The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-01-22
Washington Letter.
tFrom our regular oorrespondent.l

new code OF rules, but makes little |
headway in adjusting the differences
of opinion which have developed
DUNG the daily debates. Party lines
are often ignored in these discussions,
and there is promise that the rules,
before final adoption, will bepruned as
severely as the hatter's sign mentioned
by Dr. Franklin, yet the Democrats
will not abate the additional political
power conferred by certain of the new
rules, and these will, of course, he
approved, no matter how much the
Republicans may protest. 1t would
be queer, indeed, if the dominant
party should omit taking full advan-
tage of whatever powers which it
could appropriate, no matter whether
in the Capitol or in Maine; and we
fancy that certain provisions looking to
limiting the filibustering field of the
minority will be adopted without
change. One of the proposed rules
seems eminently proper. In the
past the members selected their seats
by lot, at the opening of the first ses-
sion, by which means the leaders of
the House were often sent to the out
side circle, and could only secure more
desirable positions by exchange with
more fortunate members. The new
rule will make length of service the
basis of selection, thus giving the old
members that advantage to which
they are entitled. AS a general thing
the new members take no part in the
battles where parliamentary tactics
are involved, and they are simply
observers of the fray; hence, as look
ers-on the outside circles are as suita
bic to them as the inner, from which
only leader can act effectively.
The House, however, is doing more
real work in passing bills and reso-
| lutions than has been usual the first
part OF the session aud while the rules
start the windmill of debate into full
speed, yet general legislation is at
tended with noticeable paucity of
| discussion. In the Senate Mr.. Bay
ards financial theories have been
about the only matter of interest ap.
pearng in its work. The sessions
are very short, rarely lasting till ,
O'Clock and the various committees are
reporting a surprising amount of busi-
nefs for action by the Senate. The
ladies are pouring into both Houses
hundreds of petitions praying for such
amendment to tie Constitution as will
enable them to vote, and they are
marshaiing their hosts here with a
view to follow up these petitions by
vigorous assault upon Congress in
personal demand for their political
rights.
We referred last week to the murder
of a citizen, Mr.. Hirth, a well-to-do
grocer Since then the negroes com
mittimg the crime have been arrested.
and so great was the excitement and
public demonstration over the affair,
that the police feared an attempt at
rescue and lynching. Though there
were many threats, yet none put in
| execution, and the criminals will re-
ceive the regular legal investigation
in our Courts. One of the four men ar
rested has con lessed the crime, and his
statements are such as to convince
the police that they have the right
parties, particularly so since he is cor
roborated by other evidence which
seems indisputable. Mr.. Hirth was Il
highly respected young man, and at
the time of his murder was on his
way to visit the young lady to whom
he was engaged to be married. His
death has given a feeling of great in
seburity, inasmuch as it was caused by
an assault made in well-settled
street, and right by dwelling houses,
the inmates of which could hear the
deadly blows.
The case of Miss Lucy Rhett Wal
ton Horton, for shooting Mr.. John H.
Morgan, son of Senator Morgan, on
New Years day, has been indefinitely
postponed in the police court. At the
request of Miss Horizons counsel,
Mrs. Lockwood relinquished her pur-
pose of moving, as surety on bail bond
for dismissal of the case. She had
no intention of requesting to be re-
lieved, but was and is anxious that, if
nothing more is to 0e done with the
case, the girl may be relieved of the
charge, so as to render the task of
getting her employment easier. Miss
Horton is represented as being very
anxious to obtain work of some kind,
so as 10 cease being a burden to the
friends which her necessity has drawn
around her. Mr.. Morgan was in
court, and appears fully recovered
from his hurt, which was, at worst,
but slight flesh wound. Mrs. Lock
wood is an earnest advocate of women's
rights, not only as to suffrage, but in
all other respects. Her suretyship of
Miss Horton is in keeping with her
conduct generally, for she is ever
ready to extend aid to any suffering
oppressed sister, and in this case young
Mr. Morgan will realize, before he gets
through with Miss Horton, that he
has after him dogged persistent figh-
ter in Mrs. Judge Lockwood, who will
never cease her efforts until her client,