Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1879-05-29
Washington Letter.

To the Editor OF ihc Fayetteville 0nsERrER:
WAsHISeToN, D. G., Nay 2end. 1879.
The papers here unite in say
ing that Secretary McCrary is
to leave the War Department
and will accept a Circuit Judge
ship. Mr.. McCrary has been
exceedingly popular here, both
as a public officer and as a citi-
zen. His record in Congress
was good, also. He has been
consistent radical Republican,
though not an offensive one, and
some of the backbone lately dis
covered in MIR. Hayes is doubt
less due to him. The Siar says
John a. Logan is mentioned as
the coming Secretary, but that
probably a Southern man Will
be chosen. Can this mean Mad
ison Wells? 1t is not longer
step from McCrary to Wells
than from the position Of Mr..
Hayes when he proposes 10 rule
over Estates not provinces" to his
position in vetoing acts to pre-
vent Federal military iE%erier-
ence with State elections.
Apparently, the silver men
may retire from the contest for
this session. On Tuesday and
yesterday votes were taken by
which the free coinage feature
Of Mr.. Warmers bill was de-
stroyed. Without that there is
nothing Of Importance in the bill.
Nh. Warner viii, at a later stage
Of the discussion, present the
substance in a different form.
But it is evident he cannot sue
coed.
The Committees generally are
not acting OIL measures referred
TO them. The Ways and Means
Committee two days since deci-
ded not to examine any subject
at this session relating to reye-
nue. or finances. This, and the
fact that the House on Saturday
adjourned over Monday, "bill
day" indicate a wish for an ear.
ly final adjournment.
The pension Office is, to use.
the expressive but mixed Ian
guage of the Commissioner,
"swamped, blockaded and food
ed" with letters from claimants
under the arrears Of pension law.
The reason for this is, Of course,
that Secretary Sherman Will fur
nish but $2,000,000 per month
for such payments, while the
claims are prepared for payment
at the rate Of $5,000,000. The
Congress should inquire into the
course Of the Secretary in the
matter.
Thc.political situation is this:
The Legislative bill on Tuesday
passed The Senate and on yester-
day was referred to n Committee
in the House because Of Senate
amendments. 1t is understood
pretty generally that both the
Army and Legislative bills, with
out the clauses to which Mr.
Hayes objects, will be passed, or
that the appropriations for the
present year will be extended by |
resolution. There are Demo
Gratis who favor adjournment
without passing either, and more
wish to pass a Legislative but
not an Army bill, but there is
little probability that any branch
of the Government will be left
without supplies. Whether it
would be the fault of Mr.. Hayes
or of Congress if the appropria-
lions should fail is not the main
question. The Democrats have
made a goodnight for desirable
safeguards to elections and ju-I
ries. 1t is no fault of theirs if a
weak executive first promising
support, deserted and now efec-
fually opposes them. They have
done what they could. 1t is
now practical patriotism on their
part to keep the wheels of gov
ernment going, and | doubt not
they will do so. Mckay.