The New York Herald Newspaper, March 19, 1879, Page 3

“ ‘to’ ‘sign, and then to pass the Legiste- WASHINGTON. Organization of the Forty- ‘sixth Congress, MR. RANDALL ELECTED SPEAKER. The Majority Representation in the ‘ Senate Committees, ANTICIPATED COURSE OF LEGISLATION. Indications of Results to Follow Democratic Control. “FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, WasuINeton, March 18, 1879, DEMOCRATS IN CONTROL OF THE ‘NATIONAL LEGISLATURE AND WHAT IS LIKELY TO COME OF IT-—INDICATIONS FROM THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, A political doctor of long experience, but of san- guine temperament, remérked to-day after the in- stallation of the Speaker:—‘‘Well, the democratic party has safely pessed-s crisis and seems to me now to have @ reasonable chance of recovery. But the patient needs ful nursing and very good luck to get through after all.”” Yndoubdtedly the re-election of Mr. Randall saved bis party from {mmediate ruin. This pieco of good fortune gives it breathing time. It might even be said that the fact that Mr. Randall could get a ma- fority in the democratic caucus is evidence that the better eloments predominate in the party in the new House, for he had to struggle against the very vigorous opposition of all to whom his unflinching policy of economy and opposition to subsidies end jobs has made him hateful. The election of -Mr. Blackburn, especially after the publication by his friends of his letter declaring for legal tender and unlimited silver, would have flung the <party headlong into the arms of the = greenbackers, and the ‘election of Mr. Randall has at least delayed that catastrophe. But it yet remains to be seen where the new Congress is going to land, ‘and whether the democrats, who now control both houses, are going to impose a definite policy on their party or repost the blunder of making it resemble Mr. Facing-Both-Ways in the “Pilgrim's Progress.” The constitution of the democratic part of the Senste Finance Committes, as it is re- ported this evening, certainly looks like the continuation of the contradictory and forcibly feeble policy on tho currency, which has dimin- ished the democratic majority in the House from Over sixty in 1875 to less than a dozen in 1879, and hes left the party at large a prey to con- stantly increasirig dissensions. The democrats tm the Senate Finance Committee ought to tepresent some definite opinion on the currency question, but their names are Bayard and Kernan, bard’ money; ‘Wallace on the fence, but leaning to soft money, and Voorhees and Beck, ‘extreme infla- tion. “Vichever you please, my little dears,” @aid the: showman when he was asked which which was the elephant and which the hyena; “you pays your money and you takes your choice.” And hist is the besf that can be said of the democratic snd of the Senate Finance Committee. Messrs. Bayard and Kernan will have to depend on the help ‘Of the republican members to best their own party friends on any important measure. It is trud that in ‘the lestCongress the republican hard money men on rae a tm ens ann tt Nenece Dares ‘ahd Kernan to help them to seat thd republican in- Astionists, but that does not better the present dem cratic position, which is embarrassing and humili- Sting to. men just coming into the control of both branches of Congress, and it shows that the demo- rats, even in the Senate, have nob the wit to see that it is a blunder to allow their opponents to take the side of accomplished facts on this question, ‘The truth is, the manner in which the democratic Senators have framed the committees shows that thoy do not expect to retain control of the Senate for more than two years. If they were conscious of the new and importantduties and responsibilities this control imposed upon them as democrats, they would have east aside the stupid old sentority rule by which Senators ris> on committees regardless of fitness or opinions by mere length of service, as do officers of an army, on a peace footing and *would have gathered their ablest men on the most important committees and taken care that such a committee as that ‘on finance should mean something. As they heve arranged it cither the fepublican members willcontrol it for sound money and Mr. Bayard will be merely their mouthpiece, or he will have the still greater humiliation of being controlled by democratic and republican inflation- ists. . As to the House committees fortunately the Speaker will not appoint them for the present. It is understvod that Mr. Randall favors a short session and s quick ‘dispatch of only the absolutely neces- sary business. It is not necossary even to appoint committees on appropriations and judiciary. All the bills which must be passed were perfected by the last Congress, and the House can make needful changes in Committee of the Whole if such should be required. ‘There is reason to hope, therefore, that the session will not last moro than two or three ‘weeks, though nothing is certain in this matter. Concerning the political legislation no definite plan has been agreed on so far. Thoro is much talk of an absurd scheme to pass the Army bill with the Provision about troops. at the polls, the repeal of the test oaths and the change in the juror laws first, all of which tho President is expected tive bill, with the repeal of tho supervisor and deputy marshsis laws hitched on, send it to the Prosident and if he 1 on it adjourn out q ection. It ts armaning that this pasa Sl oh yd epparent consent of a few men who usually possess common sehse, But it is not likely to be adopted, Decauste most sensible democrats. here sco and acknowledge that the supervisor law is of little importance, and gives no just causo of complaint, because two supervisors are in all cases sppointed, one from each party. Some Southern journals and many Southern men aleo say openly that they prefer to keop the supervisors, as being not merely harmless but in many cases useful, Tho qnly real and substantial causd of differ. @nce that remains, therefore, is tho law permitting the appointment of deputy mar- shals for elections, because theso aro, selected by the marshals, who arc, of course, in strong sympathy with tho party in power. It is charged that this Deputy Marshals’ law simply gives ‘the party in powor an important campaign fund from the public treasury, and this is substantially true. Somo democrats assert that it is evon more—a corruption fund—and relate that in a New England city at the Inst lection tho republican managers wero shrowd. and unscrujulous enough to appoint thirty briboable democrats deputy marshals, and ¢ secured their votes end services for tho republican ticket. These officers may receive $50 each from the public treasury, & handsome bribe in thoso hard times. If the democrats were good tempered and thoroughly informed, and if they had wit enough to let the Supervisors’ Jaw stand and in @ well conducted de- dato show up tho evils and abuser of the Deputy Marshale’ law, it would be possible for thom to make tho republicans ashamed of it and ready ft loast to so modify and guard it as to mako it fair. Dut they ore likely to put themsctves in tho wrong Before the country by foolivh and angry action. ‘What is remarked here in gencral 1s that too many of tho democrats, coming after twenty yoara once more into the control of both houses of Congress, act rathor as persons who havo fallen heirs to a great fortune than as people upon whom ® very serious reaponsibility hes devolved. Of course there are’ instead of seven, as heretofore, and bo compesed of Gve democrats, threo republicans and Judge Davia NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1879.