Union and American. [volume] (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1875-1877, 1877-01-18
w~AsHIfNGToN LETTER.

This commission passed on clalm'
of Union men inthe South for pro
perty taken and used by the NORTH
eru army. The bill will pass
|There-was also discussion on TIE
silver question in both Senate and
House, but q disposition was shown
to await the report Of the commits
sion now .inquiring into the sub
'ject under authority Of Congress
aud the Presidency were
alluded to incidentally: In the
Senate, (11th), there was discus
sion on a variety Of subjects, but
on none of general interest. In
the House David Dudley Field, Of
New York, took his seat for the
first time. He was well received
on all sides. Mr.. Field voted for
Hayes but has no doubt that Mr.
Tilden was duly elected. Various
propositions as to counting the
electoral vote we're submitted by
members. The Consular and Dr.
plomatic appropriation bill was
pass; also the Military Academy
appropriation bill. There was no
political discussion. The Demo,
Gratis Of the House Electoral Com
mittee have no doubt, decided to
insist upon the power of the House
to prevent the count of the electo
raj vote Of any State. To this
the Republican members will not
of course agree. Runors that the
Senate committee had agreed up
on a plan are discredited. There
has been no joint meeting of the
two committees and none is ex-
pected for several days,
The intention to steadily con-
centrate troops at Washington
prior to March 4th, is not longer
denied. The former p%retense that
but few would be brought here, is
abandoned. Not only will a large
force of regulars come before Feb"
n - o.
ruary 14th, but, in event Of fails
ure to settle the electoral qucs-
ton by that date, other and larger
forces thereafter, and delegations
Of six volunteer associations
throughout the North, are relied.
upon. A Radical gentleman. IN
civil position now, but formerly a
member of Grants military fami-
ly, said to the writer, yesterday,
that the hundred thousand Demo
Gratis expected, could be taken
care of by the Republicans he
were coming. 1t is known
to many here, though unknown to
Others, that at the time of johns
impeachment, when there
we're rumors that he would use
force to retain his plaza if convlct-
ed, the Republican leaders made
extensive, though quiet prepara|
to enforce the expected de
of the Senate. There were
all over the city, and,
beside the organized militia Of the
thousands of armed aud
drilled citizens could have
been called out at short notice to.
occupy the public buildings. The
ten or more thousands of govern
ment employees and dependents
make a large force and are al
ways within call. There is much
Of this same preparation now 1.
DO not mention it because Of any
lear of violence, for l do not doubt
will peacefully settle the
whole question. But tho bring
ing of the regular forces here, the
arrangements for large parties
from abroad, and the ,ocal organ.
ization and preparation are all
Within a few days an im-
mense torch light procession OF
government employees will be an
nounced for next week, to be I'M
der the auspices of the various
Republican organizations.
All the appropriation bills will
be ready for report to the House
by the end of this month. There
will be reduction, generally, even
from last years reduced appropri'
ations. These reductions are al
most invariably so made as not to
cripple the service. ! recall but
IN instance in which actual injury
has been done, and is being done,
and that is in the reduction OF
clerks at the Surgeon Generals
The difficulty is this: Ev.
cry pension claim must be referred
by the Pension Office, prior to
action, to the Surgeon General for
report on various points. The
force in the Pension Office is large
enough to dispose of all. the claims
received each year-say $4,000
hut that at the SUPERINTENDENT