Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-03-29
Orr Washington Letter.

WAsHiNGroS, D. c., March 25th, 1876
Mssrs Editors The interest at the Capitol
this week has been about equally divided between
the exciting debates in the House and the numer-
Gus investigations going on before the different
committees
PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE HOUSE
On Monday there was considerable sparring be-
tween the members OF the House 10 keep out cur
rency resolutions, but Mr. Atkins Of Tennessee
got In bill to repeal the resumption act Mr.
Holman, the chief supporter OF soft money ameng
the democrats, called the previous question and
the bill was lost by q vote Of one hundred and
nine to one hundred and eight After this there
was strong effort among the democrats to make
test on the Payne BILL adopted by the democratic
caucus. Mr. Payne was, however, taken off the
floor by decision of the Speaker, that the re-
maindcr Of the day belonged to the District Of
Columbia committee under the rule. Later In the
day 1t was tried again, amid much excitement,
but the House adjourned without making the
test The strength OF the effort to repeal the main
features Of the resumption act shows that close
vote will result that question II it gets before
the House in regular order
The democrats OF the House were never 80 badly
outwtted in parliamentary tactics as they were by
Mr. Blaine on Tuesday Nj Garfield a rabid
democrat from Illinois, brought in bill to pro-
hibit government officials and employees from
contributing funds for election purposes. lie pro-
reeded all smoothly until he had actually secureda
call Of the previous question, and was about to 60
on, when Blaine jumped to his feet and asked
whether the bill affected members of the House
and Senate to which negative was given.
Blaine replied that it was very strange II should
not affect them, and should affect u poor clerk
who paid his five or ten dollars, when it was al
legged that members OF Congress paid thousands
Of dollars to secure their election lie then asked
permission 10 make an amendment, including
candidates for Congress Caulfield agreed to Ad-
nit such an amendment when the democrats ran
from every quarter Of the House, begging him
TO withdraw his assent Caulfeld then turned
around and said, by the advice Of his friends, he
should refuse Blaines request Blaine asked If
he had not assented lie said he had II he in
tended TO 60 back on his word "Ycs" And
to deprive me OF the floor ?" Yes, said Caul-
field, while the democrats setup toot sit right
down him; don't give him a chance. The scene
was one Of excitement for moment when Blaine
jumped up and said Then take the floor my
self and move a reconsideration Of the vote
whereby the previous question was ordered, for
\ the purpose OF proposing an amendment" The
democrats were thunderstruck, and became sadly
demoralzed when the Speaker ruled that Blaine
was right A vote was taken ON the latter.
amendment, and it was carried by vote Of two
hundred and six to four The morning hour ex
PRED, and Blaine still held the floor with sole con
troll Of the bill, which he had so adroitly taker
out Of Caulfeld's hands
BLAINE AND THE DEMOCRATS.
| The next day we found the House engaged IL
voting upon the numerous amendments which ha,
been tackled to the bill by members Of both par
ties The question had now became almost strict,
party one as is generally the case when Bain,
comes to the front; his actions are apt to worl
like fire-brand separating the two sides Of tn,
| House in a twinkling. The democrats were ex
cited and anxious. A crowd was gathered abou
such noted leaders Of the party as Ben Hill, Tuckc
and others, and were watching closely as the yot
ing proceeded Blaine seemed no less anxious
and was never quiet for moment. His policy
seemed to be to get the other side on record, Of
every amendment that came up and so he nsiste,
on calling the ayes and nays. lie was in all part
Of the House at almost the same time, now ex
planning the merits Of the question at issue to hi
numerous Republican fellows who gathered aroun,
him at every turn, now urging some inditieren
member to show his hand anon rushing up Il
the clerk desk TO read over some vote or amend
ment and at all times on his feet and intent o
the business in hand. The Importance of tn
question was not so fully appreciated by all OF tn
leaders, however. Judge Holman, of Indian
seemed especially Indifferent to the results, an
voted sometimes with the Republicans, and the
with the democrats, and sometimes not at all. A
one time during the roll-call he was noticed hol
nobbing with Franklin Iandcrs, the soft none
candidate for Governor OF Indiana The tw
were seated at the rear Of the Republican side
totally obliyious 10 their surroundings with thei
heads very close together apparently setting hoy
one was To be Governor and the other Senator
, from the same state and on the same issue Lar
ders presents the picture Of played-out polt
elan to perfection. His long, gaunt figure
encased in a shiny swallow-ai coat which Civ
him an antquated look while his face, destitut
OF beard, is covered with nearly a weeks growt
Of gray hristles, and is, withal, very red. Cox
In the chair and Just before adjournment he ha
an opportunity OF reprimanding Blaine, which h
seized with so much willingness and gusto that
created much amusement Blaine had risen to
parliamentary inquiry but his question partoo
so much of debate, which was not in ORDER this
J several democrats objected, whereupon Cox raj
ped with his gayel and said "The gentema
from Maine must observe the rules, OF the cha
will have to read the rules on the gentleman. II
would dislike to do that, because the geutlema
is well informed upon them The House roare
and the voting proceeded
THE INVESTIGATIONS