills should also be previously passed to reduce the tariff and internal revenne, and to reform. the civil service, 1f the second seasion of the Forty- second Congress 1s really to be of any value to the country it can readliy be seen that the amendments 0 the resolution are more important than the reso- intion itself, and this was the view which was taken by the recalcitrant repubiicans. In the Senate Mr. Trumbull announced that he was in favor of all these things, but as 1t was impossivie to pass all of them this morning he consumed ume enough tosay that any time occupied tn discussing the resolution was thrown away. But to throw away time was in reality the question before the Senate, as novody proposes to think of anything but President-making from now till after the holidays. Accordingly the result of the day's work was nothing 1m itself, put it was important as snowing the antagonisms the ad- ministration will be compeiled to meet in the Senate, So eager were the democrats for the test of strengen that, without exception, they voted for saking up the resolution, and the motion to table was only lost by 22 to 31. Sumner, Trumbull, Schurz and even Wilson voted to table the resolution, and it became more apparent than ever that the breach 1s widen- Ing, and that soon there is to be open and bitter war. The only diMcuity now 1s as to the way of beginning the attack iu earnest, and the skirmish- Ing will go on tl the way can be Cleared for a gene- tat battie, ‘The silly people who would not believe there wag any intention toimpeach the President are having their eyes opened. General Butler, who is consid- ered among the doubtiul friends of General Grant, has been especialiy active in pointing out the wcheme as an absurdity; but he isso universally re- garded os one of the uncertain party so that nobody is sure which side he will take, The less knowing democrats took, or affected to take, the same view of it in the beginning, and even the journa: in this city which calls itself tho organ of the national demoo- racy started out by denouncing the design asa flodge of political reprobates, To-day, however, it changed tts tone, and after smootning its biun- der as a discountenancing of ‘mere sensationalistn” Itasks:— Were a movement in goo faith essaved for the recovery, for the Chie! Magistr icy, ol its constitu. Uonal and traditional diguity, of which put tne ves- tiges remaio, by the displacement of Grant rather whan by tie more promising method of electing @ statesman to succeed him, who needs more than a suggestion to per. ceive - the manifold accusations, any one of which, ander the legal principle so strenuously de nied against Andrew Johnson, that to be impeach- able the offence must be analogous to a crime or Misdemeanor at common law, or by statute, couid be established against the present despicable suc: cessor of Jackson and of Washington?” This fs foliowed by a recapitulation of the charges printed in the HERaLp, as those upon which the articles of impeachment are to be founded, The scheme continues to be discussed in all circles, but the premature publication of the design has com- pelled the Democratic Executive Committee to abandon its intention of holding a meeting to-night, and ii the conference Is held at all it will be with the utmost secrecy. ‘The galleries bloomed with fomale loveliness once again to-day, It is said that gay colors, ripvons, fans, Jewels and bright faces oiten act as an inspira- tion to the sterner sex and have nad great weight mm deciding great questions of State. How mucn the presence of the ladies had to do with the ex- citement to-day over the bill reported by Mr. Banks, from the Committee on Foreigh Afairs, providing for an appropriation of $250,000 to defray the ex- penses of the Geneva Conference, Is not known, but Great interest was manifested, and the discussion Was generally participatea in by the leading mem- bers of the Hou Mr. Banks asked the House to make the Appropriations at the present time, as the necessity for it was immediate and pressing, and aliow the detatied discussion of the treaty to pass until alter the holidays. Mr. Gar- field opposed the passage of the bill, claiming that Weshould go to the Committee on Appropriations, Mr. Dawes came to the resoue of the imperilied nights of Mr. Garfeld’s committee, for which he navufally 1 4 tatherly interest, Mr, Banks claimed that, not being one of the regular appro- priations of the goverament, it did not necessary come under the consideration of the Committee of Appropriations. There seemed to be a case made on both sides, out The rule, however, al- lowing an appropriation bill where @ fore eign treaty 1s involved to be reported from we Committee on Vorelga Adaira without reierenge NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1871.—TRIPLE SHEET. to the Committee on Appropriations was clearly in Mr. Banks’ favor. Considerable earnestness was displayed by members taking part in the discussion. ‘Lew Campbell, the well-known leader of the House im anti-bellum times, and the successor of General Schenek, sustained Mr. Garfield. The real cause of the Interest displayed by members was due almost entirely to a feeling Of opposition to the continued téndency displayed in the matter of centralizing all business of the House into the hands of three or four of its more important committees, Democratic members naturally, as being in the opposition, were Most active in opposing the motion for reference. ‘This and the motion adopted yesterday directing an investigation into the affairs of the Treasury De- partment by a standing committee, long regarded as merely ‘ornamental, seemed tobe skirmishes pre- luding a general engagement over this matter of absorbing all power into the Committees of Ways and Means, Judiclary and Appropriations. Mr. ‘Wood, being on the committee, sustained its chair. man, while Mr. Cox, wanting an opportunity to ven- tilate his opimions on international questions, moved its immediate reference to the Com- mittee of the Whole, Messrs, Halo and Sco- fleld gusteined Mr. Garfield, the former being anxtous to stand py his chairman. Mr, Banks held the galleries and commmandea ‘the attention of the House, as he always does when emergencies require the use of his reserved Intellec- tual force. The matter was temporarily disposed of with the understanding that Mr. Banks would make the motion to go