Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-01-23
From Our Regular CORRESPONDENCE
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10Th. 49,

washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10Th, 'S4
Business continues 10 crowd upon con
gress. Many important measures have
been introduced during the week, as well
as many of a purely local and personal
nature, that may be called petitions rather
than legislative propositions. Relief ap.
peals have been SO numerous since the
opening of the session. and take up SC
much of the time of congress by the read.
ing of their title, and reference, that
complaint has been made of the nuisance,
and in the future such documents are like
ly 10 be regulated without a hearing to
the box provided for them.
Senator Edmunds of Vermont, has been
acting vice-president since the opening OF
the session, having signi6ed his preference
10 be ON the floor Of the chamber, the FIRST
action of the Senate this week, was to
elect Senator Anthony of Rhode Island,
president protein, of the Senate. On
account of the precarious condition of his
health, Mr.. Anthony. with voice full Of
emotion, gratefully declined the proffered
place, in few we'll chosen worGs to
which the entire body listened with mark
ed attention. Senator Sherman then
moved to re-elect Mr.. Edmunds to the
position, and there followed an exchange
of differing opinions as to whether the
declnation of Mr.. Anthony made the Office
vacant. The majority favored new
election, and Senator Bayard of Delaware
moved to amend, by constituting the
name of the "father of civil service
reform" George Il, Pendleton of Ohio. A
vote of thirty two to twenty four re-elect.
ed the senator from Vermont. Mr..
Elmunds at once advanced to the stand
uplifted his hand, and took the oath OF
office administered by Senator Garland OF
Arkansas, who was then in the chair.
Though younger than Mr.. Anthony, the
president of the Senate is the most elder l,
looking man in the chamber.
Both branches Of congress have been
discussing the Mississippi river improve
ment. A bill appropriating one million
dollars has been passed and will become II
law when signed by the president. There
have been lively discussions in the Sena ,e
on the right of the American hog which
will utter another determined grunt for
admittance into the ports of the tff.te
monarchies across the water. The half
dozen or more bills that have already been
introduced in congress for the vindcation
Of the hog in Europe, mainly contemplate
retaliatOry measures, such as the prohib.
ton of wines and other articles of com.
MERGE that are largely sold to American
buyers by coun tries that refuse 10 allow
American meats 10 be sold in their mark.
cts, on the pretense that they are unwhole.
some. Now, the agricultural committees
of the Senate and House are preparing a
bill for the creation of board of expert
inspectors, who shall examine all meats
that are to be shipped to foreign markets,
placing upon each package a government
stamp, certifying 10 the condition Of the
contents. 1t is claimed that refusal on
the part of foreign governments to admit
TO their ports meats bearing the official
will oopot;tuto , ,,;oI,,;.. e .,
obligations. and that the American gov
ernment can then adopt stringent meas
ures to protect its commerce. Senator
Logan made a strong speech in favor Of
an immediate retaliatory policy and
Messrs. Vest and Ingalls, advocated rigid
governmental inspection. Among other
senator's who took part in the discussion
were Senators McPhersons, Maxev, Van
Wyck. Miller, and Anthony.
The Senate also listened to n long speech
from Senator Hill of Colorado on his bill
favoring a government postal telegraph,
If the possibilities of the scheme, as
sketched by the speaker, are ever realized
The subject will become an urgent and
practical one. He thought it probable
that further improvements in telegraphy
will provide for the transmission of mes
sages by wire as cheaply as is now done
by steam. and in that case, the post office
will be stripped of its most important
business. Every letter not requiring
secresy can be sent by telegraph. is
not expected any legislation bearing on
The matter will be had this winter. hut
debates on the merits of the proposition
Will be OF service in educating public
sentiment. Apropos of postal matters, il
is yet too early to see the full effect of the
reduction in postal rates, but from the
returns thus far made the falling eff in
revenue is inconsiderable If after thor
Iugh test. the reduction still leaves the
post office department sold sustaining the
movement for one cent local postage. an
increased allowance of weight for let ter
rate, will be strengthened.
With closed duors, the Senate has given
much time this week TO the Mexican roci,.
'ococlty treaty. which will most likely fail
Of ratification. 1t is chiefly opposed by
he sugar producers of Louisiana who fear
,he competition OF Mexico, under the pro.
vision OF treaty for free sugar.
The SCienLiGc Anericna 4, t..kns !, .l...c,