Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-03-10
CHIPS FROM THE CAPITOL.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE SENTINEL.

will crop out.
Black Jack Logan, as he is termed, is still
for unlocking the vaults of the Treasury |
and giving the last dollar as pensions to the |
soldiers-only little capital that he is
for home consumption.
Senator VOORHEES, has had severe attack
of Congressional Library on the brain for
two years, and il has recently eliminated |
in the Senator making fine speech on the |
subject.
Senator Bayard is convalescing from an |
attack of Presidential fever-although feared |
it came on earlier than his friends an
ticipated.
Senator David Davis, President pro tem.,
is still afraid to absent himself for day
from the Senate less this august body give
evidence of ingratitude. Appearances in
dictate that good square, solid meal would
disappear from the presence of the ponder
Gus Senator faster than snow flake would
under the scortching rays of summers sun,
Senator Sherman, old spindle shanks, is
holding level head, and some say iearlessly
anticipating the report of the committee
which is examining into his stewardship OF
the Treasury.
Senator Malone has resumed his seat in
the Senate and is awaiting the storm, which
1t is predicted his course towards Auditor
Massey will inevitably bring about.
1t will not be pleasant news to some OF
your many readers to learn that there will
be but few favorable reports from the Com
mttee on War Claims-indeed, If there be
any. Your correspondent has had occasion
recently to have conversed with several OF
the members, and every one of whom have
said that it is impossible to arrive at any
thing like satisfactory conclusion OF sim
gle case, and that the Committee would
unanimously recommend the establishment
of Court of Claims for the adjudication Of
these claims. Gen. Chapman, of Maryland,
has given this character of claims his special
attention, and has done and accomplished
more in relation to their speedy settlement
than any other member since the war. The
General has boldly taken the ground that
every obligation of honor, every sense OF
justice and right demand Of Congress an
immediate settlement of these claims. That
these claimants had been begging for years
for some recognition-and so far the govern
ment had turned deaf ear. That the gov
eminent had no right in law, in equity, or
in morals to delay longer, and to repudlate
them was but pursuing the same course that
Virginia and Tennessee are desiring to do
with their creditors. The General has drafted
bill and which met with the unanimous
approval Of the committee, which provides
that where lands have been taken and used
for forts and other purposes, where timber
has been destroyed, the Secretary of the
Treasury shall upon evidence OF the same
be Instructed to pay the amount OF such
claims. The second bill of Gen. Chapman
goes to the establishment of the Court Of
Claims and provides for the prompt settle
ment upon such evidence as would estab-
fish like claim in Court of law or equity,
and upon the establishment of the claim,
directing the Treasurer of the United States
TO issue u warrant for the payment of the
same. 1t may be said of Gen. Chapman
that catching as 1t were the splendid quail
ties that adorned the public life of his grand
old father, he is not looking to self interest
but to the good of his constituents.
Rumors are flying about the Capitol to
the effect that the President contemplates at
an early day more changes in his Cabinet,
among them that of the Postmaster General
1t is thought that the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs will shortly introduce bill
making the retirement of army officers COM
pulsory at the age of sixty-two. The law
as it stands now makes it compulsory in the
case of naval officers, but leaves the retire
ment of army officers to the discretion OF
the President Gems. Hancock and Sher-
man have each made speeches before the
committee in favor of reporting such bill.
The weekly report of private bills before
several committees of Congress shows that
the calendar is loaded down. The incom'
potency of Congress to deal with the ovei
increasing mass of private legislation be
comes more apparent every day, and the
necessity of some tribunal to adjudicate pri-
vate claims is being more and more realized
Popular sentiment has at length stirred
Congress into step for the rehabilitation OF
the United States Navy, for bill has beer
reported by the House Committee on Nava
Affairs looking to the construction of siS
big war ships at cost not to exceed $40,
100000. In view of the fact that within
twenty five years we have paid something
like thirty times the amount designated anC
possess navy which is the laughing STOCK
Of the world, too much attention cannot bt
given TO this bill
NOTES AND PERSONALS.
Col. Alfred Spates has been at the Capitol
for several days watching the movements
upon the great political chess board and in
terviewing the leaders. The Colonies pres
ence from time to time always gives vent Il
speculation. Col. Spates is great friend o.
Hon. Montgomery Blair for Congress, and
reports that all through the Sixth Dis
trict the sentiment is cropping out in favor o.
Mr. Blairs nomination. COL Spates is moi
alone in this opinion. A conspicuous poll
tician in your District said publicly to-day
that the period had arrived when the splen-
did ability of Judge Blair and his long and
tried experience was greatly needed for the
good of the party and in shaping the legis
lation of the country.
Lent seems TO fit on like an old shoe
which is but another one of the many fact:
which go to establish the truth of the asser
ton of that great moral philosopher, Paley
who said that man was but "bundle o
habits" Your correspondent never coulC
observe very strictly the requirements of th,
penitential season, and from the fact that hC
never could pray or attend church upon on
empty stomach.
There are at least dozen or more who arr
cunning tor the position of District Attor
ney. Mr.. Corkhill having declined to prose
cute the star route cases.
The new Congressional Library will bC
erected Just outside of the circle and directly
east of the Capitol 1t will be one of The
finest buildings of the character in the
world.
Mr.. Blaine being complimented on hi:
picture Of II murderer, as presented in the
ldlitl put vi Tue uISb paragraph VI nls
speech. which is considered perfect por
trait of Guiteau, replied that it was from the
famous speech of Daniel Webster to the
White murder case at Salem, Mass.
Washington IL q wonderful city, wonder
full in its corruptness and insgDi6cance. i
is the grand rallying point of the profes
sional politician and public mendicant
is the haven of evil and designing women
of corrupt and debauched men, Ii il thu
teacher Of all that is vile in methods to in
tiuence the human heart and crafty it
cupidity and lust. Every mornings air pull
safes with some new scandle in high lifi
which would blister the cheeks of the mos
deprayed-.every evenings paper tells o
some shocking and horrid crime.
Gen. Hancock has been in Washington
for several days. On Friday last he held 1
reception In the rooms of the Land Com
mttee of the Senate-he was dressed il
full uniform-all of the Democratic Sena
tors paid their respects. The General has
the Presidential fever bad.