Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1879-04-29
Our Washington Letter.

WAsHINGToS, ID. C., Abril 26, 1879.
i congratulate the Democratic party
on the event OF yesterday the passage
OF the Army Bill with the following
section: mo military or naval off,
"cer or other person engaged in the
"ciyil, military, or naval service Of
"the United States shall order, bring,
''or keep. or have under his authority
"or control any troops or armed nen at
"the place where any general or spe-
''cial election Ia held In any State, IN
''less II be accessory to repel the arm
led enemies of The United States I;
''Prori1ed, that nothing contained in
''this section, as now amended, shall
''be held or deemed TO abridge or az
EJECT the duty or power Of the Presi-
dent Of the United States under sec
"tion 297 Of the Revised Statutes, en-
''Acted under aud 10 enable the United
Estates 10 comply with section 4. ar
ticle 4. Of the Constitution of the
UNITED States, on application Of the
Legislature, or executions, as provid-
led for in said section" Not only is
this right in itself, but 1t insures the
passage Of the Legislative Bill with
its excellent provisions as to u. s
juries and its Limitation OF the power
OF u. s. Supervisors Of elections. The
vote yesterday was Il to 30, The bill
passing exactly as it left tie House. -
1t Is comparatively Of little impor-
lance, what Mr.. Hayes may do with
these bills when they reach him. Ii
is Of still less importance what the
Democrats msy do when the bills are
returned TO the House vetoed. They
may adjourn without further action,
they may pass supply bills for the Ar
my and civil service 10 expire Dec.
4tb, when Congress will meet again,
or they may take such other course
Ms seems best. The significant and
most gratifying fact is that the party
Is no longer afraid Of The sound OF IT'S
own guns; that its representatives, in
Congress have courage Gs well as con.
yictions, that we need not hereafter
wait uuntil nominating conventions
meet before we feel that there is a
Democratic party. The party, through
its representatives. has declared itself
again, which the party itself has al
ways been, the party Of equality and
Of people. We now have something
to fight The Presidential campaign Of
1850 on.
The House has made good progress
this week upon the Legislative bill.
aud Will vote on IL to- day. The fun
Democratic vote will be given for the
blu ss II was reported.
During the week there we're but two
events Of importance in the Senate
debate. On Wednesday Senator Da-
yid Davis spoke, urging the passage
VI the Army Bill. and OH Thursday
Senator Conklin spoke on the other
aide. Senator Blaine, in his usual
way, made promiscuous plunges into
history, facts. law and argument. He
was very promptly and successfully
met at all points.
The amendment which was propos-
cd last Sunday by Senator ingalls, 10
the arrears OF pension appropriation
bill recognizing the Pension ofiiee,
was presented yesterday as an origi.
nal bill py Senator Withers. The
bill provides for districting the couu-
try into 90 districts, aud the appoint
meDt Of surgeons 70 make medical ex-
aminations Of all receivers aud applI-
Giants Of pensions also Of lawyers M
clerks In the department 10 take iesti.
mony In the claims OF applicants.
This bill, In short, will compel men.
women and ehildr IN, applicants for
pension. 10 20 with their 0 or 7 wit
nesses. from ten 10 one hundred mules
and then avail, the convenience Of a
travelling commission before claim
for peusion cat be made. u Ia q bill
Ia the interest Of the rich and against
the poor. In the last Senate IL had
no Democratic support and ! am as
tonlsbed that 20 clear headed a Demo-
crat as DIR. wliherr IL found advocat-
Ing H. Another, but less important
objection, Ia that the bill will give the
radicals from 200 10 400 travelling
Commissions at q time when the
Democratic party is stalking lie life on
keeping Federal authority out Of cleo
tione. now