Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-02-20
(From Our T. gular Correspondent
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18th, 8

A spirit OF crltlclSm possessed tne
upper house of congress this week. 1t
began with debate on the senate patron
age, in which the recent removal of
officers by the majority was attacked and
defended, Senators Vest, Conger, and
Riddleberger taking prominent parts.
Then there was sharp controversy in
regard to the use of money for political
and partizsn purposes. in which Senators
Beck. Hawley, Voorhees,, Dawes, and
Harrison figured conspicuousy. Senator
Beck stated that men had been before
congress seeking confirmation who had
retained fifteen OF twenty per cent of the
salaries as government employees under
hem in order to send delegates to political
conventions. Senator Hawley did not
doubt the existence of Infamous abuses in
connection with political assessments, but
thought no citizen OF free country should
he prohibited from contributing voluntari-
y. The next attack was made upon the
cabinet. Senator ingalls,, and Butler
criticised Attorney General Brewster and
Postmaster General Gresham for delay in
he execution of business in the depart
nents. and Mr.. Brewster was directed to
report in the matter.
The house OF representatives first lis
tened to telegraphic appeals for relief
from the sufferers by the Ohio river floods,
debated the question for day, and voted
OF three hundred thousand dollars for the
purpose in which action the senate imme
diately concurred. The naval appropria'
ion bill then came up and Mr.. Calkins
spoke lengtbiIy on the subject, taking the
ground that The allowance WAS altogether
insufficient.
The proposition granting fifteen hun
fred dollars for the expenses of a commit
tee of five members to go TO The Arkansas
Hot Springs and investigate the work now
heing done on the government lesel walton
there was reconsldered, and caused con
siderable debate. 1t has been alleged
udl LUG mCH WIZ SOhtlo lhp ho'S'o 'N -
. monopoly of the springs, and thst the
waters set apart for free baths for the
ndigent have been greatly misused. The
ill was amended so that the committee
will consist of three and the amount TO be
expended be one thousand dollars. The
house also devoted day to the Chalmers
Manning contested election case, without
reaching decision, and the senate
considered the bill regulating the circula-
ton of national banks. Both the senate
and house committees have reported many
nils for action during the week and there
has been no lack of new measures in bo'h
houses.
The senate committee charged with
the investigation of the recent political
murders in Mississippi started south,
Tue sday morning. Doubtless the usual
crowd of democratic witnesses will be
presented who will be prepared 10 prove
hst good democrats labored uuder such
ears OF horrible negro instruction, that
hey were forced to call upon the governor
# the state for arms with which to protect
heir homes.
The democratic national comm ittee will
lind some queer complications when they
come 10 decide upon The place for holding
the national convention. The struggle
is between ST. Louis, Chicago Cincinnati
The Mcdonald Morrison-Carisle wing
want the convention held in Chicago:
Morrison thinks that will insure him the
econd place on the ticket and Mcdonald
willing be should have it. The push
.r" of the house has discovered that the
people of this county are not moaning 10
make him president, and he will he salts
lied with the second place and the chances
hat Mcdonald will die before his term
IS out. The Payne party desires that the
convention should be held in Cincinnati
80 that the Standard OIL king should be
upon his native heath. as it were. John
r Mclean, who is Payneschief bugler,
naturally thinks that the city where his
paper ia published would be The best in
tho world in which to hold grta polIti-
cal convention. There are number OF
the members Of the committee who are
known to favor St. Louis, but they will
meet with stormy, and decided opposition
| from all the candidates, and for pecu
liar reason. These candidates know there
will be IL hot fight, and they fear that il
the convention is held in the great hall oil
the chamber of commerce in St Louis
where Tilden and Hendricks were nomi
mated in 76,the delegates findng hat it il
imposs BILE to reconcile the claims Of
really living candidates. will have lusf
of sentiment to the head, and inconti
nently nominate the old ticket over again