into the Committee of the Whole, to which the bill was to be referred at the earhest opportunity, The House then went into tne Committee of the Whole on the Apportionment bill, Mr. Mercar open- ing the debate with a strong atgument in support of the leading features of his amendment, The question of the effect of the fourteenth amendment in excluding from the basis of representation per- sons disiranchised by ieason of edu- cation or property tax, or religious quali- fications, was fully discussed, Mr. Shellubarger urged his republican friends to stand by their own policy, nomatter whom it hurt. He declared the amendment was designed for the protection of the poor and ignorant or those otherwise banned, and to insure that representation and the franchise should go hand in hand. Mr, Cox 1lustrated pun- gently the proverb of “chickens coming home to roost” by reference to Rhode Island and the effect on its representation of the peculiar electoral quan- Acations that exist there. Mr. Garficld spoke gen- erally on the effect of the provisions of the four- teenth amendment as affecting representation, supporting Mr. Shellabarger’s view. Alter tho usual flutter consequent upon motions for the com- mittee to rise the motion was carried, and the House adjourned in evident good humor over the results. Republican Senators in Caucns, Arepublican Senate cancus convened this after- noon to consider Mr. Trumbull’s resolution reviv- ing the Joint Retrenchment Commitice and enlarge its powers, and to consider the civil service organi- zation also, The caucas was full, and it was im_ session tor over two hours, Its proceedings were of the liveliest character, filled with the sharp- est personal debates, and the caucus adjourned without reaching any conclusion except that there Was an ‘irrepressible conflict,” Inthe republican party the discussion took a wide range, aud was quite ineisive and poimted in character. The question of reference to standing or select committees was referred to, and brought an attack on the comiittees system now prevailing. It was proposed to make an entire rovision, to abolish a number of committees as useless, and at least one, which, 1% was broadly suggested, was only a nursery for jobs—that on the Pacific Rallroad. The Revolutionary Claims and several Others were mentioned as unnecessary. It appears that nearly all the committees have clerks whose dutles are merely nominal and pay large. They are usually the private secretaries of the chair- men. Mr. Trumbull’s resolution appeared to excite great anger among the “thick and thin” ad- ministration Senators. Mr. Chandler led of in a furious onslaught on the work of the committees in previous Congresses, declaring their lavors had been worthless, and were always markea by # wautof-comprehension. This attack brought Mr. Patterson to his feet, and he Yetorted that the Senator must not judge the com- maittee’s work by his own standard of stupidity ana integrity. In replying to a charge that the committee ander his direction nad dono nothing, he stated that it had ay least saved fifteen million dollars alone by its investigation of New York Cus tom House management, Mr. Patterson was more than caustic, and Chandler subsided after a lame attempt at reply. Senator Conkling came to his assoclate’s rescue and made a speccn of remarkable atrabilious character. Other Senators participated in the debate, Towards the close a better feeling was manifested. Senator Schurz took no part in the wrangle, while Senator Sumner Was not only siient, but left some time before the caucus adjourned, It wili reassemble to-morrow, and there seems @ probability that a compromise will be adopted. If the understanding is reached that Mr. Schurz shall not be the chair. man of such @& committee, if it be raised, Senators who supported Trumbull as ‘well as that geatieman urged that it was the duty of the republican party to head of in the work of retrenchment and purification, All who spoke de- Clared themselves ardent supporters of party har- mony, and only desired action that would beneit the party, There is little prospect of any joint committee being agreed to by the House, even if the Senate. does agree, as by 4 resolution offerea by Mr. Dawes to-day and passed without opposition tho several committees on expenditures of the various departments other than the Treasury, already acted on, are instructed to make just such investigations as Mr. Trumbull contemplates, Either this activity in the way of reform 1s reallysdesigned* to accom- plish the purpose or it{s merely intended to close the mouths of the opposition. Congressional Committees in Session. A Diajority of the working committees met to-day to arrange for regular sessions, The tendency to conceutration 18 more manifest every Congress, A comparatively few members, by reason of long ser- vice, are forced to do all the work. Mr. Stark. weather, of Connecticut, for instance, is chatrman of oneimportant committee and second on another, General Butier is chairman of one, not as yet devel- oped into active importance, and is also a member of two others of the most influential standing, and second on the Judiciary. These are illustrations of the tenaency referred to, There were eight committee meetings this morning, besides that of Elections, which meets every day. The Appropriations Committee meet three times aweek, Ways ana Means and the others, so fur, have named only one day. There are foriy-five committees in all, of which number three are joint standing Committees and three others are “special,” one of the latter—that on the Insurrec- tionary States—being also a joint committee. OF the standing committees twenty-three have so far designated regaiar days 01 meeting. Several of these will have but little to do, whie a majority of those remalning will not meet more than once in in the session, Members who desire to prevent joba and loose legisiation deprecate the violation of the House rules by the faiiure of so many committees to do the work assigned them, and there 1s a grow- ing desire for reform in this direction, The Committee on Rules met to-day and consid. ered the resolution of Mr. Chatfee to appoint on the Committee on Territories one of the delegates, and decided to report in 1s favor, Consideration of the matter brought out a curious blunder, which shows the necessity for such & vigilant committee as that Generai butler may make of the one on “Reviston of the Laws.’ The law organizing @ government for this District provided that the delegate in Con- gress allowed by 1t should be a member of tho District of Columbia Committee. When Mr. Chip. man, the delegate, sought to avail himself of this privilege, it was found that he was debarred by rules of the House, Appealing to the jaw he learned that it was illegal in that particular, as the constitution provides that each house of Con- gress shall have the right to frame rules, &¢., and the wise lawmakers did not, in this case, take any care to investigate that subject and have the rules changed, The committee of which Butler 1s chair+ man is framed especially to prevent such blunders, and ought to be held responsible. The Committee } on Ruleg wii also yeport im Javor of the District delegate having aplace in the District of Cotumbia Committee, General Butler has arranged to meet the Senate Committee on Revision of the Laws, and Provide thereby for harmony of action in reporting the vartous titles sent in by the codifying commis. sion, The House Committee on Education and Labor, at their session to-day, considered bills introduced oy | Messrs. Shanks and Kellinger for the organization of @ burewu of labor. They agreed to meet to-mor- row and hear the gentlemen in support of their measures, The Ways and Means Committee were | in session to-day and discussed the bill for the repeal of the income tax without coming to any conclusion. The complexion of the committee 13 quite mixed on this subject, but it is doubtful if the repeal will be reported in this case. Mr. Finkelnbarg, of St. Louis, will be the controlling member, as Messrs, Dawes, Brooks, Kelley and Maynard will probabiy go for repeal, and Messrs, Burchard, E. H. Roberts, Kerr and Beok against any change. The Post Ollice and Post Roads Committee met and-organized this Morning, and agreed to give the envelope manufac- turers a hearing at their tirst seasion after the hoil- days. The General will be invited to attend. The manufacturers complain that the de- partment interferes with private enterprise by en- gaging in the manufacture and sale of stamped envelopes, Specie Payments, The House Committee on Banks and Currency to- day talked over the subject of the resumption of specie paymenta. A sub-commitice will be ap- Pointed to consider the several propositions to that end; but it is not probable that definite action will be vaken on the subject by the entire commitiee ‘until after the holidays, Investigation of the Expenditures of Public Deparimenta, Mr. Dawes, in the exercise of his oMce as leader of the House, put through a resolution to-day di- recting the tail-end committees to investigate the several executive departments. These committees on expenditures in the departments nave never been useful, and were never intended to be, and thelr composition and structure have always de- barred them from claiming the right to be con- sidered ornamental. But exigencies of poll- tics have brought these Congressional hospitals into notice, and the heads of the departments now to be honored by their presence are busily engaged in learning something about them. Dawes! reso- lution 1s intended to be a two-edged sword, cutting gt once at Senator Trumbull’s scheme to revive the Commitiee on Retrenchment, and Cop, ress man Lynch's rebellion against the exile, to which Mr. Blaine had consigned him; for it is feared that Lynch, by nis canning reso- lution of yesterday, has floated himself on the tide that, taken at the flood, leads. on to fortune, wich 13 just where Mr. Bluine does not want him to be. So far as re- lates to Mr, Trumbuli’s dig at the adminstration, it is probable enough that the action of the House to- day atfords the Grant men in Congress their desired opportunity to smother it; butit ls just as likely that the Dawes resvlution will prove to be as dangerous as @ boomerang hurled by unskilful hands, To say nothing of dissatisfied republicans, there are two straigit-out democrats on each committee of investigation, and these are receiving the congratulations of their fellow politicians over the good time they are going to have, at the expense of the lrestdent’s supporters, on the invitation of iis own friends, Democratic Mr. McNeely, of Iitnois, was choked off under the rules in his attempt to bring out tne facts of the financial irregularities ot General Buloch, Disbursiag OMicer of tho Freedmen’s Bureau, but Messrs. Kinselia and Acker, of the War Departiient Comuiittee, will attend tu the matter, and Fernando Wood, whose eiforts to bring the transactions of the bureau ito daylight were suppressed a year ago, has many useful Points to devote to the service of the present oppor- tunity. Itis thougit thatif General Howard can be induced to defer the publication of his proposed Instory of this governmental Caristian commission till the minority report of the C@gressional Com- mittee is printed, he can have the chance to give a fairer if not so favorable an account of its opera- tons than the public could otherwise expect, ‘rhe only trouble 18 sail to be that the field for investigation is so extensive that it is equally perplexing to tell where to begin and where to stop. -As Mr. Wood has remarked, the officials and the affairs of the Freedmen’s Bureau and the Howard University are so mixed that it is imposst- ble co tell *’t’other from which,” and the only thing at all certain is that the United States has furnished all the money. Inthe Interior Depart- ment Mr. Hill, of New Jersey, the Chairman of the Committee of Inquiry, is bound to make a rumpus, He has intimated that he is going right through it, Patent Oiice, Land Office, Indian Bureau and therest, But the Pension Oiice la to come in Tor the biggest share of attention. The o:ficials ot that office are already in@ shaky condition, and, if report be true, they well may be. What the Post Oxice Committee will accomplish is more & matter of douvt than with any of the other committees. The chairman (Mr. Barry, of Miss.) is a carpet-bag- ger of. no weight, and William R. Rob- | erts, of New York, the strongest mem- ber, is cramped by his politics. It is cer. tain that the Department ts not afrald, og one of its leading ofMicials, on being bantered about the overhauling he was soon to get, quietly observed that he had been lately mvestigating Mr. Barry himself, and that if