The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-12-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON LETTER.
The stolen MeSsage-A DIII to Prohibit
Political Contributions - McCreary's
Chances TO become Judge-CIericaI
SeFi'lOm-The West virginia Club.
WASHINGTON, D. G., Dec. 9, 1879.
Editors IntSliEeucsr.
The whole force Of Treasur. detectives
is at work trying to ferret out the man
who, for money consideration, basely
betrayed his trust and gave into the
hands of the Philistines, mean Bohe.
mians, advance sheets Of the Presidents
message and Secretary sherman's report.
have it from good authority that the
young man who succeeded in obtaining
these papers made cool thousand dollars
by the operation. He paid $500 to the
purlotner and sold them TO the New York
Tfnres, Chicago Tina and Cincinnati En-.
qtFTr for $500 each. So much for "news.
paper enterprise, as it is called here.
The unfinished business before the
House, belonging to the morning hour"
is the bill reported from the Committee on
Civil'service Reform, to prohibit Federal
officers, contractors and claimants from
making contributions for political pur-
poses; but i will not come UP for consid.
GRAFTON until next week, owing to the ex.
istence oi rule which prohibits the con-
sideration OF any legislation coming over
from one session, until after the expira-
tion ot the first six days OF the session fol.
lowing. 1t is thought that the Democrats
will press the passage Of this bill at tho
tirst opportunity, hoping thus to deprive
the Republicans OF the sinews OF war in
the coming Presidential campaign. The
Republicans can prevent It's passage by
ttIlibustering as they did last session, but
| doubt II they do. There will be no Diff
Guilty, | apprehend, with either Grant,
Blaine, or Sherman, as standard. bearer in
raising all the funds that will be needed,
and that without calling upon Office hold.
eEs. The solid business men Of the coun-
try will contribute literally OF their means
to keep up Republican success, for they
know that Democratic victory means q
breaking up and tearing down OF the bus.
iness boom.
The President, on yesterday, sent in the
name OF Secretary McCrary to be U. S.
Judge. Eighth Circuit, Iowa. A good
deal Of opposition is manifested against
him on tho part OF the Democratic Sena.
tors, and it is believed by some that his
nomination will be rejected. l do not
think so, however for two reasons. The
first Is, the Secretary has made good use
OF the patronage at his disposal during the
recess, and the War Department has
great many proteges Of Confederate
Brigadiers within its walls, hence, there
will be marked quietness on the part oil |
certain Southern Senators when his name |
Is brought up for confirmation. Again,
ex-senator Ramsey, OF Minnesota, who Is |
to take charge OF the War Portfolio, in the |
event of McCreary's confirmation, is per-
sonally very popular with the Senators, |
and his influence will add largely towards |
his success.
The contested election cases, especially |
in the House, will be taken up and dis
posed OF as soon as possible. In view Of |
the slender majority the Democrats have, |
the only question they will be apt 10 take |
into consideration will be, not which one |
received majority OF legal votes, but
which one votes on their side.
A recent order, emanating from the In.
terror Department, makes it penal
offence for clerk to ask for promotion, or
solicit his friend to ask it for him; the
penalty is prompt dismissal. How is
this for "Civil Service Relorm?" To be
Government clerk these days, one must
cast aside all pretensions TO manhood, all
freedom OF thought and speech, and, in
effect, become Government seri, speak
ing only such words as his master puts
into his mouth, and not daring even to
think, unless permission is first granted
him.
The Superintendent OF Census has fn-
ished the task OF dividing the States into
census districts. West Virginia is divid.
cd into two Districts, the irst comprising
Pendleton, Randolph, Upshur, Lewis,
Gilmer, Calhoun, Writ, Wood aud all
counties lying to the north and east Of the
line thereof; the second, POcahontas,
Webster, BEaxton, Clay, Hoane, Jackson
and all counties lying to the south and
west OF the line thereof. The patriots
who are willing to become Supervisors Of
Census are innumsrable, although the pay
is but the moderate sum Of 1900.
Senator Davis, OF your State, has in.
formed me that at the earliest opportunity
he Is going to call up the joint resolution
providing for an examination OF the geo.
logical structure, mineral resources and
products Of the national domain. This
Joint resolution passed the House during
the extra session and is pending in the
Senate. II passed, as hope it will be, it
will be ot vast interest to West Virginia,
for 1t provides that the officer having the
same in charge may extend his examinR.
ton into the States" and there Is no State
where richer field Of minerals would be
opened or shown to exist il survey be
made, than West Virginia.
The West Virginia Social and Literary
Club have established their headquarters
Tor the winter at No. 935 Pennsylvania
avenue, where, they authorized me to say,
all West Virginians visiting this city will
find West Virginia welcome. had in
tended to say something OF the aims Of
the club, but have already extended my
letter to such length, that l fear the
patience Of your readers will become sx-
hauSted.
All the West Virginia members were
promptly on hand at the opening Of the
session, looking well, and giving evidence
OF ability to stand the trials, annoyances
| and vexations Of the "long term," indeed
oil the members from our State will sub.
NIT TO third term," rather than the
people should be disappointed, Messrs.
Martin, Wilson, kenna and Hereford are
: at the National, and Senator Davis is at
the Arlington. More anon,
SoRIRBLER.
u