Montgomery County sentinel., 1879-02-21
Pickings at the Capitol.
Especial Correspondence Of the Sentinel ]

ceipt OF not only the latest, but the most
reliable news, tits like walking Ger an old
race course, or cleaning from the barren fields
TO be repeating the twice told sensations OF
the day-it is monotonous to the writer-it
must be painful to the reader, hence in my
last 10 get at some originality Of thought, or
10 pick up some new ideas that might be en-
terlainng for few moments, your cores
pondent invited you TO the Rotunda, and in
tended TO do so again to-day, but for the
stirring interest of the past ten days, for in
his last you saw only the gloomy side OF life.
Humanity has sunshine as well as clouds, and
at some early day, perhaps in your next issue,
he promises that be will seek those bright
sports, and under its mellow influence try TO
gather some of its rarest and sweetest flowers
for who does not love the ''merry, merry
sunshine ~ who does not love The beautiful
One of the most notable features OF the past
week has been the great speech of Judge
Kelly upon the financial condition of the
country. Judge Kelly is IA Republican mem
Der from Pennsylvsnia aud has been such for
eighteen consecntivesy years, during this entire
period whilst he haslbeen strict party man
he has never gone dnwn into filth and dirt of
politics, but has dfvoted his mind and ener-
gies to this subjecq Deep in research, COM
prehensive in all fts various ramifications,
practical in its>iiN&fations, this last effort
must and will chsnsngeshe calm, deliberate
and impartial consderationof every thinking
man throughout the country. 1t is in the
opin'on of your correspondent the most elabo-
rae, able and exhaustive exposition of our
! financial troubles that has ever yet been placed
before the American people. Mark the pre-
diction write it upon the wals of your
sanctum--this speech makes Thurman Govern
or of fOhio-eventually President of the United
States. This government was never intended
for the support of National Banks and bond
holders at the sacrifice of the blood of the
honest yeoman of the country, aud the people
will when the ssne comes again so declare
and if necessary hang these autocrats upon
the lamp-posts along the hghway-ior-
''0ur liberties are in the popular vote. Their
best security, the popular heart. The noblest
triumph in the popular will"
The next subject of grave magnitude and i'm
portance which has occupied for several days
both Houses of Congress, when American
statesmen practice
''The ways that are dark
md tricks that are vain,"
has been that of the heather Chinese So
great has been the emigration from this semi
barbaric nation to the Pacific slope Of this
country that our wise legislators have become
alarmed at the out-cry of popular sentimcn(?)
their further immigration 10 this country. ln
the House this measure was received and
treated from a standpoint more of policy than
of expediency. In the Senate it received that
deliberation which subject of such magni-
tude demanded. This question is one of in
ternational law since it involves the abroga-
tion of treaty. One OF our Legislators said,
''Yes, break it, and without notice, since it
hes been made with an uncivilized and un-
people," That may sound high
toned enough for yonr constituency, but what
will be the moral effect of this act with the
leading nations of the earth2
The speech of Mr.. Luttrell, of CAL, occa-
stoned some sensation and surprise among his
friends, in which he took occasion to say that
if reelected, he would vote for Radical for
Speaker Of the next House before he would
vote for Randall. lie bases his crime of action
upon the fact that Speaker Randall has not
acted fair with the Pacific slope in the forma-
tion of his committees, be this as il may, such
at this critical period in the success of
the restoration of the Democratic party are
III achieved, and particularly so when coming
from one who is so conspicuous and promi-
nent.
There will be no extra session Of Congress.
Gen. Banning remarked to-day that all neces-
sary legislation would be acted upon if
tutIC WcEC Ouly TetndluiUR lOuf uaNS OF lue
session. And Hon. Mr. Tucker, of Va, was
at state dinner at the Presidents and said the
matter had been informally discussed aud that
no such idea was entertained. Even though
such contingency did arise, the session would
not be called to meet before the first of No.
vember.
Friday last was another breezy day in the
House. Fridays are set apart for the considera-
tions OF private claims, and first in order
was the claim OF John W. Armstrong of
Va, loyal citizen to the Union
during the war. The claim having been re-
ported favorably by the committee, strong
hope was INDUCED that it would meet the
sanction of the House, but it only afforded
another opportunity for Conger, White and
Kefer ct al. Of that stripe to vent their spleen
aud fan up sectional passions, whilst the FIRE
was hot, the Southern members showed great
prudence and wisdom and sent telling and
home thrusts into the Radical ranks.
have just seen Gen Shields for the first
time. The career Of this brave soldier has
been an eventually romantic one. He and Lin
coin and Douglass were leading young law
yers and politicians of Illinois forty years ago,
and, strangely enough, all said to have been
suitors for the hand of the young lady who
became the wife of Abraham Lin
coin and mistress OF the White House. Shields
and Douglass were members of the Legisa-
ture and room-mates and fast friends. Both
were elected TO State Offices that required
residence at the Capital. Shields being, as we
believe, Secretary Of State, and Douglass
Judge of the Supreme Court. The Mexican
war came on, Shields going to the army and
Douglass 10 Congress. Shields, always in the
lhickest of the fgh. seeking 'repulaton at
The Cannon's mouth" was shot through the
lungs aud came home with The stars ola
general. Douglass was in the Senate, TO which
exalted station Shields was chosen. Now for
The third time from third State he comes as
Senator. His early friends, Douglass ard
Lincoln, have long preceded him TO the Tomb
while Mary Todd, afterwards Mrs. Lincoln,
whose trenchant newspaper articles so goaded
Shields thirty Eve years ago and led to chal-
lenge from him 10 Lincoln, Is poor demented
widow.
In looking back over the long and eveplful
life Of this remarkable man, its vcssitudes aud
changes, the high and Important trusts he has
from time to time held 10 the service of his
State and of his country and which be has
filed so creditably to himself and so honora-
bly, TO the public with the close of his life full
of vigor and usefulness, Il calls to mind those
lines of the poet,
"Al the world Is stage
And one man in his tme plays many parts"
This letter is long enough, so | will close
by saying Of Washington what the Spaniards
used TO say of Cadiz, at is the paradise of
woman, the purgatory Of man, and the he'll Of
Jackasses." CLEANER.