Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-01-24
Pickings at the Capitol.

The session of Congress is rapidly drawing
10 a close, only thirty-two working days re-
main, during which time vast amount OF
legislation must be considered, and whether
accomplished or not, there will be no extra
session. With the close Of this session will go
into obscure retirement large bundle OF
mushroom truncated craftsmanship, which
experience has fully demonstrated that it
would have been better for the country had it
never called forth from lis retirement.
The bill for the arrears Of pension passed
the Senate as it came from the House, only
four Senators voting against il. This bill APP
propriates nearly SCI, 900, 900 to the Northern
soldiers, 500 per annum to the soldiers who
served 10 the Mexican war, because one-balf
of the soldiers who fought in that war were
from the South, there are about 0 900 OF them
left, the Southern portion would amount to n
little over $3.50, 900. And thus ii is with
every species OF legislation originating in
either House, where il looks, or anticipates
the appropriation of money for the South.
with The exception of dribet under the
River and Harbor billy Under the crack OF
old Conger's whip it is daily occurrence to
witness Northern and Western Democrats re-
coRding their votes against just Southern
claims. The patiotism of the South seems TO
be good in time of election, good enough TO
prove herself a '.Solid South" and thus secure
Democratic organization OF the House Of Rep
resentatives, but not good enough to be COM
pensated for the outrages that have been perpe-
trated upon her, for which Congress has
failed to make her remuneration. No, she
must continue 10 remain drawer Of water
and newer of wood"
Last week a committee Of Salt Lake City
women, headed by Mrs. Spencer, as Attorney,
were before the Judiciary committee where
han f1., ,l,, Il late
Utah be con1oned. They gave as reason why
it should be condoned that 10 enforce the law
against it now would be to turn out numbers
of women and children upon the charity Of
the world.
1t was generally supposed prior to the meet
ing of the present session of Congress that
the difference between Roscoe Conklng and
the President had been amicably arranged but
not so, and as intimated in my last, Conk-
ling has opened q most bitter and vindictve
fire along the line; in his inercess attack
during the past week he has scalped one or
two Members Of the Cabinet and went for the
President as to the manner in which he ac-
quired his position. This aroused old Edmunds,
and Conkling said he "would withdraw his
remarks as they were evidently hurful 10
Edmunds' feelings" If Mr.. Conkling sue
ceeds in defeating the confirmation of these
New York appointments it will be serious
blow 10 the Administration, and be the second
time of victory for Conkling.
Although the clouds and dust of our Presi-
dental election have scarcely blown away and
1t is nearly two years before the election, there
is much speculation and wire pulling as to
whom would be the most available man,
Rough-hew the fact as You may, the views OF
the Hon. Montgomery Blair, as expressed in a
recent letter, have produced considerable rip
pie on the political surface, and has brought
to the Capital of the country many leading
and prominent politicians. The latest and most
reliable news is TO the effect that Mr.. Thurman,
OF Ohio, will be the man. He is TO be next
Democratic candidate for Governor. John
Sherman is anxions TO procure the Republican
nomination for the same office, hoping If sue
cessful TO obtain the Republican candidacy.
Failing in this, be hopes to be able to defeat
Thurman for the Senatorship, and in this way
remain in public life. Should Mr.. Thurman
De the next Democratic candidate in the next
jubernatorial race In Ohio, it will be the most
exciting one ever known in the United States.
Upon it will not only depend the fate of two
prominent Presidential asPirants, but also the
probable fate of the two parties now dividing
he country. A contest between Thurman
md Sherman would be an unequal one, as
against the Democracy, for the power, patron |
lge and money of the Administration, as well
IS that OF the entire Radical party would be
.iven to Sherman. The railroad influences of
he North and West would take sides against
Thurman. Could Thurman carry Ohio for
Governor it would break the back bone of
aadcalism, and make him the next President
,f the United States. The Democratic leaders
throughout the country will urge that Thur
nan accept the nomination, and notwiih-
standing the disadvantages he may labor un-
Ter 10 the shape of Wall Street, banks. rail-
roads and the Treasury of the United States
ne can be triumpbantly elected.
Your correspondent had the pleasure of be-
ing present at the Henry Memorial Services
Thursday evening Of last week. The Vice
President Of the United States and the Speaker
of the Honse presided over the imposing cere-
monies, the President, the Members of the
Cabinet, the Judges of the Supreme Court
were present, the galleries crowded and radi-
ant with splendor and beauty; the gathering
embraced many Of the distinguished Of the
country. Among the speakers were Senators
Hamin and Withers and Representatives Cox
and Garfield, and DR.. McCosh, of Princeton
Under resolution of the House the Alumni
OF Princeton were allowed seats upon the floor
Gen V. I. Vest, who has just been elected
by the Missouri Legislature for long term in
the United States Senate from that State, was
a member OF the Confederate Congress, is an
able lawyer, and is said to be one of the most
brilliant orators in the country. 1t is pre-
dicted by his friends and admirers that he
will remain In the Senate as long us his State
is Democratic.
General Shields, brave and gallant soldier
and accomplished gentleman, fills the unex.
pired term of Senator Bogy, and will doubt
less use the few days of his service in arrang-
ing for his fight for Sergeanl-at-A Arms for that
body. Gen. 7. T. Critienden will not be a
candidate for the position as Clerk of the
House. but has concluded TO enter the Guber-
material contest, and it is said by some that
he will get the nomination. Mr. Caldwell, of
Alabama, an ex-member of the House and who
made such vigorous fight for the Clerkship
two years ago. is here now and claims that he
will be successful in the next fight, although
the friends Of Mr.. Adams do not seem TO be
troubled in the least.
The President remarked to-day that if Mr..
Conklng succeeded in defeating his nominal
lions, rather than see Arthur and Cornell re-
main in Office, he would send in the names of
two Democrats. Gen. Garfield has gone to
Ohio, and 1t is openly said 10 work up his
interest in the Gubernatorial nomination.
You may expect in day or two to hear of
the return OF Blaine's committee to Washing
ton. They left New Orleans on Saturday last
with batch of testimony given by disap-
pointed carpet baggers and worthless negroes,
whom they paid as high as fifty cents day and
their expenses to testify before the committed