The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-11-23
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON. d. G.. Nov 12p77

The Army appropriation bill monop-
olized about all the time of the House
last week. Atkinson clearly demonstra-
ted his incapacity to manage it dozen
times, more or less. and the debate re-
veals the fact that we are blessed with
about the average number of dema-
gogues among the Legislators of the low
er House. Perhaps it wouldn't be deem
ed polite to mention the sub-classifca-
tions suggested by the brilliant PROPOSE
tiOns of Mr. Hooker and other Demo
cratic Statesmen, and / forbear; but
frankness demands the statement that
some Of the Representatives from Texas
have earned a very unenviable reputa.
ton by the utter selfshness characteriz
ing their votes upon the matter of a
reduction of the Army, not mentioning
what looks to good many like delib-
crate betrayal of confidence. The bills
now in such jumbled condition that if
members of Congress understand just
what they are voting for they have the
best Of scores Of spectators who have un-
dertaken to follow the bill through all
the vicisitudes to which it has been SUBJ
jected. When it came from the COM
mittee of the Whole on Saturday, one os
its amendments permitted recruiting to
go on till the Army was increased to
25,G0O and another adopted few mo-
ments subsequently limited its strength
to 10000 1t tappears tolerably certain that
unless Atkinson can bring greater pow
ers of comprehension into his business
as Chairman of the Appropriation Com
mittee, he will be overwhelmed long be-
fore he gets through with the less COM
plicated bills that it is the duty Of his
Committee to perfect
Pledges Of secracy were imposed Oh
the participants in the Republican eau.
Gus of Saturday lasting about five hours;
but sufficient is known Of its proceed
ings to seem to justify the statement that
while a large majority of Republican
Senators favor an application of the
Office act in the matter of Ex
ecutive nominations, the number who
will vote to confirm, even if not always
strictly consistent with the civil service
enunciated, will insure their
if the Democrats are favor
ably disposed. Hence the adoption of IA
rule, as proposed, seems impracticable.
But the sense Of every Senator present
appears to have been opposed to any
further appointment of Democrats when
there are Republicans equally well
qualified.
1t is generally understood that the
members of the Committee
1n Privileges and Elections are unitin
ilvOr of Kellogg's admission, and that
he decision was approved by every Sem
Gtor present at the caucus. Democratic
politicians who have counted certainly
N the Senate's falling under their domi-
iAtion in 1879, are said to have made
rantic appeals to leading supporters of
he Administration to defeat this pur-
pose ON the ground ofinconsistency; but
he general impression is that Mr. Kel-
ogg will get the seat.
The novel sight of several Of the abor-
gines from the Western wilds address,
ng the Sunday school children in one
# our city churches was witnessed yes
erday by the densely packed congrega-
ion, including the President and fami-
y, large number of Members of Con-
,ress and other officials, at the Foundry
Church. The speakers were the Ponca
|hiefs recently arrived here from their
in Indian Territory. Oneof
hem was particularly eloquent in his
and his language, as inter-
,reted, containing many noble senti-
nents. 1t was an impressive episode
md furnished abundant food for thought
o those given to reflection. The Presi-
lent, Saturday, declined to accede to
he request they have come so far to
,refer, viz: that they be moved back to
heir old reservation. He explained that
I is now occupied 80 that such course
5 impracticable, but he promised they
hould select q new one from any Of the
Government land in New
,Iexico, that they should be reimbursed
Or the losses incurred in their removal
nd should be aided topursue civilized
fe to the extent Of his power.
Mr Mathews bill relative tc resump
ION provides that legal tenders redeem =
d or returned to the Treasury, may be
sissued to the extent of making all those
not to exceed s350OOOOOO-
demanded by business exigoncfes. IL
SO stipuIates that when the reserve com
md of s1ooO0OOOo provided for, shall
ave been reduced below that point, re-
emption of legal tenders shall be in four
er cent gold bonds, in lieu ofcoin, until
he accumulation of the latter shall
mount TO the sum named. The Seere-
nv is also authorized to sell four per
ent bonds for legal tenders in the inter-
sts of resumption, and which shall be
for all dues against the United
,ates. The bill is claimed to embody
ne views of the President and Mr. Sher-
ian. Mr. Mathews seems to entertain
o doubt of the passage of the silver bin,
scently passed by the House, BY the
enate, nor Of the Presidents approval
o correct prevalent misapprehenslon,
will state that the business OF the Patent
flee is attended tojust as promptly as
efore the fire. MAXWELL