San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1879-07-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. DC,
June %. 70.

To-day the Democracy, or the most
of it, ia the two Houses, will agree
unon some measure to provide money
for carrying on the Courts. 1t will be
such measure as Mr.. Hayes will sign.
IL will reach him this week. An at
temot will also be made, in q separate
bill. to provide for U. s. Marshals,
but no money will be under any cir
eu,nstauces appropriated for the pay OF
tho election marshals. There are
not ten Democrats in the House who
will ever consent to that. The day OF
adjournment cannot be even approxi-
mately fixed. The man most willing
to meet Mr.. Hayes and agree upon
measures not obnoxious to him, was
Mr.. Alex. H. Stephens, Of Ga, but he,
after an interview with him the other
day, is willing to stay oil summer rath'
or than yield. MIR. Stephens was about
the last of conservative men to lose
all faith in Hayes, but he has lost it.
Senator Beck, always practical, earn
est and honest in his handling of mon.
ey questions, has introduced the fol-
lowing resolution, which, it will DO
seen, authorizes most comprehensive
inquiry into the msnnerin which near
" all our income is collected and dis
bursed:
THAT a Joint committee, composed
of five Senators aud seven Representa-
t,yes, be appointed in such manner as
each House may determine, to exam.
inc and report at an early day OF the
next December session OF this Con
yress, what changes, if any, ought to
be made in the mode of guarding or
collecting the revenue, either from
customs or internal taxation, or in the
management of the various depart
ments and bureaus Of the Govern.
nent, with view to efficiency in SER
vice and economy in the appropriations
of the public money; said committee
shall report whether changes from per.
1nanent to annual appropriations would
be advantageous or otherwise, in whole
or in part; it shall have have power
to cit during recess, to examine wit
nesses, send for persons and papers,
administer oaths, appoint sub.com:
mittees and visit such places as will
enable it to obtain such information as
it may desire; and the expenses of the
committee shall be paid out OF the con-
tingent fund of the two Houses, in the
proportion of the number Of members
of EACH
In connection with this comprehen.
sive inquiry another and hardly less
important one is proposed. 1t is into
the condition of our sea. coast defenc-
es, and the efficiency and the cost of
the artillery and small arms used by
the Government. The resolution is
before the House Military Committee.
1t is based on various statements. one
being by Gen. q. A. Gilmore, OF the
Army, and another b. Chief Engineer
King, of the Navy. There are no
higher authorities than these. They
agree that our sea coasts are practical
w deienceleSS against the heavily arm
Cd and armored vessels Of Europe
Gen Gilmore says that - ,0JO, zoos eco
worth Of perry 90 our coasts is
within easy reach OF such vessels,
while we could do nothing to protect
it or iuiure them. The reason of this
is. of course. that other Governments
adopt improvements as they are made,
while in the last half generation cur
Government has adopted none or very
few either in large or small arms. The
Indians. getting their supplies Of arms
from cur private manufacturers, are
better armed than our soldiers, though
the latter have the best arms manu-
iactaTed By tie Government :
nry