Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1877-11-24
FEL;CIANA SENTIN,E FL =.
Special Correspondence.

FELICIANA SENTlN 81.
Special Correspondence.
EDITOR SENTINEL:
WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. IL, 1877.
CONGRESS since our last has dragged
along its Extra-session, and taken no de-
finite action in any way on anything be-
fore them fearful of the influence their
conduct might have on the late elections,
and now we shall expect them to settle
down to business, as the fall horse racing
and other elections are all over. The SEN
ate republicans held a regular old fash
toned sewing-society hen-talk caucus.
Tn re was full meeting of tho choiris-
fers and an individual pledge of secrecy
was put to, and taken by each member,
but we had our inqnisitorial nose around
and heard all they said; and many VIC
lent denunciations of Mr.. Hayes policy
were indnlged in. A large majority of
the "wig-wam'' got themselves on the
war path and went for Mr.. Hayes scalp
without reserve. and when Roscoe COnk-
ling took the floor, the other disgrantees
were surprised at his courteous and re-
pectful illusions to Mr.. Hayes, which
Roscoe wound up with a disavowal OF
many expressions attributed to him in
his New York speech. Tho meeting be-
came so heated up with bitter tumultu-
Gus debate, that the presiding officer found
frequent occasions to rap them to order
and remind them to lower their loud and
angry voices or their sentiments would
be overheard by outsiders. The old war
horses after relieving themselves of this
long pent.up wrath evidently felt much
better, and said that no" they had come
to q comman understanding they would
be better able to keep down their wrath
in the open sessions of the Senate. TIE
grand finale of the above was, that they
have concluded it.well; and have deter
mined to keep in with Mr.. Hayes, lest an
open rapture with him would make it
worse for their party in tbs future, than
the late elections proved to be. Where
upon they adjourned with the vain delu-
sion that the public would kno moth
ing of the doings of this secret conclave
above referred to.
THE WAYS AND MEANS
committee have at their several meetings
held last week INDUCED in unlimited dis
cussions among themselves on the differ
ent subjects before them, but as yet have
not settled down to work, nor do they
expect to accomplish anything of impor-
lance until the regular session in Decem
Der next. The chairman of the Commit
tee Mr. Wood deems that the times de-
mand a thorough overhauling and re-
vision of the tariff as we'll as very mate
rial alterations in the excise laws, and
this view Of the situation is concurred in
by a majority Of the committee. AS we
stated in our letter shortly after the meet
ing of Congress the tariff should DC sim
plified by extending the free list and
making a reduction on numerous articles,
reliance for tho receipt of revenue being
placed on q few principal staples; and
our views seem from conversations to the
above effect with .he members of the
committee to meet with their approval
There is also firm belief with the COM
mittees that q reduction of so cents per
gallon on whiskey would produce great
or revenue from that source, as we'll as
general reduction of internal taxation.
An effort will be made to take off the tax
ON depositors of National Banks but,
whilst this may succeed in committee it
will undoubtedly fail in the House. Both
the above committee and the committee
on appropriation have concluded to act
in accord, the one to reduce taxation and
the other to cut down the expenditures
of the Government, wherever it can be
done without detriment to the public i'll
terest, and in this connection the employ
ees will be reduced some rs per cent, as
the committee have ascertained that if
the clerks would be prompt on hand at
q. M, and work faithfully, not leaving
off until p. III. the above reduction could
be made and the public be served as well
as with the present largo force, and the
decapitation will certainly take place.
THE ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL
has been under discussion for the past
few days, eliciting nothing but political
buncombes peeches. Blackburn's proposed
reduction to 1000 men was defeated by
IL vote of almost to l, the House deny
ing him call of ayes and nays. The dis
cussion being caused by the entire Texas
delegation, rs well as Mr.. Suttrell, ofCal.
and Williams, of Mich, voting with the
republicans in opposing any reduc tion
The reasons assigned by these gentlemen,
are that more tLoops are needed to pro-
tect the Texas border from Mexican raids;
md the frontier reuuireS n larre force to