-TRIPLE SHEET. many exceptions to this. In each house there ere among the democrats s number of.men of sound democratic principles and of undoubted and great capacity end wisdom, but it must be confessed that they are slow to take command. The election of Mr, Randall as Speaker will help them, but they are slow to understand that it is their Grat duty to havo a definite policy. —_—_-+—_— FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. ORGANIZATION OF THE FORTY-SIXTH CONGRESS— iS AND ENCIDENTS, Wasuincton, March 18, 1879. For the first time in eighteen years a Congress democratic in both branches convened at the Capitol to-day. The crowd attending its assembling out- numbered even that which Witnessed the opening proceedings of the Forty-fourth Congress four years ago, when s democratic House was first inengurated after an interval of twenty years. There isenough of the ancien régime yet left in Washington from ante bellum days to make s powerful democratic demon- stration when its political sympathies and onthu- siasm are evoked by an occasion like the present. Accordingly the galleries were literally packed to suffocation two hours in advance ot tho beginning of business, The serried ranks rose in unbroken lines from the verge of the galleries back to the walls and doorways against which and in which people were standing wedged together in a solid phalanx. The Senate had little delay in organizing. Itis a ‘perpetual body and two-thirds of it is always, 80 to speak, old. Nor was thero any considerable delay in organizing the House. The democrats had 143 men on the floor from the beginning, and as the republi- cans did not attempt or even contomplate refraining from voting to defeat a quorum, the prospect of any obstruction to the election of Mr. Randall im- mediately vanished. When the vote, however, was about to be announced, showing the presence of the above number of democrats for Mr. Randall, a littlo, confusion as to the constitutional requirement in the matter of a quorum and a temporary misunder- standing as to Mr. Randall's supposed deficient voto induced the summoning to the floor of Congressman | O'Reilly, of Brooklyn, who cast himself into the breach, and, risking the lows of his Aldermanic of- fice, gave Mr. Randall the qnorum figure oj 144. ‘The swearing in of the ex-Confedorates created the usual merriment, and the drawing of seats was the subjectof still morefun, especially as some of the older members, like Mr. Wood, chairman of the Ways and Means, wero not drawn from the box until near the end and had to put up with seats on the outer edge of the circle. * The House is divided so evenly politically that for the first time in @ great many years the centre aisle separates the two parties exactly. Usually, from the inequality of tho party forces, one side has had to intrude to a groater or less ex- tent upon the other’s seats. But now the right is all democratic and the left all republican, There are 302 seats altogether, giving 151 to each party. As there are only 293 members, all told, and as the democratic majority is so ,smull, this even partition was easily effected. With all tho members and the eight Torritorial delegates accommodated with places, and with the Speaker in his chair, thero ge. main but two unoccupied seats on the floor of the House. As the allotment of seats drew to a close the House gradually assumed the appearance it gs destined to wear as the Forty-sixth Congress. As the seats filled up the character of the body began to show itself. From the gallery the view was compliméntary to ite general intelligence. The democratic side pre- sents a better looking set of men than did the previous Congress, while the republicans suffer some- what by comparison in this respect with their prede- cessors, ‘The democrats ars better dressed and fresher than the old party, while the republicans have # younger and newer srray of faces. White heads have dissppeared largely from both sides. In the Forty-fourth Con; any Amer- ican. visiting he House for the woula have readily told the democratic side from the republican. But such @ spectator would be mom puzzled to make, the distinction in tho Forty-sixth Congress. Indped, if a few of the tawny, lank Southerners would betake themselves to the cloak rooms while he made the inspection he might fail altogether to find a difference, It is to be hoped the fact is & good augury for both Congress and the country. oo GENERAL WASHINGTON OESPATCHES, Wasurxotox, March 18, 1879. SENATE STANDING AND SELECT COMMITTEES— MAJORITY MEMBERSHIP 4S FIXED IN THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS. The democratic Senators held a short caucus this afternoon, at which the report of the committes ap- pointed to arrange the democratic personnel of the Senate committees was received and ratified. ‘The majority membership of the principal commit- tees is fixed as follows:— Finance—Senators Bayard (chairman), Wallace, Kernan, Voorhees and Beck. Appropriations—Senators Davis, of West Virginia (chairman); Withers, Beck, Wallace and Eaton. Foreign Relations—Senators Eaton (chairman), Johnston, Morgan and Pendicton. Commerce—Senators Gordon (chairman), Ransom, Randolph, Hereford and Coke. Judictary—Senators Thurman (chairman), Mc- Donald, Bayard, Gariand, Lamar and Davis, of Lli- nois, * Senator Davis is also provided for by the majority the same as if he were in full‘perty fellowship with them, by placing him on the following additional committees, viz.:—Revision of the Laws, Private Land Claims and Census. 