Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-01-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Cores pendent.

The long debate on the funding
bill has delayed other legislative bus
mess to such an extent that the talk
of an extra session is now being re-
vived. Prominent members of both
parties who have heretofore believed
that all necessary business could be
disposed of before the 4th of March,
now express grave doubts of attain
ing that result. There remains but
about thirty working days, very
short time in which to dispose Of so
much legislation as awaits action.
AS rule the Representatives, of
both parties, desire to avoid the ex-
ira session, but there are individuals
who have reasons for wanting one,
and whose influence, in subtle man.
ner, is being exerted in that direc-
ton. If the funding measure was
entirely disposed of, it would be pos
sible to predict the outcome with
some certainty, but there is every
reason to believe that the bill as it
passed the House will be amended in
the Senate SO as to change the bond
to fve-twenty, three and half per
cent. With this the House will
probably refuse to concur, and the
discussion will be opened afresh.
Those opposed to funding at all will
join the side most likely to kill the
bill, and a lively fight over the ques-
ticn will be the result. These are
the indications at tfiis time. Con-
sidering all this in connection with
the other work to be done, the out
look for clearing up at the close Of
the session is not very encouraging.
The apportionment bill promises to
bring on long debate, and greater
struggle still is impending on the
legislative, judicial, and sundry civil
appropriation bills. The legislative
bill especially, in which the clause
relative to the army at the polls and
the deputy marshals will arise, is ex-
pected to consume much time. AL
together, the prospects for an extra
session are favorable, to say the least.
The interest in the composition of
the next Cabinet increases as the
time for its appointment approaches.
1t is intensified by the activity of the
various statesmen who expect or de-
sire to be called into the councils of
the new President, and by the many
rumors concerning the expectations
and demands of certain leaders, par
ticularly Senator Conkling. OF
course a great deal that passes cur
rent touching this point is specula-
ton and exaggeration, If not down
right invention. 1t is conceded that
Mr.. Blaine is to be Secretary of State,
and this selection is received with
satisfaction in all quarters. The
general impression is that Blaine will
be the ruling spirit of the Cabinet
the premier. His well known posi-
tive character and dashing policy,
coupled with the more moderate and
cautious spirit of General Garfield,
gives promise of brilliant results-a
strong foreign policy and wise adj
ministration at home. Mr.. Conk-
ling, they say, demands grant man
and a New Yorker for Secretary of
the Treasury, while General Garfield
is credited with purpose to appoint
a western man, rendering the War
Office portfolio or the Postmaster
Generalship to the man selected from
New York. This is reported to be
unsatisfactory to Mr.. Conkling.-
Whether this is actually the sitna-
ton am unable to say with any de-
gree of positiveness, for what the
real views and purposes of the Pres
ident elect are, can be known only
to the few he has consulted. The
past unfriendliness between Mr..
Conkling and Mr.. Blaine is supposed
by some to stand in the way of per-
feet accord in the arrangement of
new administration the idea being
that, if Mr.. Blaine leads, Mr.. Conk-
ling will refuse to follow. But all
the Republican leaders, including
the New York Senator, are anxious
for a successful and harmonious adj
ministration, and l think the pre-
dictions eff rupture will prove un'
founded.
Visitors from all parts of the coun-
ty who have explored the sights of
Washington during the past ten
wears will remember the old gentle
man who kept picture-stand in the
dome of the capitol. His venerable
appearance and kindly manner, as
well as his chatty talk about the in
teresting features of the building,
often detained the visitors to that