the latter made himself offensive by his new-found consequence there was an official record or two in his miitary histery con- ventently at hand which, softly laid beneath his gaze, would become @ powerful sedative, Tne Committee on the State Departinent will continue to be, to all intents and purposes, the ornamental committee | it has ever been. It was cleverly said by an old and | shrewd attaché of that department to-nignt that after reading the countiess volumes of diplomatic correspondence the committee would know as much as it was ever likely to learn of the depart. ment, and that would not be more than it knew beture. The expenditures, which are to be the special subject of inquiry, are mainly those for diplomatic purposes, and theso the department nas always succeeded in investing with @ secret and sacred character ‘n the eyes of prying Congressmen. Con- | fessiou is made of considerable outlays for “refresh- | ments” when the High Commissioners were here, But the department professes to deal with all outsiders according to their national charac. teristics, and the regretful clause of the ‘treaty of Washington 1s pointed out as @ vindication of that diplomatic sagacity that | fourid its way at Jast to an English conscience, through an Englist stomach, This leaves only the expenditures from the Secret Service Fund to fure | ther the St. Domingo scheme, and tor fuil informa- tion on this point the committee is to be com- { mended to Mr. Sumner, who will furnish any num. | ber of copies of his great speech, without cost to the government. Laws for Stenmboat Owners, The Executive Committee of the National Steam- boatmen’s Convention assembled this morning in this city, for the purpose of taking preliminary | steps to revise the existing steamboat laws, which | have proven so burdensome to the owners of all classes of steam vessels. ‘the committee, of which Thomas Sherlock, of Cincinnatt, is chairman, | and Captain B. 8. Osborn, of New York, is secre- tary, met at eleven o'clock, and upon calling the | roll 16 Was ascertained that the following States were represented :—Maine, Massachusetts, Connec- iicut, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Mary- jJand, Ohio, Indiana, Missour!, Louisiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey and Iilinots. Telegrams were read from members en rouse, | which will increase the representation of States to twenty-four, The bill which was tutroduced yes- terday ia the House by General Negley was pre- sented to the committee for final endorsement; this bill being the one which was prepared by the sub- comm ittee at Pittsburg on the 2ist ult, and which is held by steamboat men geueraily to ve a prac: Ucai form of a law which will be not only just to them, but give far better guarantees of safety to the travelling public and to the shippers. Thus tar the members of the committee have found ‘iat Congres.men favor the change, and say the sieamboatmen are the best judges of a law which should govern thelr duties and proyide for the safety of life and property entrusted to their care, ‘There Is no desire ou the part of steamboat men to | evade a just law, but the existing one 1s considered by them so obnoxious that they ask Congress to relieve them of iis exactions. ‘The committee assembled represent nearly $700,000,000 of steam ‘Vessel cavital, aad wore (van nuné-tanthe of the | | day of November, 1872, as the time for holamg the j interest. entire steam tonn f 1 States. The committee ‘adjourned to meet to-morrow morning. Important Decisions by the Treasurys The following are among thie fecent decisions of the Secretary of the Treasury:— ae of new articles not “ae amportea for the purpose without the admitted to enti “ind aparememont ited execution of & vend to produce the | Invotce, Indiarubper cioth to pay a duty of tnirty- five'per cen.um ag racorem. The duty on wool on the skin to be the same as on other Wools, Steel, 1n colls, to pay a duty ol two and a quarter cents per pound. Wool coils, from the first class of wools, Wasued, pay twenty per centum @ pound and twen- ty-two per centum ad caiorem. The duty of six dollars per pound on opium does not apply to any fluid, proprietary or pateat medicine, Ne ious Confirmed by the Senate, _ The: im executive session, to-day ‘come firmea towing nominations:— oe John W,. . we eS ‘Dongiass to be Commussioner of Internal, Collectors of Internal Reven' ton, for the Fifth district.of Mi N. Wison, for the First district or » Aasessors of dernal Kevenue—shelan for the Third Gfatrice of Tennessee; Louis H. for the First district of Willian Ly for New Mexico; Caleb LD. ‘Lord, jor the First it Of Maine; Wa iter T. Burr, for District jumbia; Charlies £, Harrison, ‘for the Sixth dis- of Ohio; Alvin B, Ciark, for’ the Firet district ors of. ms—Chester A. Arthur, at New orm; Pascal B. k fer, Dankirk, NY.5 ‘Thaddens uoket, Mass, ; é Pearl Rivet, Miss, ‘ r ‘a ‘sce! Se aie G. Bradfo ited States Judge for the District of Daawares George Bancroft, Envoy Extraordinary and Miuister Plenl+ potentiary, of the Gerinan empire; Thora Hodis, ‘39 Feposyivania, Minister Resident, at lor; arlés C. Beaman, Exaininer of Claims for the De- partment of State; Richard C. Shawnon, Sécretary | of Legation at Brazil; R. K, Darrah, Appraiser of Merchandise at Boston; J. H. Brewer, of Connecti- ticut, Consul at Piracus; D. E. Coon, of Alavama, | Consul at Rio Janeiro; H. K. Smith, Surveyor of | Gus at Omaha, Neb, Indian Agents—J, 8. Armstrong, for New Mextco; Josep Webster, for Santea Sioux agency; George J. Belts,’ for Michizan; D. R. Risley, lor the Upper Platte agency; Barclay White, of New Jersey, Sup Intendent of Indian attairs for the Northern super- intendency ; W. D. Hughes, clerk of the Assay office -ab Bowe City; 0. A. Martine, Assayer for Boise Uily; R. P, Andrews, melter and refiner at Carson City, Mo.; John E. Routt, of lilmois, to be Second Assist ant Postmaster Genera), Postmasters—F, A, Shumway, at Wess Killengen, Conn; 0, T. Latcher, at Bryan, Ohio: Alvert Towles, at Beatrice, Neb.; William K. B, Johnson, at Leavenworth, Kansas; J. 1. Newcomer, at Green- vilie, Ala.; C. W. Dusiman, at Demopolis, Ala. FORTZ-SEJOND CONGRESS, secoud si SENATE, WASTIINGTON, D. C., Dec. 12, 1871. THE HOLIDAY RECESS, ‘The Senate concurred in the House resolution to | Adjourn over from December 21 to January 8, 1872, BULLS REFERRED, The following buis were mtroduced ana re- ferred:— By Mr. Witson, (rep.) of Mass.