2 The other chairmanships are distribuicd as fol- lows:— ¥ Privileges and Elections—Mr. Saulsbury. ae, Affairs—Mr. Rando! J . Me! Indian Affairs—Mr. Coke. Pensions—Mr. Withers. Stenactaren Me eat Agric roa 8 ad Patents—Mr. Ke le amen Builaioge . and , Gpounds—Mr, Jones, of Mr. mn. Mines and Mining—Mr. Hereford. Revision of the Lews—Mr. Wallace, Education and Labor —Mr. Bailey. Civil Sorvice and Retrenchmeat—Mr. Butler. Printing—Mr. Whyte. Library—Mr. Voorhees. Contingent Expenses—Mr. Hill, Rules—Mr. Morgan. Enrolled Billsa—Mr. Vance, on. Transportation Routes to the Seaboard—Mr. Beck. : To Examine tho several branches of the Civil Scr- vico—Mr. Vest. To take into consideration the State of tho Law concerning the Electoral Votes for President, &c.— Mr. Morgan. To Investigate the Treasury Department's Ac- counte—Mr. Davis, of West Virginia, On the Mr. Pendleton. On Epidemic Disoases—-Mr. Harris, On the Mississippi River—Mr. Lamar, Thy the select cominittes on the “levees of the ppt River.” The select committen to itiquire into alleged frauds in the late elections, commonly known here- tofore as the “Teller Committes,” is reorganized with Mr. Wallace as chairman, and Messrs, Bailey, Garland, McDonald and Kernan as the other demo- cratic members, The select committees on the subject of the re- moval of tho Northern Choyennes to the Indian Territory and to inquire into all-claims of Usited States citizens against Nicaragua are to be continued with the same membership as at present, their ro- spective chairmen being Senators Kirkwood and Homlin, ‘The caucus left three chairmanships of standing committees to be filled by republicans—vix., those of the committees on Public Land Claims, on Revolu- tionary Claims and on Engrossed Bills, No other business was brought bofore the caucus ‘to-day. \ ‘ Theso vacancies left for the republicans correspond in numbor in every case but one with the places here- tofore allotted by the republicans for the democrats, Tho exception is the Committee on the Judiciary, which will this sestion consist of nine Senators first time of Illinois, who does not. nominally belong to either political party. During the last Congress this committeo was composed of three republicans, three democrats and Judge Davis. ‘The republican Senators this afternoon appointed a committee, consisting of Messrs. Morrill, Allison, Anthony, Booth, Jones of Nevada, Cameron of Penn- sylvania and Burnside, to arrange the minority membership of the Senate Committees and report to their party colleagues in caucus to-morrow, SERENADE TO SPEAKER RANDALL. A serenade was given Mr. Samuel J. Randall to- night in honor of ‘his re-election as Speaker of the House of Representatives. The procession, con- sisting of a number of residents of the Dis- trict and many Philedelphians—the latter being chiefly instrumental in arranging the affxir— was marshalled by Mr. William Dickson. Among the Philadelphians present were Willism McCandless, Major James Atwell, Eugene Caldwell” Alderman McMullen, ex-Mayor Fox and Robert F. Randall. The Marine band was in attendance, At Mr. Randall's house that gentleman appeared, and after remarking that ho felt greatly honored by. this mark of their esteem, he spoke in glowing terms of what he conceived fo be the future of the democratic party, The procession then proceeded to the residence of Colone! Blackburn, but owing to that gentleman’s absence they were dismissed. A serenade will be tendered Mr. Blackburn by the citizens of the District. to-morrow evening. PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. SENATE. ‘WasuInctor, March 18, 1879. ‘The galleries of the Senate were crowded long be, fore the hour of noon, at which time the Vice Presi- dent called the Senate to order and the Rev. Dr. Sunderland, the chaplain, delivered a prayer, re- turning thanks for the favorable auspicés under which the Senate had convened and invoking the special blessing of the Almighty upon Congress now assembled. ‘The proclamation of the President of the United States, giving his reason for convoking Congress in special session, was then read by Secretary Gorham, namely, the failure of the late Congress to pads the bill making appropriations for the support of the legislative, executive and jndicial branches of the govepnment and the Army Appropriation bill. The Vice Presipent then: directed the Secretary to call the names of Senators: elect. who could take the oath of July, 1862, and reqnested them: to present themselves four at a time, which they did, being es- corted to the chair by their respective colleagues. In accordance with this order the fol- lowing named Senators. took what is com- monly known a8 the “‘iron-clad oath’— namely, that they were not eng in the rebellion or give aid or comfort to it, and that they wdhid support the constitution of the United States Messrs, Allison, of Iowa; Cameron, of Pennsylvanit Carpenter, of ‘Wisconsin; Conkling, of New York: Farley, of California; Groome, of land; Hill, of Colorado; Ingalls, of Kansas; Jones, of Nevada; bey vw of Illinois; Morrill, of Vermont; Pendleton, of Ohio; Platt, of Connecticut; Slater, of Oregon, and Voorhees, of Indiana, The following named Senators then respectively took the modified oath—namely, to support the con- stitution of the United States aguinst all enemies, foreign and domestic, taking it without mental res- ervation; and further, that they would faithfully discharge their duties undor it:—Messrs. Call, of Florida; Houston, of Alabama; Jonas, of Louisiana; Vance, of North Carolina; Vest, of Missouri, and Williams, of Kentucky. id Mr. Hampton, (dem.) of 8. C., was not present. ir. Gordon, of Georgia, was also abvent as his cre- dentials, having beon somewhat informal, were re- turned to the Executive of Georgia for correction. The Vick Purstpent laid before the Senate tho cre- dentials of Charles H. Beil, ited by the Gov- ernor of New Hampshire during the recess of the Legislature, to fill a vacancygccasioned by the ex- piration of the term of service of Mr. Wadleigh, THE NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATORSUIP. Mr. WaLLace, (dem), of Pa., moved that these cre- dentials be laid on the table until to-morrow. His reason for doing so was thats grave legal question was presented as to whether there was such a vacancy as could be filled by the Governor. The subject should, therefore, engage the il . consideration of the Senate. He withdrew the motion temporarily to enable Mr. Rollins, of New to make a brict statement. He submitted all the precedents he could fiud trom the commencement of ‘the government to the showing that in nine cases, under n to she mt, Senators ap- pointed Governors Fog Remar of their po! Te ps oti Engialacares hed admitted without objection. expreseed the hope that after those pre the oath would bo administere? to Mr. 1. The Senate could examine into the question at another time. ‘The act of Congress of July 25, 1866, requires that Senators shall be elected by the