The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-04-05
oUK WASHINGTON LETTER.

WeNk-81oime Dictated It-E1libuster-
ing-The Rush for The Hog Trough
Sanders Alter .sScalps. Blood. and
4 Omce"-A TwO-Story Bouquet from
: House 20 Etc.
hditor Butte MINER.
Monday was a field day in the senate. New
er in the history of that quiet and dignifed
body was such q dramatic and thrilling scene
witnessed. In my previous letters l have in
formed you that the senate stood IS demo-
cratic and So republican, and two independ-
ents. Davis, of Illinois, aud Malone OF Vr-
ginia, were elected by ali element ofthe dem
ocratic party, which had switched off from the
regular organization. Notwithstanding this
division IN local issues, the disaffectea were
democrats on national issues. Davis, &C.
knowledging that he was elected by the dem
ocratic balance of power, though from a re-
publican state, gave his allegiance to that
party. In Virginia the democracy were d.
vided into regulators and state debt payers.
The regulators are called readjusters. They
want to "readjust' the debt of $25, 100000 by
1 ssscallng'' it about so per cent. Malone was
elected as a readiuster. Politics was lost
sight of in the local fight aud now Malone
claims he has a right to act on either side
or both. By voting with the republicans the
senate stands evenly divided, and the vice
president would give tile deciding vote that
would organize it as a republican body. 1t is
held that the vice-plesident, not being a
memOer, has no right to vote on the oTgani-
cation of the senate. And this will bring up
nat constitutional question.
Long before the hour of noon the senate
galleries were filled with visitors. 1t was
( generally understood that there would be
some undiluted English used and that Ma
hone was to be 'smoked out" The demo-
Gratis were going to organize the senate, or
make Malone take his stand on the other
side, and the republicans would 10 it,. The
task of smoking out the leadjuster SphynX
was delegated to the notorious Ban Hill, of
Georgia. Notorious for his numerous love
affairs, his ability as a DICTATOR. aud the great
amount of, ridicule and sarcasm he infuses
into a few words. He is the ablest
man on the democratic side or in the senate,
"A ohOh IL SoluCo ~ all lupIOulptu utDhlt. lie
had heard rumors of a bargain and sale, or
corruption OF a democratic senator. He had
heard that the republicans Intended organiz-
ing. There were 3S republicans and IS dem
ocrats, and two Independents elected by DEM
ocratic votes. He wanted to know who was
the man they so confidently depended upon.
As the IS democrats had stood fast. and so
had the 80 republicans, and Davis had defined
his position as a democrat. All this and more
ofthe senator's sarcasm was intended for Ma
hone, upon whom all eyes were turned. His
face was about the color of a fashionable
] young lady's cheeks when well rouged. In
a forcible and rather able speech Malone de-
fined his position, and finally stated, amid ap-
plause and a scene of uptoar, 81 In the man
who dares vote as l please, and independent
Of party or party caucus" This settled the
much mooted question of the organization of
the senate, and show does Malone stand ~
Yet it is fairly stated by democrats
that he has acted treacherously to
the democratic party. He was elected from a
democratic state and by a democratic legisla-
ture. He was a democrat last fall, voted for
Hancock, made speeches for him, and urged
his readjusting party to vote for Hancock
early, If not often. This is the most remark
able ''fop' of this or any other age, and has
excited national attention and For
this change Malone will have his man elected
as sergeant. alarms, the next best office IN the
senate; and lie has been given the chairman
Shin of tha conO,ittpp on aur;onltu,a ,yi,;,l,
IS something unusual for a new member to
get. All this accounts for the milk IN the
cocoauut, his former reticence and present
position. Why did not the democrats offer
him the disposition of the secrelaryship? Blu
they thought to drive him in under the party
lash and save the office for some friend OF
their own so, for not speaking loud enough
they have lost all. The presidents nomina.
tions will all go in next week, and the senate
will get through with the combinations aboui
the 1st of next month.
Tn new administration starts oil rathel
weak. The more it is analysed the weakel
it appears. There is Window, of Minnesota
a repudiationist, and from a repudiating state
at the head of the treasury and is a man O
flexible will. ,Kirkwood, of the interior de
partment, is an honest, unassuming old fel
low, and is easily led astray. McVeigh, O
Pennsylvania, the Encouragement, il more o
a politician than lawyer. and is more thee
retical in his views than practical. Liucoll
was appointed secretary of war simply be
cause he is the son of his father, and nothin.
more, Secretary of the Navy Hunt is a fossil
lied wing, with views OF a past generation
but whose appointment was made with a vie'
to reorsanize the republican party in til
south. He always stood in the background
and vet he was favored. and Those who toile