Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-12-19
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Presidents Attitude on the Cur
rency QuesGiOn-COnventIO of the
National Republican Committee
Resolutions OF the National Board
OF Trade. etc,

This has been a dull week in Congress.
Some little excitement was caused in the
early part of the week by The report that
the President was so much disturbed by
the reception accorded by Congress to his
| financial recommendations, that he sought
in an interview with a member of Congress
to explain them away by saying in sub
stance that his message contained his ideal,
but not what he desired to see put into ex-
ecution at the expense of party harmony.
This has. however, since been contradicted,
and he has reiterated bis adherence to the
policy set forth in his message, in con-
versation with Sthe correspondent of the
Boston Herald, and has still further ex-
pressed his views on the currency question
in a letterto friend, written apparently
for publication.
The National Republican committee will
meet in this city next Wednesday. The
objects of the Committee will be to fill the
chair vacated by the late Senator Chandler,
and to decide upon the place and date for
holding the National Convention to nOmin-
ate a candidate for the Presidency. Con-
tending interests are working indefatiga-
blv to secure control Of this committee be-
cause of its influence on the result of the
nominating convention. The sympathy of
the Administration, which is supposed to
be in favor of Mr.. Sherman, gives that gen.
tleman many advantages. 1t is believed
that he will control, through official pat
ronage, the votes of the Southern Republi-
can Delegation in the committee as to the
aleotion of chairman and the locality of the
National Convention. But with all the
Southern vote added to that Of Ohio he will
still be in a minority if his opponents COM
bine against him. 1t is thought to be i'm
probable that such combination can be
effected on the vote for chairman, but that
il will be done on the other questions, in
asmuch as all interests, except those Of Mr..
Sherman, oppose CINCINNATI, and will,
perhaps, prefer Chicago TO any other city.
The Indiana Republican managers, it is
said, pledge a Solid delegation for MIR.
Blaine in case ex-P President Grant Shall de-
eide not to enter the contest, Mr., Sher-
mans late financial expressions having eff
fectually estranged his party in that State.
But. on the other hand, Mr. Sherman hopes
to secure Eastern support that will fully
COMPENSATE for defectIOns in the West.
The National Board Of Trade now in ses-
sion in this city passed a resolution yester-
day to the effect that it is desirable 10 Sc
cure National legislation upon interstate
commerce by railroad, and that said legis-
lation should embody the following pro-
visions: First. To raise a special commits
sion or tribunal to secure uniformity and
publicity in railway contracts and trans
actions. Second-To enforce provisions
under like circumstances and relative quail
ity where circumstances differ. Third
Publicity of rates and prohibition Of sud-
den and arbitrary changes. FOurth-The
prevention of extortionate charges and of
personal or local faYoriteism. The Board
re-afirmed the action previously taken in
favor Of the establishment Of department
of commerce as branch Of the general
government, under a Minister or Secretary,
who shall be member Of the Cabinet, and
adopted resolution calling the attention
of the Government again to the light dues
collected by Great Britain on shipping,
with view to the opening Of diplomatic
correspondence looking to their discontinue
ance.
Washington, Dec, 18th, 1879,