The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-01-12
Washington Correspondence.
wAsnrxarox. D. C, Jan. Q, 1877.

MHNlMENuM NOFNtrRvmMGnNts
wAsHISeToS, ID. C., Jan. Q, 1877.
Immediately upon their return, from
their holiday visits home, Of q sufficient
number Of Congressmen to constitute a
quorum, both Houses found an elephant
ON their hands in the shape of contuma-
cy cases. Mr.. Barnes. the obdurate
manager Of tslegrsphic affairs in New
Orleans, was arraigned before the bar Of
the House on Wednesday, but,a at the re-
quest Of his counsel, was granted until
Friday p. NJ. to make his answer, which,
At the time appointed, he did in 80 able
and forcible manner as to cause the
House, taciily, at least, to yield its point
by referring the whole matter to the
Judiciary Committee. The Senate, at
the same time, was dealing with w. q.
Turner, the Oregon operator, who,
siesdfasily refusing 10 make public tel
graph messages that passed through bis
Office during the election concerning
electors and electoral voting, was order
ed before the Senate to answer to the
charge Of contempt. The affair elicits
good deal OF debate in relation TO the
privacy and publicity Of telegrams in
general, and at the time Of its last dis
cussion, the Senate being without quo
rum, the question was not finally dis
posed Of, but allowed to 20 over till
Monday.
The committees for deciding upon q
means for counting the electoral vote
have come to no decision as yet. Each
committee has had several meetings but
no joint session has been held. II is
thought they will soon come together,
having obtained all necessary authorities
and precedsnts, decide at once upon
some course and present such q report
as shall, in its perfection, require little
or no revision by Congress.
Should new election take place-ar
idea that seems to be fast gaining ground
among thinking men, as ths surest and
speedisst way out Of the present Presi
DENTAL difficuliy-ths efforts Of thi'
committee will rot have been in vain
but will prove n safeguard against an
other such political dilemma.
Notwithstanding the fact that this II
Inauguration year, the season is far les'
gay than is usually the case in Wash
ington during the winter. II is proba
bly, owing partly to the absence Of sew
eral very socially inclined families o
Congressmen, who have been here 70
years, and partly to the stringency o
times, which obliges even the wealthies
TO sconomise. The only agitation tn
city has experienced since election weel
is that caused by the sudden closing o
the gambling houses in the District
which wns brought about some thre
weeks since by q thorough showing n
they received from one Of the leadin
daily newspapers Of the city. The com
motion that has ensued and the impol
lance the the affair has assumed prove
how very much such an investigation
ss is now going forward, was needed.
has been found that nearly all the prom
insnt officers Of the public board, includ
ing Mayor Richards, Chief Of Polic'
have, for years past, been holding int
mate relations with proprietors of thes
gambling bells, many Of them rsceivin
money in payment for insuring the'
unlawful resorts from molestation. s
hot'a FIRE has been kept up upon these di
graceful parties. for the fortnight pas
and so many facts, uncomfortable in Il
extreme for them, have been brought
the light Of day, that President Gral
has requested the resignation Of the e.
tire board. This request was acceded
on Friday last and, Of course, a ne
board will be at once appointed, to who
Il Is to be hoped the present shamef
affair will be . warning.
Washington has seen no such wini
rish weather. for a score or two Of YET
m we have been experiencing latel
The ground has not been visible
more than two weeks, As before I
heavy fall Of snow on New Years ds
the ground had, for many daya, be
covered with thick coating Of ice a
slsety snow.
Driving parties have made the mi
ofthe slelghing, reaching culminati
on Saturday afternoon by holding
sleighing carnival on Pennsylvai
Avenue. Vehicles Of every concieval
description we're used, from really
rleighs TO dry goods boxes and b
barrels on runners, fancy costumes q
masks worn, and real fun enjoyed. ]
weather to-day and yesterday, howes
has been very warm and fine, the sn
is rapidly melting and for US. evident
the winter weather is over.
NJ. NJ. w