—To establish a Marine registry of shipping, and to promote the in- terests of American comuterce, Ly T, (vep.) of Lowa—Appropriating $2,000,000 for the purpose of paying balances that may be found due under the act cto indemuily the States for war expenditures, On motion of Mr, BUCKINGHAM, (rep.) of Conn., the Vice President was authorized to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Sumner’s retirement from the chate- pane. Of the Commitice on Priviieges and Elec- ons Mr. Morton, (rep.) of Ind., at his own request, ‘Was relieved froin his position on the Committee on Agriculture, and the Vice President was authorized to fill the vacancy, FINAL ADJOU Mr. MorTON. imoved to ta @ final adjournment on the ilird Monday in May. - Mr. SumNex, (rep.) of Muss., moved to add the following:—*"Proviied that there shall be no ad- journment of Congress until aller the passage of a supplementary civil rights bill securing civil rights Without distinction of rave or cofor.” (Laughter. ) Mr. Scuurz, (rep.) of Mo., moved to amend the amendment by adding, A bill to reduce the tari! And internal taxation and a bill to reform the civil service. air, TRUMBULL, (rep.) of Ill, moved to lay the pending proposition on the tavle for the purpose of aking sos bill for the removal of political disa- bulitres, st by 22 LO 31, Mr. WILSON moved to posipone the resolution for adjournment and take up lis bill for the compensae | tion of certain laborers in Massachusetts under the Engnt four law. ir. SUMNBR supported the motion, saying that these men imMassachusetts had been treated ditier- solange Ales! Peyeee ander au MENT, up the resolution tor ently trom u Ja the government employ else- where, and they ought to have prompt redress, Without acting on tae motion the Senate, at one o'clock P. M., went into executive session, and at hall-past one P. M, adjourned, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec, 12, 1871. Bill were introduced and referred as follows:— By Mr. FOLAND, (rep.) Of Vt.--To regulate actions in the Court of iauns by loyal owners of property seized under the act of March 12, 1863, By Mr. HAZLETON, (rep.) Oi N. J. —Authorizing an appropriation for ‘the employment of surimen at iife-saving stations on tne New Jersey coast, OVERUAULING THE DEPARTMENTS, Mr. Dawes, (rep.) Of Mass., offered @ resolution directing an investigation luto the management of the various executive departments, It is simular in its wording to that offered yesterday by Mr. Lyuch, except that the latter was Coniined to the Treasury Department. air. Cox, (dem.) of N. Y., inquired whether this res- olution wouid cover an examination into the Syndi- cate affairs? Mr. DAWES replied it would not, as that was a matter in the Treasury liepartment; but ne assured his inpatient iriend from New York if he would only hold bis soul in patience he would be satisiied that the Secretary of the Treasury had conioriied to the jaw in every particular. Tue resoluuon was adopted. THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, Mr. BINGHAM, \rep.) of Unio, from the Judiciary Committee, reported a bill jor Oxing the first Mons election for choosing electors lor President and Vice President. Messrs. BINGHAM and SHELDON, (rep.) Of La,, ex- plained the necessity of the bill as arising out of some provisions of the Louisiana Constitution. Alter some discussion the bili was postponed until the second Wednesday in January. Mr. PETERS, yep.) ol Maine, irom the Judiciary Committee, reporied a bul for the reliet of pur- chasers of lands sold for direct taxes 1 the insure rectionary States. Passed, | Mr. AKCHER, (dem.) of Md., from the Committee on Naval Aifairs, reported a bill to place on the | naval pension roll the pames Of the widows and minor children of Newton H. Adams and Jolin Rudenstein, late surgeons in the navy. Passed. GENEVA ALDI{ RATION EXPENSES, Mr, BANKS, (rep.) Ol Mass., from the Commitiee | on Foreign Affairs, reported a bill appropriating $260,000 ior the expenses Of te ‘Tribunal ot Arvitrae | tion at Geneva under the Washington Treaty. He explained the necessity for the impediate passage Of the bill, as the case on behalf of Pee United States is to be presented at Geneva on saturday next, but said that the fullest opportunity for debating the terms of the treaty Would be given aiter the hoilt- days on other points, particularly in regard to the fisueries, in which his colieague, Buver, felt much A discussion arose on an objection by Mr. Gar- FIELD, (rep.) Of Ohio, as io Whether the subject | shoud of should not be referred to the Committee on Appropriations. The SPEAKER decided against the point, holdin, that the rule of the Louse only required the genera appropriaion bills to be reported by that commit | tee. Alter @ long discussion on the technical points of oraer the bul Was referred to the Committee of the | Whole on the State of the Union, The Howse then, at half past two, went into Com- mittee of the Whole on the séate of the Union, Mr. Buninton, (rep.) of Mass., in the chair, and resumed the cousideration of TUB APPORTIONMENT BILL, Mr, MERCUR, (rep.) Of Pa., explained his subst inte and showed the process by which he arrived at the results thereinembodted, He had started with | the assumption of two hundred and eighty as tne | total numoer of Represeatatives, There were four States—Deiaware, Oregon, Nevada and Nebraska— | whose populauion was below the figure entitiing | them to one Representative each, but they were en- | titled to one Representative each under the consti- | tution, Dividing the population of the other thirty- inree States by 137,500—which figure, after much calculation, he had arrives at as the ratlo—gave 208 members more, thus mak- ing 262 members, ‘Then there were eighteen States which, after dividing their population | ' by the ratio, had a fraction over one-half of the , 157,800, He gave each of these an additional mem- ber for such fractions, tius making the whole pum- ber 250, ‘The States entitied to an adaitional Rep- resentative jor thes@ fractions over one-haif were Massacnusetts, Rnode and, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsyivania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Michigan, Texas, Jowa, Wisconsin, Kansas and Caliiornia. Mr. NIBLACK, (dem.) of Ind., opposed any increase | of Representatives over the present