Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-01-24
Our Washington Letter.


Mcssrs. Editors The bill reported to both
houses Of Congress by the committee on the cleo
toral count, ELECTS the veliest discussion, and is
just now, the all-absorbug topic Of the day
Some sort Of
AN ELECTORAL COMPROMISE,
such as the bill now offered has been generally
expected to eluanate from the committee, and it
IL now before the country The question now is
what will be done with it2 There is good deal
OF opposition to the measure both from Republi-
cans and democrats in Congress which opposition
was Mt made manifest when the report was
presented Many Of the Republicans oppose 1t
because Tilden will be elected under 1t, and many
democrats will not touch 1t for the reason that I'M
der 1t Hayes will be elected II either side could
only know who that odd Judge is to be- good
deal Of the opposition to the bill would melt away
One thing seems 10 be certain to us here, and
that Is that the popular Of the country is de
cidedly In favor Of some method, even II it be
temporary expedient, forpeaceabe adjustment of
our present political complications.
OPINIONS PRO AND CON
President Grant, in conversation yesterday APP
proved of the bill on general principles, believing
that it was matter for encouragement in the
difficulties. The country, he said, is now in
condition to begin period Of unexampled pros
perity founded on correct principles of business
and proper standards Of value, and that all that
is wanting il an amicabe and satisfactory settle
ment Of the Presidential question. Secretary
Fish expressed his approval of the bill In the
Senate, the four best constitutional lawyers OF that
body, MesSrs. Edmunds, Conlling, Thurman and
Frelinghuysen, are strongly In favor of the bill
and believe it will pass both houses. Senators
Bayard, Gordon of Georgia, Booth OF California.
Christiancy, the two Camerons, and White Of
| Maryland, are all known to favor IT, while u ma
| iority of the democrats are yet non-committal.
In the House the subject has not been so thor
oughy ventilated, but for the first three days of
next week all the time will be given up to its con-
sderaton. While majority Of the democrats
are understood to speak in opposition to it, Mr..
Hewitt and minority are strenuous in its sup
port.
The chances Of the bill in the House cannot be
estimated to-day, but they are rather precarious
| The fifth judge elected will probably be either
Judge Davis, of Illinois, or Judge Bradley, OF
Pennsylvania.
SENATOR EDMUNDs' SPEECH
this afternoon, in favor of the bill was listened t.
by a very large audience The Senate has no
been so crowded before this session Every Sen
ator was in his seat, except Mr. Anthony, VIII,
was seized with severe illness last evening, an,
was unable to be out. A large number of Repre-
sentatives were on the floor while the gallerie
were filled by a large and brilliant assemblage
He spoke for an hour and half, and commando,
the undivided attention of all. lie is generall
I a.. H..
electoral compromise although whether justly o
not we cannot say Certain it is, however, tina
he has thrown his whole weight in favor Of tn
measure, and has, also worked harder than an
other Senator, ever since the beginning Of tn
present session, to solve in some way which woul
satisfy the greatest number of people the existin
political problem That he il carrying out tn
honest convictions within him no one can doub
or that he does not deem the proposed compromis
as the best means for bridging the difficulty
No weghtier or more logical argument could /
: made in favor of the bill than that Of Senate
Edmunds to-day. None who listened could fail
see and to admire the high ground taken in col
sidering the mere political points of the questio
l at ISSUE and none could but acknowledge Il
patriotism of his course, although they might di
u sent from the views and opinions expressed
S is expected that Senator Morton will reply
t Edmunds on Monday, and that the debate wi
continue several days
CONGRESSIONAL ITEMS.
, The false economy of the democratic House
= exposed almost daily in one branch or the 9TH
of Congress. For the sake Of temporary adva
tage, the House cut down every item of expens
although knowing that more money would ha'
to be appropriated eventually, and now deficient
bills, in every department of government, a
found to be necessary to keep them running.
: has already been proven in the House that Il
u economy Of " Blue Jeans" Williams was all
SHAM and this session means have to be provide
to make up for it. Mr. Foster, of Ohio, stated,
u day or two since, that when the accounts are
e paid this will be found to have been the most e
r, pensve House that has been in session for TWEEN
: years,
u The past few days have been eventiul ones I
II the women suffagists, who are in session
i this city. Yesterday Congress received appea
y from twenty-three states for sixteenth amen
/ ment protecting the rights of women
i Senator Morrill, to-day presented the joint re
II oution of the Vermont legislature favoring I
E passage of a law looking to a resumption Of spec
ID payment by the firstof January, 1879 Govern
d Hendee Monday presented the joint resol
C. tons of the Vermont Legislature, relative To fs
10 cries in the waters within the jurisdiction of 4
II state; also, for repeal Of the bankrupt law
Personal.
!, General Ellis Spear, of Maine, has been moi
- mated by the President as Commissioner
Patents This is the very best appointment tn
could be made for the position General spe
:, was for long time the assistant and actii
:, Commissioner, previous to his resignation Ia
(, summer and is thoroughly yersed in all the
. quirements of the position. Possessed OF Il JUG
cial mind, rare legal talent and the teachings
:, long experience in the office he will bring to 1
: discharge of the duties Of Commissioner an ada
ability and fitness but rarely found in official Ill
Judge r. b. Carpenter, of South Carolina, n
tive of Lamoille county, Vermont, is in the CT
examining authorities preparatory to deciding I
question as to who is Governor ofthat state, viii
has come up before his court for adjudication.
st Colonel Joyce and wife returned from their :
| -. T.. -ln,