Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-02-07
WASHINGTON Letter.
(FRoM Our REGULAR CoRREsroNDENT.
February 5th, 1884.

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done was of an unusually interesting
and significant character. The death
and obsequies of REPRESENTATIVE Mackey
Of South Carolina, caused two adjourn
ments and necessarily displaced the
regular order of business. Then, care
fully outlined representations of pc.
litical happenings turned surprisingly
upon their authorities; again proving,
that nothing is so certain to occur as
the unexpected. In the first place, the
Sherman resolutions for an investig ga
ton of the Mississippi, and Virginia
massacres passed the Senate without
arousing the partizan debate that was
anticipated. An animated discussion
was called forth, however, while the
Senate was considering the bill for the
relief of the Greedy arctic expedition
party, the point being on the advisa-
bility of leaving the amount to be ex-
pended to the judgement Of the Secre-
tary of the Navy. Senators McPher-
son and Salisbury attacked Secretary
Chandler, declaring he was interested
in the bill, and Senator Hale defended
him, Indignantly denying the accusa-
ton.
Prohibition petitions were another
feature of Senate proceedings. Nearly
bushel of these petitions to abolish
the liquor traffic in the District of Co
lumbia were offered on Thursday. Ev-
cry Senator had roll neatly done up
and tied, containing names obtained in
his state, and one after another they
presented them.
In the House, the introduction of a
resolution for the appointment of a
committee of inquiry, to hear the evil
dence in charges Of corruption, made by
ex-Speaker Keller against correspon-
dents brought Mr.. Keller to his feet
in violent attack upon represen tatives
of the press, Gen. Boynton, who sat
in the press gallery during Mr.. Keifers
speech, was the direct target of denun-
citation, and the scene caused consider
able excitement. The war against I'M
earned land grants has fairly begun
The House has passed two resembling
bills, applying to lands granted to Mis-
sissippi and Alabama. When Chair
man Cobb of the committee on Public
Lands arose to report these bills, stating
Briefly that the lands, which it was
proposed to forfeit, had not been earned
by the companies, he was subjected to
cross fire of interrogatories from Mem
bers with interests at stake. The Re
publican side of the Chamber was near.
ly deserted in the anxiety to hear or
take part in the running debate going
on around Mr.. Cobb, while in the rear
of the seats, were number Of Senators
from states interested in this or other
bills, the presentation Of which was ex-
pected. Justice Fields of the Supreme
Court was a conspicuous figure in the
crowd. The first regular speech in op-
position to the bill, was by Mr.. Van
Eaton of Mississippi; and his col
leagues Messrs. Barkdale and Sing leton
followed him. 1t is understood the
next grants to be forfeited will be the
Oregon, and California, and then the
unearned portion of the Northern Pa.
cifc. In the discussion among Mem
bers of the House upon the question Of
voting themselves clerks, the argument
that southern Members do not need
secretaries is frequently advanced
Much of the correspondence of Con-
gressmen relates to pensions, a subject
in which the constituents of southern
Members are not interested, and there
fore it is thought proposition to pro-
vide members with clerks at public e1-
pense could not 60 through the House,
as many republicans, and probably
more than three fourths of the demo-
Gratis would vote against it.
Friday ended the discussion, in the
House on the Fitz John Porter relief
bill. 1t passed that body by major
ity vote of one hundred and six. Dur
ing the debate, enemies of the measure
had suggested that southern members
had no right to act in the matter, but
when vote was reached, ex-confeder-
ate Congressman raised their voices in
favor of the reinstatement of Gen. POr
ter. Among the last speakers who adj
vocated the bill were Messrs. Wolford,
Phelps, and Curtin, the latter the ex-
war-G Governor of Penn, closing the de-
bate with circle of applauding Mem
bers around him. The galleries were
crowded, attentive, and seemed to be in
complete sympathy with Gen. Porter,
who, as heretofore during the discus
sion Of his case sat in the gallery.
The taIif contest opened in the
House Monday, preceded by prelim.
mary skirmish over free wool; the
Ohio delegation having been instructed