Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1881-04-23
.iprH 23, 1881.
W.isHINGTON LETTER
From our Special Correspondent
V-al:,.-.o,, A.,.;I1Q I2Q'

Washington, April Is, 1881.
Dead lock in the Senate? Yes, and it
were well if that was all that is dead there,
but the chamber is q perfect morgue. Ho-
nor lies stark and stiff, Patriotism lies cold
by its side, and every feeling that should
dictate the course OF an American Senator
has ceased to exist, while Avarico sits sInll
ing on the scene The only thing now TO
be done is for tie people to constitute them
selves Il coroner's jury and the verdict
necessarily would be: Died OF an overdose
of rascalitv concocted by Hoar, Dawes,
Conklng. ct al Or in other words, the
thing is simply this: In accordance with
the timc-h0nored custom ut the close OF the
last session the House adjourned, but the
Senate contiau h session for the express
purpose land none other of acting upon
such nominations as might be made by the
new President requiring their Endorsement.
The two parties were 50 evenly balanced
that a sirrle vote would give either the
majority. Malone Of Virginia proved him
self to be purchasabie commodity and
the Republicans having thc price III hand
al which II. held himself the executive
patronage of his State and certain O''iccs of
the Senate closed with him the bargain
And now, instead of proceeding with the
business iorwhich they are assembled, they
insist upon going into SR election OF officers
for The Scnate-a matter with which they
have nothing at all 10 Go, and for which
they have no precedent; and Is really
pragmatic and impcrtlnent interference
with the rights and duties of thc next se9-
sion. The desire to pay Malone at least a
part OF his price is doubtless the controlling
influence The Democrats OF course see the
whole thing in its naked de.ormlty and very
properly say, by no consent oi ours SHAH
YOU perfect and carry cut this neiTions
transaction. We will g into no election OF
officers, but il YOU will proceed with the
legitimate business of the session and pro-
cecd to act upon the mutitudinous nomlna-
tions with which the Vice Presidents table
is crowded, We are ready and more than
willing to join YOU.
Next 90 the dead lock in the Senate tie
apparent split between Garfield and Conk-
ling about the New York Collectorshlp
seems to claim attention. Garfield nOminat-
ed Judge Robertson, and CoDkiing says he
.han't have The place Now, the question
is. who is the strongest man! ltsecms hard
that q President of the [. :. can't make an
appointment in any given state without the
approbation Of the Senator or Senators
thereof. In this instance it seems to use a
vulgar phrase that Conkling runs the whole
S.ste Of New York, for h.s colleague Is
seldom heard Of and the strong probability
is that seven persons in ten couldn't tell
YOU his naEic
As it is customary to give a certain period
somc distinguishing appellation, as the Iron
Age, the Age of Bronze, the Golden Age,
&C.. &C., this, think, may fairly be termed
the Railroad Age. Ifnothing should occur
topreyent the accomplishment Of the present
undertakings, in two years one may take
the cars in Washington and in eight days
disport himself in The palace Of the Monte
zumas. or in other words, be in the city OF
Mexico. With this aspect of affairs there
is pleasant trip in store for
4 LOCKER ON - VIENNA.