The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-11-02
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Oct. %, 1877.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Oct. %, 1877.
Since the meeting of Congress there
has been much private discussion here
in regard to the position of the presi-
dent towards the party that elected him.
His Southern policy and his opposition
to the active participation of govern
ment officers in political organizations
are much criticised. Republican men,
bers are not agreed upon these subjects,
and yet desire to avoid division in the
party on account of them, which might
be precipitated bv premature discus
cussions in either the House or the Sen
ate. A number of influential congress-
men recently met privately at the house
of Secretary Sherman for an interchange
of views, and to agree upon some plan of
action should the Democrats introduce
resolution approving ofthc presidents
course, to compel the Republicans to
place themselves on record in relation
thereto. The expressions elected show
ed that Representative Cox, of Ohio,
alone stood unqualified in support of the
president. The others hoped to give
their support il it could be done with
out violating their convictions of right
or losing sight OF the principles of Re
publicanism. There was general feel
ing of opposition to voting upon any
test resolution that might be brought
forward prior to the presidents regular
message in December next, and that if
one should be offered, to press an
amendment endorsing the presidents
title to his high Office and thus first place
the Democrats on record on that, to
them, distastcful subject. The appoint
ment of Democrat who had been in
arms against the government, to po-
sition in the cabinet as one of the conf
dental advisers of the president was Sc
verely criticised, and so were some 9TH
j er acts of the executive, but there was
a uniform disposition to uphold him as
far as possible, in the hope that the ap-
parent breach might be healed, and a
quarrel among Republicans avoided
when unity is probably so essential.
The presidents nominations to office
made since the adjournment of the last
congress were sent TO the senate last
week, and promptly referred to the
proper committees. Since then 10 fur
thcr action has been taken i'm regard to
them, which is said to occasion some
uncasincss at the Executive Mansion
1t has been limited that the delay is oc.
casioned by desire on the part of Ger.
tain senators to arrive at an under.
standing with the president that may
overcome threatened rupture between
him and the leading Republicans. The
anticipated New York custom house
appointments occasion much curiosity
Leading senator's are of the opinion thai
the contemplated changes at this time
Just before the New York election is I'M
wise, and could not but result in dam
age to the Republican cause, by in
crcasing the already existing complica
tions and discussions in that state. 1t il
not probable that the president vii
yield and abandon the proposed changes
. and he has not even intimated that HI
will delay such action until after the
November election, as it is proposed
that he should at least do. Action OF
the nominations will not be delayed
, longer than an understanding can bt
had with the president as to what will
be his future course. Special cases may
, be rejected, but it is not anticipated tha
any general objection will finally b,
made.
So far Congress has not accomplished
much except the organization of its tw,
f branches, and general skirmish as t
the attitudes of parties, in discussin:
preliminary matters relating to new
claimants for seats. Considering that tn,
Democrats almost equal in numbers tn,
Republicans in the Senate, the position
of Senator Davis on primary question
, was closely observed. lie ATTENDED
, neither of the party caucuses, and al
, though his actions in the senate hav
: | knn 70 10 ha II
licans, yet he voted with the Democrat
, to consider the claim of Judge Spoffor,
as q senator elect from Louisiana, with
out previous reference to committee,
proposition that was earnestly oppose,
by the Republicans as one calculated t
precipitate general political debate
, Movements have been made towards
general amnesty act, the remonetizatiol
of silver, repeal of the specie resump
, ton act, the allowance of pensions iron
/ the date of death or discharge instead o
, from the date of completing application
and some other matters of minor inter
est. There is but little agitation in re
gard to the offices and places connected
with the senate, but the commotion i
groat relative to such matters pertaining
to the House. involving doorkerpers
y
4 others, one or two hundred in number
c No doubt many changes will be mad
regardless of the proclaimed demand b
o both parties, for civil service reform
;. based upon capacity and faithful dis
charge of official duty. The committee
It in the House will soon be announced b
y Speaker Randall, when Congress vii
g be in complete working order. 1t is tn
general opinion here now, that as tw
s weeks of the extra session are now al
d most passed, and the purposes for whic
h it was called are not yet reached, that
will continue until the regular sessio
in December.
A strong movement is on foot to sc
cure for Washington and the District c
d Columbia proper and needed Legislation
= to reduce taxation, to benefit education
}, al and charitable institutions, to improv
c the city water front, and otherwise al
I in making the capital of this great ns
ton what it should be, not only to il
C residents, but as the pride of ever
&c American citizen. To this end larg
,. and earnest meeting of prominent cit
&c zens, known as the committee of OH
e hundred, was recently held, and a nun
k ber of subcommittee were appointe
l. to consider certain local interests, to sc
that the congressional COMMITTEES direc
,, ly concerned are composed of gentle
is men able and willing to be interested i
a the affairs of the District, which unde
d the present law has no representative !
n Congress. The meeting was entirel
non-partisan, and not in the interest {
any person or persons, but was simpl
ID united effort in a proper direction
L which may result advantageously to III
I. District and the country.
N A good story for the times, be it tru
.. or untrue, is that they tell about Il