Legislature ‘chosen next préceding the expiration” of any term. By reason of a change in the constitution of New Hampshire, which took effect October 1, 1878, two legislatures were chosen in the year 1878—one in March under the old constitution, whose term of office commenced in June, 1873, and will continue to June, 1879, and the other.in November, whose term of office will not commence till Jtine, 1879, and will continuo to June, 1831, Upon a bill being introduced into the Senate of the United States in June, 1878, to define which of these two Ng can had the power to elect a successor to Mr. Wadleigh, the Committee on Privileges and Elections made a ~~. (No. 485) that only the Legis- lature chosen in November, 1478, had that power, which report was adopted by the Senate. Tho is lature chosen in March thereupon took no steps to elect a successor to Mr. Wadleigh, But the Legislature chosen In November, 1878, ca: not be assembled until June, 1879; therefore in Mai 1379, when the vacancy occurred, there was no Leg: lature in being or capable of being assembled with the power to elect a Senator, On the principle of Sevier’s case, therefore, the Governor had the right of appointment. Mr.,WaLace, of Pennsylvania, renewed his motion, saying he followed the precedent in such cases, and the question having been taken the credentials wero laid on the table until to-morrow. On motion of Mr, Tuurman, of Ohio, it was re solved that tho Secretary inform the Honse of Repre- sentatives that a quorum of the Senate had assembled and were ready to proceed to business. On motion of Mr. Bayaxp, of Delaware, it was ro- solved ‘that » committee ot two members be ap- pointed to join such committee 98 may be appointed y the House of Representatives to wait on the President of the United States and inform him that & quorum of both houses havo assembled and are ready to receive any communication he may bo Pleased to make. The Vick Prestpext appointed Mossrs. Bayard, of Delaware, and Anthony, of Bhude Island, as such communittee, On motion of Mr, Wirrre, of Maryland, it was or- dored that tho daily hour of the meeting of the Sen- ate shall be twelve o'clock, until otherwise ordered, On motion of Mr. WuyTE the Senate took a recess from halt-past twelve to one o'clock, Ou reassembling Mr. Wurte said, from informa- tion received from the House of Re) ives, he did. got think. it possible that the. ‘ot Tesentatives would organize bofore three or half-past three o'clock. He therefore moved that the Senate adjourn until to-morrow, and this was agreed to at five minutes past one o'clock. “HOUSE OF REPREAENTATIVES, Wasurketox, March 18, 1879, The opening of the first session of tho Forty-sixth Congress was witnessed in the House by an immense concourse of spectators, All the members elect were early in attendance, and for nearly en hour before noon pleasauit grectings were interchanged, At noon the House was called to order by Mr. Adama, the Clerk, who road the proclamation of the President convoking Congress, and stated that tho time thus designated having arrived he would call the roll, which, as Clerk of the last House, he was required by law to prepare. He theroupon pro- cecded to call the roll by States, beginning with the State of Maine. FLORIDA AND IOWA CASES, ‘The State of Florida having been reached the Clerk called the name of Mr. Hull as the Reprosentative from tho Second district, and explained why he had put on tho roll the name of Mr. Hull rather than that of Mr. Bisbeo. He said that he had received the cer- tifleate of the election of Mr. Hull, dnly sighed “by the Governor, under the seal ot the Stato, and that subsequently he had received sundry papers in behalt of the election of Mr. Bisbee, among which was ® certified copy of the canvass suosequently made by the Board of State Canyassers in obedience to an ; ry sl ir. Bisveo he Clerk did not feel at liberty to regard anything credential within the meaning of the lew except the certificate of the Governor. The State of Iowa having been reached, the Clerk explained why ho had placed on the roll the names ot the nino members whose names appeared there. ‘They had presented certificates duly signed by’ the Governor, and the question whether lection: had of had not been held. on the day fixed by law was one which the Clerk did not feel called upon to decide, but which the House itself, when organized, count decide, As to the State of Kansas, the Clerk stated that he had ‘not put onthe rol the name of tho person claiming to have been elected from the Stato at large, the State being only entitled to three members, The roll having been completed, the Clerk on- nounced that 285 members had answered to their names, the only two atisentees being Messrs, O'Reilly , and dames, ot New York. ELECTION OF SPEAKER, On motion of Mr, F. Woon, (dem.) of N. ¥., the House than propecded to sho election of & bp the following members were put in nomins- jon:— Mr. Ciymxp, (dem.) of Pa., Samuel J. Randall, of Pennsylvania. Sega Pure, (rep.) of Me,, James A, Garfield, of By Mr. De La Maryn, (nat.) of Ind., Hendrick B. va of Pennsylvania. rs. Clymer, of Pennsylvai Ellis, of Louisi- wna; Hiscock, of New York, and Stone, of Michigan, were appointed tellers to count the votes, and the Clerk proceeded to call the roll. When the name of Mr. Blackburn was called and wi) he voted for Mr. Randull there was a round of applause on the democratic side and in the galleries, ‘The yote resulted as, follow: Whole number of votes cast.. ir. Randall, ir. Gartield,. in, Wright». ir. William D. Kelley, of Pennsylvania members voting for Mr. Wright were M De Ea Matyr, of Indiana; Ford, of Missouri; Forsyth, of Minois; Gillette, of lowa; dones, of Texas; Kelley, of Pennsylvania; Ladd, of Maine; Lowe, of Alabama: Murch, of Maine; Russell, of Massachusetts Stevenson, of Ylimois; Weaver, of Iowa, and Yokum, of Pennsylvania. member voting for Mr. Kelley was Mr. Barlow, of Vermont. When the tellers announced the result there were but 143 votes for Mr. Randall, and Mr. Conger, of Michigan, had just raised the question that that was less than a majority of the whole number of mem- bers elected, when Mr. O'Reilly, of New York—one of the two absentees—arrived in the chamber, an- nounced his presence, and cast his vote for Mr. Ran- dali, thus giving that’ gentleman a majority of tho whole number of mombers elect. ‘The incidentewas the oceasion of much a) ee Messrs. Garfield and Blackburn (having been ap- pointed for the purpose) then conducted the Speaker to the chair, ADDRESS OF SPEAKER RANDALL. The SpeaKER on taking the chair said :— REeEPRESENTATIVES—By your vote Lam elevated for the third time to the exalted office of Speaker of this Honse. For this evidence of your