The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-03-02
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER,

OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW NORTHWEST
President making is still the all-ab-
sorbing topic of conversation in Wash
ingtOn. The whole population awaited,
with intense anxiety, the heannOuncement
of the decision of the tribunal upon the
question, as to whether it could go back
OF the returns aud enter into an exami-
nation of the manner in which the elec-
tiOn was concluded in the State of Flor
ida or not. The decision, to rest upon
the certificates, and not to take further
testimony, was the cause of much re-
jOicing among Republicans; and while
the Democrats still hope that their case
is not lost, a very considerable depres-
sion and anxiety has been manifested
among the members of that party dur
ing the Fast few days. The election of
Judge Bradley as the fifteenth member
of the commission was at the time re-
garded with considerable favor by both
parties, although the Democrats had
hoped and expected to secure Judge Da-
Wis; but they are not so well satisfied
with the election at present, although
Judge Bradley voted with them to take
testimony relative to the eligibility of
eleetor Humphreys.
THE HUMPHREYS CASE.
Elector Humphreys was a shipping
-, 4
his resignation September last, and it
was accepted by Judge Wood early in
October, and the collector of the port of
Pensacola directed to perform the duties
of the office. The Democrats claim that
the appointment was an act of the
United States District Court of Florida,
and that the Judge could not accept the
resignation when the Court was not in
session. The Republicans claim that
the Judge is the court out of term time,
and that he was authorized to accent
this resignation, as well as to issue in
functions, attachments, and to perform
many other functions of court. The
argument of counsel was completed yes
terday, and decision will probably be
given to-day, when a final decision of
the question, "Who shall be the next
President?" will be more easily prog
nosticated than at present.
THE BATTLE OF THE LAWYERS.
Both political parties have put for
ward their most able advocates, and the
walls of the Supreme Courtroom have
seldom, If ever, resounded to such able
arguments as have been made by O'Con-
nor, Evarts, Black, Mathews, Merrick,
Stoughton, and the other able counsel in
this case. Lawyers seldom have so
many incentives to put forth their
greatest prowess as conduce to bring
them out in the present case. First,
their own political leanings, prejudices,
and passions are fully aroused, and next,
they are aware that the present is a
grand historical case, which will be read
and quoted as long as the government
of the United States shall last. This is
regarded by these great men as the op-
pOrtunity of their lives to connect their
fame with the history of their country.
If the commission shall fail to find a
just verdict, it certainly will not be for
want of any information which human
wisdom could bestow.
THE PEOPLE ON THE ANXIOUS BENCH.
The Supreme Courtroom will accom-
modate only about one hundred and fifty
spectators, and, of course, thousands
who desire to look at the great safety
valve of the nation in session, aud tc
hear the arguments of the greatest oi
living lawyers upon the most intensely
Interesting case in the history of the
country, are daily doomed to disap.
pointment. The members of the com.
mission are perfectly overwhelmed with
applications for tickets of admission
and all the approaches to the courtroom
are crowded with persons eagerly wait
ing for some opportunity to force them
selves into the courtroom. Failing tC
gain admission, the people eagerly avail
news from inside, and every prominent
man who emerges is besieged on al
sides for information.
EFFECT UPON LEGISLATION.
The compromise bill provided that th,
two Houses should meet in joint con
vention on the first day of February, I,
count the votes, and that they shoul,
take recesses, from day to day, until til,
count was completed. The effect of thi
has been to suspend legislation almos
entirely, for nearly everything has to b
done by unanimous consent, and sin
gle objection can defeat most importan
measures. The flags which denote tha
the two Houses are in session are KEEP
flying day and night, and even all da,
Sunday, aud the journal shows tina
Congress is still in the session as @
Thursday, the first of February. Joshu
is outdOne, for be commanded tn
sun to stand still for only an hour o
two, while Congress has crowded te
days into one, with fair prospect tina
many more will be condensed in lik