West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-12-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.

OJuBtees !S now uuler way, Wild
every indication that il means to
give us a business session. IL seem
ed to me that there was a greater
degree OF corliaIityand frendliuess
in the greetings OF members than |
have generally noticed heretofore.
The hottest contestants in debate
lat session were the most demonstra-
tive. In the Senate the meeting
between Thurman and E1munds Was
partlcu 'arly warm. They shook
with both hands and laughed in
great glee for some minutes. Thesa
two, both Of whom left the extra
session in bad health, come back
looking better than they have for
years. Senator ConkIipg, however,
does not look the better for a resi-,
If indeed he has had any rest. He
looks older and grayer, and Matt
Carpenter looks pale, bloated aud
worn.
The Republicans in both houses
comp aimed that the bouquets and
bask lie Of flowers we're mostly be-
slowed upon the Democrats. As they
came from the Government Botanic
a Gardens, perhaps good taste would
have dictated more equal distri-
button, Uncle Sam should know no
party in the bestowal OF his favors.
But the Republicans have not
thought OF this heretofore while they
were gobbhng up everything belong
ing to the Government Speaking
OF Senator Thurman, he does not APP
pear to take his prospective retire
ment from the Senate very much at
heart. AT any rate, he is not averse
TO joke on the subject. They tell a
good story about the way Garfield,
Tom Young, and several other OHIO
statesmen stole into the Senate
Chamber recently and each parted
their coat-talls over Humans seat,
to see how it would fit. The other
day when John Sherman came in,
Thurman urged him to sit down and
try 1t. saying that all the o Their as
plrants had done so, and he wanted
to see the Secretary have a fair
chance.
The message OF Mr.. Hayes is prob
ably one of the weakest State papers
ever sent to Congress. The little
interest that might have attached to
ITS reading was destroyed by the
premature publication of it in n ew
York, Cincinnati, aud Chicago Sun
day morning, thirty-six hours be-
fore Goa gress met BY whom it was
stolen is not known, but because
these newspapers paid the thief $500
each for copies Mr.. Hayea proposes
to SHUT the correspondence out OF the
clerk 8 room at the White House.
Perhaps one of the clerks was the
guilty party. The portion of the message
treating of civil-servlce reform excited pos
tive derision. Republicans and Democrats
alike laughed at it. When Mr.. Hayes was
a candidate his utterances on this subject
commanded respect, and even when he is
sued his famous "Order No. IL" he was
given credit for at least sincerity; but in
view OF the performances Of himself and
Cabinet, and the severe contempt shown
Tor the matter by oflice-holders all over
the country, Hayes would certainly have
shown good taste and good sense by omit
ting all further reference TO the subject.
His cant is the sheerest hypocrisy, and it
10 on q par with the hollow pretepse of
competitive examinations" kept up in
some Of the Departments. The idea is held
out that the applicants chances for az
polntment are in proportion to his prof
cheney or standing Ou tie In, after exam.
nation, while rs a matter Of fact "iuHu-
ence' Of The right sort is the only real test
applied in practice. The whole thing is
and dishonesty is not reform.
The financial recommendation ia the
message have met with cool reception
even from Mr. Hayes own party. and a
careful canvass of the House by Me-. Chit
tendon OF New York, develops the fact
that there are not twenty membcrs OF eli.
iher party, or both parties combined. who
viii vote for the proposition To retire
grecnbacks. Mr. Chttendon is in favor of
The Administration programme. and THE
canvass disc9urages him. Western Re
pYoiicaus and Democrats are about unani
nous in opposition 20 the recommends.
u2ns, and very few Democrats from any
section VII! vote Tor such q measure. ssv.
eral resolutions have been offered on the
suhjcci-one by Mr. Price Of Iowa. one
by Mr. Fort Of Illinois, and one by sena-
Tor Carpenter Of Wisconsin. sU urgipo
Substantially, that it is best tO 'I,t well
enough alone" These resolutions are ia,
yonbIy received, and speak the views Ola .
4IRe majority While, therefore, there
vii. probably De some discussion of the
subject, b is safe tO predict That there viii
DE- nJ important change boo existing 0nap
c.al relatioDa Do this point the Demo .
Gratis are more united than their opno- /
1enis, and the agitation " the eDbioct /
hrcgicrs more disturbance in the Radic,I I
rank than arywhere oiae.
Congrcamen NJ al parties are evidently .
.n a0 earnc.t busur-s.Ike frame of mind f.
and there i5 not likely 90 Doc much Cool +
.-huns. lDr ite present 90 lrasf Tho
political situation leafca no MARGIN fgy .
D.untera on either eide ind j notice that .
Blaine ADD Garfield and the other Repub /
.icar leaders aye not manifepti1g The psugI .
1cdrc 10 draw OFT Che Democrats Tbrv
apparently think 10 NOR cafe 90 Law low .
for ducks, for 10 be- not unlikely that ans F.
attempt to stir up q general political muss .
"HuI4 prove more liFartriDue Ofhrr1 thar,