approval and con- fidence I offer you my heartfelt thanks, Tho respon- sibilities and duties imposed upon me are heavy and difficult, With the blessing of God I shall discharge them without pereoee bias or ignoble partisanship. Observing strict impartiality as to men and meas- ures, parties and sections, it will be to me ung ble joy if { can ‘help to bring about that substantial, fraternal union, which comes alone through “wisdom, moderation and justice.” This new Congrees meets in its first session under the call of the President. Owing to irreconcilable differ- ences npon vital issues, important and necessary ap- propriation bills failed to pasa at the provious ses- sion. Then the political sentiment of the two houses was ant mistic. It is now in com- plete accord. This House, fresh from tho peo- le, brings with it their latest will. We are Rice. dor’ phat. lngisintion - mp. thetr necenstticn, welfare and honor demend. ‘That will, as exp ‘by the majority in calm snd decorous form, let us hope will meet with universal accept- ance. Moreover, the country cxpects of this Con- gress that it will wisely and deliberately legislate to remove the burdens that have too long weighed upon the patriotism and prosperity of the people, aud with tho forvent hope that the spirit as well asthe letter’of the constitution shall be the controlling in- fluence in directing such legislation, I am now pre- pared to take the oath of office. ‘The oath of office was then administered to the Speaker by Mr. Kelley, of Pennsylvania, the oldest member in continuous length of s¢ , atter which the oath to the members was administered by the Speaker in groups of States, THY. MODIFIED OATH. When the members from Delaware, Mary- land, Virginia, North Carolina and South Caro- lina were called in one group, and when the Speaker said he would first administer the oath to those who could teke it, in the usual form (that is, what is known as “the iron-clad oath,”’) there were only five members who stopped forward and took it. Among the most conspicuous of those who took the modified oath was General de E. Johnston, Representative from Virginia. Mr. Fraxr, of Maine, objected to the administering of the oath to Mr. Hull, of Florida, and that gentle- man was requested to stand aside for the present. Subsequently Mr. Hanis, (dem.) of Va., offered resolution that Mr. Hull be sworn in. Mr, Farz, of Maine, moved as a substitute a reso- lution reciting that the credentials of Mr. Hull had beef annulled and made eg g the jndgment of the Supreme Court of Florida, that the State Board of Canvasscrs had declared and ceftified that Mr. Bisbee had been duly elected, and that therefore Mr. Bisbee is entitled to be sworn in on his prima facie case. : By arrangement the matter was allowed to till to-morrow, and the papers were order printed in thg Record. ‘OFFICERS OF THY HOUSE. over to be Mr. Curae, of Pennsylvania, offered a resolution | for the election of George M. Adame, of Kentucky, as clerk; John G. Thompson, é¢ Ohio, as sergeant-at- arms; Charles W. Ficld, of Georgia, as doork Ir; James M, Stewart, of Virginia, as itmaster, and the Rev. W. P. Harrison, of the District of Columbi an chaplain (being the present incumbents of tho: ). Mr, Frye, of Maine, offered as a substitute the names of Joseph H. Rainey, of Sonth Carolina; Jere- miah M, Rusk, of Wisconsin; James M. 1 of 3 ‘Sherwood, of Michigan, and the I Hey , Of the District of Columbia, Neg- att) 3 Mr. GILLETTE, (ind.) of. Iowa, offered as.a substi- tute the names of Lee Crandall, of Alabama; Charles Browse, of Iudiana; Benjamin E. Green, of Georgi: and D, P, Mitchell, of Kausas, for the first four of ficea, Negatived—only 12 votes in the afiirmative. ‘The original resolution was then adopted and the oath was administered to the officers. ‘ ‘A committeo (consisting of Messrs. Blackburn; of Kentucky; Gartield, of Onio, and Goode, of Virginia) waa appointed to wait on the President (in conjunction with # like committee from the Senate) and inform him that Congress was in. session and ready to re- ceive any communication from him. Mr. Sprixoer, (dem,) of I11., offered a resolution to change the rules so as to give to the Committee on, Appropriations jurisdiction of matters relating to legislative, Executive and judicial expenditures and to the sundry civil expenses of the government, e: cept as to the Department of Agriculture, whic should be referred to the Committee on : Agricult and giving to-the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Military Afuirs, Naval Affairs, Indian Affairs and Pcst Offices jurisdiction over matters pertaining to their several branches of public servic Mr. BLacxaury, (dem.) of Ky., offered as a substi- tute a resolution for the appointment of a committee of five to revise and simplity the rales of the House, and that in the meantime the rules of the Forty-fifth Congress shall be adopted for the Forty-sixth. Mr. GaRFIELD, (rep.) of Ohio, moved to amend the last clause of Mr. Blackburn's substitute by excepting the last paragraph of rule 120 and amending that so as to read, “nor shal! amendment changin; All these propositio: and are to be called w another resolution o! for action to-morrow, a8 also by Mr. Hooker, of Minsin- sippi, to the effect that the commnttces on Military Affairs, Naval Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Indian At- fairs, &c., shall receive the eatimate and report the bills for their respective branches of the public ser- view. * OHIO CONTESTED SRATS, Mr. McManox, (dem.) of Ohio, sent to the Clerk's desk and. asked ‘to, have réad a’ petition (signed by twenty-three prominent citizens of Cincinnati) against the right of Messrs. Butterworth and Young, of Ohio, to occupy their seats. Mr. Keiren, (rep.) of Ohio, objected on the ground that there was no regular contest in those cases, and that the petition should take the ordinary course and go to the petition box. ‘The question was — by Messrs. McMahon, of Ohio, and Carlisle, of Kentucky (in favor of the right of having the petition read and printed in the Record), and by Messrs. Keifer and Gartield — that ryht, the Intter staring that rent Bom by twenty-three citizens could be procured ing any Representative, snet that if such things could be spread on the record mentbers might be made “the haulers of a who! a of mud carts from now till the end of the After further diketiesion by Mossrs. Reagan, ‘Texas, and of Virginia (in favor of the Fi of having the paper read and printed), the er stated that the paper nad been offered as one touch- ing the right ot members to their seats and therefore asa question ot high privilege, and that ho could not decide whether it contained such a question until he knew what was in the