Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-03-12
From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. d. c., March 6. 1879.

1t is estimated that from seven to ter
thousand office seekers will be in this city
during the coming two weeks. The Sen.
ate, for the first time in twenty years, will
be under control of the democrats. Candi.
dates for every office within its gift have
swarmed up like locusts, each loaded with
documentary evidence of his peculiar fit.
ness for the desired office, and of his great
services in the democratic party. Such
pressure will be brought to bear upon the
democratic senators that it is safe to pre-
diet that the employees of the Senate will
undergo an almost complete change OF
perSoRel The best office in the gift of the
Senate is the secretaryship For this place
there are many candidates prominent in
politics and in journalism, Among them
are Ex-senator Dennis of Maryland, Col,
Burch, editor of The Nashville american,
Col. A. G. Buell., we'll known and brill
liant journalist of this city, Ex-Congress-
men franklin of Missouri, Stenger of
Pennsylvania, and Waddel of North
Carolina.
Very naturally, the chief interest in
regard 10 the next House centres in the
speakership. On the democratic side,
Messrs. Randall and Blackburn are men
toned as the leading candidates, with S.
S. Cox. w. +. Morrison, w. NJ. Springer,
John f. House, John A. McMahon, John
G. Carlisle, John Goole and Gen. Tom
Ewing as either in the race or probable
competitors. 1t is understood, and repub-
llcan members generally confirm it, that
Gen. Garfield will be the candidate of that
party, and the greenbackers say they pro.
pose 10 nominate DR.. De La Matyr. Mr..
Randall said yesterday that he felt conf
dent of reelection; that he would certainly
be the caucus nominee, and that the DEM
ocrats would have strength enough to elect
their candidates without any difficulty.
MIR. blackburn expressed himself with
equal confidence. His friends have no
doubt that eighty democrats will vote for
him in the caucus, and that either he or
Garfield would be the next speaker mean.
ing that the contest would be between
Blackburn, rs the democratic nominee.
and Garfield, us the republican candidate.
There will be six vacancies in the House
-four from California, one from New
York, and one from Texas and deducting
these, one hundred and forty-four members
will constitute majority. This gives the
democrats undoubted control, as they have
more than this number whose status is
not disputed.
For clerk in the House only two candi.
lates are out so far, Mr.. Adams. the pres.
ent incumbent, and Mr.. Caldwell, of
Alabama, who was candidate before the
caucus when Mr.. Adams was last chosen.
Col, John G. Thompson proposes to retain
HE position of sergeant-at-arms, if the
democrats are willing, and Richard M.
Bright of Indiana is the only man who
las yet taken the field against him.
For doorkeeper, Gen. Field is again
spoken of, as well as Col Polk. who, now
hat he has been twice indorsed by the
louise as without stain, insists that he
should be reelected.
The organization of the Senate will be
ffected with but little difficulty. There
will be no presiding officer to elect. Sen
tor Thurman will be elected president
70 tenpore without opposition. Even
efore the extra session had been called
he organization of committees had been
ecided upon. Senator Thurman will be
hartman of the judiciary committee aud
enator Bayard chairman of the commit
&c ON finance; Salisbury, of privileges
nd elections; Eaton, foreign affairs; Cor.
on, commerce; Johnston, agriculture;
Jefferson, manufactures; Randolph, mil.
larry affairs; Whyte, naval affairs; Max
y, post Offices and post-roads: Mcdonald,
'ublic lands; Coke, Indian affairs; With.
rs, pensions; Cockrell, claims Harris.
District Of Columbia, Krcnan, pat ents;
iarland, territories; Lamar. railroads;
Wallace, revision of laws; Ransom, libra
y; Hill, public buildings and grounds;
ithcr Davis wv. Va.) or Beck, chairman
f appropriations committee. Should
seek not be given the committee on ap-
ropriatons, he will be chairman of the
committee.
This rule Of advancement, however.
ill not be adhered to- In many cases
ne senators will exchange, aud thus by
greement arrange for the chairmanships
committees they prefer, and the caucus
ill ratify such agreement. Hence it is
OF possible to give correct list of the
lture chairmen of the Senate committees.
The time between the adjournment and
onvcning of the extra session is so short
nat most OF the members from distant
tates will not return home. Then the
reat interest felt in the Reorganization
lduces great many members to remain |
Washington. A large proportion of
lie new members are on hand and will
ay, and consequently the usual recess
ILLNESS does not exist. q
We have heard neonla yyhn hoyo hoo,