The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-03-18
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
-FRoM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

tRAs - NNAE NnHA0laA rDENNA usually A1
as destitute OF oratorical graees as a
lawyers argument before a jury upon
some dry, knotty legal quibble, and
Senator Voorhees, efforts are not excep-
tiOns to this rule. But on this occasion
he allowed his fancy full rein, aud paid
the deceased a tribute sparkling with
beauty aud sentiment. The Govern
ment was Indebted to Brumidi some
$500 for extra work retouchiug the can
opy Of the dome, which moneys could
only be paid the heirs under a resolu-
tion, which the Senator introduced, and
which, of course, was adopted without
debate. Mr.. VOORHEES, referred to the
artists services in adorning the Senate
committee rooms and panels aud eorri-
d3rs with pictures of men and animals
and birds Of America, whose merits, as
works Of art, would suffice in Europe to
make him famous, aud to entitle him
to a burial place with the nobility aud
the great, and said: "The birds, espe-
cially, are all there, from the humming
bird at an open flower to the bald eagle
with his fiery eye aud angry feathers.
have been told that the aged artist
loved these birds as a father loves his
children, and that he often fingered in
their midst as if a strong tie bound him
10 them" We have often thought that
the aged artist was mentally so en-
crossed with his art that he knew little
else, hence can appreciate the orators
iine idea Of the old mans love for his
works. Il is possible that be will be
remembered through his art, as Mr.
Voorhees, said, long after we had ceased
10 exist as IA nation, and even after the
Capitol itself had erumbled into ruins.
Yet so little attention was paid him in
the last obsequles, through the entire
absence Of demonstration and Of attend
ing strangers, that it seems Brumidi's
greatness, like that Of Miltou's, will not
bs really recognized till long after his
death.
An interesting debate arose in the
Senate upon a motion to repeal the law
prohibiting the appointment Of ex-
cOufederates to the army and navy. Mr..
Elmunds forced the debate, as he said,
for the purpose Of settling the matter,
and, as usual, he and Mr.. Thurman an-
tagonized. These two great men clock
horus' upon nearly every question aris-
ing in the Senate. Both are lawyers Of
pre- eminent ability, and can split hairs
will. the incest possible DETERMINATIONS
between tweediedee aud tweedledum,
aud, differing as they do in politics,
they necessarily oppose each otheI on
all issues with the slightest political
I bearing in them. The debate was not
concluded, and II is not likely the stat
ute will be repealed in advance Of the
coming Presidential contest, inasmuch
as this repeal involves an immense
amount Of political capital, which, like
the "blOody shirt" cry Of past cam
/ paigns, may have an immense weight
| for the opposition. Not many doubt
I that under the next administration, no
matter who becomes President, the
army aud navy will be opened to the
South as we'll as TO the North. Yet Just
now neither party will assume the re-
/ sponsibility Of breaking down existing
/ distinctions. Mr.. Thurman, however,
took advanced ground in favor of re-
peal.
The House is rapidly bringing its re-
vision Of rules to a conclusion, and will
soon possess a new code. Some Of these
rules are great improvements upon the
old, and others are obnoxious. For in
stance, no appropriation bill should con-
tain any provision not strictly pertain
ing 10 appropriations aud yet the new
rule T. even more unrestricted than the
old, through which has crept some Of
the most pernicious legislation of the
past twenty years. Had the President
power TO veto clauses Of an appropria-
tion act, it would matter little what
swiudliug riders were tackled upon it In
the rush Of the last hours Of Congress.
Cincinnati bore Off the palm in the
recent struggle among our cities to Sc
cure the holding of the coming Demo
cratic 2 asidential Convention. We had
hoped Washington would be selected
iuasmuch as We think It the better place
all things considered. But, as the Com
mittee could not resist the fascinations
of Cincinnati beer aud pork, and con-
cluded to give that city the preference
we cheerfully submit to its decision,
and will hold our impossible bronze
horses on costly pedestals aud glorious
hash houses for the benefit of those who
in the future, may be blessed with finel
and more appreeiative tastes than the
present members Of the National Dem.
ocratic Committee.
Last week we referred, in pretty plain
terms, to Admiral Lee, who obstinateIy
blocked the way to our securing q
School of Design by refusing to sell O
vacant lot adjacent to the Corcoran Ar
Gallery. The AdmiraTs friends are
coming to the front in defense Of hi:
pig-headedness, aud argue that, mas
much as he was loyal during the war
while Mr.. Coreoran sojourned 10 Europe
during its continuance, the Admiral has
, now a perfect right TO be destitute OF all
public spirit and patriotism. Perhap;
! so. Yet when We reflect that, did We
need that particular lot for school iol
a dozen or two Of rag-mufins and rag