, 1877-11-03
Our Washington letter.
WASHINGTON, o. Is, Isl


EDrroR SrirrsNAN: Tas expected,
the House organized promptl, on Monday,
with Randall for Speaker. Hndall was OBJ
iectionablc with some conservatives for va
rious causes. but a decided majority favored
him, and on the whole his election Is the best
tha. could have been expected His natural
adaptation to the place, his experience IN
the office. and his services t. his party, IN
trying political times, made his candidacy
from the first almost equivalent to an cleo
ton. He saws as far ss he c,n influence 1t,
this shall be business congess that econ.
omy shall be insisted on IN all branches OF
the government, and that measures shall be
taken to prevent a repetition OF the frauds
which deprived Mr.. Tilden q the presidency
No business, beyond organizing, has been
transacted, and no committees have been
appointed. 1t is thought the committee on
appropriations will be appointed to-day, as
Mr.. Hayes sent in his message yesterday,
recommending appropriations for the army
for certain Deficiencies IN rarIous depart
ments, and for money to enable us to be rep
resented at the French international exposi-
tion. in 1878. Fraudulent Hlyes asks for an
appropriation for the::lrmy as 1t Is the qres-
ton OF an increase or decrease of the army
to be deferred to later DAY in the session.
The discussion of any measure concerning
the army, however, whether OF payment or
anything else, will be long, and II is not M
likely that it may last nntil after the regular
session IN December commences. 1heie Is
little prospect of an adjournment u2tl the
holidays, though the intervening time may
be filed up chiefly with discussions OF varl-
oas subjects. .,
In regard to seating certain members with
questionable credentials als-notably those from
s. Carolina-the democrats exhibited great
Iiberality. An amusing mistake was made
hy young Mr. Hale. of Maine, tBlaine's s pe.)
based ON his own par,izan littleness. Anti
eipatiag that Clerk Adams would place Pat,
terson. (demoeratl of Colorado, on the roll
Of members, Hale prepared IN advance and
presented while the roll was being read, I
resolution instructing the clerk to remove
Patterson's name. 1t turned out that the
name was not on the roll, and Mr., Hale was
the innocent cause Of the first iaaSh IN the
new House The resolution served to show,
however, what Mr.. Hale, If he had been
clerk, would have done.
The session opens with better feeling On
both sides than has been the case IN long
time. The republicans voted for &arheid
for speaker. Curiously enough, there was
published the morning before the letter thst
was written by Hayes last spring toGartIeld,
asking him to withdraw from the senatorial
contest in Ohio, and permit Stanley Mat
thews to be elected, promising him tGartieid)
the executive Influence to make him speaker.
1t Will be remembered that Garfield denied
the authenticity of the letter published last
summer. but this is IL, substance the same,
and Garfield mast have had twnges OF con-
science In making tie denial. His prevari-
cation, however, did not preyent any rcpGh-
lican fro.G naying Lim the barren compliment
# voting Tor him Cor speaker Tins letter,
coming from the first person occupying the
presidential chair who has made speciality
Ui ciy;l service veforia, IS a curiosity lirst
il Shows IN interference by Hayes with the
people Of Ohio IN the selection uf their SEN
aSor, and next it promises an attempt on his
part to d.hauch enough democratic represen-
tatives to make Garfield, 4 republican, speak
er. The previous records OF the government
may be searched in vain for anything like
this
The attitude OF Blaine IS not, from what
gossip is now current, doubtful. 1t has been
said among his friends that he would do this
and that, but the latest apparently authentic
reports are to the effect that senator Blaine,
beyond keeping up appearances by present
ing one or more constitutional amendments,
will support the administration. Indeed,
after soliciting high Offices for his friends, be-
Ing refused them. and then soliciting smaller
ones and accepting them, there would seem
20 he no possible course for him except to
train with those who have the power to dis
pense patronage.
Those Uho claim TO know say that the
original draft of Mr., Hayes message to con-
grcss had in it recommendation as to the
Texas Pacific railroad, but that upon consid-
Grafton and after consultation it was omitted
There is no doubt of his earnest wish that
government aid shall be granted, III some
manner, to this enterprise. REX.