number, 241. | He knew Of no good reason ior any such increase and many good reasons against it, particularly on | the ground of economy and of the inadequacy 0: the Hall of the House to accommodate any much larger numer, After further discussion by Messra. SHeL1A- BARGER, (reps) OF Ohio, COX ANd GARFIELD the com: | mittee rose Without having laken any action on the bil. “LOCKING UP,"? Mr, TOWNSEND, (dem,) of N. Y., Offered a resolu. tion Instructing the Secretary of the Treasury to as- certain and report whether any of the national | banks tu New York are imterestea or concerned tu | | estate | trouble of any kind promoting an artificial scarcity of money. Adopted. . Mr. LEONARD MYERS, (rep.) of Pa., introduced a Dill ior the better detection and prevention of fraud | in the naval service, Referred, | ‘Tha House then. at fonr o'clock. adi ourned, . | 18 not Indebted to the ANOTHER BANK SUSPENSION, exceeding $100 In Failure of the Ocean Na- tional Bank. Stoppage of Payment at Noon Yesterday—Ap- pointment of a Receiver—Prospects of the Stockholders and the Depositors— The United States Examin:r’s Checks on the Bank. The rumor of the suspension of the Ucean Na- tonal Bank caused considerable excitement yester- day morning throughout the city, Though the bank has not for some time had @ very first class reputa- Waters, | tion, the report was not generally credited, and it ‘Was not until noon tnat the fact of its actaal suspen- sion was fully believed. Karly in the morning the following circular appeared on ’Change:— nsnmye ofS WNSCH TAU ee from the Clearing House, by the joint action of the Cleariog House Committee and the Committee on Suspensions, you are particularly requested to atten | a meeting of the ausocia- chants’ National Bank, this daj rueaioy hy ab Chairman Clearing Houss Committes MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS, ‘At the hour named for the meeting about seventy gentlemen were prevent, but the reporters were ex- pelied, Mr, Vernilyea, of the Merchants’ Bank, dotimating that representatives of the press could see him and learn ali particulars alter the meeting adjourned. The meeting adjourned within au hour, but Mr. Vermuyea referred the reporters to Mr. Leverich and other gentlemen of the Clearing House. ‘These gentiemen, on being approached, declined to say anything, but Jater in the day a reporter of the HeraLp conversed with an officer of the Clearing House, Who would say nothing except that under the rules of the Cleariug House any bank of the association whicn failed to observe the rules was subject to an examination by the joint committees. He stated very expiicitiy that when this action looking to an investigation of the affairs of the Ocean Bank was taken the bank only owed the Clearing House $17,000; that there were some ten or fifteen banks Not in the association who exchange among them- seives and accommodate each other, and carry ona financial world of their own. At this pointof the interview a well-dressed gen- tleman forced himself into the presence of the re- porter and the oficial and imperlously demanded information as to the status of the Union Square National Bank, Fortunately the Munager of the Clearing House, Mr. Camp, came to the rescue of the interviewed and the interviewer and gave him the information sougit. The conversation ran somewhat thus:— DeEPONITOR—How’s the Union Square? OrriciaL—lI don’t know; they don’t belong to our association, DePositoR—But are they sound? I understand they are affected by the Ocean Bank smash, OFFICIAL—That is something I have nothing to do with. The Union Square don’t belong to our as- sociauion, Imay say this much: the Union Square Bank deposits its paper in the Ocean Bank, and they send it to the Clearing House. Iknow nothing of its condition, Similar information was given the reporter. Later in the aiternoon the representative of the HSKALD was introduced to @ member of the com- mittee who, on Monday, examined the affairs of the Ocean Lauk, and lis statement is substantially as follows:— Tne Clearing House Committee had a meeting on Monday, and resolved to examine tne Ocean Bank, They proceeded there yesterday at three o'clock, Afler an examination lasting trom three to seven P. M. the committee found the Bank in such acondition that it was deemed de- sirable to close it. A meeting of the conterence committee was had, and ata meeting of the joint committees this morning at eleven o'clock the | Ocean National Bank was suspended from the ope. rations of the Clearing House unul the pleasure of the associated banks be known, Here the committeeman hesitated, excused him- sell, and held aconierence with genticmen of the Clearing House, Returning suddenly, he asked, “You belong toa morning papert’ Yes, sir, the HERALD,”? Vell, | ‘may say that in our examination of the ‘cash’ of the bank checks of Charles Callender to the amount of $76,000 were found and counted as legal tender notes by the bank.” ‘Who is Callender’ the reporter ventured to ask. Callender? Don't you know tim? He 1s the National Bank Examiner for this district Recently he reported the bank as all rigit.” “then it 18 not true that Tweed was the cause of the smash? It seems that the United States oficer isthe man? That puts a new light upon tue matter, 1 was informed that some of Iweed's checks caused the trouble.” “No, sir. We fouud @ large amount of protestea paper and loans upon lisuflicient securities; but ag lar as Tweed 18 connected with it, we only found that loans haa been made to the New York Prinung Company.” AT THE OCEAN BANK. At the Ocean Bank yesterday there was compara- tively litue excitement. Depositors came nurriedly in, sought @ prominent official, and after a short conversauion leit, apparentiy satisiied with the ex- Pilanation they bad received. Up to half-past eleven o'clock in the forenoon ail checks upon the bank were honored and ali deposits paid into the bank were received, but put aside with the name of the owner attached. Aiter haif-past eleven o'clock all checks presented were dishonored, and no farther deposits were received. The deposits received previously during the day were returned to the respective depositors. At halt-past eleven o'clock the bank had actuaily , suspended payment, and at twelve o’ciock Mr. H. kK. Hurlburt, Comptroller of the Currency, who hap- ened to be in the city, appointed Mr. Theodore M. avies receiver. My. Davies