, 1877-12-29
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, Isl


EprroR STATESMAN 1t is most gratifying
fact that congress has taken hold of the Mexican
question in earnest. The house on Monday, in
referring to the proper committee that portion
of Mr.. HAYES message relating TO Mexican af-
fairs decided that it was empha.icaliy favorable
To the maintainance of peace between Mexico
and the United States. Yesterday the senate
unanimously adopted resolution of Senator
Conklins for special committee OF seven
senators 10 ascertain what was necessary 10
promote fpeaceful relations between the two
governments, etc. If there Is any disposition
here 70 provoke war i Is ccrtned 70 the ad-
mini tration. -
Senator Conkl.ng will be chairman of the
committee to be appointed underhi resolution.
A. that resolution is unprecedented and as the
powers gwen u the committee by 1t may be
used effectively in the existing contest between
Mr.. Conkling and the administration, give 1t
in full and ask your readers 70 make note OF
"Reslred. That committee Of seven sena,
tors he aupointed by the chair to inquire and
repo.ts whether any, and if so, what measures
can be devised to promote commercial inter,
course with Mexico, and to establish Just ana
peaceful condition Of affairs on the borders OF
this country and Mexico. and also to ascertain
and report the facts touching the present gov
ernmert OF Mexico, and that said committee
| have power 70 send for persons and papers, TO
confer with the executive branch OF the gov
ernrnent Of the United States, to sit during the
recess of the senate, and toproceed to any point
| deemed necessary III the prosecution OF Its IN
qUiric7s."
Senator Matthews silver Asolutions, to the
effect that all United States debts may be law
fully paid in silver dollars, ABE grains each was
debated. Senator David Davis and Senator
Thurman are two men OF prominence about
whose course on silver demonstration there mas
been doubt among the people. They are no"
bolh among the most earnest advocates oi the
measure The resolution Of Matthews was not
voted on directly Yesterday; but on a test vote
there WAS IS senators for silver and Is against.
The resolution is q concurrent one, does not re-
ouire any executive action, and has 10 legal
force. -
Many senators yesterday presented petitions
from women and others fayorin3 an amendment
of the constitution prohibiting states from de-
pyin, the right If suffrage to citizens on ac-
count of sex.
The committees on commerce OF the senate
have reported nfavorably on two OF the New
York custom house nominations, and faEorabiy
on one This is the work of Senator Conklng,
chairman, with whom Joined all the republican
Ii is most likely the senate will follow the com
mittee's recommendation. What the admins
tration will do abou. it whether nd i'll new
names or allow Mr. Conklingis friends to retain
their places without further moleStation is not
known.
The warfare of IT, National Republican, rad
ical organ, On the administration, is very earn
est. That paper of the llth inst, contains
long, able and exhaustive editorial on the pub
lie faith, contrasting the action of the govern
ment towards the bond holders and the citizens
Of the United States who hold claims against
the government. IL shows that while the ma
ton pays with promptness its contracts with
the bond holders, it repudiates every other spe
cies OF contract. The article is particularly
we're on Secretary Sherman for his expressed
determination to pay nothing which he is not
forced to pay. This article should be repub-
lished in every paper Of the country. REx.