The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-01-22
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

w AShlNNIIONs bs Oss JAM lOS IOOAs
AS the Wood funding bill is the
one topic of interest at the Capitol,
and as the Democrats are having
their own way, what that "way" is
will he of interest in the next Ma
tional contest. AS the refunding bill
now stands, it requires the Secretary
of the Treasury to pay out all the
standard silver dollars and all the
gold coin except $50, 0A0.000. There
are now outstanding S45 ,582, 100. in
silver certificates for which the gov.
eminent is pledged to pay or demand
silver dollars. There are also out
standing Sc, SOS, 800 in gold certificates
payable on demand. There are also
outstanding about $1,000, 900 of coin
obligations of the United States, up
on which interest has ceased, but
which are payable on demand. These
amounts do not include anything for
accrued interest on the interest bear
ing bonds now outstanding. In
other words, the bill as it now stands
provides not only that every dollar
shall be taken from behind $3.50, 000,-
900 of greenbacks. but that coin
enough shall not be left in the Treas
ury to meet obligations which are
| payable on demand. Whether it is
lunaey, Or secret desire to break
down the public credit that actuates
the Democrats in the advocacy of
these schemes it is hard to tell. But
the Inconsistency of talking about
preserving the public honor, and On
the force of it, enact measure which
will break it down, is apparent.
Probably ne man ever occupied a
seat in the u. s. Senate whose
right to it has been without reason,
so questioned. and who has suffered
so much petty persecution because of
his political principles as Senator
Kellogg. The Democrats seem to
have centered upon him their spite
for.the defeat of 1S76,and determined
to unseat him if possible. Last SEES
sion the attempt was persisted in fDr
a short time, and then for political
considerations was dropped. But at
this session those foremost in the
pursuit determined to bring the mat
ter before the Senate, and if possible
to buildoze the majority into unseat
ing Kellogg. To this end last Friday
Senator Salisbury with the air of Il
Judge about to pronounce a death
sentence arose in bis place and an
nounced that on Monday yesterday
he would move to lay aside The regu.
lar order and take up the kellogg
case. Senator Conkling Immediately
announced that he would insist Oh
the regular order. So yesterday
| when Senator Salisbury moved to
suspend the regular order it was un
derstood to he test vote. TWel ty
Senators voted for it, and thirty four
against it. So it may be said the
persecution in the Senate at least is
at an end.
AT a caucus of Republican Senators
yesterday an advisory committee,
consisting OF Messrs. Ferry, Window,
Davies, Morrill,, Logan, Allison and
Booth was appointed to consider the
funding bill with view to secuinrg
harmonious Republicans action on the
same when it comes before the Sell
ate.
Mr.. Springer has introduced in the
House resolution directing the Post
Office Committee to inquire into the
oxpediency Of establishing by law
telegraph and postal system under
government direction, and also to
inquire as to the cost of reproducing
facilities for transmitting telegraph
messages equal to those now possess
ed by existing corporations.
Mr.. Randall has offended many
mem bers during his incumbency of
the Speakers Chail by his arbitrary
and unfair conduct toward them in
regard to measures that were pending
before the House. 1t is asserted he
has assumed to he judge of what bills
should or should not be sub omitted to
the House for Its action, and by
refusing 10 recognize members who
had certain bills pending, has been
able to defeat them as he chose. Fer
some time Mr.. Belferd of Colorado
has been trying to secure a recogni.
tion from the Speaker, in order to
test the sense of the House on bill
to provide for the erection of public
building at Denver. Mr.. Speaker
Randall assuming his role of Judge,
has refused to recognize Mr.. Bedford
until that gentleman has gotten DIES
perate. But he has now adopted new
tactics and for week past whenever
a member has sought and obtained
recognition in order to secure the
passage of bill by unanimous con-