Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-12-26
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22d, 81

" leu --At 49,
Early thi; week when the senate pro.
ceeded to the election of officers, namely,
secretary, chief clerk, executive clerk,
chaplain, and sergeant-at arms, democrat
ic senatorial breasts were suddenly fired
with zeal for civil service reform. The
attack was of course, intermittent, or
else, last week. when some Of the elective
officers OF the house were taken from
efficient. faithful republican inclmbents
and given to untried democrats, senators.
Pendle.on, Beck and Salisbury would
have wrestled with their brethren OF
the house, in tears, in fasting and in
prayer TO have induced retention Of the
old officials. When the nominee for the
first office was named, Senator Pende-
lon, of civil service reform fame, moved
ar amendment striking on. The name, and
inserting that OF the present incumbent,
which was no: agreed TO. Mr. Pendleton
proceeded similarly through the list OF
nominees. simply, be said, as an expires
sion OF dissent TO change and OF confidence
in the officers elected TWO years ago.
When DR. Hun:ley, the new chaplain, was
elected, Senator Salisbury OF Delaware
twitted the republicans on their disregard
of the civil service act which they once
thought so highly OF and voted for. while
now they were taking all the salaried
offices even to the chaplaincy. The
election of new geant-at-arms
brought Senator Beck Of Kentucky to his
feet saying, it was clear the civil service
idea was considered humbug by the
republicans when it interfered with them,
A resolution having been adopted in
caucus to retain the wounded soldiers on
the rolls of the senate in their positions,
the senate went next into executive ses-
sion 10 consider the new rules.
There was a spirited debate in the
house THURSDAY on the enfranchisement
Of women; Mr.. Keller having offered
resolution by direction of the committee
on rules, 10 appoint a committee en-
woman suffrage. Mr.. Reagan OF Texas
warmly opposed the bill, setting forth
the oft repeated horrors of wires, moth
ers and sisters fcrsaking their iireside5
and domestic interests for the voting
precinct. Messrs keifer and Bellord OF
Colorado supported the resolution which
was finally voted down.
MIR. Horr OF Michigan caused some
amusement in his opposition TO division
OF the work Of the commerce committee
on rivers and harbors. He said it would
have been better to have divided the
overworked committee on ways and
means into .wo-one on ways and one on
means. There could then be given to one
committee all bills which tend to build
up home industry and TO the other all
tending to tear it down, and thereby, both
wings of the democratic party could have
= committee.
Five members Of the present congress
have died since their election. but Hon.
Dudley Haskell Of the second Kansas
district, who died las, Sunday, is the first
member taken from his post OF duty. He
was the leading representative from his
own state, and had served three successive
terms in the house. In politics he was an
ardent republican protec.ionis'. and while
I be tariff bill was pending, devoted lis
whole time to it, after having conferences
at late hours OF the night, to which over
work is attributed the i'll heal;h that
ended his life. Confined to his bed when
congress was organized aud DESTROYS CT
measures in behalf Of his
through members from his
state, his request was refused because be
mad not been sworn in. He then asked
the speaker to come TO his room and
administer the oath Of Office. There is no
record OF the oath having been admins
tered elsewhere than in the hall OF the
house Mr. Haskell's request was the frs
of the kind ever known TO have been
made, and Speaker Carlisle intended last
Monday 10 have laid this new question in
parliamentary law before the house for
decision, both for the accommodation OF
the invalid, and the establishment OF a
precedent. Mr. Haskell was man Of
tine physique, over six feet tall, broad
shouldered, deep chested, of marked abili-
~ and great ambition. At news OF his
death the flag on the house of representa-.
tives was set at half mast, and Speaker
Carlisle appointed a committe OF congress
man to accom- pany his remains to Kansas.