The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-04-11
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. D. c. April 6, 1878.

Washington Letter.
WAsmNeroN. d. C. April 6, 1873. 4
IN 1.-THE SENATE.
A petition favorlng the enfranchise-
ment Of women in the District of Co.
lumbia was presented by the advocates
of the female suffragists in the Senate,
by Mr.Dorsey. A number of petitions
and memorials upon different subjects
such as the tariff, fe-saving service,
&C., were presented and referred to
the proper committees. The Commit.
tee on Railroads reported q bin to ex-
tend the time for completing the
Northern Pacific r. r. eight years
longer. A Bill levyinga tax through
the iustrumentalityl Of the Moffet Bell
Punch, In dthe District of ! Columbia,
was, offered by Me-. r.Ingalls. The Pa
oifio r. R, Fahdiug Bill discussion vas
sgainresumed, and spesches by Messrs
Beck and Christianoy were delivered
)'favoring the Bill introduced by the
Judiciary Committee. The resolution
transferring the records of the late
Electoral 8 Commission on the last
aPresidential Count, to tho vaults of
the35t Departmentefor safe keeping
was agreed TO, when the Senate again
resumed the Pacific r. r. funding bill,
Mr.. Morrill, speaking in favor of'the
bill reportedsfrom the Judiciary Com
.mittee.s The. ,,construction ofra dry
dock at Fort fMcHenry, Nd, as re-
ported, from the Secretary of War,was
presented and placed before the Senate
when the discussion of The aineyitabIe
Pacific r. r.. funding bill again UNDER
went ventilation. "A resolution ap-
pointing a select committee to take
into consideration the necessity for the
taking of the tenth censns OF the
United States was adopted. Mr.. Mat
thews urged the adoption of the r. r.
Committees bill in preference to that
of the Judiciary Committee in relation
to the funding bill of the Pacific r. R.,
which, after remarks from Messrs.
Thurman and others. the Senate ad-
journed without coming to a vote on
the question.
IN THE HOUSE.
A bill affording relief to the finances
of the country as we'll as facilitation
specie resumption in a manner least
calculated to disturb the commercial
business of the country, was offered
by Mr.. Stephens, of Ga. A bill pro-
viding for more efficient Civil Ser
vice in our Government was presented
by Mr.. Harrison, after which the
House held an evening session, solely
for debate, at which Mr.. Butler gave
notice Of his intention to offer reso-
luton requiring the Banking and Cur
rency Committee to report q bill for
the reissuing of the so and 25 cent
fractional currency, and the Withdraw
al of silver pieces Of the same denom-
nations, as we'll as to issue legal ten.
der one, two and three dollar notes to
the amount Of $50 900, 900, to be paid
out for the expenses of the Govern
ment. Mr.. Saylor presented bill
preventing default of interest on the
District of Columbia 3-65 bonds. The
bill allowing those in charge of the
Washington Monument to expend
$36,O00 to better secure the foundation
thereof, was passed. The report of
the Committee in charge of Door
keeper Polk's case was then called up,
Mr.. Harrison advocating the majority
report, declaring the position vacant,
upon vote of 122 yeas to 1l5 nays,
the majority report was adopted and
the duties of the Door-keeper are now
devolved upon the Sergeant-at,Arms.
until the election of Doorkeeper in
place of Mr.. Polk, retired. Mr.. But
Ter introduced his bill, above referred
to, in relation to fractional currency,
and the House adjourned. :, ..t5. +,
THE BLAIR RESOLUTION -a j..
passed by the Maryland Legislature.
calling upon Congress to institute
proceedings in the U. s. Supreme
Court, to oust Mr.. Hayes, and place
Mr.. Tilden in the, White House, has
kept our city all agog during tho past
week. Mr.. Blair seems very hopeful
that his efforts will triumph within the.
next sixty days, claiming to have the
assistance of Congressman Hewitt, of
N. Y, and that everything is moving
smoothly along 10 the accomplishment
OF his object. The subject has been
pretty well ventilated both pro and
con, by Republicans and Democrats.
The result OF our. interviews among
sol0ps at the Capitol has been that
such Democrats as Thurman, Bayard,
and Herman pooh pooh the Maryland
resolution, while Mr.. Blair insists that
these very gentlemen will ere long be
it's most ardent supporters. The legal
aspect of the case compcls us to here
state for the enlightenment OF, your
many readers, that the Supreme Court
by the Constitution has no original
Jurisdiction in The case, no matter how
many Acts giving them such jurislic-
tion Congress may pass, Congress it
self having no Constitutional right TO
pass such an Act. Original jurisdic-
ton can only be conferred upon the
Supreme Court by an amendment to
the Constitution, which requires the