The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-11-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. ca
Nov. 10, 1877.

Uncasiness among Republican lead
ers as shown by the prolonged and
inharmonious senatorial caucas on
Saturday last, by the extraordinary
efforts made to suppress information
as TO what was said and done therein,
and by the constant communications
being carried on between Mr.. Hayes
and numerous Senators on the sub
ject. 1t appears that Senator Ed
munds was the head of the committee
authorized to communicate with the
occupant of the White House He
performed that duty yesterday. The
demand of Senators is for more con
sideration in the matter of appoint
ments, and they also made it under
stood, if report speaks truly, that a
partial reorganization of the Cabinet
would be received with favor. The
blindest man in America can see, in
the light of the late elections, that
Mr.. Hayes cannot manage the Repub-
lican party without the aid Of indi-
vidual Senators and Representatives.
The course Of the Senate on nomina-
tons sent it also goes to show that
there is determination to make him
understand that he is not the master
but the servant of the organization.
The army appropriation bill, as it
passed the House, fixes the number
of troops at twenty thousand, and
provides that four regiments of caval-
ry shall be stationed in Texas. A
prominent Republican Senator said
yesterday that the latter provision
could never receive the assent of the
Senate-that Democrats as well as
Republicans would oppose it. There
will certainly be committee of con-
ference on the bill.
The naval deficiency bill, it is
thought, will become a law exactly
as it passed the House. 1t appropri-
ates all that Secretary Thompson
asked for, and in the House debate
| on the bill the references to that Off
Ger by both Democrats and Repub-
licans were quite fattering.
The friends of the silver remonetiz-
alton bill and of the bill repeating the
Resumption Act, confess that they
cannot hope for success at the extra
session. 1t is to be hoped there will
be an early settlement of both ques-
tions, for their continued agitation
does more harm to the country than
would n fpo1 co+t lomopt OF h M yov
Among current items of gossip i i
one to the effect that Gen'l Harlan's
appointment as Justice of the Su-
preme Court has caused so much dis
satisfaction that his name will be
withdrawn.
Secretary of War McCrary, Gen'l
Sherman and others were last night
before the Senate MILITARY Commit
tee to explain what they think the
country needs in the way of an army.
They insist upon at least twenty-five
thousand men. 1t seems hardly worth
while to dispute with them at this
time, as an appropriation bill for a
year half gone is hardly the best
place to put limitation of that kind,
but the indications are that at the
regular session, when will come up
properly enough such general legisla-
ton, determined effort will be made
to reduce the army to $4,000 men.
One of the arguments used against
any present decrease is based upon
our relations with Mexico. Another
upon the need of having a large force
to keep the Indians in subsection.
Another, much used lately, but very
little used now, is that large force
will prevent the return of such dis
turbances as accompanied the strikes
last summer, or can be used to quell
them if they occur. Gen'l Sherman
is the only man in high position, so
far as know, who still expresses a
wish to impose the police duty on the
army, or to increase the army for
such a purpose. More polite men
have discovered that this sort of non
sense will sooner than anything else
bring about a public sentiment OPP
posed to any Federal Army.
We have here now delegation of
Indians-Poncas-who have always
been on friendly terms with the
whites. They have received from
Messrs. Hayes and Schurz assurances
that all their reasonable demands will
be complied with. REX.