New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-13
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
SUBJECTS BEFORE CONGRESS.

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
SUBJECTS BEFORE CONGRESS-. ~,
WHAT is DUE TO TIE Ex-PREsiDENT FROM MS
CoUNTRYMEN-A GREAT VARIETY OF OPfA-
HONS ABOUT NATIONAL FINANciRRIxG--DEk0-
CRATIC DODGrNG. ~
Senator Blaine, in conversation with O.
TRIBUNE correspondent at Washington yes
terday, spoke emphatically in favor Of placing
General Grant on the retired list of the Army
with the rank which was created for him it
is, he said, a debt which the Nation owes
him. and he hoped the Democrats in Com
gress would in time, take the same view OF
the natter The attention of the House OF
Representatives was occupied yesterday with
the Refunding BIZ Mr.. Woods amendment
was adopted after a long debate. Democratic
members of the House who have exhibited
much dread OF the Postmaster Generals re-
port on the alleged violations Of the franklng
law, have succeeded in referring the matter to
a special committee. Instances of the extent
to which the law was violated are given.
THE NATIONS DEBT TO GRANT.
sRNAToR BLAINE STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF PLACING
HIM on THE RETIRED LIST OF THE ARMY WITH
HIS OLD RANK-ODJECTIONs TO THE TITLE OF
CAPrAIN-GENERAL.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Jan. ia correspondent OF THR
TRIBUNE walked on the street to-day with Senator
Blaine and had brief talk with him. WINCH on
his own responsibility and without asking the
Senator's leave, he ventures to publish.
1t was substantially as follows:
What, asked the correspondent, would be
the fate this session of the bill proposing to place
General Grant on the retired list of tho Armyr
that the Democrats were IN the majority in both
branches of Congress, and that 1t was rather pre-
sumptuous for Republican to declare what would
lie the Democratic policy on any given measure.
L" A man in the minority" he said. hasno right to
assume assure the passage Of any bill"
But what will the Republican Senators aud Rep
resentatives dor was asked.
IL Ipresume," answered the Senator, that every
one of them will gladly vote for measure to place
General Grant on the retired Army list with the
rank of General"
"Do you mean that they would prefer to vote for
bill specifically affecting General Grant rather
than some provision touching all ex-Presdents
81 do not SEQ any at present" replied Sir.
Blaine, for o general provision for ex-Presdente.
As rule am opposed to any entering wedge for
large pension list for civilian officers. Our country
will probably havea large enough burden with the
military and naval pensions. which in honor aud
Justice we arc bound to pay, without adding thereto
large civil list; and every movement In that drec-
tion should be jealously watched and Rnarded.'
How then, do you make distinction in favor OF
General GrantP
"SimpIy Oil the ground of fair play. The people
of the United States took General Grant from agood
life position and made him President. There is In
many cases good deal Of nonsense talked about
the Office seeking the man !" butin General GRANTS
case at least for his first term the Office did seek the
man. The people asked him to give uD his life
postion and serve them in an Office Of short tenure;
and think nOw on the ground OF fair-play and
square dealing the people owe 1t to General Grant to
leave him in as good position as they found him
when they demanded that he should serve them as
President"
"Wel, on this ground said the correspondent,
don't see but the Democrats ought to vote for II
as well as the Republicans u
Yes and | hope III the end they will do so,' re.
piled Mr. Blaine. Though repeat that cannot
assume to say they will. They are of feeling
little sore an cross just their defeat, fol
Which they consider General Grant in part RESPONSE
BILE. but that feeling will off in time, and the
Justice and proprety of bearing General Grantsname
ON tho United States Army roll it is hoped. will be
so apparent that every will be disposed to vote
for it. 1t would require explanation in history II
Congress should refuse to restore to tho Army lIst
the name of the General of all the armies that con-
auered the Rebellion
But you were reported. short time since. as be
ing opposed to President Hayes's recommendation
to confer the rank OF Captain General on Grant"
"Yes, and am opposed to it now. Captain-tien.
era is an infelicitous title, which the President
probably recommended without giving it sufficient
consideration. Captain-G General. rs used 90 the
American Continent. is Spanish title. intimately
associated in the public mind with the oppression Of
Cuba and with the crueltes and atrocities OF the
slave trade. The rank CT General was created fol-
Grant, and is the to which lie saoald be restored
with full pay and emounents."
(Which title does General Grant prefer!
81 have no means of knowing" replied Mr.
Blaine "except as shown By the bills introduced
by his PERSONAL friends. think there has been nc
bin introduced for the rank of CaptainGeneral,a ant
should be much surprised u find that he desired
the titlc Indeed should not believe it unless y
WAS authoritatiyely announced"
From the tenor of your remarks infer that yot
consider this retirement due to General Grant, re
gardess of what his pecnniary condition may ter
OF course do" said the Senator. Whether
General Grant be worth O million, or only thou
sand has nothing to do with 1t. II the Nation owei
ANYTHING to General Grant 1t has no right to mqnr
into his circumstances as preliminary u pay nient
think il in yery bad taste TO be making an inyer
tury of General Grants property, TO be discussing
III any way his hnanci ial condition. That belonHst
hun as a private gentleman, and Is not matter l0
public discussion"
DEMOCRATIC PRETENCE AND PRACTICE.
THE DEBATE on THE REFCNDiNG BILL IN TIE
HoUsE-PAssAGE oF@ TIE THREE PR CEN,
CLAUSE.