The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-05-29
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May "a, 49,

WASHINGTON. D. c., May "a, 1879.
Scarcely any two opinions agree,
even among the experienced ones
about here, as to when the present !
session of Congress will be brought to
a close. The very warm weather of
the past few days made it mighty un-
work discussing bills and
vetoes and set adjournment talk going
at a lively pace but a change to cooler
northern breezes the last of the week
quiets matters down again. The few
measures which the majority wish to
pass could be disposed of, and the ses-
sion ended by the the 10th Of June
easily, were it not for the filibustering
tactics of the minority. The Repub-
licans have settled down to the OBJ
struction policy entirely. Even MIR.
Townsend's bill to prevent the removal
of cases from State to Federal courts
has been made point of attack, and
two days have been consumed in dila-
tory motions, and breaking the quorum
by refusal to vote. The chief object of
the bill is to protect farmers and others
in the West where there is great COM
plaint against the course of insurance
companies and other corporations re-
moving cases from the State courts,
frequently compelling litigants to sur
render their rights because of their in
ability to stand the expense and loss
of time necessary to follow cases of the
State. The Republicans are fighting
the bill as party measure on account
of political cases brought in the South
and elsewhere, which are lnvariable
over by such partisan judges as Settle
and Bond. Mr.. Townsend, being a
| Western man, had other than political
ends In view when he introduced the
bill, and there is a majority of over 30
in favor of it in the House, including
all the Greenback members.
The House committee on revision OF
the electoral laws have instructed
their chairman, Mr.. Bicknell. to re-
port a bill, which is substantially the
same as that reported by Mr.. Southland
in the last Congress. It fixes the elec.
ton and mode of procedure of the
electors about the same as the existing
law, but in the event that one of the
three certificates is not received by the
President of the Senate, requires thu
Secretary Of State to send q specia
messenger to the delinquent State aftel
it. Controversies as to electoral vote.
to be decided by the highest judicia
tribunal of the State. The course Q
the two houses of Congress in countin,
the votes is left as under the presen
law, and both houses must agree to re
ject the vote of any State. In spite Q
the decision of the highest judicial tri
bunal of State, the vote can be re
jected by the concurrent action Of tn
two houses if there is no such judi
cial decision upon q controverred re
turn it cannot be counted unless bot
houses 50 agree and If there are con
hicting decisions, both houses mus
agree before the vote can be counted
Objections must be made in writing
as now, and in considering them tn
houses must separate. No action Wi
) taken by Congress on this subject dul
, ing the present session. 4..,s.., 4s
Senator Mcpherson has introduce
, a bill to regulate the transportation {
live stock, and he intends to call it u
for action as soon as the yellow feye
= bill shall have been disposed of.
provides that live stock In transit sha
not be confined for a longer period tha
twenty-eight consecutive hours, unles
, transported in cars or boats where the
can be provided with food or water
once in twenty-eight hours they sha
, be taken out and fed and watered. NJ
Rushing, who for more than a year hs
, been pressing q law of this kind, say
that the agitation has SO impFesse
! public sentiment that it has broke
: up the Eveners' association whic
I monopolized the business of live stoc
. transportation. This, he says. has r.
I duced the cost of shipment from We
g to East from $115 to $40 per car, an,
in the aggregate. has brought dow
l | LIlC COSV Va tAtAOA AOA P~O
OOO, 600 to $12, ,OOO, 900. The differene
between these figures, he claims, got
to the producers and consumers.
The Warner Silver bill is having
hard time in the House, but will even
ually pass, think, as there Is a m;
: jority Of about seven votes in its favol
. And speaking of silver reminds me {
: another branch of the money 'questio
the $40 certificates. Nothing eve
b. equaled the rush for them. but it 1
= believed that about two-thirdse Of til
. money invested in them 50 far, IL SUI
e piled by speculators. Nearly twent
six millions have been disposed OF, an
8 there ara still rows of people in ever
I,city crowding each other out of line t
3 get q chance at them. Once in. q Will
, a speculator gets bitten by some Of hi
tools jumping out of line and runnin
, off with the money he has furnished
The rule providing that only, $40
. worth shall be sold to one person com
pels the poor capitalist to take thes
chances. Only forty million dollar
worth OF certificates will be issued
John Sherman has given up the. ide