The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1880-03-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Tariff Wrangle -Mnch Ado,
BRt Nothing DOne-unparlia-
nentary Language-The Conn
missioner of Patents Resigns.
[From our Regular Corregpondent.

From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, March 81, 1880.
The best halfof this week has been
consumed, or worse, wasted, in fruit
less wrangle between the Free Ira.
ders and Protectionists. There has
been much fillibustering, and a de-
velopment Of bad feeling between tie
two parties, and even between ihdi-
yidual members Of the same party.
The contending factions were led re-
spectively by Messrs. Blackburn and
Garfield. The deadlock was broken
on Thursday by sort of compromise,
which will enable both the belliger.
ents to claim victory, but which,
to the unbiased locker on, seems
simply drawn battle. The Protec.
tionists and Free Traders, as was
shown by test vote, do not divide
on party lines. Discussion has been
silenced for this session, but it will
doubtless be burning question in
the future. The House, as at pres
ent constituted, lisa protection House.
The same may be said Of the Senate.
The Speaker Of the House is high
tariff man. But how will it be in
two years, when a new caucus has
given the West an overwhelming
preponderance in the National Leg
islature?
During the controversy in the
House over Mr.. Townshend's tariff
bill, Speaker Randall has been the
recipient Of many uncomplimentary
criticisms by his free trade Demo
cratic colleagues. Notably among
those who denounced him was Mr..
Blackburn, of Kentucky. During
Wednesdays night session, while
Mr.. Blackburn was denouncing the
Speaker, and declaring him traitor
to the Democratic party, which
would be benefited by Randall's re-
moval, bag and baggage, into the
Republican party, he was confronted
by Mr.. Coffroth, of Pennsylvania,
who defended his colleague and de-
clared that the language of Mr.. Black
burn would justify him (Cofroth) in
striking him. Blackburn, much en-
ragged, said: "Well you have heard
what said, and if you mean to say
it is not true you are q liar" By
ISLANDERS prevented a collision, and
as Mr.. Coffroth moved away he said
to Blackburn: "There is one charge
you cannot impute to him. He new
er was a traitor to his country"
The long debate in Congress over
the electisn laws has ended more sat
isfactorily than seemed possible a
year ago. The decision of the Su.
preme Court has had much to do in
settling the question. The Demo-
Gratis in the House have now passed
an amendment to the law, giving the
appointment of these deputies to the
United States circuit judges, and
providing that, instead of being all
of one political party, they shall be
selected in equal numbers from both
parties, and shall be persons of good
moral character, and well-known
residents of the voting precinct in
which their duties are to be per.
formed. There is some talk Of this
being opposed by the Republicans in
the Senate, as it was opposed by
some of the Republicans in the
House, on the ground that il is a
rider" to the Appropriation Bill,
but the President, it is announced
very positively, will approve it if
passed.
The present Commissioner of Pat
ents, like all his predecessors, has
handed in his resignation aftera very
brief tenure of Office. He expects,
like all the Commissioners who have
gone before him, to go into the prac-
tice of patent law. His resignation
is hailed with delight by the employ
ees of the Patent office, as well as by
inventors and their attorneys. Many
new and confusing changes have
been introduced in the rules and
practice during his incumbency, and
it is predicted that his successor will
have a great deal to undo.
c. AS.
Letter from Philadelphia.