Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-12-17
From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. Dec. II.

/ Washington Letter.
! WASHINGTON, Dec. IL, 1879.
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 had
sought in an interview with q member of
congress to explain them away, by saying
in substance that his message contained
his ideal, but not what he desired to see
put into execution at the expense of party
harmony. This has, however. since been
contradicted, and he has reiterated his
adherence to the policy set forth in his
message, in conversation with the cor
respondent of the Boston Herald, and has
still further expressed his views on the
currency question in letter to a 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 Chand-
Ter, and to decide upon the place and date
for holding the national convention to
nominate candidate for the presidency.
Contending interests are working indefat
igably to secure control of this committee
because of its influence on the result of
the nominating convention. The sympa-
| thy of the administration, which is sup
posed TO be in favor of Mr.. Sherman, gives
that gentleman many advantages. 1t is
believed that he will control, through
official patronage, the votes of the south
ern republican delegation in the commit
tee as to the election 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 minority if his
opponents combine against him. 1t is
thought to DO improbable that such coin-
bination can be effected on the vote for
chairman, but that it will be done on the
other question. inasmuch as all interests,
except those Of Mr.. Sherman, oppose
Cincinnati, and will, perhaps, prefer Chi
cago to any other city. The Indiana re-
publican managers. it is said, pledge a
solid delegation for Mr.. Blaine in case ex-
President Grant shall decide not to enter
the contest, Mr.. Sherman's late financial
expressions having effectually es:ranged
his party in that state. But, on the other
hand, Mr.. Sherman hopes to secure east
ern support that will fully compensate for
defections in the west.
The national board of trade now in
session in this city passed resolution
yesterday to the effect that it is desirable
70 secure national legislation upon inter-
state commerce by railroad, and that said
legislation should embody the following
provisions: First-To raise u special com.
mission or tribunal to secure uniformity
and publicity in railway contracts and
transactions. Second-To enforce provi-
sions under like circumstances and relative
quality where circumstances differ. Third
Publicity of rates and prohibition of
sudden and arbitrary changes. Fourth
Prevention of extorlionate charges and of
personal or local favoritism. The board
re-aflirmed the action previously taken in
favor of the establishment of depart.
ment of commerce as n branch of the
general government, under minister or
secretary, who shall be member of the
cabinet, and adopted u 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 continuance