Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-12-22
But There. is a General Con-
Victlon that the Old Hulk
is Doomed to De-
struction.
The Buncombe Holiday Vote of
Monday Rescinded Yes
terday.
And congressman Will Loaf From
December 22d to Jan
uary I'd.
Washington.
A GRAND PANIC.

| WASHINGTON, Dec. ia more
| howling farce, or worse disgusting
specimen of low comedy than is being
daily enacted by the present congress,
never was known. This morning
| Speaker Keifer laid before the house
43 requests for leaves of absence
through the holidays. Thirty-one of
these were republicans, nine were dem
ocrats and three independents. Only
| yesterday the house voted to have no
holiday recess, the republicans voting
solidly for the measure, with only four
| exceptions. These four were Payne,
Robson, Williams and Harris.
To-day thirty-one of them attempted
to get away after voting to make the
rest stay here and make show of vir-
tue to the country. Before the week is
out there will doubtless be as many
more undertake to sneak off. Of
course this morning debate and OBJ
jections were raised on all sides. Sew
eral were granted, however, whereupen
Browne (Ind.) said that he had voted
against the policy OF adjournment in
good faith, but was now satisfied that
what was transacted in the house yes-
terday was low comedy, and an attempt
to meet during the holidays would be a
farce. In fact the action of the house
in ostentatiously defeating the usual
holi day adjournment resolution yes
terday and raising buncombe
$50 fine for non attendance is
regarded on all hands as a piece
of sheer demagogy. There are mem
bers who voted against adjournm ent
who left on the next train and are now
on their way nome to remain until af.
ter the holidays. 1t was stated by sew
eral that a quorum of members could
not be kept here during the holidays,
and If 1t was, no business of import
ance could be transacted.
1t was doubtless on this account that
better counsel prevailed to-day, and
late this afternoon, after prodigious
amount of wrangling, the house adopt
ed resolution to adjourn over from
the 22d till Jan. 2 by q vote of 127 to
101. But the republicans are fright
ened about this action tonight, and
many OF them wish that the vote of
yesterday had not been rescinded. As
a whole, the republicans of the house
are very badly ratified.
In the senate it is about as bad.
The republicans especially are all de-
moralized and start at their shadow.
The recent election seems to have en-
tirely undone them. They are afraid
to stand still and afraid to move. For
instance this morning, Sherman en-
deavored to bring mp the bill relating
to the entry of distilled spirits Plumb
objected, and the matter went over
Notwithstanding there are from fifty to
hundred distillers awaiting for con-
gress to move. They simply want ac-
ton of some kind because their inter
ests are suffering by perpetual talk
| While if congress would only more and
settle the matter in favor of them, or
against them it would settle it and be
satisfaction. 1T beats all " said a
tobacco manufacturer this after
noon, they are ike a drove
of scarf sheep" "They won't
go forward nor backwards, but seem to
be afraid to move out of their tracks"
In fact all the movements of the re-
publican leaders in congress evince
terrible alarm, and a purpose, il pos
sible, TO keep control of the govern
ment in 1884. 1t is understood that
their senators have formed commit
tee of safety, of which Messrs. Ed
munds, Hale, Frye, Harrison, Don
| Cameron, Miller, of New York, Sher-
man and Logan are members. Some
| of these senators went to work on
President Arthur before he wrote his
late message, and succeeded in getting
him to take the ground they desired
on political assessments and other top
| les. The president, thoroughly intimi-
dated and humiliated by the popular
verdict in elections, was in a ready
| frame of mind to take advice, however
contrary to the whole tenor of his po-
litical life. 1t was agreed on both
| sides that everything should be done
to secure union, harmony and the per-
petuation of the republican party; that
to this end it was necessary to ignore
| the distinction of stalwarts and half
breeds in making appointments and
removals, and recognize equally all
who were willing to support the re pub
ican party.
Soon after this policy was agreed
upon, delegation of prominent re-
publicans-such as Barney, Biglin,
Clint, Wheeler, Deody, and Congress
man Smart, OF New York-came down
here to ask for the heads of Collector
Robertson and au other federal eff
cials in New York who had failed TO
work zealonsly for the party ticket. To
this the president gave 3 decided mega
tive, deciding that they must unite
the party for the struggle for 1884,
and that he would make no changes of
republicans except for cause. The
Hon. Simon Cameron, it Is reported,
came here as a peacemaker to urge
upon his son, Don Cameron, an ac-
ceptance of this new gospel, and a re-
Cancellation with Sen. Mitchell, his col
leage. This amnesty has been arranged.
Mr.. ConkliDg Is outside of this treaty