paper. Without action the matter went over until to-mor- row. DRAWING OF RATS. Tho members then retire? to the rear of the desks and the drawing for seats was proceeded with, there being no exceptions mado in favor of any member (as bad Legg ps oe for Mr. Stephens, of Georgia, Mr. Kelley, of Pennsylvania, Feruando Wood, of New York, and others), The names of members on separate slips of having been placed in a box, and the box well shaken by the Speaker, a blindfolded clerk proceeded to draw them out one by ove, and the mensbers, as their names were drawn, proceeded to select their seats for the Co The first name drawn was that of Mr. Willis, of Ken- tucky, Those of Measra, Carlisle, of Kentuck Blackburn, of Kentucky, Garfield, of Ohio, and H ris and Tucker, ot Virginia, followed pretty closely. The democrats selected seats as usnal in the castern section’ of the hall, and the republicans in the western section. The last name drawn from the box was that of Mr. Clark, of Missouri, and tho drawing havi: been conelnddd the House,{it twenty minutes four P. M., adjourned. THE CATTLE. DISEASE. Tho cattlo owners in DBMissville, Hompatoad, Mineo ica and other sections of Queens county, have at last resolved to take decisive action tor the establishment of a quarantine depot con- tignons to the Eastern District of Brooklyn. Twenty- seven proprietors of large stables on the line of the, Flushing and North Side Railroad met Fhe A at the office of the Hoard of Health, but owing to the absence of General Patrick no de- cisive action was taken, A committee of the owners will proceed to Albany to-lay to further the eee of the bill now before the Legislature in regard to increased compénsation to owners of cattle killed by order of the Quarantine Commissioners. General Patrick has authorized Dr. Simmen, ot Flushing, to give permits to regulate the removal of cattle in the towns of Flushing, Jamaica ayd Newtown. THE PATHOLOGY OF THE CATTLE LUNG PLAGUE. ‘ At the weg of the banal ane meri Institute, yesterday, the Presiden Dr: ‘Hleath, in the ‘chate, De. Joseph Hall, Piatt. read a paper on the nature & ology of the cattle tie - yi we We \Ifitcould be shown that the farmers really desired THE STATE CAPITAL. Beginning of the Corporation Con- test at Albany. FREE CANALS. Opposition to the Extension of Dannemora Prison, O'REILLY DISAPPOINTED. Governor Robinsou Decides He Cannot Be Both Congressman and Alderman. (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ALBany, March 158, 11 The corporation and anti-corporation fight was re_ sumed this afternoon before the Assembly Commit- tee on Railroads. The question as to whether the price paid the railways of the State for carrying milk should be reduced by the Legislature was dis- cussed for some time. The principal argument against the. proposed reduction was: mado by Mr. George B. Blanchard, Vice President of tho Erie Railway, who went over the grounds on which that road based its opposition to the reduc- tion, furnishing an immense array of facts and figures. The people who urged the passage of the bill, he said, were a few milk deal- ers in the cities of New York and Brook- lyn. The only capital invested by each of these was an old horso or mule and a rickety wagon. They had got their hands about the throats of the producers and consumers, and they now came. to ask the Legislature to put its hands upon the throats of the railroad companies. The reduction, he argued, was not demanded by. the consumer; nobody Nad come or written to complain of the price of the milk served af his door. So faras the farmers were concerned they did not know, and had no means of, knowing whether they would get one singlo mill of the amount taken off the railway companies. © What motive, he in- quired, inspired the milk dealers in coming here to spend time and means for the purpose of putting money into the pock- ets of the farmers? It was clear they intended to get hold of the money for themselves. the reduction the railroads were ready to meet them in a fair spiritand make all reasonable con- cessions. General Burt, of the Walkill Valley Road, followed Mr. Blanchard with corroborative state- mente and figures. The advocates of the bill pro- viding for this reduction were accorded a hearing some few days since. ANOTHER EFFORT FOR FREF CANALS, The Canal Committee of the Assembly will to- morrow report favorably Dr. Hayes’ Canal Commit- tee resolution somewhat modified from the resolu- tions of last yoar. As roported, they will leave it 0} tional with the Legislature to abolish or retain the toll sheet. DANNEMORA PRISON UNDER DISCUSSION. The House Committee af Ways and Means held a special meeting this eventrg to hear the arguments of those opposed to the extension of Dannemora Prison at a cost of $200,000, and who are in favor of the erec- tion of an entirely new one elsewhere. Horatio C. King made a long argument on behalf of the erection of a prison somewhere in the southern tier of coun: ttes and easily accessible from the criminal centre of the State. He showed, by figures taken from the report of Superintendent Pillsbury, that the Danne- mora Prison could not made self sustaining, and that its great distance from the centre of trade, to which its ucts must be sent, made it extremely ill adapted to success. He showed thet ‘90 industry had been or was likely to be carriod on there that would make that prison self-suataining, 34 St the recent large contract for the manu- cture of hata had seriously crippled that industry in the State, while pane 54 returns to the institution. He fa te enatoles of. a to take into o eration the of Dannemore Prison and the grection of a now one. He was closely questioned by the committee, and gave in detail tull and satisfac- tory replies. He was followed by Mr. James E: Briggs, ot Wayne county, in the same tenor, present- ing many arguments against the exten- sion and in favor of a new prison. Mr. Brennan, of Franklin county, favored the claims of Clinton county. The committee also received from Mr. Sinclair Tousey a very earnest letter con- denming the enlargement of Dannemora, and urging the erection of a nw prison which should be easy of access to New York and Brooklyn, The commit- het went into executive séssion and deferred final action. RESTRICTING RAPID TRANSIT IN BROOKLYN. The bill relating to the introduction of rapid transit in Brooklyn, which was introduced in the Senate by Senatar Pierce, of that city, was to-day re- ported from the Committee on Railroads wigh a sec- tion added. The amendment provides that steam shall not be introduced either on Myrtle, Dekalb or Atlantic avenues; in fact, leaving no line possible except Flushing avenue and Fulton avenue. Among the thoroughtares interdicted