Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-01-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.


opeclAl OOffes pOuuence VI the hhDHhh'
WASHINGTON, January Con
gress, after a recess from the 10Th Of
December, met yesterday. The sem
ate, after prayer, adjourned over in
respect to the memory of the late
Senator Houston, of Alabama.
In a short while the real work of
the session will have begun. As yet
it is impossible to conjecture as to the
length Of the present session. There
seems a vague. belief that the Demo-
Gratis should avoid all extra or even
usual financial discussion, and adjourn
congress as soon as the necessary APP
preparation bills are passed. If the
Democratic party be afraid to risk its
brains and a full discussion of meas
ures of public Importance, an early
adjournment would indicate an un-
easiness, if not alarm anything but
favorable for it in the national cleo
tion. A party whose principles have
been co-existent with the Republic,
and are co-eval with the spirit of our
country's constitution, is not afraid to
have its acts adjudged by the people.
Unwise party measures, injudiciOus
policies may be inaugurated by means
of specious pre- ences and inure
to the damage of any party.
The Democrats to succeed have only
to harmonic in sentiment upon the
great principles Of the party. By its
principles let all measures be tested
and by this means the great issues to
be discussed are readily known. Let
there be a sound financial platform
adopted by the convention, and then
nominate for president and for vice
president, men Of integrity, ability
and courage; discard the "Greenback'
doctrine with its ambitious advocates
and disappointed Office brokers, and
the ticket will win next November.
In the house to-day there were
many bills offered, only one, however,
having reference to finance, and this
in regard to the recoinage Of the trade
dollar. Mr.. Townsend, of Illinois,
proposes to have inquiry made as to
the expediency of abolishiug foreign
missions. To-day Mr.. CaffrOtb, o.
Pennsylvania, reported from the com
mittee a bill to pension the surviving
soldiers and sailors Of the Mexican
and other wars. Messrs. COnger anC
Willetts, who opposed a similar bill
and prevented its passage las
session, are again arrayed against Thu
measure. Should the bill become 4;
law, Jefferson Davis would be entitled
to a pension. There are some won
derful things in congress. The reso
luton Of Mr.. Wright that the housi
adjourn for twenty-four hours in hon
or to the memory Of Andrew Jackson
tomorrow being the anniversary Of hi
great victory oyer the English army
New Orleans, was defeated. Of tn
one hundred and twenty congressme
voting against the resolution, nearl
all were Republicans.
In the senate but little business wa
done to-day. Mr.. Pendleton submit
ted an amendment to Mr.. Bayard'
financial resolution, providing that
the United States treasury notes
deprived of their legal character, the
shall not be available for the reserv
required to be kept by the Nation
Banks, but that such reserve shall |
kept in coin. 1t is claimed by tho
who favor this amendment that it is
corollary to Mr.. Bayard's resolutio
In other words, that if greenbacI
shall not be available as lawful none
neither shall they be available as
reserve for the banks. 1t is said tn
Mr. Bayard will accept this amen.
ment, one desirable object bell
to require the banks
keep their reserves in gold, therel
causing a distribution Of coin throug.
out the country. 1t is strange to s.
the Eastern Idea thus harmonic
with the western Theory of fna
oial policy. It seems that Mr.. PEI
dleton's hypothetical "if" amen,
ment to Mr.. Bayard's financial rosoli
ton would indicate the probability
the senate adopting the Delaware gel