The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-03-27
Clean Sweep.


to the disgust of the better element and
broader craftsmanship of few of the Sena-
tors of that party. We expected as much,
and are not disposed to grumble. In fact,
it was spoils Of office, more than anything
else, that forced The extra session. Had there
been no prospect of getting finger into the
public crib, there would have been no extra
session, as Democrats no more than Repub-
licans. desired to have the country disturbed
by a reassembling Of Congress.
Mr.. John C. Burch, editor, from Tennes-
see, received the caucus nomination for Sec
rotary of the Senate and was elected.
Mr.. Dick Bright, ex editor, from Indiana,
was nominated and elected Sergeant-at-
Arms, beating L. Q. Washington, who said
he was not disappointed, and felt no humili-
alton, as the unanimous endorsement of the
Virginia delegation was esteemed higher
honor by him than the endorsement Of either
branch Of Congress. These were the prin-
cipal offices. All the rest, except the second
Door-Keeper, Mr.. Bassett, who had filled the
place for two generations, were flled:by new
men and Democrats.
The correspondent of the Baltimore Sun
says of the greedy grab: "The action of the
caucus will of course furnish material for
Republican partizan capital, more especially
as all the new officers agreed upon, with the
single exception of Mr.. Bright, are from the
South. 1t would perhaps have been better
for Democratic party interests if the coun-
sells of the more moderate of the Democratic
senators had prevailed"
Office seekers have swarmed about Wash
ington. ever since the meeting in extra ses-
sion. and as now two or three Thousand have
been disappointed, they will be 10 good
temper to deplore the ingratitude of Repub-
lies. Virginia got one Office in the Senate
reorganization, Mr.. Fl. Bailey Peyton, Of
Loudoun county, who was chosen executive
clerk.
The Democrats, now that they have con-
trel of both branches of Congress, are in a
very gaily humor and promise to do things
generally with loose rein. In the Senate
steps have already been taken to unseat
Kellogg, Of Louisiana, and. seat Spefford-
a case long since decided upon its merits
and Kellogg admitted to the seat he now oc-
cupies. Charges have been .trumped up
against ingalls,, of Kansas, to the effect that
he bribed the Legislature that elected him,
but exactly how the majority would be ben
Gifted by ejecting him we cannot see. so far
as party strength is concerned. Should a
vacancy be declared the Governor Of Kan
sas would appoint another Republican, and
when the Legislature again meets, Repub-
lican successor would be chosen.
In the House, the programme chalked
out by Mr.. Stephens, of Georgia, in the
Democratic caucus, foreshadows protracted
session, and if adopted, will keep the coun-
try in doubt and turmoil during the entire
summer. He would prolong the session
not only to modify or repeal the election
laws, but to rip up the tariff, to repeal
the internal revenue laws, remove the re-
strictisn on State banks, initiate the curren-
ey, and in general terms destroy the entire
financial system of the government. Mr..
Stephens has heretofore been regarded as
conservative, but that was when he was in
the minority He is now with the majority
in Congress, and if permitted to have his
way will not only run his own party to des-
truction, but ruin the business interest of the
nation. Fortunately the President has the
constitutional right to veto all such harmful
and revolutionary legislation, and it is out
of the power of Congress, as now consti-
tuted, to overcome the veto. So our Demo-
cratic friends would have all the glory of an
attempt to throw the business of the country
into chaos without being able to fasten upon
the statute books the laws to permanently
accomplish it.
Mr.. L. @. Washington is an able correspen-
dent, but holds very extreme and impracti-
cable Southern views. He was an original
secessionist and yet holds to the doctrine
Of State sovereignty. For that reason he
was defeated for the position of Sereeant-at-
arms of the Senate, position he is very ca
pable of filling. sHe is a gentleman Of cul-
ture, integrity and exemplary private char
acter, and no other reason can be assigned
for his defeat, for personally he is popular.
It is unfortunate for the South that men
who could be useful and reflect credit upon
themselves and section, still hold to such
extreme views, regardless of the history of
the country for the past twenty years. We
have no doubt Mr.. Washington is infinitely
better qualified for the place than his suc-
cessful competitor, but his known extreme
political views operated against him.