South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-10-26
Letter from Washington.
[ Correspondence ofhe M,elligeucer. /

w AsliiNGTOS, ~. ", OcC. 20.
At the beginning Of the second week
of Congress there is not much progress
to report. Beyond the seating of a few
members in the House in cases of con-
test,-in which matter the Democrats
acted with great liberality-and the re.
ference Of the Louisiana Senatorial cues
ton to the Committee of Elections, lit
tie was done. Senator Davis of West
Virginia, presented his old resolution as
to the Treasury Department, and Sena.
tor McCreary advocated the repeal of
the bankrupt law. There will be a eau.
Gus tonight Of the Democrats to decide
whether or not to 90 into general bust
ness at the extra session. 1t is most
likely tho decision will he to 90 so.
In the matter of the Louisiana Sena.
tors the Republicans have so far voted
rs unit except on one question, on
which Senator David Davis acted with
the Democrats. 1t is believed Kellogg
will be seated. 1t is not impossible that
Pinchback may be. also. for unier a
reform Administration Republican
Senators appear inclined to be little
more wicked than under Grant.
Hayes has unoflicially explained his
civil service reform order. lie says it
was not intended TO prevent Office hol.
ders from taking part in politics after
nominations were made. This is an
| ingenious way Of absolving himself and
his Cabinet from the charge Of violating
the ordc- i'm their olectoneering tour
through Ohio. But his whole scheme
of reform was insincere. Even if Messrs.
Hayes and Schurz had been honest i'm
their professions, it is clear as MONDAY
that they could not have hcen and can.
not be successful. The way to reform
the Civil Service, the Military Service,
the Naval Service and every other branch
of the Service is to get rid as rulers, not
only Of the individuals who have for
sixteen years held Office, but Of the class
OF people from which they come. When
the Democratic party gets possession of
the Government-and God speed the
day thorough reform will be possible.
Until then neither the hypocrites who
cry reform, but continue the old prac-
tees, nor the machine men who hold
and manage offices and laugh at reform,
will accomplish any substantial good.
Speaker Randall it is said. will not
appoint the House Committee before
Thursday. If the caucus tonight de-
cides TO prolong the session, all the
Committees will be announced, but
otherwise only such as are necessary for
the business alluded to in the message
from the White House. Realizing the
Importance to the country and TO the
party Of this Congress, Mr.. Randall will
he very cautious in his selections for
"a.
as Ways and Means, Appropriations,
the Judiciary, Military affairs. etc.
The Democrats have about decided
to throw n fire brand into the Republi.
can camp by submitting in the two
Houses n resolution endorsing the policy
Of the Administration. In the Senate
| think that resolution would slumber in
Committees at least until the Democrats
get control Of the body. In the House
the result is a matter Of speculation. Our
Democratic Legislators ought to remem.
Der that such resolution may he like
some of the old muskets we used TO fight
the Indians with-more dangerous TO
friends than enemies.
At n! gathering Of Republican Con-
gressmen on Saturday night TO try and
NDhNfib iAitdohlto w hFOiN ~ tOuhitb WIN
the Administration, no progress was
made, and it was agreed, in substance.
that each member he n committee OF
one" to call on SIR Hayes and talk over
the situation.
IL is believed that Congress will M its
present session provide mileage for it
self. the law as il now stands failing 10
make such provision for extra sessions.
Coupled with this will he the granting
Of mileage to Judges OF the Supreme
Court for expenses in travelling to aad
from their places Of duty. This latter
seems only reasonable. Whether or not
the granting Of mileage for extra SEES
sions OF Congress would have n tendency
to make extra sessions more frequent
can he shown only by experience. IIu
man nature even Congressional human
nature-is weak. MEMO.