is the seator partner ofthe firm of Davies & Edsall, attorneys-at-law, No. 39 Wall street. He is known 4s @ practical business man, as well as an eminent member of the Bar. All the representatives of the press who applicd for injormation 10 the morning were toid that if {ney would callat two o'clock one of the bank officials would supply tiem with all the particulars of tae suspension that it was desirable the public should know. At two o’clock a HERALD reporter liad a.conversation in a private room Of the bank With Mr. Davies, the newly Cae receiver, In the course of this conversation Mr. Davies said that the fatiure of the bank had been acceierated by the action of the Clearing House committee, which had suas- peuded the Ocean Bank from weir operations Alter that action there was, of course, 10 salvation for the bank, inasmuch as all tue other banks had been notified, and the results conse- quent thereon followed. it was, tierefore, in the interest of all the deposivora that Mr. Hurburd had appointed a receiver. . Davies was of an opin that the depositors will be paid in full. fhe cire Jation of the bank was secured by the government, and the rematning assets of the bank, with the Nability of the stockhviders if neeaed, would be suiliciént to meet all the claims of depositors, An opinion inay be formed as to the probability of the depositors being paid in full by @ perusal of the fol- lowing statement of the bank, which wus the lust issued previous to its suspension:— IN SATURDAY’S BANK STATEMENT | the averages of the bank were reported as follows:— Loans pecie. deedee $2,009, 5) Legal tenders De ePOsls. .. lation: se eeeeesees This shows @ reserve only of 14-56 per cent, belag 10-44 per cent less than the required legal reserve of twenty-five per cent. Mr. Davies said that the capital of the bank w: $1,000,000; that the bulk of its securities were in estate, which they had found it difteult to reaiize upon. A good portion of these real securities had been taken for pad devis. There was no truth in the reports that the bank was in ailiance with any Wall street clique; neither had the bank anything to do with Tammany, Mr. ‘Tweed had been a director, aout a year ago. meethag, and fad practically nothing to do witu we bauk. By the robbery of the bank when it was located In Greenwich street, on Juue 27, 1869, It lost avout $40,000, Since then the baok has been siruggiin under adverse clicumstances, and has finally § cumbed. The President of tne bank is Mr. Stevenson, and the cashier is Mr, J, . ‘Hartshorn, Ail cheeks on the bank /n fransile by corres).on ents will be paid by the Park Bank on preseutaiion, The Union Square National Bank. When the news of the faiiure of the Ocean Na+ tionai Bank got abroad yesterday it was rumored that the Union Square National Bank bad exten- sive connections with the “Ocean,” and would, in all probability, share in the breakdown, To ascer- tain the truth of the rumor @ fleRALD reporter was sent to the offices of the bank, ana, though it was nearly four o’clock In the afternoon, found business Was going on briskly. ‘here were about half a dozen gentlemen, in earnest consultation with the cashier, evidenuy discussing the consequences of the | * bank fasiure. The cashier, on being questioned asto the truth of the rumor, stated that there was no in connection with the bank, and that he nad paid up to three o'clock ail accounts presented, He atiributed the prevalence of the report to the fact that the Union Square Bank redeemed through the “Ocean.” ‘The utter inion Square Bank, and, ia consequence, Wo trouble a! any tind is agucipaied but resigned | He had not attended a directors’ | | recently worked on—and, | everything ¥ | ch 3 from its fatinre. A new hank ts to he a) ounted day to exchange, and the temporary Ticerrengee ment Wiil cause no serious iucouventence, “SHORT” OF COTTON. Failure of three Cotton Firms—Mulcted on the Margin—A Clique Charged with Being the Cause of the Suspensjon. The cotton market has recently been considerably excitel in consequence of advancing prices. It is said that a clique was formed to put up tné prices of contracts, and this has beem going om so persistently that several firms, seefng that if the Margins caused by the advance continued to increase utter ruin should neceasarily follow, Tesolved to suspend ail operations and annoenee to the Cotton Exchange their inability to meet their liabilities. ‘Tho result of this was that the letters of three promineat cotton houses were yes terday to bo seen posted publicly in the Cotton Ex change. Their names were W. P, Wright & 0o., brokers, 50 Scone street; Jeremiah Jeaycraft, mer- chant, 60 Wall street, and Adolphus Schaefer & Co., 111 Water street. The two first named fatied on Monday; Schaefer & Co. failed yesterday, A HERALD reporter yesterday called on these gentie= men to ascertain the state of their affairs. From ail he could learn from them tt would seem ths fall- ures have occurre? more through fear of more sertous diMculties occurring than from entire in- ability to meet their present liabilities, Mr. Schaeffer stated that his Mabiiides would Probably amount to about one hundred’ thousand dollars, His assets, he thinks, will probably éover thas entire amount, but he could not continue to meet the Increasing margins created by the cliqne without danger of complete ruin to ms ‘busmess, His books are now betng putin order, and bis af fairs generally wil be ready for the supervision of his creditors within a few days. Mr, Schaeffer had no hesitatton in saying that he couid easily have | met all demands upon him up to yesterday morning, but seeing tle persistent efforts of the so-called. Clique to Keep np the prices of “futures? above tho’ prices of “spot”? cottons, he was compelled to stop business, Mr. Jeremiah Loaycraft was unable to give any a¢- curate statement as to the amount of his liabtilittes, but petleved that, when his books were made up, his creditors would find he would pay one hundred cents on the doga® The reason of his fallure was precisely sinular to that of Schaeffer & Uo, The actual Habiilties are for 4,000 bales of cotton—or rather for the advence of two cents which has been therefore, amount abour twenty thousand dollars. To avonl the in- creasing margin and to be able to meet his credit- ors to better advantage he was obliged to suspead business, W. P. Wright & Co., brokers, state