The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-05-20
LBTTBB PROM WASHINGTON.
PROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT

IDe problem OF tue i-1 tuotlcdu ctuui'
dacy for President, or rather the query,
Who will be nominated at Chicago 2
excites much more interest and discus
sion here this year than the same couun-
drum in 1876. Then the question was
narrowed down to the one point, Who
will beat Blaine? fer every one felt that
OF the names prominently mentioned,
his was the only one with the slightest
prospect Of success before the Conven-
ton, aud so confident was Mr.. Blaine
himself OF this that when asked, "Ot
whom have you the most fear?" he re-
piled, "The Great Unknown" The
result showed the soundness Of his judg-
ment, FOR Mr.. Hayes had no following,
and his nomination at Cincinnati was
simply due to the combination Of the
Influences adverse to Mr.. Blaine. We
venture to say that not twelve OF the
Ohio delegates had, at the time the
fourth ballot was taken, the slightest
idea Of being able to secure for Mr..
Hayes more than the Vice-Presidency.
For instance, Mr.. Noyes, who made the
eloquent nominating speech for Mr..
Hayes, while visiting here six weeks
prior thereto, expressed himself to that
effect. Now, however, the clark horse"
seems eliminated from the Republican
contest, aud the eager, expeetant follow
ers are discussing only the triangular
fight involved in the contest Of Grant,
Blaine aud Sherman. The Great I'm
known" casts no shadow on the pros
pects of either candidate The Demo-
ciats are also deeply interested, as their
own course-will be shaped upon that Of
the Republicans, and they are enjoying
the bitter fight which is growing into
large proportions in the Republican
camp. They claim that their own dis
cipliue will prove sufficient to prevent
all discOrdant effects, no matter whom
they nominate at Cincinnati; hence,
looking at the actions Of both political
parties, We are led to speak as above Of
the intense interest manifested here
over the action Of the Chicago Conven-
tion. Our own impression is, as a de-
duction from intercourse with all sides
here, that Mr.. Blaine will find all his
opposing elements in combination
against him, and that he will fail OF
nomination just as Henry Clay repeat
edly came short of election. Could he
personally bring to bear upon the Con-
vention those characteristics which
have made him q power and leader in
Congress, he might succeed as matters
stand, he will fail. The tvo-thirds rule
bars the expression Of confidence as 10
the successful Democratic candidate al
Cincinnati, though Mr.. Tilden's name
elicits much pro and con com ment just
at this time, though not to the extent
OF causing animOsity.
1t is unlikely that any change will be
made in the law regulating the electoral
count. We have found a general desire
among the Democrats to let the present
statute remain without amendment, as
they control both Houses and should
thereby be able to provide for all possi'
/ ble emergencies. The result Of the re-
cent caucus Of Senators is in corrobora.
tion of this view, as it agreed upon nc
other basis. 1t would be idle to attempt
a change now, for the House would moi
entertain any proposition looking
toward it.
The Kellogg matter promises TO pro
woke extended debate in the Senate, as
/ it involves some serious questions. On,
/ OF these is that of the alleged compac
under which he was admitted 10 hi
seat. This allegation is both stoutly
asserted and denied. and may prove ;
/ turning point in the final vote. Th'
course which Senator Thurman vii
pursue is watched with much interest
for the final vote will be determined bl
the position he takes for or against Mr.
Kellogg in the discussion.
It is gratifying to us to note th'
change Of feeling toward the District o
Columbia on the part Of the House
Now we are honored with a sepsrat,
appropriation bill, which was mos
courteously treated, instead Of having
our needs stuck in one corner Of thr
regular appropriation bill by the Way
and Means Committee, where 1t becam
the recipient OF as many kicks and cuff
as Nicholas Niekleby got from tn
Saueers family. This new departur
indicates that we are to have, in tn
future, an unquestioned recognition o
our rights In connection with the Gov
ernment. We DO not ask for suffrage
but we do claim that, inasmuch as tn
Government holds one-half the realt,
OF the District, it should place itself ol
the same basis of taxation and expendi
ture that we occupy. This is only equi
table. and we are happy, now that II /
assured.
The House devoted an evening Of th
week 10 the Pension Court bill, and tn
opening speech upon It by Mr.. Geddes
Of Ohio, was a mastery effort in its ex
position Of the necessity for a judieia
tribunal to determine the rights Of sol
diers and their heirs to pension, whei
their claims have been rejected by th
pension Office. II is physically impos
siole, he showed, for Congress to attemp
J to give the proper redress, and, as
} would be impolitic to entrust the Pen
sion Onice with further judicial power
, than now given it, a properly eOnsti