The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-12-25
The National Capital.
From oua OWN wAsHNOroS cosnEsFoSonsr.

WASHINGTON Dec. 22j. 1875.
Until Tuesday last Con eressional proceedings
dragged iowly aibhe, and hardly ripple of bx-
citemenrn, ose to gladden. the reporters heart
or rous5 from their seeming lethargY the
Davio's and Goliah's Of the opposing hosts. The
eladia:ois who seemed 30 anxious last fall to
enter the political arena and throw drown the
guage OF battle sat quietly in their seats. There
was nd sign of IN approaching contest oil was
calm and dull and stupid. Bills and resolutions
OF no general interest were offered on the call
Of states and sent up to the Speakers desk to
be reed The Clerks voice as he read the un-
interesting doeuments had drowsy hum anu
soothing influence that the Cod OF Sleep might
have envied and witch would have made his
fortune in The land Of Nod Reporters for the |
leading dailiesof the country scratched their |
heads ana invented startling reports to send 10 |
their papers Ald'siRhed for the good OLD times
wnen Bon Bdtler made the House lively an1
doubt and uncertainty about Washington al |
fairs. without 50 much BRAIN work aud exercise
of the imagination as was now required Ihe
newly heJged members OF Congress saw no op-
portunity to display their orhtiry and make
tneir marx as leaders among men. rhe army OF
Hannlba given up tO-feasting and luxurious
ease i'll the pleasant wales OF Itaiy was not less
prepared for battle than the Rouse Of Repre-.
sentatives when an Tuesday last tho bursting
OF bonbshells in the very heart OF the camp
startled and demoralized mo Q than one gallant
warricr ON the tented field or politics.
THE FIRsT GUN
| The Hrst gun was, very appropriately, from
| Mr Fort OF Illinois, 1t was IN the shape OF
| resolution declaring that IN all subordinate ap
under % bs % tne II
soldiers, not disabled from the performance Of
the duty, be preferred. This was 100 big dose
| for the Southern members, many OF whom were
| in the Cenfeo crate Army. and by vote oi "
\ veas, to ia nays the Hou o refused to second
mendment was then offered by Mr. Cox OF New
| YorK, declaring hat inasmuch as the Union OF
nil the states had been restored, all its citizens
! were entitled to equal consideration in the dis
lribution OF offices under the GOvernIaent. The
! wnOle matter was then referred TO tile commit
tee on accounts bv vote Of l6S veas,to lO2 nays.
The Kepubcans voted solidly for. aud tile
Democrats pretty generally against M. Forts
| IesOiuliOn.
EXTEND THE PRRsIDENTIAL TERM
On Wednesday, Nir. Randall, of Penna., Offer.
ed a resolution 10 amend the Constitution so as
| 10 make the term OF future Presidents Six years
insleaa Dt four and providing that they at, shah
tcthe judiciary committee. '.''
-" d" No SUBSIDIES.
4 On the same day MT. Holman. OF Indiana, of.
fered d reso ution declaring that in the present
ion OF the House, inexped. ent at this IIme 20
grant any subsidies in money. BONDS, lands or
pledges of the public credit to any corporation
| or association engaged in private enterprises
1t was, as,adopted by the large vote Of 2l8 yeas to
33 nays This resolution excited great deal Of
comment and was looked upon by many as a
declaration In advance Of thepohcy OF. Congress
IN regard to the Texas and Pacific Railway
guarantee and all questions Of like character.
1t is SAID, however that quite number OF
members who voted for 1t had subsidy bills Of
various kinds IN their pockets which will be OF.
fered at the first opportunity. There 10 no doupt
much clap.irap In the above and similar resolu.
tons, and those familiar with Congressional
proceedings recolect that our sOlOns often be.
gin their session W til very virtuOus resolutions
and before the close manage to vote away large
amounts of public moneys for various question
able purposes. e.
THIRD TERM.