tnat their Ha. bilities amount to avout $39,000, Tne cause of thelr suspension Was chat merchants for whom they did business failed to respond when called upon to Meet the margins of the advance. Their creditors number about thirty, and hilf of them met yeater- day at Wright & Co.'s office to examine the hooks and decide whether or not they would accept the Orm’s offer of tity cents on the dollar, Those pres- ent signed the agreement, and the paper was, later in the day, sent round to the other credivors for their signasures, Each of the three firms expeots to be able to re- sumo business ina day or two. It was sald that traud was not Intended by any of the houses, as the only reason of their suspension was simply the de- sire to protect creditors as wellas themselves. They say it was time to Stop ne one man would buy in Quay 7,000 bales of December contracts at nail & cent over December ‘spot’? cottons,’ On Monday “spov? cotton was 103¢c., While the “contracta’? were 20!sc., thus siueczing the paper purchases above the price of cotton actually in the market. ‘The three faiiures caused considerable talk In down- town business circies yesterday, especially as two ofthe firms have been each nearly turty years in the cotton business, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Assembling of the Demecratic Siate Convention. Weston Will Probably Be Renominated for the Governorship—“hs Unater-ified Out in Force. CONCORD, N. H., Dec. 12, 1871. Concord 1s alive to-night with the democracy of the State, who have come to attend the Convention to-morrow. The hotels are crowded and the streeta present the lveilest appearance for years, and, not- withstanding the local defeat at Manchester, im the election of a republican Mayor by 600 majority, tne unterrified are as far from being disheartened as ever. No one talks of giving it up. ‘hey are ag confident of a democratic success im 1872 as they were gratified by the election of Weston thia Year, and they mean to leave no stone unturned that can be turned to advantage. The importance of the election 1s fully realized. It 19 patent that the re. publicans moan to “run a muck’ for It, for they cannot afford a defeat In view of the Presidential campaign, and the democracy ts determined to win the victory if possible, The biggest guns are out, It is seldom, indeed, that so many prominent men from ail parts of the State are gathered together, A PRELIMINARY CONSULTATION. Atavery large meeting held at the Eagle Hotel thisevening. Rou Harry Bingham and tion. Jona G, Sinclair, of Lituieton; Hon. Frank Janes, of Ports- mouth; Mr. Putnam, of Warren; Hon. W. 0. Sturoc, of Sunapee; Hon. D. N. Clongh, of Canterbury, and Hon, Thomas J. Smith, of Dover, were present tor consultation with reference to to-morrow’s work and stirring speeches were made. The Chatrman, Francis R. Chase, of Northiield, seemed to take the lead. He satd:— GENTLEMEN~I understood that there was to bea meeting this evenimg, and that the delegates from the several paris of the State ta town were invited to be present, aud 1 am very nappy to sce @ larger gathering of the democracy of New Hampshire present at a preliminary meeting that I have ever seen before. Lave been In the habit of attending conventions for some years, and I have never seen that determined expression, that determined will, Manifested that I have seen manifested here tonight on the part of every person here assembled. 1 believe that we have come liere with that determination which will lead to our entire, perfect and complete victory, 1 think J know some. thing of the people of New Hampshire. I think that. left alone, enjoying the full sense of the judg- ment which our people possess, that victory 1s sure, steadfast and forever. Gentlemen, we are here for the purpose of consuiting in relation to the contest which Is soon to take place, Now I warn every man of you to act as one man. Let our dee liberation be such a8 will insure our victory, and such itcan, et us have no dissensions in our owa camp; let us accept no cuoiateral, outside issues, but press onward to the triumph of the eternal prin- ciples of the democracy. About the course of proceedings to-morrow it 14 somewhat uiMicult to-night to ascertain definitely, There cannot be the slighiest doult, Kowever, of Weston’s renomination. It ts true there isan im- pression in some quarters that he has decreased in popularity since he took tne gubernatorial ehatr, by reason of mistakes in bis oficial appommtments; but on ihe whole he stands today MIQUER IN THE STATE THAN ANY OTDER MEN, He is the one mau op whom the democraey wilt unite, [is bonesty and general iniogrity are une questioned, For Railroad Commissioner Heury Coluney, Of Keene, is much talked oO}, As to tho platiorim, it will not aifer from the last one with the exception that a plank will doubuess be incorporated looking to clange in the policy of the admiuistration towards the Soutnern States, ‘The principles of the party are strongly ree aiirmed. The State Central Commitee were in session until twelve o'clock. When they adjoarned they had the general PROGRAMME COCKED AND PRIMED. , were appomted, and rept the seection of the jon, Kyeryvody aved at rman of the Conve One o'clock. ROW IN REDDY'S. It scems one of those things that must Inevitably occur in the course of events that this notorious den of Reddy's will be brought constanly before the public through some outrageous proceeding that pas taken place in it, The latest feat at- tempted by the /ay.fucs of this detectable hail of refreshment Was an effort of cannibalism A {ous man who was living at a hovel in the neigh. yorhood of the ‘murderers’ block,” went into this place yesterday morning at an early hour, evi- dently not knowing tue locality, to get a drink, and ‘while fe was there some one attacked inn, no douvt witt a view to getting posession of any little loose property he migat possess. The youth deiended hunseli as Well as he was able and for souie time Was getting the mastery of bis opponent when another party came upon the svene and threw lim down, ‘The first adtagontst thei tat him ferocimusiy aud in the course of the rou and tumble bit his pose, ear and @ large part of the’ under ip, The man was taken to the statton house, where Doctor Frazer dressed his wounds and he went back to the notel he tives im, At the SAO, house ne gave lis name as Laugeue Valenuing \