South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-10-19
Letter from Washington.
WAsnrNoroN. ID. C..Oct. !!

WASHINGTON, I'D. u, Oct. 10.
Mr.. HARPER We do not all agree,
as Democrats. with all that Mr.. Randall.
the reelected Speaker. believes. He is
protectionist. and Democrats generally
ale not. He is opposed to Government
aid In any shape TO the Texas Pacific
Railroad. or is considered to be, while
much OF the conservative strength Of the
House is favorable to such aid, and will
earnestly urge the justice and policy OF
granting it during this session. But on
the whole, knowing the ability and rea-
| diness OF the man and his experience. I
have. as your readers know, thought him
the best possible man for the place. His
reelection. with that of nearly all the
other House officers, indicates deter.
mination on the part of the majority
to transact necessary public business
promptly. and is gratifying to we'll wish.
ers OF the country and the Democratic
party. "Hc who serves the Dem ocratic
party best serves his country best"
Whether or not there will be any mea.
sures taken intended to affect the irrey.
ular decision Of the late Presidential
question, will he decided in few DAYS.
The act opening the Courts of United
States to the peSty aggrieved by the de.
cision would seem TO be clearly proper.
III, as so many believe. there was in tho
creation of the Electoral Commission
anything unconstitutional, surely there
can be no harm, in calm and quiet times
like these, in permitting the highest
Court 10 pass upon the question. There
may have been danger to the public
peace in February and March last, but
there is none now.
There will be an early discussion. it
is well known, of the project of aiding
a Southern Pacific Railroad. No exact
plan has yet been agreed upon by the
friends of the project, but it is hoped
that a measure can be prepared which
will silence many of the objections utg.
ell to subsidies in general.
An early effort will be made to re-
organize the judiciary of the United
States. Senator David Davis will have
charge of this.
As the whole subject OF claims against
the Government, whether growing out
of the late war or arising otherwise, will
have thorough consideration. Secretary
Sherman is having prepared his own
ideas on the subject. with facts which he
thinks sustain him. This is truly mat.
ter OF great Importance considering the
amounts OF money involved, and it is
due alike To the Government and the
claimant that full consideration should
he given by Congress to the recommen.
dations OF the Secretary and to the facts
and figures he will present.
Senator Blaine is said 10 have ready
for presentation "a Constitutional amend.
mebt concerning the acquisition of fur
tier territory.
The subject OF an entire change in
our Indian policy will be brought imme.
diateiy TO the attention of Congress by
influential members.
An effort will be made to cover by
Legislation the tenure of civil employees
Of the Cove rnment.
The Army increase project. to be
mentioned by MIR. Hayes in his message,
will probably go over to the regular
session for whatever separate conside.
ration 1T is thought to he entitled To,
though it will necessarily be mentioned
in discussing the Army Appropriation
bill, for the passage of which the extra
session was called.
These and other matters of importaL
are on mems tongues and in their minds
now.
Interest is also felt in the possible
course Of the Senate when the question
of confirming some of the nominees of
MIR. Hayes arises. Especially is this
the case concerning the New York Off
Gals. Mr.. Blaine. it is said will offer
no direct opposition, at present, to any
nominations or to any policy, so far an.
nounced, Of the Administration.
The two members of the House in
whom most interest is manifested by the
people here are Hon. Alexander H. Ste.
phens and Speaker Randall. Then
Proctor Knott. Garfield and Banks. The
general expectation is that Senators and
Representatives, as we'll as private citi.
Zens of wealth and cultivation, will help
to make this winter, Notwithstanding
the hard times, one of the gayest ever
known here. MEMO.