Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-12-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IS, 1880

1~tto' Att+e pOfetcCftV
One event outside of Congress at
tracted more attention this week
than anything that has occurred in
that body. This was the return of
General Grant and the reception ex-
tended him by the organizations of
the "Boys in Blue" and other vet
eran and political associations. The
demonstration was one of considera-
BILE magnitude and as the hero of the
occasion passed up Pennsylvania
Avenue at the head of the process
sion, seated in a carriage with Gen
erals Logan, Burnside and Hawley,
he was greeted with cheers and
salutes on every hand. To many of
the vast throng that lined the streets
he was personally known, at least by
sight, and it seemed like the greeting
to an old friend, but there were
others in the crowd attracted there
out of curiosity to see a man who
has had such homage paid him all
over the world. There may have
been few like the individual who
remarked in my hearing that he had
"never seen Grant or heard Pima
FORE" To those who had not seen
the ex- President since he left Wash
ington, nearly four years ago, the in
crease of gray hairs and other traces
of advancing years were plainly WIS.,
ible. But he is still the short, square
feed, quiet, and determined-looking
MN we used to see riding along our
streets.
1t is evident that the attitude of
the Republicans in Congress has
somewhat slapped the enthusiasm Of
the Democrats as to their ability to
pass the joint resolution for counting
the electoral vote. After all the time
spent upon it the majority are at
present unable to pass it even by the
application of the previous question,
because they have no quorum of their
own side. The Republicans by re-
fusing to vote could prevent any eff
fective vote. The matter is now
virtually stood over until after the
holidays, when the Democrats expect
to have all their members here, max
ing quorum without Republican
votes. 1t is their purpose to pass
the resolution, and l think they will
succeed, but do not apprehend that
any dangerous results touching the
approaching count are to be antici-
pated. Whether the resolution is
passed or not all the votes belonging
to General Garfield will be counted
for him without question. This
non-attendance of members is a very
trying thing sometimes. For in
stance, the majolity were kept nearly
two weeks from electing postmas-
ter of the House-that office having
been made vacant by death during
vacation-because had the vote been
taken sooner Republican would
have been elected. ....
Rumors about approaching Su.
preme Court changes have been
afloat for more than month past,
but each one has been followed with
a denial, so that only the knowing
ones could tell what to expect. Now,
however, the transformation has
commenced. Justice Strong having
retired, Judge William b. Woods,
of Alabama; has been named to take
his place. Judge Woods is staunch
Republican, and has been in charge
of a Southern circuit of the U. S.
District Court. Justice Swayne will
tender his resignation soon after the
holidays, and Stanley Mathews is to
be appointed in his place. The death
of Justice Clifford is expected at any
moment. He is now unable to even
dictate a complete sentence and
hence could not tender his resigna-
ton, but unless some very important
change should occur in his condi-
tion another vacancy will soon exist,
which is to be filled by the appoint
ment of Attorney General Devens.
Then bill to retire Justice Hunt is
to be passed by Congress shortly,
and Senator Edmunds named for the
vacancy. Justice Hunt is not yet
entitled to retirement on full pay
without Congressional action, and
the bill is to be offered in pursuance
of his own wishes.
The Supreme Court will have its
dry bones ratified up occasionally
when Mr.. Edmunds takes a seat at
the consultation table. He must be
careful, however, how he rouses
Justice Bradley, who is pepery tenn
pered, and often INDUCES in little