Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-10
Our Washington Letter.

Messrs Editors The first week of the con-
gressiona session has shown that the majority Of
that body believe in the motto OF
ALL PLAY AND NO WORK,
and intend to practice it faithfully while they
have voice and vote in the matter 1t really
seems very unwse and unnecessary proceeding
to convene congress in regular session before the
holidays, for 1t very rarely does anything be-
fore January except to meet and adjourn. 1t
Is strange that the law in this respect has not
been changed ere this. months time is wasted
and thousands of dollars deliberately thrown
away. Neither house has been in continuous
session above an hour a day this week, and con-
vened only four days out OF the week at that, AZ,
on Thursday. they voted by large majority to
adjourn over until Monday, when another week
OF " polishing the anchor" will be INDUCED in,
and then the members will adjourn for the Christ
mas goose and New Years festivities Friday
being private bill day, an adjournment over that
day showed a determination on the part Of the
house to overlook the great amount of business
on the private calendar These cases are of a
kind for the adjudication OF which some judicial
tribunal ought long ago to have been created
That they still remain on the files OF congress il
the fault OF congress ITSELF and to refuse to con-
slider them and allow them to lie year after year
is an act OF injustice to the people interested, as
by their appeal to congress they show that there
is their only remedy.
The house has number OF contested election
cases to dispose OF this session, many of them OF
peculiar interest and Importance. They have not
been touched ~ yet, however. One of these cases
Is that OF McCabe Us. Orth, in the fourth Indiana
district. This Is a deliberate attempt to hand
over the Indiana delegation to the control of the
Democracy by the unseating OF Hon. Godove S.
Ortiz, when there is not the shadow of right to do
so. The case Of Bisbee Us. Hull OF Florida Is
another interesting case, also that OF D)nnelly
u.s. Washburn OF Minnesota.
THE FINANCIAL QUESTION
has, thus far, been the only subject OF moment
before congress, and is liable to be an important
one throughout the session This grows out OF
the opposition in some quarters to the recon-
mendation made by the president, in his message
to congress, to retire the greenbacks. Most OF
this opposition, within the Republican party comes
from the West, and bills against the proposition
OF the president have already been introduced in
both houses. The president yesterday wrote
letter to an old friend which shows very clearly
what his position is upon this important ques-
ton. The letter will be found elsewhere, under
the head, "A Sound Currency."l
The Democrats are busy just now in looking up
suitable candidate for the presidency, and nu-
merous developments OF their search are noted
here at the capital.
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
are not few, but 1t has thus far been found very
difficult to hit upon one man that all will vote
for. There has been an attempt here recently to
inaugurate Seymour boom, and the claims OF
Horatio have been persistently pushed by the
Democratic organ in this city. Mr.. Seymour has
now come out with an emphatic refusal to be
candidate even II nominated He thinks it I'M
seemly for old men, trembling upon the verge Of
the grave, as 1t were, to engage in contest for
the honors OF this world. lie says that after his
interview with William l.. Marcy upon the latters
deathbed, that he then made up his mind that no
man should cheat himself out OF the repose OF his
old age. In his last days. II his life has not been
barren one, 1t would seem that every man
should have much to think Of; that he should de-
vote himself to such thought and such usefulness
In his private circles he might be fitted for. II
is for these reasons, Mr.. Seymour says, that he
has determined not to accept public station. The
indications are that in forming their presden-
tal ticket, the Democrats intend to consult New
York first, and Indiana next, at the same time
looking to the chance OF carrying New Jersey and
Connecticut in the event that Indiana might fail
them. They begin to see that an Eastern man Is
a necessity New York will have none but
hard-money man and just now Senator Bayard
seems to be the choice Of his party. His resola-
ton, lately introduced, To repeal the legal-tender
property OF the greenbacks, will strengthen him,
it is thought in New York, but II cannot but fail
to make him more unpopular with the soit-money
Democrats In Indiana. Senator Randolph OF
New Jersey IL also looming up as u possible can
dldate, having good record on the money ques-
ton, and many influential Democrats believe he
is the coming man. The South, however, still
believe in Hancock.
| PERSONAL AND POLITICAL.
| Inquiry among leading Democratic senators de-
velops the fact that there IL little no opposition
to the confirmation OF Secretary MeCrary AS cir
| cult Judge. lie will undoubtedly be confirmed by
u large vote, and Ex-senator Ramsey OF Mime
sofa will be made secretary OF war.
Congressman Tyler OF Vermont IL staying this
winter at li07 y street, near the Ebbitt House
Congressman Barlow has not yet arrived in the
| city
Postmaster Edmunds Of this city Is lying at the
point Of death, and NO hopes are entertained Of
his recovery soL