Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-10-27
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. c.,
October % 1877

Congress has had smooth sailing so
far. In its first week the House was
simply organized, and was thereafter,
as it still is, engaged in discussing the
rights of individual members to seats.
So far the Democratic majority has
been extremely liberal in its treatment
OF the minority. The case under dis
cussion now is that of Belford and Pat
terson, from Colorado. Belford will
probably be sworn in, not so much on
account of any right he has to the seat,
as because of the Democratic liberality
before mentioned. BY apparent con-
nivance between the Speaker aud Re
publicans, this Colorado case was con-
sidered yesterday (Monday) to the ex-
clusion of the regular business of that
day-the presentation of bills, petitions,
etc. The OBJECT of this was 10 exclude
resolution, to be presented by Demo
Gratis, endorsing the Southern and civil
service policies of the Administration.
This was intended as trap for the
Republicans who naturally dreaded it,
aud Randall either took pity on them
or believed the resolution would be as
damaging to his own party as to the
other. Meanwhile, the Republican
members are consulting each other,
members of the Cabinet and even Mr..
Hayes himself, to find out some way in
which harmony may be made to appear
to exist in the party. The contribution
of the latter gentleman to the accom-
plishment of so desirable result is a
concession to members in the matter of
appointments. 1t is semi officially stated
that hereafter the advice ofSenators and
Representatives will be needed unless
they have shown themselves unsafe ad
visers in such matters. 1t is also ex-
planned that the civil service order is
not intended to prevent the interference
Of office holders after nominations are
made These concessions are forced
from Mr.. Hayes in various ways The
Senate refuses to act on bis nominations,
or even to refer them to Committees.
Thus is taken out of reform as promised
by MIR. Hayes, any heart that it ever
had. 1t will be we'll for the country
when another party, not controlled by
the office holders who have fattened on
the country for half a generation, shall
come into power.
In the Senate Mr.. Edmunds yesterday
secured the passage OF his resolution for
the appointment of Committee of
seven Senators, to act with eleven Rep
resentatives, whose duty it shall be to
consider the laws governing the count
ing aud declaration of votes for Presi-
deut aud Vice President
Mr.. Davis, of West Virginia. it has
been agreed, shall have his special Com
mittee to investigate the Treasury De
partment.
In the Senate, also, numerous bills
have been presented authorizing the
! coinage of Silver Dollars. to be legal
tender to any amount in payment OF
debts, public or private, where their
payment in gold is not by law or con-
tract made bending. Senator Jones
presented one of these and expresses
confidence in its passage. AS Chair
man of the Silver Commission, Senator
Jones prepared an exceedingly elabor-
ate report on the propriety and expe-
diency of remonetizlng that metal, but
is now published as revised during the
time since then.
General Sherman yesterday returned
from his extended Western trip, in good
health. He thinks there will be no
further Indian outbreaks of Importance
at present, and favors general treatment
of Chief Joseph, who, he says, conduct.
ed his warefare according to civilized
ideas. How would it do TO retire one
of our Brigadier Generals, and give the
place to Joseph! There would be no
difficulty in making the selection.
The second laugh of the session-the
first being against Mr.. Hale, as noted in
nv last letter,-was at the expense of
Mr.. Garfield, late of the eight to seven
Commission. The proposition having
been made in the Senate to raise Com
mittee of seven to consider the method
of counting and declaring the Presideu'
tial vote, resolution to appoint Com
mittee of eleven to act with them was
presented in the House. Mr.. Garfield
suggested a reduction in the number,
but Harris of Virginia settled the ques-
ton by saying the Democrats insisted
on "Eleven to Seven this time"
HILTON.