The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1878-12-25
Washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondent.

" ~. ~ l<tC.
Congress, or at least the Democratic
end of it, has shown unusualy alacriiy
in getting down TO the praiical work
of the session. Four of the thirteen
appropriation bills have already passed
the House, and one or two more will
follow before the holiday recess, which
is almost unprecedented promptness.
No time has been wasted in wind exer-
else, and no springing of political dis
cus>ions for party capital has been al
lowed. While the Democrats are full
ly. prepared to give the other side all
they want of the Southern question,
should it be opened in the House, they
do not propose to assume the RESPONSE
billy of thruSting such an unSeemly
row in the way of public business
The Republican Sena,e has not done
so we'll. The programme of the
shriekers was to prec'piiate the poliii-
cal warfare in both Houses and keep it
up, and in the Senate it has succeeded,
partially, Notwithstanding the fact that
Mr.. Edmunds and some of the shrewder
ones do not approve the policy. There
is considerable difference Of opinion
among the Republicans as to the wis
dom of making this onslaught at this
time, especially as the Democrats are
likley to bring out all the facts, and in
the end get the best oft. This feeling
was one of the inducements to Senator
Edmunds to push his electoral bill and
engage the Senate in the consideration
of it. He got it up early in the week,
but made little progress. The discus
sion as far as it went was rather I'M
favorable TO the plan proposed. lis
principle feature is the ultra States
rights doctrine unrelated by Joe Brad
ley on the Electoral Commission,
making the certificate of governor
final. No matter what frauds may
have been committed to arrive at the
result certified, Congress would have
no power to go behind the returns"
Senator Jones, of Florida, made Sc
we're dig at this provis on of the bill,
showing how great the inducement
would be for States 10 adopt the per-
nicious returning board system of chan
ging the actual results, as in Louisiana,
from which there would be no appeal.
Another feature of Senator Edmunds'
bill is change in the time of holding
the election, making it month earlier.
This might be wisdom, us it would
shorten the campaign, do away with
the influence of October States as the
elections now occur, and give more
time for u judicial settlement OF any
disputes in the different States. The
Democrats are wary of any scheme
coming from Edmunds, who so sue
cesstully tricked them in the Electoral
Commission business, and look for a
cat somewhere concealed in the meal
bag. Senator Beck looks upon the
measure as legalization ofall the frauds
committed in the last presidential cleo
ton. There are some people who feel
ambitious to see the fraud first tri-
umphant" made doubly conspicuous in
being likewise the last.
Mr.. Blaine has spoken his piece.
The Senate has not yet passed his res.
olution, but it was best to permit
Blaine to fie of the barrel full of wad
with which he has been examining him
self. He was in good voice and high
feather for the occasion, and in antici
patton of an animated discussion. on
both sides, the galleries were filed to
overlooking, while members of the
House packed themselves in upon the