Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-07

Washington Letter.


Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. ID. G.. April 3. 1880.
The outlook for a long session is i'm
proving. The House and Senate appear
to be pitched into an illimitable debate,
both ends Of the Capitol are at war with
one another, and each end is at war with
itself. Members and senators seem to be
imbued with the spirit of strife. Senator
Edmunds is more than usually caustic;
Senator Blaine more pugnacious than
ever; Senator Carpenter as able. and as
ready to strike, wherever he sees head
of friend or foe. One of the most enter
tanning episodes of session was debate
in the Senate on an utterly Insignificant
question, in which two Of these gentlemen
expressed their contempt for Mr.. Blaine,
and in which Mr.. Blaine expressed his
contempt for both of them, all the strong
er and more singing because couched in
language courteous and parliamentary.
The conclusion to which one comes.
after hearing our legislative sons of thun-
der for eight or ten years, is that, taking
them on an average. one son of thunder
is about rs we'll as another. One may
excel another in his peculiar tactics or
strategy, but, when the result is summed
up at the close of the war, it will be found,
as far as members and senators are indi-
vidually concerned, that the victories have
been dearly bought. and that defeats are
trihng
The ways and means committee are in
very awkward situation, which it has
brought upon itself by usurping the
functions of the House il attempting the
final disposition Of bills. The resolution
to place paper and articles used in its
manufacture upon the free list is almost
universally pronounced q delusion and a
snare. 1t is said that the proectionistS
dc not intend to permit any such measure
to get before the House; that they could
not longer defy public opinion by openly
opposing the placing of these articles on
the free list, and, therefore, they engaged
in scheme to defeat it by duplicity; that
their purpose is to load the resolution
down with iron rails. salt. sugar, and
numerous other articles so as to kill il in
committee. Even if this charge be true il
is doubtful if the scheme can be success
fully carried out. 1t cannot if the anti
protectionsts stick together. The object
of the latter is to get the question before
the House. where, they believe, it can be
passed. Therefore, they will vote to re-
port the measure, no matter how it may
be patched or loaded in committee, leaving
the duty of separating the good from the
bad to the House. Having first voted to
place certain articles on the free list, the
protoctionists on the committee cannot,
for the sake of consistency, vote against it
in the committee OF in the House. Unfor-
tunatelv for the committee, even if it
means well in measure, the plblic will
not give it credit for its sincerity.
The diplomatic appropriation bill will
probably be passed in the Senate without
amendment and 60 to the president in
much the same shape as last year. Mean
while we seem to survive without repre-
sentation ut the most important courts of
Europe. The minister 10 Russia is in
Washington. The minister to England is
in Spain. Minister Moves has recently
returned to his post in Paris after tour
Of between three and four months in Asia
and Africa. Next, Minister Maynard,
shortly after getting back to Constantine
Pile from long absence home, left again
on an extended tour, and is at present
junketing in Egypt; and now it is an
nounCed that Minister kasson is coming
home from Vienn;. to look after the next
elections in Iowa. This is the sort of
thing that makes good many people
think our whole diplomatic system might
as well be dispensed with, and its So-called
duties turned over to our consuls. As n
rule these officers are useful, and earn
their salary, which is more than can be
said Of most of our foreign ministers, or,
perhaps. of any of them.