The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-11-17
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


House last week. Atkinson clearly
demonstrated his incapacity to man.
age it a dozen times, more or less,
and the debate. reveals the fact that
we are blessed with about the aver
age number of demagogues among
the legislators of the lower House.
Perhaps it wouldn't be deemed po-
lite to mention the sub-classifications
suggested by the brilliant PROPOSE
tons of Mr.. Hooker and other DEM
ocratic statesman, and l forbear; but
frankness demands the statement
that some fthe representatives from
Texas have earned a very unenvia-
BILE reputation by the utter selfish
ness characterizing their votes upon
the matter of the reduction of the
Army, not mentioning what looks to
a good many like deliberate be-
trayal Of confidence. The bill is now
in such a jumbled condition that if
members of Congress understand just
what they are voting for they have
the best of scores of spectators who
haye undertaken to follow the bill
through all the vicissitudes to which
it has been subjected. When it came
from the Committee of the Whole
on Saturday, one of its amendments
permitted recruiting to 60 on ill the
Army was increase to $4,000 and an
other adopted a few moments subse-
quently limited its strength to 20, 900.
1t appeals tolerably certain that I'M
less Atkinson can bring greater pow
ers of comprehension into his bust
ness as Chairman of the Appropria-
ton Committee, he will be over
whelmed long before he gets through
with the less complicated bills that
it is the duty of his Committee to
perfect.
Pledges of secrecy were imposed
on the participants in the Republican
caucus of Saturday, lasting about five
hours; but sufficient is known of its
proceedings to seem to justify the
statement that while large number
of Republican Senators favor an ap-
plication of the tenure-of-ofice act in
the matter of Executive nOmina-
tions, the number of those who will
vote to confirm, even if not always
strictly consistent with the civil SER
vice programme enuhciated, will in
sure their confirmation if the Demo
Gratis are favorable. Hence the
adoption of a rule, as proposed,
seems impracticable. But the sense
of every Senator present appears to
appointments OF democrats wi when il
there are Republicans equally well
qualified.
1t is generally understood that the
Republican members ofthe Commit.
tee on Privileges and Elections are a
unit in favor of Kellogg's admission,
and that the decision was approved
by every Senator present at the eau
Gus. Democratic politicians who
have counted certainly on the Sen.
ates falling under the domination in
1879, are said to have made fran tic
appeals to leading supporters of the
Administration to defeat this purpose
on the ground of inconsistency but
the general impression is that Mr..
Kellogg will get the seat.
The novel sight of several of the
aborigines from the Western wilds
addressing the Sunday School chill
dren in one of our city churches was
witnessed yesterday by the densely
packed congregation, including the
President and family, large num-
Der of members of Congress and other
officials. at the Foundry Church.
The speakers were the Ponca Chiefs
recently arrived here from their res
ervation in the Indian Territory.
One of them was particularly elo-
quent in his gesticulation and Ian.
guage, as interpreted, containing
many noble sentiments. 1t was an
impressive episode and furnished
abundant food for thought to those
given to reflection. The President,
Saturday, declined to accede to their
request they have come SO far to pre-
fer, viz: that they be moved back to
their old reservation. He explained
that it is now occupied so that such
a course is impracticable, but he
promised they should select a new
one from any OF the unoccupied Gov.
eminent land In New Mexico, that
they should be reimbursed for the
losses incurred in their removal and
should be aided to pursue a civilized
life to the extent Of his power.
Mr.. Matthew'S bill relative to re.
sumption provides that legal tenders
redeemed or returned to the Treas
ury, may be reissued to the extent of
making all those outstanding not TO
pxopad S351 O00 0OO If demanded h.,