Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-23
Our Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, ID. G., June 10, 1880
Mr.. Editor Congress made haste TO adjourn
on Wednesday, and the majority have, ere this
wendell their way to Cincinnati to be present a
the proceedings Of the Democratic national con
ventiou on Wednesday next. Much important
legislation was allowed TO go over until the De
cember session, chief among which was
THE ELECTORAL JOINT RULE.
It was well understood by both parties that tn,
country expected some measure to be passed
which would prevent the recurrence OF the ex
element and apprehension felt at the election Of
1876 and for this reason both parties in congress
had prepared measures for that purpose. The
Edmunds bill, as we have before noticed was de.
feated by the Democratic ma ority the real reason
being that they we're afraid to vote for anything
coming from Senator Edmunds, for fear that they
would be beaten thereby. This was, at least, the
only objection they could have against the bill
The joint rule introduced by Senator Morgan, and
passed by a strictly partisan division In the sem
ate, was Objectionable in many respects. In the
first place its form was open to serious objection
Being only concurrent resolution it Is not per-
manent, nor has It the sanctity Of law. II II
strives to take away any power from the vice
bound by 1t. He is not subject to the concurrent
rules OF a congress of which he il not a member.
Such rules govern senators and representatives,
but they have no legal or moral power over others
than those who make them and their employees
Were the Democrats anxious to be consistent and
patriotic instead Of merely partisan, they would
have supported Mr. Edmunds' bill, which was
first in the field and perfectly fair in all its fea-
lures. 1t made every state the final arbiter to
the validity Of its electoral returns, leaving to
congress the settlement Of such questions as the
state through Its highest tribunals may have re-
fused or neglected to act upon. The principal diff
ference between the Edmunds bill and the Nor
gan resolution is that under Mr.. Edmunds' bill
the labor Of making investigations in regard to
disputed electoral votes Is left to the state courts
while under the joint rule the two houses can un-
dertake the investigation with all its temptations
to decide upon partisan grounds. Thus, suppose
Mr.. Smith should conclude to sign some electoral
certificates this fall, alleging that he is governor
Of Maine, although there may be at the time an
other who is de .fdcto governor, who also sends
certificates, the house and senate, under the Nor
gan rule could go into the whole legal question.
Should Mr.. Morgan's resolutions pass, therefore,
at the December session, the dangers incident to
every presidential election will not in any way be
decreased
The event Of the week in Washington was the
sERENADE TO GENERAL GARFIELD
on Wednesday evening. The streets around and
about the Riggs House, where the General stayed
during his brief visit here were packed by an en-
thusiastc multitude long before the speakers ar
rived, and everything conduced to make the af-
fair of great credit to the associations that ar
ranged it, as well as great compliment to the
gallant general whose presence inspired It, At
torney- General Devens presided upon the plat
form, and introduced "the next president Of the
United States in a very eloquent speech, which
may well be taken for the keynote Of the coming
campaign. Those Of your readers who remember
the address of General Devens at the soldiers
reunion at Rutland in 1873 know well the orator.
ical power which that gentleman possesses Every
word uttered in the speech OF Wednesday night
is well worthy Of reproducing here, but space for
bids. His tribute to the worth Of the presidential
candidate was enthusiastic in the extreme After
recountng the deeds and eulogizing the careers Of
Lincoln, Grant and Hayes, General Devens said
And now, my friends, who is this that we offer
you to-day as the candidate OF our party? II
you sought to find an example in all our history
of the mode by which our free civilization and
liberty are given to the humblest as well AS to the
hghest-born, to seek and to aspire by lofty aims
and by high ambition to the greatest office in
your gift, where would you seek 1t but in James
A. Garfield ? The studious boy that read as he
walked along the tow-path that studied by the
light OF winters fire, and who had his dreams
they were not dreams, perhaps, of wealth, but
dreams OF that ennobing treasure which knowl-
edge and virtue unlocked to their votary. And
so it that this poor boy struggled for his edu-
cation in the very college where he sought to COM
pensate for being allowed to drink of the fountain
of learning by ringing the bell or sweeping the
recitation ROOM So it was that in few years,
by the consent of ALL he was the president Of the
college. 1t might be that he would have been
content to have passed the life of student there
enriching literature or adding to our scientific
resources. But it was not to be. When the
trumpet called, and the country spoke to her
sons, away went books, studies, learning and
academic life as he buckled on his sword lie
served as soldier bravey and faithfully until he
was summoned to the congress of the United
States. For eighteen years he has been there
His thoughts are known to all men, for he knows
no concealment. Where is the word he has
spoken that has not been in favor OF Justice and
liberty for the sons of toll ?-for he sprang from
among them, and there is no man that drives the
in him friend and brother. introduce to you,
my felow-citizens, scholar who has found the
path OF learning no primrose path, but forged his
way ahead by steady industry; a soldier whose
shield is unsullied and whose sword is spotless Il
statesman upon whom rests stain OF dishonor
a Christian gentleman, one respecting the rights
of every man, because he himself Is kind con.
siderate and self-respecting" General Garfield
responded briefly, being frequently interrupted
with cheers and applause, His reception was a
complete ovation.
On Thursday evening the resident members OF
the society of the Army of the Cumberland, of
which General Garfield is member, gave ban
quet at the Riggs House in his honor General
Sherman sat at the head OF the table with Gen
eral Garfield on his right. Secretaries Schurz,
Ramsey, Sherman and Thompson, Postmaster
General Key and Attorney General Devens were
among theinvited guests present General Arson
G. McCook OF New York. in a brief speech intro
uuceu General Gatneld rs one VINO had always
done his duty In war and who was entitled to the
highest civic honors that could be given him.
The speech OF General Garfield was confined
mainly To army experiences, concluding with the
expression OF his belief that many OF their foes in
battle had now become the noblest of our friends,
and that the country was now as 1t was in name,
one people with one flag, and one destiny. Cen
eral Garfield left for his home in Ohio this morn
ing.
The chief polite topic OF the day is
THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
which meets to nominate president next We'd
nesday, at Cincinnati. The situation has been
simplifed to-day by two important events These
are the positive withdrawal Of the name OF Gov
ernor Seymour by himself, and the statement au-
made, that Tilden's name is to be
withdrawn when the convention meets. This
leaves the Democracy very much at sea and leaves
the result more than ever in doubt 1t has been
the general feeling here for some time past that
Seymour would be nominated with such unanim-
ity that he would be forced TO accept. Prominent
Democrats who have passed through here to-day
on their way to the convention seem to think that
neither Seymour nor Tilden will be voted for, and
the friends of the other candidates ara cnrres-