are also Washington and Clinton avenues. CHEAP ADVERTISING FOR THE STATE. To-day was partially one of the dullest of the ses- sion inthe Assembly, nearly the whole time from ten o'clock in the morning until the hour of adjourn- ment being taken up in the consideration of general orders, Over two hours were spent in discussing the bill as tu the publication of the session laws in two papers in each county of the State. The bill fixes the pay at twenty-five cents per folio of 100 words. Mr. Baker moved an amendment that none but papers having the largest circulation, to be verified under oath, shall be selected by the boards of super- visors. Lost. Mr. Sheard move to strike out tho section which requires the Board of Supervisors to select two papers having the largest circulation of —", politics. Carried. Mr. Alvord moved to trike out the section providing for paying twenty-five cents per folio, leaving the price as {t is now, fifty cents. Carried. Mr. Alvo' moved to strike ont the section | gr for punishing supervisors for violating t ‘ovisions of the act. Carriod. Mr. Baker then offered a substitute re- pealing the existing Iaw and dispensing entiroly with the publication of the session in two papers in each county and” providing that the boards of avy sors ehall hereafter designate two papers to nblish all notices of election, &c.F ip cach county. Re sustained his proposition on the ground of economy. Progress was reported before any de- cision in tho matter was arrived at. O'REILLY'S LITTLE BILL VETORD. Governor Robinson sent in the following veto of the b aiving ‘authority to Mr. O'Reflly to noid the position of Alderman as well as Congressman from the city of Brooklyn: State or New Youn, Bxecoriye Crawarn, “ALOANY, Murch 18, 1879. To tr AssxmaLy :— Lreturn without approval Assembly bill, not printed, en- titled “An act to amend tho charter of the city of Brook ur any city ietod ‘upan the elourest peat that they ure required in the interest of the pablic welfare, [can- Rot And any such argument ta favur of 9h 1 havo noe 1 U change. i ‘Tho charter of the clty of Brooklyn provides that no Alderman of the city shat hold any other oftice jie or Commissioner of jueing tho term for whieh jected or appointed to any other vitice tance therout shall vacate his se provisions are eminontly wise. Th ties of the offce of Alderman in are fully suftieient to the incambent, ‘The proses erin wnel Aldermen may nH nib:tion against olding State, county ot city po: y ing but evil in such an enactment, There in less reason to forbid their holding State ofices than positions under the But the 5 * amon onnly of the Stute hold any seh con current office, T know of no reason of the man wh i hich docs not appl logistat of me time be w and an alder: ‘city is simply to revi o Mices and neglect the duties of one. It ity ot cases, for w single iudi 0 duties of a federal office and those of an alderman in any one of ont large cities, Ls, ROBINSON, It in now understood that an attempt will be made to pass the bill uver the Governor's veto. Alderman O'Reilly's yote is understood to be required in Brooklyn to override the Mayor tion, where a two-third vote is requisite. Mence the anxiety that & statute should be enacted nnder the provisions of h this yen 1 can obtain the privilege of being # national and a city official at the same time, city, but the local authority may reduce the of such officers és. No judicis! officer, after the expiration of the term of office of the ent meumbent, sball receive a salary in $10,000 per annum. The Board of the sums appl a any year, but shall not withhold from charitable or other institutions. The amount to pay the expenses of conducting the public business of, said city shall hereafter be at least $2,000,000 less than the aggregate amount included in such esti- mates in'said city for the year 1579. Before a final estimate is made time shall be given for a hearing upon it from the taxpayers, and the Board shall pub- lish in the City Record a schedule of the names of all officers whose salaries have been fixed, Sala- ries of employéxs who have faithfully formed their duties for a period of ten years or more may be increased, but the number of none other than day laborers shall be increased beyond that existing om tho 3ist day of December, . 1878, except that the nuiber of policemen may be increased, and the sal- ary of any such officer or employé shall not be increased which on the day mentioned amounted to or exceeded $2,000, ‘The vote of three-fourths of all the members of the Board shall be requisite tor any action under this act. by The other bill relates to the compensation of pub- Ne officers in all the other cities of the State and pro-, vides that the local authority of a city shall be the Common Council, except where there is a Board of Fstimate and Apportionment, in which case the latter Board shall be such local antuority. The local Board shall annually fix and regulate the compensation all public officers paid ont of the city treasury. departments in 9 city are proh¢bited trom incurring expenses beyond their appropriations, under penalty of removal. Provision is also made for the reduc- tion of the number of employés in the different de partments. The local authority 1s prohibited from increasing the salaries or pay of public officers, REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE, * ‘ A LIVELY MONTHLY MEETING—THE CASES OF BERNARD BIGLIN AND THE FIFTEENTH Ase SEMBLY DISTRICT ELECTION.” The regular ionthly meeting of the Republican, Central Committee was held at their hall on Thirty- third street last night, President C. A. Arthur in the chair, There were 122 members present. The uanal preliminary business being disposed of, the report of the special committee, appointed in 1878, , to investigate the charges made against Bernard Big- lin by Colonel George Bliss, was.submitted ana read. After reiterating the charges, which were verbally, made, the committee confessed their inability to per- suade Colonel Bliss to attend their meetings, and their. written co:nmunications to him were also coolly re-, ceived. In one letter Colonel Bliss denied the. jurisdiction of the committee, holding they had no more right to investigate Biglin’s case, than they had ‘that of any momber of the Corn or Stock Exchange. In view of their being no evidence submitted to sustain the charges made, the commit- tee found that the charges of Colonel Bliss were not sustained. A motion being made to place the report on filo there was much opposition manifested and. an amendment offered that the report be laid on the table, which found some supporters. Long speeches were made by several of the members and Mr. Biglin. created a very favorable