Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-12-10
tFrom Our Regular Correspondent
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 5, 1879.

Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 1879.
Not within the memory of the Oldest
inhabitant has congress made such n mild
beginning rs it has made this session.
Cores pondents and reporters are at their
wits ends for sensation, but rs yet noth-
ing has been found that will make hair
lifting adlines At first it was thought
there would be internal division on the
financial question, but even the most san
guine lover of discord has ceased to hope
for excitement from this source. The first
day was unusually quiet and common
place. Notwithstanding the perfection OF
the weather (or week Washington has
been like summer. even 10 the extent Of
an occasional mosquito), hut few people
attended the opening session, and for the
first time in memory the galleries were
not full on the first day. On Thursday
congress adjourned until Monday. Many
members are asking leave to go home
until after the holidays, and there seems
to be a widespread disinclinaion for real
work. From past experience it appears
almost useless TO have congress assemble
before the 1st of January. To have the
session open on the first Monday in De-
cember, and then adjourn two weeks for
holiday. without having accomplished
anything beyond legislative dilly-dallying,
is, 10 say the least, improbable.
There is considerable talk in political
circles about presidential prospects and
candidates, but, when sifted and Invested
of the oracular humbugry of interviews
with prominent men. nothing more has
been developed than has been known for
the last month. 1t is evidently too early
TO discuss this question now. There will
be time before the conventions assemble
to nominate candidates for more than one
term in the political Kaleidoscope. Re-
publicans believe they can elect either
Grant, Sherman, Blaine or Conkling
Democrats talk mostly of Seymour, with
Bayard for second choice.
1t is expected that the committee on
elections will soon present their reports
on the sixteen contested seats in the
House. Four are ready to be heard now
the briefs are all printed and the contest
ants arc in attendance. The only contest
ed seat in the Senate is that of Kellogg, oil
Louisiana. lie will probably not be mo-
Tested until late in the session, but, when.
ever the subject shall come up, there will
be another long rehearsal of the familiar
Louisiana question. No previous question
rule can gag oratory in the Senate.
The postmaster general evidently feels
the vantage of his position in his fight
with the lottery companies. Yesterday Il
formidable array of lawyers, headed by
Senator Matt Carpenter, appeared in the
injunction upon Judge Key to prevent
him from OBTAINING letters addressed t.
10 terry companies. Chief Justice Garter,
who, with Justice James, occupied the
bench, declined to interrupt the regular
order of business to hear the case, which
was referred TO the court by Justice Nc
Arthur, who also fixed a day for argu-
ment. They would hear it on regular
motion day, Monday. Senator Carpenter
said he could not be present then, but
could on Saturday. The court then an
nounced the latter day for the hearing,
and proceeded with the case on trial. The
post office department was not represent
ed, nor had any appearance been entered
or other notice taken of the process which
had been served on the postmaster gener-
al. 1t is understood that the latter has
decided to leave the entire responsibility
with the court to determine whether it will
assume jurisdiction in the matter.