The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-12-17
(Regular Correspondence.l

WASHINGTON, Dec II, 1873
Of course all the talk here, at present,
is about Mr.. Blaine's great speech. The
senate chamber, from floor to ceiling, was
crowded as it never had been before, to
hear him. The speech had been antici-
pated and had been the subject of converse
ton among politicians, and every man and
woman in Washington is a politician, for
days before. For the moment, Grant
presidential stock is quoted at discount,
and Senator Blaine appears to have all the
vantage that he held before the Cincinnati
convention. His speech was prepared
with great care, and he did not trust him
self to extemporaneous delivery, as had
been his custom 10 the house, where he
accomplished as much by his adj captain
dunn style Of speaking, as he did by the
force of argument The styles of oratory
in the house and senate are very different,
and it is tevident that Mr., Blaine
has pro6ted by criticism of the ram
pant elocution that had proved so effective
in the house, but that IS totally
pOwerless 60 move the dignifed heavy
weights OF the senate. Senators Thur
man, aud Lamar made brief impromptu
replies to Mr.. Blaine, and each signifed
his intention to reply at greater length
during the course of the debate. The po-
htical friends of Mr.. Blaine insist that it
will be impossible to confute his facts and
arguments, while the friends Of Thurman
and Lamar believe that he has been al
ready conclusively answered, aud since
the result has been only to confirm both
republicans and democrats in their previous
convictions, it is very difficult TOR those
who effect an aerial judicial position to
See what has been accom- plished, IOcunl
an ADORE, by all this sensational
oratory, further than to bring Mr.. Blaine
and Mr.. Thurman into more conspicuous
leadership, and promote their candidacy
for the presidency Of the United States in
1880.
Next to Mr.. Blaine's oratory, the SEN
satlOD 10 political circles has been the
prospective retirement from the cabinet of
Attorney General Devens, and now it is
reported that Senator Mathews OF Ohio
will be his successor. The term of Mr..
Mathews will expire on the 4th of March.
aud Hon. George Pendleton will succeed
him. Mir. Mathews is said to be enam-
ored Of political life, and very 10th to leave
Washington. The president il is believed
will give him the vacancy that will be
made by the retirement of Gen. Devens.
HIS nomination will meet with opposition
IN the senate, but not sufficient it is said to
prevent his confirmation.
Since last wrote. the house has accom-
plished more solid work 10 the passage of
the consular diplomatic and fortidcation
bills; and the new army bill, framed by a
joint committee OF the house and senate,
will soon come up for consideration, but
since 1t contemplates great reduction of
the number OF officers, aud radical changes
OF organization, it will meet with stubborn
resistance in both houses. The bill does
not affect the General and Lieut.. General
OF the army, but by the present law those
offices will expire with Generals Sherman
and Sheridan. The infantry regiments are
TO be reduced from 25 to IS, the cavalry
from 10 to 8. 1t is provided that each reg
Uncut shall consist of four battalions. Two
battali0ns ofeach infantry and artillery reg
iDent are to be kept of6cered and manned
IN Tut; the third will have its full compli T.
meOt ut tthcers but not of men. while the
fourth will have neither officers or men in
time OF peace, but may be brought into
existence as congress may order. This
Will make the regiment consist of two full
battallons, with officers fora third battal.
ion, while the men for the third, and both
officers and men for the fourth exist as
skeleton battalions, to be filed up only for
the occasion of war. The regiments in
time OF peace will have about 73O
men, each battalion consisting of four
companies or batteries. The army will re-
main as now, at IS, 900 men, but the bill
provides for only two major generals and
only four brigadiers. 1t consolidates the
acjutant and inspector generals depart.
ments, and makes reduction of six OIL
Gers inlthe two. The bureau Of military
Justice Is reduced six officers; the ord.
nance department. 40: the pay department
medical department IL; commissary
department II; quartermaster department
-. a4earsar- Ga s6 aTsa -uE~n