The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1878-11-28
Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 1877,

here. The session begins in two weeks,
and besides preparatory work of com>
mlttees, therojs always something for
members to do before tho actual day
of meeting. l fancy, too, that quito a
number of repudiated Congressman
prefer, since the October and Novem-
Der elections, to bo outside rather than
inside their districts. Conversation
with the Democrats who have already
arrived leaves no room for doubt that
Mr.. Randall will be the nominee for
Speaker of tho Forty sixth Congress,
and will be elected. The growing i'm
portanco Of this otfice-an Importance
which can hardly be explained to one
who has not watched Legislation here
Tor many years-calls early attention
to the selection of q fit man. Mr..
Randall is not exactly the ideal Speak
er, but his qualifications are greater
than those of any other man in tho
House, and he has signally proven a
capacity for improvement.
When the u. S. Steamer, Huron"
was wrecked, just year ago, many
bodies were not recovered OR identi-
fled. Ono man, always supposed to
have died, reported yesterday at the
Navy Yard in this city. His wonders
ful story is that he was picked up af
ter remaining in tho water q whole
day and night, and carried to q Nor
wogian port, and that he has since
been in hospital there. The Secretary
of tho Navy and other officials are
convinced that his story is truo, and
tho money duo him, which has already
been paid TO a person represented as
his father, will DO paid him.
The earnest attention of members
OF Congress from all tho States is ask.
Cd to the present condition of the Dis
trict Of Columbia financial and other
affairs. Your correspondent has no
special scheme for District Govern
ment, and will not now urge that the
United States assume further respon>
slbillty for existing debt, but all adj
NIT that those who are creditors of the
District to the amount of twelve or
fifteen millions have right to know
exactly what tho sponsibility Of the
Federal Government is in the prcmi>
sos Citi&enG Of tho District, also,
who find that under present laws their
Governors are in continued conflict
with other United States officers, to
tho great dotrimcnt of District busi>
ness, has right to at least an official
inquiry into the causes of ncvor end
ing disagreement. Denied reprosen-
tatlon in any form, the District tax
payer and business man can only ap
peal indirectly to Congress. Every
member should feel himself in some
degree our representative. TO NJ.
Blackburn, of Ky, and Mr.. Hunton, of
Va, we arc indebted for much intolli-
gent labor in our behalf, but no two
men, however able or dillgcnt, can
spare tho time from their other Con-
gressional duties to master all the
difficulties of our exceptional position.
The House and the Senate should give
moro attention to the District affairs
and in that way save money to tho
United States and to our citizens. I
would like to see special committees
on the District, to be composed, say.
of Mcssrs. Wheeler, Blanc, Edmunds,
Voorhees, and Gordon, of the Senate,
and Of Messrs. Randall, Blackburn,
Stophons,. FrSo and Conger, or of men
of like standing, of the House., The
whole country would heartily agroo to
any proposal Of such committees: and
the District people could mover there
after compIainsot unfair treatment.
..r. SEMINOLE.
WASHINGTON Nov % 2-Hnp,n,;s