Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-03-24
Our Washington Letter.


WASHINGTON, d. c., March 20, 1880.
Mr.. Editor After fortnight Of uninterrupted
rainy weather, and Of the most dIsagreeable
kind, the sun again shines upon us, and reminds
one Of the pleasant fact that summer will soon
be here.
CONGRESSIONAL DoINGs
OF the past week have beon a trife more lively
than usual during the present session. and some
little excitement has been injected into the daily
debates, both in the house and senate. The de.
ficiency appropriation bill has been before the
house and occasioned more or less sparring on
both sides Of the chamber. Although it was
thought probable, at one period Of the debate,
that the memorable contest which marked the
extra session would have to be fought over
again, yet better and wiser counsels prevailed on
the part OF the Democracy and aided by con-
sentative feeling developed on the Republican
side, useless controversy was avoided. The
Democracy were evidently for a time ons pins
and needles, as 1t we're, for fear that something
detrimental to the interests OF the party would oc-
cur which might upset the placdity of the situa.
ton which has been engendered during the pres
ent session by the successful mnzzlng of the more
refractory elements Of the party, and had it hap
peued that certain Republican leaders had been
on the floor Of the house to help on the excitement
there might have been display Of southern
blood and flash" in the pan of Democratic
powder. Blaine for instance, would not have
let the occasion pass without an attempt to stir up
the Democracy, with sharp stick to boiling
heat, and some little party capital might have
been made thereby. Garfield, however. pre-
ferred another tack, and recognizing the fact that
the country generally was tired Of talk and only
waiting for congress to do its work and adjourn
before drawing breath Of relief, was willing to
help the majority in the house to peaceabe and
speedy solution Of the petty questions which
threatened TO divide II in considering the appro-
priation bill. 1t is to be hoped that each aud
every important measure of this kind will be
as happily disposed Of, and that the national
legislature will appreciate the fact that work is
all that Is required Of them, and that mere con-
gressonal twaddle is hardly the fashion Of
the hour.
Senator Edmunds has again introduced his
electoral bill in the senate, and did his best to
put the ball in motion which shall do something
toward unraveng the vexing problem of pres.
dental elections. 1t is felt every where that oui
present laws are entirely inadequate for such m
emergency rs overlook us in the election of 7G.
~
proach Of the next similar event. Edmunds ha,
attempted, early and late, to secure some kind OF
action in the matter during the last two or three
years, but thus far without avail, as the Demo-
cratic majority seem afraid ~ venture upon an,
experiment and know nothing OF what they ought
really to do. They only know that they fear any.
thing that Edmunds advocates, and as they have
not sufficient pluck to push any project of theiI
own, the present laws are liable to remain IN
force. Whenever Edmunds introduces bill, OF
measure OF any kind, the senate Is very likely to
be adjourned soon alter a Democratic caucus /,
called forthwith, and an investigating committee
Is appointed TO ascertain il possible what Ed.
munds is driving at, what there is In the move
ment not visible at once to the weak compre-
hension OF the mighty Democracy.
PRESIDENTIAL PROPHECIES
are becoming more and more fashionable, as the
plans of the two parties continue to develop them
selves. The present session Of congress, unlike
some other gatherings OF the kind just previous
I to presidential campaign, is not likely 20 make
or mar the prospects of any one particular can
ddate on either side The two bodies are each
divided in It's preferences just the same as every
body else, and although the claims Of some of the
prominent candidates for the presidency have
been slightly touched upon in the different de
bates in both the senate and house. 1t is only con.
sidered as the personal preference of the indi-
| vdual speaking. The allnsion Of Senator Matt
Carpenter, in his speech on the Fitz John Porter
case, to the need felt for some such man as Grant
at the helm to guide the ship OF state, has pro-
voked good deal of comment, and thus far 1t
appears that the general feeling seems to be tina,
| the alusion was hardly warranted under the cir.
cumstances, and the incidental advocacy of Grant
rather far-fetched The senator is very ardent in
his support OF the claims OF the ex-president, and
his enthusiasm in this case evidently ran away
with his usual good sense Conkling, Cameron,
Carpenter and Logan are strong supporters OF
Grant in the senate and take every occasion t.
prove their devotion to his cause Blaine has
| the warm support of Senators Ferry OF Michigan,
Ingalls, OF Kansas, Booth of California and one OF
two others, who, however, are not so effective
or forcible in their advocacy as Grants men are.
Sherman has some good workers in the house,
notably the delegation from Ohio and several
southern representatives, and bureau in his
support has been established here for the dis
trbution OF Sherman documents. The Blaine club
established here some time since, is very active
in the spread Of their doctrine, and the boom fol
the Maine senator loses none OF its old-tme eff
| feet The friends of Edmunds, Washburne, Gar
field and others, are quiet in contrast, but allow
no argument to turn them from the belief within
them. There is no use in Disgusting the fact tina,
more than usual interest IL being taken in the APP
preaching conventions by our representative men
in congress, and a strong effort will be made t.
adjourn in time for all hands u be on the grounds
The Democratic situation rs regards candidates
remains In the same mixed and delightfully."- UNI
certain state as it did three months ago, with the
exception that the chances Of Tilden become more
and more assured as time goes by. Tilden seems
bound to secure the nomination. and should he
fail himself by hook or crook, he will then at.
tempt to name tie man He will then attempt to
force the nomination Of Sam Randall, at present
the next friend of Tiden. More develop.
ments will be upon the boards as the scene
changes and the play goes on.
Personal AND POLITICAL.
Ex-senator Christiancy Of Michigan, our minis
ter to Peru is about to sue for divorce from his
young WIFE, whom he married out OF the treasury
here few years ago The cause is said to be in
fidelity. The wife, on the other hand, claims i'll.
treatment on the part OF the husband, and de-
lici us bit OF scandal is being evolved from the
controversy now going forward on the subject in
the newspapers.
Professor Henri Perabeau, a well known musi-
clan of this city, died suddenly of apoplexy on
Tuesday last The professor was at one time a
teacher Of instrumental music in Boston
Senator Ben Hill is now troubled with a scan.
dial, involving his name in case similar to that
which troubled Simon Cameron not long ago.
Mr., j. X. Upton of New Hampshire has been
nominated for assistant secretary of the treasury,
in place of Hon. John B, Hawley, resigned. Sol.
The Indian Question.--NO. 3.
Mr.. Editor The fact that in the longitudinal
center OF British America the Indians are kept in