impression by the manner in which he asked to be exonerated from the accusa- tions made against him. The committee finally car-, ried their point by an overwhelming vote and the report was placed on file. THE FIFTEENTH DISTRICT TROUBLE. The disputed election in the Fifteenth Assembly district then came up, and created a lively row be- fore being disposed of, First in order was the read- ing of the certificate of the inspectors of the election held on February 28, which, the returns, made Sheridan Shook president of thé associatidh and also #lected him a inember of the Central Committee, ‘Then followed the report ot Colonel Mason aad John D. Lawson, who were ordered by the Central Com- mittee to act as supervisors of the clection and to re- port the manner of its being held back to that body. Colonel Mason read the document. In substance it is as follows:— ‘Names of persons had beon added to the roll within three, or four days prior to the time designated for holding the election. “The supervisors decided that such persons wore not entitled to vote, and that the proper roll was that used at the primary election of December supervisors: cuted the inepectors. wito, had ssion of the, to piece it under thelr charge. This It was thon requested that the: jot box be placed so that all_could plainly seo it. The Inepectors declined tv do so. Then the chairman of the’ inspectors took the box under bis immediate -con against the supervisors’ remonstrauce. Soon as the polls” opened challenging Uexan from all sides. and there wore: all kinds of decisions, In. but few instances, were, aay. ig, aupervisore) roquests “granted or any segestions: spied wi favoruble to the wishes of tora, and, the ballot box boing, under ir chairman, ‘votes were rejected by ther the control : vn ym in teens ty tans before opportunity was ren to any one to fair! WE ippoctisity accorgain bud. danide a9 to wheter, the’ offeri to wv were entitled to de eror not, and afterwa inst our protests and that of sev. eral_tembers openly char; box was dented to the Supervisors. The Supervisors. satisfied from evidence prevented that the inspectors rejected the votes of many whose names were upon the roll and who were clearly entitled to vote, and allowed some. to yote who were not entitled to do so, The supervisors ctr opinion, the election, reonduct ties were glaring and intentional of the inspectors clearly, indicated rpowe om. their + to secure "a predetermined , resull {law or-equity. The supervisors conclud their report by recommending that the election be declared null a that another election be ordered under the charge of two supervisors to be the supervisors to be vested with ful charge of the election and the roll ballot box, and to deeide all disputes. A ROW IN THE CAMP, Hiases and cheers followed the reading of the re- port. A sergeant-at-arms was elected and several ob- noxious individ were removed from the hall. “Them’s heelers,”’ said a gentleman. A motion was made that the report be received and ted. pointed by the Chi members! airy, ire Then commenced the fun. Colonel Spencer in long speoch vindicated the right of the elected persons to be recognized, and insinuated that the supervisors were prejudiced. Colonei Mason defended the report, and held that the republican party could not afford to countenance any such procedure. If they did so, republican votes in the city of New York would grow beautifully less. Ex-Judge ‘Dittenhoofer attacked the report, and, Mr. Lawson said that the outrages of the election were simply infamous. Colonel Spencer amended the motion to adopt the by moving that the names of the gent certified to as elected be indorsed by the Ceritral Committee and the delegates admitted to seats. Finally Colonel Spencer's ment was, submitted andJlost by a vote of 91 to 58. The revore was then adopted, so far as the recommendation of, the supervisors that the election be null and void and nother ordered, but. that portion regarding the powers of the supervisors was not indorsed. Mr. post ‘was prosent through the whole of the hosted ‘bate. EXTRA ESCULAPIANS, The forty-ninth annual commencement exercises of the College of Pharmacy of the City of New York took place Jast evening in Chickering Hall. The strains of Graffula’s orchestra added to the pleasures of the occasion, and an imposing atray of bouquets and baskets was presented by the relatives and friends to the members of the graduating clases, The prvceatings were opened by an address b; wen Metntyre, which wae followed by the of the Itet of the gradueting class, numbering sixty- four, as follow: Ni Hoerle, A., Brooklyn, L. L Abraham, * Bangert, L., Newark,N.J. Isea, H., Venezuela. Barbarow, 8. M., Passaic, Kremer, J.,Jr., New York. Nd. Kuehn, H. E. canada, Bartlett, S., Cape Vincent. Mahler, M., New York. —- Cc. W., New nee q. Me York. d Breiting, Ernest,German: Newark, N. J. Lrugman, Burger, 0. ¥F., many. Calagien, B. F., Newark, N.d. Casey, M. F., Loc, Mass. Cassebeer, ¥., Now Yo Caussebeer, H. F.,N.¥. + Chagnon, T.,. Montreal, Cannda, Oss’ Cutts, F. C., Saco, Me. Davidson, ©. N., N.Y. ., New York. New, York. Feindt, L. E., New York. William W., New: ford, Conn. <a Fgh H., Hemp 8 itead, . Schick, G., St“Louis, Mo, Schleckter, Henry J., Williamsburg, L. I. a Geo. B., Colum- bus, Miss, Schlegel, Gustavus, Ho- Freygang, Geotgo W., — boken, N. J. Hoboken, N. J. Smith, F. A. D., New York. Frohwein, Paul L., Eliza Taylor, Mallory H., East beth, . ville, Va. Frohwein, Theobald R., Voorhes, Greenleaf, New New York. Brunswick, N. J. Gerrity, D., New York. | Washburne, ‘William Wy Golm, J. L., Quiney, Tl. Harlem, N. ¥. Heldt, M. » New York. James L., wi Ww de Werner, BR. C., Germany, Germany, Wiener, A. W. York. George H., Wilhelm, A. d., New Yorks Elizabeth, N. J. The degrees were then conferred upon the gradu. PROPOSED LEGISLATION FOR NEW YORK. Mr. Varnum will introduce into the House two bills—one relative to the powers of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment in the city of New York and regulating the expouditures appropriated by that Hoard, which provides that the Board shall fix and determine all appropriations so that the amount shall exceed that which is au- thorized to be raised by tax. They a also each year fix the fees Reid to all officers, ates by the President, and the following were awarded prizes for high standing:—Charles H. May, of Maltie more, gold medal; George W. Freygang, of Hoboken, silver medal; Rudolph 0. Werner, Germer Lar medal. The yaledictory address was James L, Hendrickson, of Frechold, N, J. : After the exercises the graduates and their friends celebrated the entrance ot their alma mater on her fitticth yoar by an elegant banquet, at which 1 spicy th were in, hugas. “mortars