Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-12-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.



ers of the LEDGER the reckonings Of
congress for the past week, which has
been devoted to several bills of inn
portance, and would indicate a dispo-
sition on the part of the Democrats to
shorten the session. However no one
can tell how long congress will be in
session. Its legislation should not be
hasty. The Democrats will accom-
plish nothing good for themselves by
immature legislation. In the event of
a long session, the Republican party
may lose as much as the Democrats. To
shorten the session or hurry its bust
ness would notonly be reform contrary
to the habitual conducts of congress,
but would indicate needless fear on
the part of the majority, lest either
by superior tactics or by virtue OIL
correct political principles, the Re
publicans might achieve some signal
advantages. After congress had ad
journed last July, the Northern Re
publican journals teemed with the
charge that the Democrats had en-
deavored to shut out the usual debate
upon all questions of Importance; in
other words that the majority had so
managed to smut out the minority,
and thereby prevent a thorough dis
cussion Of the different public meas
ures before the national legislature,
The early closing of the present ses-
sion may give the Republicans excuse
for introducing the same charge in the
national election.
The Warner silver bill was reached
Saturday in the house, but its consid-
Grafton was postponed until after the
holidays, for next Friday the 10Th
congress adjourns until the 9th of
January. This bill comes over from
last session, during which time no
senate report was made, and for this
Mr.. Bayard was adjudged responsible.
However prudent Mr.. Bayard may be
in his financial views, he has yet to be
charged with violation of Democratic
principle as respects the monetary
policy.
In the house both the fortifcation
appropriations, and the appropriation
bills have passed.
In the senate finance committee the
Warner silver bill came up Friday,
but its consideration was post
poned until after the holiday
recess. The same disposition
was made of Senator Bayard's finance
resolution, which indicates a deter
mined opposition. The passage of the
Pension bill by the house has been as
timely as it was unexpected to the
Republicans. 1t was doubtless a great
outrage that Brigadier Generals, lately
of the confederacy, should be so earn.
estly,and practically patriotic as to vote
S23,OOO,0O6 TO the soldiers who fought
for the preservation of the Union. 1t
was a great blow to the bloody shirt
Republicans, yet it has ibeen done,
and many a cripple and destitute
orphan or helpless widow will receive
benefits, which had never been con-
ferred by ante-bellum soldiers like
Blaine, Foster ct id omne genus,
whose heroism in the battlesof SANDER
and the seige of politicalimpudenc are
unequaIed in the history of modern
civilization. And only think that this
confederate outrage was preceded by
another equally as atrocious and alike
indicative of the hatred the South has
for the poor victims Of Northern
persecution, the negro. l allude to
Senator Bailey's bill, which, as its pre-
lude reads, is intended for the eduea-
tional improvement and elevation Of
the negro. The bill demands that the
$4,000 (Which has been recently
covered back into the United States
Treasury from the War Department.
of moneys originally for pay and boun
ties Of oolored soldiers, but which re-
main unclaimed after several years
from the impossibility of discovering
claimants, be divided among the
following well known colored schools
Howard University, Washington, D. G..
Hampton Normal and Agricultural
Institute, Ham 2ton, Virginia; Fisk
University, Nashville, Tenn; Atlanta
University, Atlanta, Ca; Straight
University, New Orleans. BY inc
provisions of Senator Bailey's bill, il
is to be invested in United States
registered 4 per cent bonds, Of the
denominations af $500 and 81 900, the
interest Of which shall be used as the
trustees of the above named institu
tions may direct, to promote the enc
for which they have been chartered
While these bonds may be exchanged
for other United States securities, thu
trustees shall have no power to us,
any part Of the principal Of said bonds
The Senate Committee ca Education
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