National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-03-03
CONGRESS YESTERDAY


promise of Legislation particularly Of inter-
est, but when the "calp' was complete
there were ushered in several projects that
directly concern the District and its citi-
zens. The anticipated reduction in the
clerical force of the Government to q stand
ard where the appropriations for the next
fiscal year will be sufficient to cover the
expense has created considerable commo-
ton, and consequently some members
deemed it wise to give an expression of the
voice of Congress on the subject. In con-
sonance with this design several members
were ready with resolutions, all Of which
declared, in some form. that soldiers should
receive the preference in the Governmental
service-the first to receive employment
and the last to be discharged. This is, of
course, upon the assumption that all are
equally competent to perform the labors of
the Offices. Mr.. Scofeh, of Pennsylvania,
went step beyond this, and, so far as the
House is concerned, mentioned the names
of those who should be retained in Office
should q reduction of the force he deemed
necessary. But this failed of approval.
General Butler led the second movement
for the protection of the soldier, and at the
same time inaugurated a needed reform.
He proposed that in the appointment of
clerks and Others soldiers or the families of
deceased soldiers should receive the prefer
ence, and in reduction of the force they
should be the last subject to removal. This
is, Of course, upon the assumption that the
competency of all is equal. In addition to
this his resolution provided that no two of
any one family should receive employment
in the same department. Although the
discussion on these measures was quite
lengthy and at times spirited, the PROPOSE
tons Of General Butler were eventually
successful. The excitement engendered by
the resolutions relative to the Departments
was just allayed, when G. F: Hoar, of Mass,
introduced resolution instructing the Dis
trict Committee to report bill to compel
the payment of the teachers in the public
schools of the District. This was manda-
tory in its character, and should have been
open to slight explanation but it was
thought necessary to prevent discussion.
General Chapman appealed to Mr.. Hoar for
a hearing, but he was not even granted an
opportunity to make matter of official
record the first explanation he was enabled
to give, and amid the excitement and noise
all that was in his power was to proclaim
that the school fund was now overtlrawn
$170, Co., After this summary disposition
Of matter SO easy of explanation. and in
manner that would seem to convey an as
persion on the District government the
House settled down to q discussion of the
finances. Mr.. E. II. Roberts having the
floor. As foundation for his argument he
claimed that the Treasury was getting along
well enough, and that neither taxation nor
AN imitation of the currency was necessary.
And this led him to examine pretty closely
the speech of Mr.. Dawes. While very
temperate in his statements, Mr.. Roberts
refuted many of the positions
and assumptions of Mr. Dawes, and clearly
demonstrated that he was in error in many
important particulars. In the Senate the
Centennial bill has at last reached hearing,
and contrary to expectation, is absorbing
attention. The main feature
of the opponents TO the present manage
ment is that an international celebration is
not in consonance with celebration Of
American independence. In consequence
Mr.. Morrill, has proposed an amendment
that the exhibition shall be confined to the
citizens of this country alone. But Mr..
Sherman yesterday gave publicity to an
objection to this provision, which seems to
have considerable force. Should Congress
now adopt the Morrill, amendment, it is
likely that all previous contracts made by |
the managers would be vitiated, and this
would include all subscriptions now author
zed and received. This, it is contended,
would ensue. because all who have sub
'cribed to the stock of the enterprise have
lone so upon condition that the Exposition
would be a worlds air,