Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-11-28
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Nov. Goth.

vi tuG ScfGldl 1dtCClS tuC l.
enumerated in his message as demand
ing immediate legislation, only the ma
val deficiency bill has been sent him
for his 81 gnature at the close of the 4th
week Of the extra session. The Army
bill and finances monopolized most of
the time of the House and no inconsid-
erable portion of that Of the Senate
during the week ending Saturday the
18th. After debates, participated in
by many on both sides and sufficiently
pointed and emphatic to clearly estab
lish the present attitude of both of the
great parties striving for national su-
premacy. The Texas backsliders were
brought to see the enormity of their
ofense in voting with Republicans
against reduction, and have been re-
claimed. The menaced condition of
the Indian and Mexican borders of
their State was, of course, their de-
tense, and they made some very touch
ing illusions to the sold flag" in their
arguments favoring an adequate mill
tary force; but their regard for others
outside their constituents, quite. as
much in need Of protection, was shown
in their vote to reduce to 20 1000, with
the provision that of that number they
should have 4 regiments of cavalry,
100 men to company, for service in
their state. in this shape the bill
went to the Senate Committee, ma
iority of whose members were SO bull
headed as to suppose that the constitu-
tional provision, investing the Presi-
dent with command in chief of the ar
my and navy invalidated the Texas
bargain; hence it was expurgated and
the Limitation as to number restored to
the old figure 900. Atkins Com.
mittee voted to non concur in all the
changes made save the former; but in
asmuch as quite number of Demo
cratic Senator'S voted for the amended
bill. it was adopted Saturday by solid
Republican vote reinforced by several
Democrats.
Gen. Garfield has made the speech
of the session against Ewing's. antire-
sumption bill which has been assigned
definite time for vote. It was
conceded as one of the most able efforts
of the Generals Congressional career,
taking the wind quite out of the sails
of Judge Kelly's craft, in the opinion
of Ewing's opponents.
1t appears to be the prevailing opin-
ion that should Woods joint resolution
for adjournment on the 22d be adopt
ed, the Senate Financial Committee
will not report the Bland silver bill
this session; otherwise, that it will be
reported divested of some Of it's crudi-
ties and with many important amend
ments.
The Paris Exposition business has
made very slow progress notwithstand
ing its gaeat Importance to many of our
industrial interests and the pressing
necessity tor immediate action if our
exhibitors or those desiring to be such
are to be efectively represented, and if
the arrangements requisite to credit
able exhibition are to be made in the
short time remaining-so short that
the loss Of a day even, at this juncture,
is very serious matter.
| Saying nothing of the very prevalent
suspicion that Hewitt's bill which pro.
vides for Commissioner 6 eneral at a
salary of several thousand dollars and 20
subordinates at the starvation rates OF
| $1,000 each and pay their own expens.
es, is intended to recompense Gen.
Hawley for his services at New Orleans
on the Commission, the feeling is GER
tainly against providing fat place for
one favorite and voting those having
all the work to perform a rate of com.
pensation that will not enable them to
live respectfully. And it appears to be
the almost universal verdict that it
were better to ignore the whole matter
and attempt no representation at all, if
the amount to be devoted to that pur-
pose is to be limited to the approprla-
tion- $50, ,000- proposed in the substi-
tute offered by the economical repre-
sentative of Tammany, Mr.. Samuel,