The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-04-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsHrNGToN, ID. c., May 4, 1876.
Special Correspondence.

were of great interest In the House the
bill re-organizing the army passed after con-
siderable discussion. The pay of the higher
officers is largely reduced, and while the
| number of soldiers is kept the same, the
number of officers is lessencd by making
| fewer regiments and abolishing some of the
staff departments The saving in expense
from the adoption of this bill will be i'm
mense. A bill authorizing the Secretary of
the Treasury to coin silver money and use it
for the redemption of fractional currency al
so passed the, House. Under its provisions sill
yer dollars are made a legal tender for any sum
not over fifty dollars, and smaller silver coins
for any sum not over twenty-five dollars.
The executive, legislative and judicial APP
preparation bill was discussed, several night
sessions being held for that purpose. Some
minor bills were passed. In the COMMITTEES
the examination of the Emma mine was con-
tinued. General Schenck testified at length
in his own behalf and if we take all he says
without qualification the distinguished poker
player is one of the most guileless of indi-
viduals, only fitted to reside in some Arcadia
where such tempters as Trenor w. Park
are never permitted to enter.
| The Judicial Committee reported the arti-
cles of impeachment against Belknap, and the
Democratic House caucus selected the man.
ayers to conduct the trial; they are Proctor
Knott, of Kentucky, Lynde, of Wisconsin,
Lord, of New York, jerks, of Pennsylvania,
McMahon, of Ohio, Lapham, Of New York,
and Hoar, of Massachusetts, The two latter
are Republicans The trial will probably
commence this week.
The Post-ofice Committee have been ex-
amining witnesses in regard to the Sawyer
contracts in Texas Enough has been
shown from the books of Sawyer to prove
that he had one or two of the clerks in the
| p. o. department in his pay. Hood, one OF
the bribed clerks, is now auditor of the Su-
preme Court of this district.
Before the Clymer Committee man
named C. s. Bell has sworn that he was sent
by President Grant himself to st. Louis to
act as spy upon District Attorney Dyer.
Bell says that the President believed that
Babcock was innocent and was being perse-
cuted. He wanted Bell to find out and let
him know. When Babcock and Luckey
found that Bell was in st. Louis, they pro-
posed to him to steal any papers he could
find in Dyers office that would tend to i'm
plcate Babcock or show his guilt. They
paid him 5000 for this service. He says
that he discovered that Babcock was guilty,
and so notified President Grant, when he
was Immediately discharged from his posi-
ton as a secret agent in the Interior office.
Bell also swore that Secretary Belknap of
fered to sell him post-tradership. 1t is but
Justice to say that so far, have seen no one
ho believes a word of what Bell swore to-.
On his own statement he was employed by
both sides, getting pay from both and be-
traying both.
1t is thought that the headquarters of the
army will at once be returned to Washing
ton. 1t is understood that Secretary Taft
insists upon this, and should the House bill
become law it is imperative. Gen. Sher-
man objects, as he says his salary is not suf-
uCleUl lUT Hill W live Uu utlC. NLullC a huhl-
Der of the Democrats in the House are OBJ
ecting to the proposed reduction of the SAL
aries of government clerks, and it is almost
impossible for the people in other towns and
cities to realize the expense of living in
Washington. l do not think the salaries are
too high, though there are without doubt
more than the requisite number of employ
ees in nearly every department, and great
reductions could be made in that direction
without injury.
The bill equalizing pensions will probably
be voted on in the House this week. 1t has
been reported on favorably from the Commit
tee. and passed both Houses last year, only
failing to become law by some informality
1t provides that every honorably discharged
soldier and sailor and the heirs of all de-
ceased shall receive bounty of eight and
two-thrd dollars per month for all time in
the service, and that in paying this bounty
all sums already paid shall be deducted.
There is no question about the justice of this
law, and its passage should be urged both as
a matter of right and as good political
movement, for it will prove to the Union
soldiers that the Democrats are anxious tc
reward them for their devotion.
A strong feeling in favor of Senator Bay.
ard, of Delaware and Judge Davis of the
Supreme Court as presidential candidates
is being developed. 1t is justly said that
not one word against the character of either
of these men can be urged and that theil
ability, patriotism and honesty cannot be
questioned.
Among the Republicans Blaine has the
call, though the administration men are ev'
identity working for Conkling. Should the
honest element of the Republicans prevail
in the convention, Blaine or Bristow anC
possibly Blaine and Bristow will be the
ticket. In that event The Democrats mus
elect men above reproach or they canno
hope for success.
The news from Europe is rather startling
1t is said that the Car of Russia intends t
abdicate in favor of his son. The latter
known to hate Germany and to indulge il
the most extravagant dreams of almost uni
versal empire. He wants Turkey as tn
base of his operations on India and can n
doubt secure the cooperation of France b.
promising it revenge upon Bismarck. Th
usual revolutio is progressing in Mexic
: with some chance of our Government bein
t drawn into the fight, as gunboats have bee
| ordered to protect the foreign residents {