The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-01-04
OUR " AsHINGTON LETTER.


/ TheSenate has been busy with its silver
measures since Monday, and, regardless
OF the near approach OF adjournment,
drified into general debate upon them.
Nothing particularly new has been de-
veloped, for silver arguments are worn
so threadbare by repetition that no bus
iness man comprehends any Of them
or even tries to, and the great subtleties
and calculations evolved by the honor
able Senators during this week will fall
~ lightly upon the country as water on
ducks back Mr.. Dawes, however,
made an interesting and rather sur
prising point in showing the incorrect
ness Of the charge that the act of 1873,
demonetizing silver, was passed through
parliamentary trickery, for he clearly
demonstrated that il did not become a
law until after fullest discussion in the
House and Senate, and repeated annual
recommendation Of the financial officials
Of the government. Even Mr.. Kelly,
Of Pennsylvania, whose greenbaek the
ories are well-kuown, made speech 10
favor of the bill, in which he said that
this country, like England, should make
the gold dollar the absolute unit. This
view would be astonishing did we not
realize by daily observation that the
popular will causes every legislator to
change even his lifelong views, the adj
vocacy Of which, upon the stump and
in Congress, made and kept him pub
lie man. Senator Bayard announces
that he must separate himself from
many Of his esteemed colleagues, now
that they have become sudden and zeal
Gus converts to the silver heresy, SEEM
ingly forgetful Of the fact that these po-
litical brethren must foregO their own
personal views 70 carry out the wishes
Of their constituents, whose demand
that silver must be remonetized is so
strong as to be irresistible Every days
debate shows that the opponents to this
end have but small minority ia the
Senate.
An exciting struggle has taken place
over the New York Presidential ap-
poiutments, in which Mr. Conkling
came of victorious by aid Of certain
Democratic votes, and the causes Of
such strange coalition are subjects Of
as weighty deliberation among Mr..
Conkliug's opponents a. the iutermina-
. BILE matters of metallic standards Of
money. Mr.. Conkliug has many enc
mics here. He has strong powers, and
these are backed by an equally strong
dictatorial individuality, which asserts
itself whenever he is called into action
upon any subject, hence his vigorous
hitting propensities make him many
enemies ia his own party, as well as
that of his opponents. That he, in q
battle with the administration, should
have been able 90 marshal Democrats
into his ranks to fight under his dicta-
tiou is as much problem as why many
staid Senators should prove enthusiastic
advocates Of an extreme silver measure.
The House seated Mr.. Patterson, con-
testant from Colorado, by very close
vote, rejecting the proposition to seat
Mr. Belford, by very close vote, and
to reiegate the whole matter to the peo-
Pile of Colorado. But for a change Of
one vote, after the roll had been called,
this latter proposition would have been
carried, hence Mr. Patterson gets into
Congress "by the skin of his teeth, for
seating him was certainly a narrow miss,
though fine exemplification Of the old
saying, "where there's will there's a
way"
The ladies have presented hundreds
Of petitions asking for the amendment
which will give them right to vote,
and so strong is the pressure brought Ia
bear by them, that Que cannot resist the
conclusion that il is only a matter Oi
short time until these irrepressible agi-
, ,ators for the rights Of women will ae-
complish all they ask for Mrs. Belva
Lockwood, one Of our female lawyers,
, is determined to gain access to the Su-
preme Court Of the United States, from
b which she has been heretofore barred
by its decision, aud she is too plucky tc
Z be defeated, hence we take it, she will
3 soon b, as much an advocate there as
she is in our lower courts. She fought
: her way into these under strongest op-
= position, and, Of course, her vim cant
e be checked from going higher. Careful
, observation Of the workings Of Woman
Suffrage in Wyoming Territory leads
: us into stroug personal Judgment against
. the dogma that good can come from
e women mixing in politics as voters
7 Rut we fully share Senator Thurman
= philosophy that il is perfectly useles Il
e oppose mere personal judgment, giver
d by the old fogy past, against Popula
. will, hence, when public opinion give
\ us the amendment which these tena
3, eious, persevering women seem Doun'
], to have. we will join with the pessim
= aud say, as Of any other absolute fact
r "Whatever is, is right"
u The most fashionable hotel here j
e "Wormleys." It's proprietor is col
{, ored man, and he always has a ful
house. The foreign legations, pariicu
larly, patrouize him freely. The Span
: ish ministeraud wife, aud several mem
n bers Of the British aud Brazilian En-
4 bassies board here. FELIX.
u Wash ington, d. c., Dee. q, 1877.
81