The New York herald., 1878-12-18
PASSAGE OF DIR. BLAINE'S RESOLUTION.
SILVER COIN IN PAYMENT OF INTEREST.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON. Dec. II. 1878.


The adoption Of Mr.. Baine's resolution to-day
practically ends the Southern question 1t was the
last effort OF republican leader TO force the political
activity of the country back to old issues instead of
leading and guiding it TO new ones. The whole
course of the last two days debate has shown that
Mr.. Blaine had not the hearty sympathy Of his
party in the Senate and that the sub
lect he has tried to revive dead
that even the galleries took but languid interest in
il. The republican Senator'S left Mr.. Blaine unaided
10 manage his resolution Mr. Hoar and Mr. Howe
yesterday. Mr.. Teller to-day and Mr. Edmunds last
Wednesday interjected a few words into the debate
Mr.. Conkling offered amendment whose object
was to relieve the Judiciary Committee of the inquiry
and refer special committed. and took occasion
70 say in Offering it that he was in sympathy with
The resolution, but that he would not on the
committee il created. and that all. So markell is
The coldness with which the resolution is regarded on
she republican side of the Senate that re-
publican Senator remarked to-day that he thought
there would have 10 be a draft that side to get
Senator's to serve the committee and the loneli-
ness Of Mr.. Blaine to-day when there were several
formal speeches on the democratic side to all of
which he had TO reply was so noticeable as to be
painful Not that Mr. Blaine halted or was embar-
.sssei. He fun of spirit. His share in the
aebate was the most brilliant and lively Of all. He
,orcble but it was all up hill work There no
life in the movement he had begun, and everybody
,elt this.
The debate to-day not important. Mr.. Merri-
mon made a speech which generally under
stood to be addressed to the North Carolina Legisa
lure about to elect Senator, that when Mr.. Blaine
suggested as much he hardly raised laugh. Mr..
Wallace analyzed Mr.. Blanes figures in his opening
speech and contributed some of his own
the other side. He made forcibe statement when
he spoke of the greatly improved condition of the
Southern States since they have been relieved from
federal interference and pointed out that the only
two States i'll which it is asserted that wrongs
nave been committed at the recent election
the which longest and latest under federal
rule. showing that local self-government brought
peace, order and justice eve must have patience"
be said If to reconstruct Southern society
we agitate and to alarm. We must give
The country and chance TO attend to business
Mr. whyte, OF Maryland. surprised the Senate with
. comic appeal TO Mr.. Blaine not to disturb the
serenity OF that august body with his wild and
boisterous ways.
Mr.. Morgan, Of Alabama. thought the inquiry Of
practical use. and called it political adventure
Tor the next Presidency.
Mr.. Blaine replied TO all who spoke. He
tried to draw out others to the attack. and
quietly aud listened and refused bite at the bait
temptingly held up before him. and so the debate
ended having been good natured all through and of
little except that every added speech made it
clearer to everybody that Mr.. Blaine had made mis-
take; that the inquiry useless. as the laws
being executed and the wrongs investigated already
by Judicial process. and that the southern question
political issue is dead, dead he revived by
even Mr. Blaines brilliant onset and dead that no
other Senator would tonch il except push it out Of
his own way.
THE CIPHER DEsPATcHEs IN THE HOUSE.
In the course OF discussion this afternoon in the
House, in which Mr.. Foster attempted to throw
doubt on the undoubted and important economies in
the running expenses of the government since the
democrats have controlled the House. and was over
thrown by Mr.. Hewitt. who showed the House that
Mr. Foster was mistaken in his figures Mr.
Conger came 10 the aid of Mr.. Foster
with an irrelevant remark about the Tilden cipher
dispatches which produced drou confusion on both
sides.
II the first time that the cipher dispatches have
been openly mentioned in the House. Both parties
have been carefully silent about them. The repubIi-
less anxious for their investigation than the
democrats Mr.. Hale, who was said 10 have prepared
in advance Of the opening Of the session resolution
demanding their investigation has been as silent as
the grave about them since. aud Mr.. congers mem
tion OF them to-day was thought very naladroit by
his republican friends.
The democratic position in regard TO them is
this:They say that to enter voluntarily upon their
Investigation is for them to that Congress
has right to inquire into the private affairs of per
sons who hold official position. But they add
that the republicans carry their boast aud offer
SrcsoInsion ordering Investigation they viii not
hnd IL opposed on the democratic side. Moreover ID
~ understood that II any will bring to the Potter
committee am cipher other dispatches bearing
the Florida, south Carolina or Louisiana election
OF 1915 the committees will not hesitate moment 20
make them part of il investigation. AZ they in
the possession Of republicans the whole question
Investigating them depends these aud not on tho
democrats. IL Is understood. however that II such
On inquiry is begun ID viii he made thorough. aud
Tho republican cipher despstches will also b. looked
into. or at least such Of them have not been
destroyed.
THE COMING CENSUS GENERAL FRANCIS
WALKERS VIEWS, As GIVEN TO THE HOUSE
COMMITTEES.
General Francis Walker has appeared before tho
Census Committee TO urge action at the present
session on the Census bill His experience with
the last census shows him that 10 postpone tho
matter until tho next session would be
fatal 10 usetul census. Mr. >. :. Cox
who is chairman OF the House committee takes an
intelligent and earnest interest In tho question, hav
ing made study Of the European census systems
during the summer.
General Walker urges mainly that wide discretion
shall be vested in the Interior Department both as to
means and authority this being special service for
which strict limitations In detail be applied.
He hopes that the committee will authorize the sp-
pointment OF local supervisors for the census spe-
riaIiy for the work This is now done by
the United States marshas. who are. in
the main, already too busy and have no
special adaptation Cor this work. He urges
also the employment of specialists 70 gather ss;is-
tics Of manufactures, mining and other social and
miscellaneous subjects and the strict and judicious