Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-12-11
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

sion opening. IlcNlOuS W tnV W
ginning of the 18th congress the
contest between Randall and Car
hsle kept the city in ferment and
many thousands of dollars changed
hands as wagers on the result. But
this time anxiety to know who
would be chosen vice president 10y
the republicans was intense and so
secret was the program kept 10y the
caucus members that no outsider
coniectured the outcome. When
Logan was nominated by acclama-
ton aud promptly declined there
was a general expression OF sur
prise. Democrats said awe axe
glad of it; now We will get Ed
munds." On the following day
Sherman was nominated unanl-
mously, Edmunds avOwing himself
for Sherman as he had on the day
previous pronounced in favor oil
Logan. Then the curses were loud
and continuous. Democrats every
where were wishing Logan had not
declined. Now they are declaring
how outrageous it was anyhow TO
elect a republican vice-president
when the people had elected a dem
ocrat by the immense majority oil
G36 votes, which determined the
electoral vote of New York against
Logan. is said a bourbon never
learns and never forgets. In this
instance memory was greatly dc
fcient. In their rawlings they ior'
got that democratic senate elected
Thurman and Bayard as presidents
pro TEN of the senate when there
were republican administrations
Recalling these things has had the
effect of Quieting noisy discussion.
But the republicans had another
surprise ready which has shocked
the whole bourbon element. Last
winter Senator Hoar's bill to de-
volve the presidential succession
mon cabinet officers in the order
named I'm the bill for a specified
time. in which anew election was
to be called by the Secretary OF
State in the event Of vacancies In
the Offices of president and vice
president, passed the senate but
was rejected by the democrats OF
the House. They did not then an
ticipate the possibility of such a con
tingency as the present. Or course
they very naturally thought the re-
pnhlican Senate would not pass this
bill again and thereby cut out their
own chosen vice.president. lmag-
inc their astonishment when the re-
pnblican caucus agreed to report
the Hoar bill the first day of the
session and passed it during the
winter, or at any rate before the
4th of March. There are some OF
both parties who oppose this meas
IRE, but they are generally inclined
to accept it. 1t IS certainly a gross
innovation. Ii in effect allows the
president to designate his own sue
cessor. This should not be allowed
for a minute. 1t is too violent a
departure from the greatest princI-
pie underlying our form of govern
ment. The ordering of new cleo
ton to fill vacancy IN the presi-
dental Office is quite right if occur
ring year or more before the ex-
plration of the term, but the vice.
president chosen here by the rep
resentatiyes of the people, as the
constitution provides he shall be,
should be acting president for the
ninety days interim. There is no
dscernible difference between a
president designating five possible
successors and a queen mother bear
ing boys and girls to rule king
dom in the order of their priority
However this may be viewed 1t Is
conceded that the republicans have
set an example of good faith that
will leave a lasting impression on
the whole country.
Logan's declination is still DIS
cussed by politicians of all classes
and parties. His friends are more
than satisfied with the unanimous
tender of the vice-presidency to
him. The West, North and East
are equally pleased with Sherman
because of his conservative views
on the industrial and money QueS-
tons now threatening so much az
ita.on, and altogether the party
has not been in such full accord
since the election of Hays in 1876.
The general judgment is that Lo-
gan has played better and smarter
politics than Sherman, but it must
be said in the latter's behalf that
the representative and business
men of the country would not ac-
cept an excuse from him.
The situation calls for vast expe-
rience and practical work. The
general depression of the year has
so diminished the receipts from IN
ternal revenue as that the public
debt was increased five millions
last month, and on the basis of last
quarters receipts the apprOpIia-
tons asked for by the admiulstra-
ton and departments will exceed
all receipts for the coming fiscal
year $l5,OOO,OOO. The following
paragraph from the star liudepend-
ent democratic Journal under the
lo,I of