Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-02-02
WASHINGTON.
GENERAL NOTES FROM THE LAW
MAKERS HEADQUARTERS.
Cox's Congressional Reapportionment
Measures-weaver Talks on Demoe-
racy-Riyer and Harbor Bill Fin
ished-Senate Wrestling with 9s
the Pension Appro- T.
priation Bill.
GOSSIP At THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
WASHINGTON.
1'he Chinese Treaty.

interested in the fate OF the Chinese
treaty express grave doubts whether II
be ratified at this session OF the Senate,
but say that even il it should be Con-
gress would not be able to pass any law
TO enforce 1T. A gentleman familiar
with the Chinese question and with the
negotiations which preceded this treaty,
says that it is very doubtful whether
any law could be framed which could
enforce the treaty, as that instrument In
terms practically leaves it discretionary
with the Chinese to say whether
they are entitled to come to
this country. There is nothing in
the treaty which declares who
shall be the judge whether the incoming
Chinese visit this country as laborers or
for purposes OF curiosity, and it will be
a very easy matter for any laborer to
say that be comes here from reason or
curiosity to Sc. how things are done in
tie United Stats, and that our govern
ment perhaps might he compelled to
take his word for it, George IL. Seward ,
late Minister to China, is in the city,
an,,, as may well be understood, is GER
tainly not using his influence to help to
make any treaty negotiated under the
Eyarts administration OF the State De-
partment successful. Seward is very
free in his expression OF opinion that
the treaty is of no earthly consequence
to the United States, and by its very
terms would prove imperative.
Congressional Reapportioument.
In the House yesterday, Representa-
tive Cox gave notice that he should call
up his Apportionment bill to day, but
as only five pages out OF oftwenty-seyen in
the District Appropriation bill were dis.
posed Of yesterday, your correspondent
called on Mr.. Cox last night and inQnlr.
ed il he intended to antagonize that bill
with his. He said he should not at
tempt to do so. He would permit the
District bill to he completed, and he
thinks that can be done without much
more DELAY, as he believes debate on it
is nearly finished. He also said that he
did not expect any serious opposition
to the consideration OF his spportion-
ment, and most of the Republicans, he
thinks, are desirous of disposing OF it.
Legislatures OF % Stairs are in session
now, AM they are anxious to have their
States redistricted at the present ses-
sion, otherwise they will not be able to
perform that duty till after the next
Congressional election. Those twenty
two States, Mr.. Cox saws, have ten
more than one-half of all the Repre-
sentatives in the House, and this should
insure the passage of some measure for
reapportionment. Mr.. Cox thinks the
bill for 3Ol or for 307 will De fayorite.
A higher or lower number would meet
with much opposition, from the fact that
IN some States representation would be
reduced il no more than S0l Represen-
tatives should be allowed. The reduc-
ton, he says, would only be relative, as
the ratio would be equal in all. His
opinion from what lac gathers in gener.
al conversation among the members is
that bill for reapportionment will soon
be passed.
Matthews
A prominent Senator said this even
ing that in his opinion the contest over
the nomination of Stanley Matthews
would be long, tedious and troublesome.
There is no personal feeling against
Mr.. Matthews" said the Senator, nor
do any of the Senators question his
ability. A few think that he would, if
confirmed, favor the railroads and cor
porations in his decisions. Edmunds,
/ think, is against him because he favOrs
Thurman's Pacific Railroad Funding
Act, and Matthews opposed it. Then
there is much feeling among the
Senators on account OF the way
President Hayes has been retiring
army officers that did not want to be
retired Each one OF these army officers
nave two or three friends in the Senate,
and they are mad at the President
because he has over ridden them, and
say that Hayes must be brought to a
halt. General Ord has nurnber OF
.riends in the Senate, and they are quite
angry at the way General Ord has been
treated by Mr.. Hayes, and they are will.
ing to vote against any more nominations
that the President may make. Then,
again, the Garfield people think that ne
is going it little strong in making ap-
pointments, and these, too, will join the
others"
Fresh Gas from the Gas-Bag
General Weaver, leader OF the Green
hackers, said, to-day, that there was no
truth in the story published to the effect
that the Democratic party was liable to
combine with the Greenbackers, taking
the name OF the latter and the principle
OF the former party, while the Democra.
CIV took the offices. He said he believed
the only ground for it was that the DEM
ocratic party was dead because they had
no living issue. The Greenback party
had the question of the dominance OF
corporations over the rights OF the peo'
pie, and whatever the Government or
corporations should issue, the money
would always be a living question. 1t
was getting 80 now that the great mo-
nopolies were more powerful than the
Government. The railroads and not
the States were electing the members oi
the Senate. He had bill in Congress
to provide for the election OF Senators
by the people, but he could not even
hope for its passage.
River and Harbor Bill Finished.
The House Commerce Committee has
completed the River and Harkor Bill,
with the exception OF some twenty
small items which vet remain to be
passed upon. The Committee proposes
TO finish the bill to night. 1t is stated
that the aggregate amount already pro,
vided for will exceed slo,0O0,OO0, and
there is hardly any probability that the
Committee will consent TO increase this
amount by sppropriating for the reclaim
alton OF the Potomac flats, though some
OF the members strongly favor it.