Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-15
Our Washington Letter.


was ever put into an election canvass than has
been called ont in this political campaign, now
drawn. TO % close. As the people OF this District
have no vote in tle Presidential election.
rim rrrllNe 1N w,suINqr0N
upon Che subject is mainly confined to business,
interests In general way any change ia party
rule Is dreaded hy large portion Of orr business
men, a, involving Che discharge of great NUM-
Der OF employees Of government with whom they
have business relations. Very many of the Dc
partment clerks have, for instance, purchased
house. on time, and II discharged they would be
unable 90 pay Tor them. and large amounts Of
real estate Of this city would Doe thrown upon an
already duu and glutted market Tie district
people whole wonid undoubtedly prefer the
establishment Of straight out civil service rules,
so that government employees could feel some
security in purchasing property 10 the city, and
becoming identified with It's growth and prosper
ity. A change iu party rule would quite naturally
have depressing effect upon business interests
here, and Is correspondngly dreaded by all resi-
dents who have a sincere interest in the prosper
ity of the Capital Il is argued, on the other
hand, by the democrats mostly, that radical
change would break up the practice Of admins
tratiye absoutoeism, which Is considered as dam
aging 10 the interests Of the district It is said
that after the loud censure given by the demo-
cratic party 10 the absentoeism Of President Grant
and bis Cabinet, Mr. Iilden, II elected, would
feel constrained 10 remain at the seat Of govern
ment throughout the year, and his cabinet and
bureau officers would necessarily do the same.
The result Of this would De to restore to Washing
l.f, 0. ft
since Long Branch became the summer capital
of the nation, and thus tide over the duh season
in Washington
ON the whole, then selfish considerations gov
em the feeling. Of the people here, in the matter
Of the coming election, as they are apt To do
everywhere else
lH our last letter we referred 90 the possible Inn
provoment which might be made in the political
complexion Of the next House Of Representatives.
As then stated, the Republicans must gain twenty
nine members at Tuesdays election, in order to
get q majority Of the lower House of
THE roRIl-rnIH coNomss.
by oeetins the number OF Republicans in place
Of democrats in the following states, such a gain
is fairly possible, viz. California, one; Connec-
ticut, one, Illinois, five, Iowa. one: MARYLAND.
two; Michigan, one; New Hampshire, two New
Jersey, two New York, FIVE Pennsylvania, eight
and Wisconsin Que. Although We are not at all
stnguine Of such a radical change being brought
about in Tuesdays Congressional vote yet this
estimate is as likely 10 prove true it was posi-
bic for the democrats to get control of tine House
in the way they did OF course, to get this ma
jonty, the Republicans must make no losses.
which is better luck than they can easily count
on. But the democrats are bound 20 suffer a
serious loss in their boosted control Of the lower
House, and the result on Tuesday will show that
our estimate is not far out Of the way. As TO
THE NENr SENATE,
there is a feeling generally expressed that the
present Republican majority will be somewhat re-
duced by the approaching elections. let MS see
how the matter stands. The outgoing Senators
on the I'd Of March next number twenty-three
OF these, eight are democrats and fifteen are Re
publicans. The present Senate is composed Of
forty-four Republicans andtwenty -nine democrats
Colorado will send two Republican senators which
increases the Republican majority to seventeen
In order, then, to get control Of the Senate the
democrats must gain nine new Senators from
those whose terms expire next March Thi. they
can hardly do. The PinchbaclS vacancy in Iouis-
ana will probably be filled by a democrat, and
the places Of the Republican senators, Clayton Of
Arkansas, West Of Louisiana, Alcorn OF Missis-
sippi, Robertson Of South Carolina, and Hamilton
Of Texas, will be filed By democrats This gives
a democratic gain Of six, and leaves the Republic
cans a majority Of three. The only remaining
Republican, whose term expires in March, who is
liable 10 he succeeded by a democrat, is lreling-
Its.
therefore reasonably count upon at least two or
or three majority in the next Senate that far and
no farther
One Of the Republican senators who goes out in
March is Forty, Of Michigan, the President pro
tenn. Of the Senate. In speaking Of the fact that
a President must be elected for one day, we in
correctly stated in our last letter that Senator
Ferry would hold that office for that day This
cannot be the case, because his term expires with
the Sd day Of March, and prior to that time he
will cease to be President pro tenn twill therefore
be necessary, early in the coming session, which
begins on the lth of December, for the Senate TO
elect President pro TEN. to preside until the
regularly elected Nice-President shall take the
chair. The choice will OF course be made from
among Senators whose terms continue beyond
1877. The Senator thus chosen, and who will be
the President of the United States from twelve
O'Clock on Sunday, March 4th, TO twelve o'clock
on Monday, the 9TH, 1t is believed will be either
Senator Edmunds, of Vermont, or Senator An
thony, Of Rhode Island
Personal.
Frank STAFFORD, of Barre, has lately been
granted patent for very valuable improyemen
in ice tools.
Ex-Governor Ilondee has been in the city during
portion OF the past week. Sol
THE biggest gun In the world, Victor Emanuel's
one hundred-ton infant, has fired its first shot at
L IL .--.- l. 4 L.