The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1881-04-23
document, whose existence would have
been 0pt secret but for this ci,cum.
Eorrep'ev evdeqee.
WASHINGTON LETTER
tFrom our regular Correspondent


story but it promises to continue long
enough to become even more tiresome
than now. There il talk among the know.
ing ones Of both sides that an all summer
session is not improbable. That would
certainly be interesting. For these grave
and reverend Senators to sit through the
broiling heat Of July and Angus; doing
nothing but ,,adgering each other and talk
ing about reputation, bulldozing, and the
like, while the executive business which
they were called to act upon remains un-
touched, would he a highly edify ing specta
Gle. But II II is to come, imagine We here
in Washington can stand it quite as we'll a.
the anxious appointees Of President Gar
field, who a,c waiting the "advicc and con-
sent" OF the Senate to enter upon the duties
Of their Offices. OF the three or four
hundred nominations sent in since the
executive session hogan but tweuty five havs
been confirmed, these including the Cabinet
officers. Every day the motion to so into
executive session Is several times made, and
each time tic or adverse vote is recorded.
The Republicans are firm contentiing their
right as majority to control the Officers OF
the body while tn. Democrats are equally
determined in holding on to what they have
and in contenling against what they term
the bargain made witt, Malone. There is
at present no indication Of backdown on
either side. Many Senators have rai,ed
and gone home or elsewhere, SO that at
times there is barely a quorum present; ;
but still the talk goes on. 1t has bccn in.
tinatcd that the President would change
his decision about an extra session and ar.
scmble Congress for the purpose Of COM
pelling break Of this deadlock, but there
is good authority for stating that this vii.
not b, done.
The financial policy Of Secretary Win
dom, especially that relating to the matu.
ring bonds of the Government, is an ab.
sorbing subject in financial circles ut pres.
ent. Undoubtedly the great majority OF
all parties oppose the course he has adopt
ed, and it unqu:stionably, 50 fur as It goes,
accoris with the views Of majority ol
both houses Of Congress, as expressed
through the enactment Of the Funding hill
but there is grave legal or constitutional
question involved, which sutficcs 10 throw
a cloud over an otherwise satisfactory stu.
alton. It is a question whether the Secrc.
tary has power to extend or continue the
bonds called in at lower rate Of interest
or at any Other rate Of interest. II he has
power to continue six per cent. bond al
three and onc-half per cent, he would have
equal power to continue the same bond al
ten per cent. In other words, If it /, IN his
discretion to reduce the rate OF interest, Il
is equally in his power to increase it, and
there are serious doubts whether any such
exercise of discretion rests with the Secre
tarv. What would BE- the sense Of Con
grcss spending three months In discussing
the subject Of interest and refunding Il, At
ter all, the discretion rested with the Ad
; ,ninistration Of the Treasury Department
In this case the action taken is general,
! approved, and works to the advantage Of tn
: Government; but in some other case tn
exercise Of this same discretion might pra
duce very different results. From advice
SO far received, it is evident that nearly al
holders OF the six per cent. bonds called il
, will accept the offer to continue them a
three and one-half per cent, and it is es
; pectcd that call for the five per cents. at
|
While politica! matters are ut a cnrporativ
stand. still, there are other things IN an
!, around the national Capital which may b
: written about to the interest and profit {
!, people at distance. The Congression'
!. Library, Government Printing Office. B'
rcau Of Engraving and Printing. the nc
: Museum and numerous other institution
will furnish material for coming letters,
say nothing Of the things that are likely
', happen. Looking through the new Nay
:, and State Department building a day (
y two since, discovered what an invitir
- office the new Secretary has. 1t be-
=" everything ever saw. ~ lie on Il
" ocean wave" NAV have its charms for Il
!" bold mariners Of the Navy, but doubt II
;" many OF them are like the Admiral
=: "Pinatorc," who says:
" "When the winds begin TO blow
4 generally go below
T. Vet better than this is rc:nainin. (
l. shore in such marble halls and cosy apa
IT, ments as those now occupied by that hear
'e old salt who commands our immense \
a. w. Polished marble and rosewood. ri
H. carpets and glowing srate> have an attr;
ton that is irresistible, especially in 81,
weather as Vennor has inflicted upon Us
v. late.
a This new building which Is now near
n completed, Is the most elegant and 'uxu
ed Gus Of all the Department buildings. q
%. Of the most beautiful rooms in i, i the
nd brarv, which Is said to exceed in >pltnt
e. anything OF the Kind in this county. I
nd reception room is thirty by forty lcct
as is inlaid with the finest English tilil
to The centre piece is verv imposing. and r.
W rcsents a blazing s'ar. The walls are orr
N. mented with Panels Of nalachitc, with
:rt narrow border Of Sienna marble and
~ wider border OF red griOttc from Franz