Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-01-27
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON
FROM our Regular Correspondent.

FROM our Regular N"itF7P"uN'uh
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 81, 1850,
That great obstruction to progress in
the House-the refunding bill--being
out OF the way for time, two appro
priation bills have been passed this
week. As the time approaches for
going into joint convention to declare
the result of the Presidential election,
both Houses are giving better attention
to business. Mr.. Atkins, chairman Of
the appropriation committee, has been
unwell, but is better, and says the com.
mittee will have bills ready rs fast as
the House desires them. He repeats
what he said sometime since, that all
the appropriation bills will be present.
ed in such shape as TO prevent partisan
discussion, unless the Republicans are
even more unreasonable than usual. As
to the payment of election marshals, he
says he is personally in favor of includ.
ing the amounts due them in the prop.
er bill, but that the committee has not
yet acted on the subject There is no
doubt, however, that the marshals will
be paid, as, though the committee may
possibly fail to provide for them, there
are Democrats in both Houses who will
vote for an amendment for that pur.
pose. In short, there ls n determine.
tion, if any delays during this session
make an extra session necessary, that
the fault shall be with the Republicans.
While on this subject / can not help
stating that Mr.. Atkins, in the very
responsible position Of head OF the
appropriation committee, has shown
rare good judgment; has done much to
protect the public treasury has been so
industrious in discharging his duties as
TO iniure his health, and, above all, has
shown a capacity and willingness to
learn that are highly creditable. Almost
every Democrat and Republican in the
House regrets that this is his last Con.
gressonal term for the present
The Senate will probably give the
Secretary authority to pay per cent.
interest on the bonds to be issued under
the funding bill just passed by the
House if such rate appears necessary.
This it will do instead Of placing the
interest arbitrarily at 81 per cent. This
will probably be the principal amend
ment in the Senate and there is now
little doubt but the House will agree to
it finally.
Mr.. Cox and Mr. Reagan now have
charge Of the two House bills now Of
most interest, and they are both hope.
ful of getting favorable action during
this session. Mr.. Reagan will almost
certainly fail. The principle for which
he labors is gaining supporters constant
ly, but it is one of too much importance
to be hastily endorsed by legislation.
Mr.. Cox will push bis reapportionment
through unless the Radicals in Congress,
already said to be distrustful Of Gen.
Garfield, shall use the bill for the dou
bic purpose of "firing the Northern
heart on the subject of Southern sup.
preston Of the negro vote, and as
means Of forcing an extra session. The
immediate cause Of Radical anger
against Gen. Garfield is the supposed
fact that he intends to exalt Senators
Blaine and Sherman, and neglect Gen.
Grant and his friends, including Senator
Conkling, and to pay more attention to
the real interest of the country than TO
the sectional questions which have kept
the Republican party alive and the
ultra Radicals within it on top for years
past. RENo.