The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-03-16
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON LETTER.
Special Correspondence OF the Cairo Balleua.
WASHINGTON, March 10, 1879.
The approach of the extra session gives
r,se to more political speculation and eK-
element than has been known at the Cap
ital for many years. The official patronage
OF both branches Of congress, the antiei-
pated controversy between the Democrats
and executive in the matter of political
legislation, so called, meaning the proposed
repeal of the federal election laws, the
preliminary canvass for the presidency, and
attendant political affairs, all contribute to
make things very lively. The struggle for
the speakership is the hottest ever known
here, the forces of Randall and Blackburn
ranging themselves distinctly and sharply
against each other, and quarrcling bitterly
1t is noted that there is WIDE difference in
the methods of the two sides. Mr.. Ran
dall's canvass is u steady and sober one,
while Mr.. Blackburn's is oiled with plenty
of good liquor, calculated to catch the
average Congressman. Mr.. Randall relies
upon his character az a speaker, which is
very high, and for his long experience
in public life, which is valuable, while
Mr.. Blackburn counts largely upon his per
soaal magnetism and his close relationship
to the southern idea for his strength. 30
far in the race, it appears that Mr. Randall
is ahead, the more conservative even among
the southern Democrats believing it safer to
entrust the leadership to man OF his char.
acter tian W - uoiipaia,r'rly new man. IL
is true that he was remarkably successful
last winter in keeping the hot bloods in
their places and preventing many mistakes
in legislation.
But there are other elements entering into
this contest. The Greenbackers have not yct
conceded the Democratic claim of having
a clear majority in the house. They assert
very positively that they hold the balance
Of power and declare that they will use il
to their own advantage. General Butler is
not member but he is Il leader in whom
they trust and he is here working with the
Greenback members for as much control Of
the patronage as possible Besides this,
the Republicans are too numerous for Dem
ocratic comfort, and some Of the Democrats
admit that there is u possibility Of the
Greenbackers helping them to The speaker
ship. The Republicans, however, deny
this probably, and assert that they arc de
termined to make no concessions to any
body. They will probably run Gen. Gar
field and stick to him.
The excitement about the threatened CON
test between the president and congress is
very great, and reminds me of the tim rs of
Andy johnson, when it was doubtful what
way he would turn for party. The south.
ern Democrats who have stood by the pres
| idrnt in his nominations, do not give him
up, in fact ihcy 90 SO far AS to claim that
he will not veto the appropriation bills be-
cause of political matter they contain.
The Republicans, on the contrary, assert
! that he will stand by them and by the
election laws in the intcras, of fair clec-
tons The contest will civt rise 10 may
political discussions which will be the
opening of the next canvass, and all the
candidates and would w. candidates 90
both sides will take part in thrw. The in
terest in the first session OF the 4Cth con
gress thus foresecn is 80 great that Il crowd
ed attendance is already promised, and
Washington will be fuller ofpoliticians and
spectators than il has been since the war;
1t is not likely that much general lcgis-
latlon will be attempted ut this session NJ
though many jobs viii come in f,r II share
of attention.
Since the adjournment Of congress il is
discovered that the appropriation usual for
the courts amounting to about $3,OOO,o0o
was left out the sundry civil bill, which &C.
counts for the boosted reduction in tho
expenses usually covered by that bill tko
item will hayeto be inserted in one or
the other bills this session, thanks to hasfy
Legislation
VIZ ALI. have our preferences, but NO one
perfcrs TO hear crying baby when the fact
Is NJ well know that DR.. Bulls Baby Syrup