Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-30
Our Washington Letter.



necessary to attempt at this time, any extended
comment.
rHE LATE SESSION or CoNGREss
was not, as might be thought at first glance, the
longest ever held In 1850 the debate on the
Missouri compromise postponed the adjournment
until the 30th Of September in 1886 the protmcted
struggle over the spcakership in the beginning Of
the session delayed it until August Goth, and the
Fortieth Congress sat straight through the sum
mer and fall to watch johnson It remained for
the last assemblage 60 sit until the middle Of
August without good reason or good results The
business Of the session in the House was confined,
in a large degree, to the attempt made by the ma
iority to investigate everything and everybody
that was connected or had anything to do with
the present administration. In beginning this
work. they were greatly hindered and delayed by
the inexperience and ignorance, in the business
Of both investigation and legislation, Of the chosen
leaders Of the majority These leaders were in
capcitated for their work, as was fully shown by
the many blunders made ut the outset Then the
obstinate dcmagogism of sam Randall, as chair
man Of the appropriations committee, in attempt
ing to fight both Houses and the government in
appropriation matters, still further delayed the
which was expressed everywhere at the actions Of
the democratic House. The Senate contained, in
addition to its distinguished members who had
already achieved national reputation in is conn
ellis, several new members whose debH in the SEN
ate has been watched with much interest, not
only because Of their reputation for ability at
home, but also from the fact that they were the
successors Of others who had wonno little fame a.
STATESMEN AND SENATORS.
Among these new members we're Senators Chris
tiancy Of Michigan, Cameron OF Wisconsin, Dawes
Of Massachusetts, Eaton Of Connecticut, Mcmillan
Of Minnesota, Booth Of California Sharon Of Ne
yada, Burnside OF Rhode Island, and Herman Of
New York The first Of these has done nothing
during his first session TO bring himself into
prominence, except to marry a treasury clerk
some forty years his junior The new Wisconsin
senator, while he has made many friends in
Washington, both in and outside of the Senate.
b. thus far failed to show that eminent ability
which is necessary 10 I'M The place Of Matt II
Carpenter and Massachusetts, cannot expect to be
so ably represented in the Senate again, for some
time at least as when she had a Sumner and q
Wilson there Mr. Dawes ability is too well
known, and his reputation as a statesman is 700
well established 10 make il necessary for him to
show himself prominently in the Senate ut first,
for the future IL sure ~ be well improved Nr
Eaton has taken q very prominent part in the de-
bates Of the session, and has shown more legal
and forensic ability than almost anyone had given
him credit for lie is one Of the ahlest aud fore
most leaders which the democrats have ia this
branch Of Congress Minnesota has lost rather
than gained in her influence, by changing Ramsey
for Mcmillan, while the golden state OF California
has won new prestige by sending Governor Booth
to the Senate, who, although taking. a. yet, but
little share in debate, has shown himself an eX-
cellent worker, and given much promise Tor tho
future. Senator Sharon has accomplished little
owing 20 his prolonged absence during the first Of
the session while his colleague Mr. Jones, ha.
worked hard aud accomplished much, both iei
/ himself and the financial interests oi the country
/ General Burnside has been q silent but thought
/ tul, spectator thus far while herman has shown
| himself to Doe democrat of tine old school-onc
who learns nothing and iorgets nothing
ruF LEADERSHIP or raF sfNArf
is generally Acknowledged to be vested in Senator
Edmuuds, Of Vermont, although be makes IL,
claim to party prominence or executive proves
his honesty and nnexibility OF purpose, and hi
unequaed powers Of argument and eloQuence al
combine to make him the foremost figure in thi
Senate upon all the leading questions Of tho day
and this prominent position is Acknowledged to %
his by both parties in Congress. ON questions o
finance the views Of no member Of the Senate
have greater weight than those expressed by Sen
ator Morrill, Of Vermont His influence grow
year by year more creditahle TO himself and tn
commonwealth he so worthily represents on th
democratic side Senators Thurman and Bayar
have the most Influence, and deserve all the prom
inence they have in that respect. Democrat
majority in the Senate, after next March,
among the possibilities although hardly probable
The terms Of twenty-siv Senators expire on tn
third of March, nine Of whom are democrats an
the remainder are Republicans Al Of the demo
cratic Senators retiring are liable TO be succeeds
by democrats while it is quite possible that
number Of Republican Senators will he replace
by democrats TO obtain majority IN the Sen
ate the democrats must replace at least nine on
Of the sixteen retiring Republicans by democrats
This they eau hardly do Bat it is quite probabl
that the parties will be more evenly divided in tn
Senate in the Forty-dfth Congress than they ar
at present
TIFF DEMOCRATIC HOUSE,
when it convened last December, was compose
in large degree Of new members To the oil
members the country therefore, looked for NOR
than usual ability in order to properly perfou
the business Of the session The leadership q
the House was vested by common consent in III
person Of James G. Blaine, from the fact Of hi
having been the speaker in previous Congresse,
and also because Of his well known executiy
ability. In what manner he has answered III
expectation Of the people is 10 well known TO a
to need reiteration here. While he was men
Der of the House he bore the brunt OF battle u
the Republican side and by his own choice Sine
his retirement other no less worthy men hay
stood their ground in defense Of their party, an
OF few Of these we wish briefly to speak q
Mr.. Kasson, Of Iowa, wehaye already spoken ia
previous letter. lie retires by his own choice
at the end of next session. fact much to be d,
plored by the whole country. 1t is 10 be hope
that his services will be secured in other impo
tant duties of governmental trust when he close
his Congressional career Among the foremo,
Republican leaders in the House is General Ga
field, Of O,io, His speeches on the amnest
question and the political situation during tn
past session have been unexcelled by any, and hi
gallant defense Of the Republican party in III
House has always been an earnest and enecty
as his defense of the Union on the BATTLEFIELD,
General llurlburt Of Illinois, George + lloar
Massachusetts, Eugene Hale and William f. Fry
of Maine, William A. Wheeler and Martini rowl
send Of New York, Charles Foster and jaime
Monroe Of Ohio, and McCary Of Iowa, are III
other more prominent Republicans who hay
been foremost in debate the past session Go,
enor Hendee, Of Vermont, has been among tn
foremost workers on the Republican side, and
one Of the most influential. Colonel joyce
Vermont is esteemed as one Of the most prom
ing Republicans, and his speeches thus far hay
given him marked prestige in the House for
young member lie is associated intimately wit
kasson, lIurburt, Townsend and others Of III
more aggressive minds on the minority side ,
the House and bids fair to cope with the boldei
and most eloquent in debate, The democratic sid
of the House has had many leaders, and space 70
bids mention of them ALL Their name is Legion
Fernando Wood and Sunset Cox have been ofte
outstripped in the race by Ben Hill and RANDOM
Tucker Lamar, of Mississippi, is the most ell,
quent, Tucker the most polished and well-rea,
while Cox, Ben Hin and sam Randall are III
most radical and aggressive Holman is caution
n and oiten-times too sensible for his party, viii
a Clymer, Blackburn and Tarbox have ruined A
"A agtgratiOns they NAV have for the To-, dnrslf, d