The sensation Of the dav, however was o res.
olution offered by Mr.. W. NJ. Springer, of I'LL
nois declaring that in the opinion OF the House,
the precedent established by Washington. and
other Presidents in retiring rom office after q
second term had become part OF our Republi-
can system Of Government. and that any depar.
Iure from this me-hOnored precedent would
be unwise, unpatriotic, contrary TO the spirit OF
our Institutions and traught with peril TO our
Government. Mr.: Blame. of Maine, who ls
pOpuarlv supposed TO take great interest IN
. any question relating TO the Presidential suo
cession vacated his seat and went out TO take q
little fresh air and quietly 'conmuned with his
own conscience as to how he should cast hr:
vote on this question. Unfortunately he dlo
not get back again, until after the vote was an
what his sentiments Oh this question are. On
der the circumstances his conduct in the mat
ter was generally regarded as excu SeaDle, al
least, II not altogether right and proper. Tnert
I was no discussion or debate on this resolution
aiu vote was .aken anu LeSuoeu IN hne airnVe my,
vote as annouI ced was 222 yeas, to Is navs
! This resolution was regarded as smart httl'
Democratic dodge to catch the Republicans In
! trap. which design was cleverly defeated b,
. the Republicans who nearly all voted for II
The Democrats expecting them to vote agains
= 1t.
FINANCIAL SCHEMES.
The weakness OF the modern Congressman
q seems to be the conviction that he Is born
naDcer of the first water, and knows bette
cial policy this country requires The diversit
Y Of plans for revealing the prevailing flnancis
AtafaA and eNNna aNR nh
u which have been or will De, presented to Cor
: Rress is enough TO puzzle pretty level-heade
rect ideas which he NAV have imbibed on th
y subject. Congress will be fairly deluged wit
a schemes OF this sort. and some wild opinion
will be ventilated
j THE CENTENNIAL EXCURSION.
n This week Congress and the President wit
many other officials have gone TO Philadelphl
IS to examine and inspect the Centennial groun'
and buildings. The excursion was gotten U
i In a very elegant aud elaborate manner. Tt
party were the guests Of the city of Philade
phia and were handsomely entertained, wiae
;, and feasted The members OF the press whoa
IL companied the party were entertained at a bal
quet given BY the Jou unalists OF Philadelphi
The Centennial board of commissioners sl
asking an appropriation of one million and
a. half OF dollars 10 enable them 10 complete ti
huilding. ana defray other expenses incident
IT opening the exhibition.
THE OLD JAIL.
10 The old Jail building which stands on Judi
Ia iarY Square in this city WAS vacated few dA,
ago anu tne prisoners removed 10 LDo now jail
+. another part OF the city. Tho old prison has
=, history. Many nOted criminals were confinI
"a W thin its damp walls. Many men have stepp
. from ITS gloomy walls to the acuffold. GeneI
5, Hckels was here held IN durance while on tri
,a for his hte for the shooting of Philip Bart
10 Key; John h. Surratt was an occupant Of oI
N. OF It's cells when on trial for completely IN q
= assassination of President lincoln, For a pt
q tion OF the time that r. Il. IRWIN, was in CO
tempt of tho House he was held in this jail, q
IL WhetpOle the California correspondent on
escaped q like fate by timely explanation t
IL ola place is deserted now. and Will Iro0af
L.. be pulled down. The new Jail In splent
ne building quite In contrast with the Olu as
n, CARDS comfort and safety.
THE WINDS OF WINTER.
NJ The cold winds of winter have been whis
NO ling around the corners and through tue bro
"S avenues and reservations OF tlIe city for
es last two days at fearful rate. 1t Is not oft
- that the weather is so cold here, AS Rene
e. thing there Is not enough snow during the W
ter TO make 1t worth while 60 keep seiI
n SHOWS that cover the ground TO the depth of
foot or two q little farther north, here turn
sr> ram. Or melt very soon after falling.
n ADJOURNMENT.
Congress adjourned on Tuesday OF this We
,X- for the holidays. They will meet again on
=. uAry the nth, lS7c, NoTul
m Current Events.