, 1879-03-29
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Marcel

| w HASHlNGTOS, Marcl Il, loi -
Democratic senators have a caucus on
the 18th, the day congress meets. Sena-
tor Thurman will have double honors at
that caucus-will be named fo- presiding
officer OF the senate in the absence of MIR
Wheeler, and for chairman of the judici-
! ary committee. io man better deserves
these honors, as is well shown by the fact
| tina. everyone comedies them in advance
The iudic:ary c,'.i-:ii.;-a "a the senate is
a body which, IN the last dazen years,
has come TO be considered Of great i'm
portance to the country. Pant OF this
increasing consideration is because OF the
fact that very able men have been placed
on the committee, and part of it because,
undef Grant and since his time, the gen
! tlemen selected to represent law IN the
executive branch of the government have
not had the public confidence. Akerman
| and Williams and Devens have made it
necessary for the people to look elsewhere
than to the administration for the ability
and character required in the legal affairs
| OF the government Grant retained Caleb
Gushing to wet-nHrsa his law advisers,
but Cushing is dad 1t will, therefore,
be with pleasure that we shalt see Thur
man advanced to the head of the import
ant committee named.
The opposition to Randall for the
speakership is powerful one, and many
of the democrats named as likely to re-
ceive The strength of that opposition are
men of individual character ard promi-
nence,in the party. Among these may
he mentioned. Blackburn of kentucky,
Mcilahdn of Ohio, and House OF Tennes-
see. Ewing, Of Ohio, had been men
toned also, but his name Is not likely to
be made prominent in the contest. Mr..
Randall arrived here yesterday, and will
have his headquarters at the National
hotel All candidates for the nomination
for speaker must have headquarters
Blackburn is at Wizards. 1t may be
said now, as two years ago, that The solid
working forces Of The party VIII, in all
probability, unite on Randall and that
If he does not, as he probably VIII, get
the nomination on the first ballot III caIl-
Gus, Jhe will receive overwhelming support
on The second.
After organizing, the two houses VIII
consider the question whether or not any
thing shall be done at the extra session
besides the passage.of the two appropria-
ton bills which failed at the regular ses-
sion. IL is thon.ht by some that only
those measures with, OF course, amend
ments repeating the supervisor and test
oath laws, and forbidding tbs use of fed
eral troops at the polls, should be acted
on. BY others it is believed that the
first democratic congress, at its first meet
mg, should IN some significant manner,
give form to popular disapproyal OF the
extravagant and unconstitutional legisla-
ton of The past dozen or more years
There viii be a lively contest OH this sub
ject probably.
To the long process On of radical candi
dates fox tlic prosidcncy-Grant, Blaine,
COnkling, Nas!burGe, &c-is now to be
added The name of Senator William Win
dom. 1t is oAly Of lake that Senator
Window fas ben mentioned, but his
friends thjnil il viii have a refreshing
sound to those republicans who dislike
The schem:ns and GINNING which char
acter!ze the efforts cf some OF the o;her
candidate.
Profes5or Gamgoe, rn3e;erred by the
fact that congress gave him 10 assistance,
goes F!&eidIy ca IN his preparation Of |
means f"r freezing the yellow fever out !
e infected Sai.-s which may arrive at |
ports EeTt sG.si%c- The pro-
feSSor has Il confidence cf r:e,iicai AID |
scientific moa k.rr, anI such aid il his
ci,nr's - can IL gwen i: the I.avy yard |
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