Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-11-24
Our Washington Letter.
WAsuIxGroS, d. c.,

Nov. 81, 1871 }
The work OF the extra session IS ABOUT
comple,cd. The Army bill and the
NAVY deficiency bill have passed and
Mr. Cox of New York yesterday aSsur-
ed the passage of the Paris Exposition
bill by a witty speech against it. TINS
inimitable humorist puts all parties in
the best of humor and the Congressional
heart is never 50 open TO an appeal for
an appropriation as when the Congress
man is cheerful. Cox should never OPP
pese an appropriation unless he wishes
TO help it along. Dyspeptic men like
Edmunds, Holman, and f. Is. Wash
burne, who never laugh heartily, are
the men who kill appropriations.
The work OF the session has not all
been satisfactorily done. If anything
was to be said of the strength OF the
Army-if anything was to be done more
than to vote the necessary money-the
force ought to have been reduced and
reorganized But this may be accom-
plished at the regular session
The proposed bargaining Of which l
wrote you, and by which Patterson,
Chamberlain, Wells, AnderSoG and the
rest are TO escape punishment, is now
discussed in the papers. On the one
side it gives immunity to the persons
above named and many more, and on
the other it secures clemency TO several
thousand persons in the South who are
accused of violating the Eu. kluX laws,
and who are liable to be tried at any
time. Judge Mackey, of South Caro-
lima, is the prophet of the proposition,
aud claims that all the leading Southern
men are favorable toit. lie says Hayes
favors it. 1t is the most extraordinary
bar gain, think, ever suggested. This
wholesale pardoniug OF criminals of all
degrees, while many States like Penn
sylyauia and Maine, for instance, are
restricting the pardoning powers in
individual cases, has something amazing
in it.
The great subsidy schemes for the
benefit OF the Texas Pacific Railroad,
the Mississippi Lcvces, Brazilian
steamship line, &c, have not been urg-
ed during the extra session. Their lob
bies have not been here. Winter and
the regular session will bring them.
II is thought the case Of Spotiord and
Kellogg cannot be decided before adj
iournment, unless the Republicans find
they can rely upon Senators enough to
ensure Kellogg his seat. In the South
Carolina case, Butler and Corben, an
effort will be made to get vote at an
early day, and the probability is that
neither will be admitted.
Senator Conklin'S Committee has not
reported the New York Custom House
nominations, and shows no disposition
TO. While the session lasts the Sena-
tors friends hold their places. After
adjournment Mr. Hayes may, If he
chooses, make new appointments and
the Senator's friends will have to give
place to them. Perhaps Senator Conk-
ling would like to have Hayes do that,
or thinks he will not dare to do it.
Names first contribution to the
Gallery of Statues at the Capital was
placed in position yesterday. Very
properly the memory Of her first Cover
nor is thus honored, and a gentleman
who knew Governor King tells me that
the artist-SimmonS-- been very
successful in his work The States are
not forwarding as rapidly as was ex-
pected, or as is desirable, their contrl-
buttons to this hall.
Tom Paine-no, Bob Ingersall-has
declined the German Mission. lie will
practice law in this city. Mr.. Schurz,
who, also, is free thinker, can now go
to Germany if he gives up his Cabinet
position.
A desperate fight is being made
against the confirmation of II. w. Hill
lard appointed Minister TO Brazil. 1t
is petty and scandalous fight, too,
and the Senate ought to hasten the
confirmation to prevent American citl-
zeas from further degrading themselves
in such manner Not man of stand
ing or consequence has so far attacked
the private character Of Mr. billiard;
but Migrants and bummers have done it
presistently and the Senate is listening
10 them. HILTON.