Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1886-03-18

on the President and the Senate
Question.
Spcc,al Correspondence of the Sentinel
WASHINGTON, March 15.-The Civ
il Service Law has received tender at
tention from both Houses. 1t has been
touched sparingly /; few are willing to
assume the responsibility of its destruc-
ton. Senator Vance and Represen-
tative Bennett, it is thought, have
charged headlong. But both ought to
know what they are doing. Another
of North Cardinals sons, Representa-
tive Henderson, it will be remember
ed, took a hand in the onslaught. But
he only sought amendment, Senator
Vance speaks out ; he will give no
quarter; he wants unconditional re-
peal. Bennett is scarcely less explicit.
But, in this, both are being strongly
opposed. Senator Vance may have
very broad reasons for his stand, but
it is not probable that he can over
come opposition. The law is too good.
THE SENATE
passed the bill authorizing the con-
struction of the Alton bridge. The
knights of Labor contributed their
weekly communication. The speech
of the week was that of Senator Ed
munds on the question of the Presi-
dent and the Senate. A bill was in
troduced to protect girls, and punish
rape, in the District of Columbia. SEN
ator Riddleberger was in hot pursuit
after Senators private secretaries,
pausing, though, to cross swords with
Senator Logan. The real question,
whether Capt. Eads had used undue
influence, was quite forgotten. Inves-
tigation of the Pension Bureau was
begun. Saturday was a day Of mourn
ing, funeral services OF Senator Miller
being held in the Chamber. The res
ignation of Chaplain Huntley takes
effect to-day.
THE HOUSE
passed the bill requiring the Pacific
Railroad to pay for land surveys. The
Indian question, as developed during
the consideration of the annual ap-
preparation, was freely discussed. The
Chinese bill under consideration con-
templates abrogation of treaty for
twenty years. The question of the
Territory of Oklahoma was crushed
by the discovery that the U. S. have
no title. Representative Reid has his
hands quite full, and little time to
spare. Boutelle confidently believes
he has made the hit of the session,
Winking winks again, and both regard
the Norfolk Navy Yard scandal as
the subject of the hour.
THE LABOR QUESTION
is no longer thrust aside with a word
Congress is giving the subject consid-
Grafton no one could have predicted
seven years ago. This, of course, is
the natural outcome of agitation; the
real Importance Of the question, from
| that and other sources, has dawned
upon the legislator. But to say, as
has been said, that honest, patriotic
Congressman have been forced to con
slider the question, to predict, as ha.
been predicted, that the knights Of
Labor will rule this country, is sheer
nonsense In the very zenith of theil
strength, the Knights of Labor car
control no more than the genuine la
boring class. There are other classes
perhaps fully two thirds Of the entire
working population, that no organiza
ton can ever control. The stand tn,
House took last week
AGAINST CONVICT LABOR,
by vote of 249 to s, was the result
of calm consideration, not intimida
ton. The thoughtful laboring maj
will not be led astray by the lion
lunged blatherskite who roars, "Yo'
can pass any laws you want" If tn
Iaboring people will not accept Con
gressional legislation as the natura
result of unbiased deliberation, thel
the blatherskite must still be fed ant
clothed at their expense. Not wore
can be said agaist the Knights of La
Dor as body; it is beyond reproach
But the petitions ofits various branch
es, presented under the protection G
the body at large, will be treated 70
Just what they are worth. And Con
gress, as in the Gaze of convict labor
will frequently consider the question
regardless of blatherSkltes.
THE POLITICAL ASPECT
of the question is quite simple. Den
ocrats have no occasion to bid tor tn
vote of the workingman it has lon
and staunchIY been Democratic. Re
publicans can scarcely be charge
with currying favor from time IN
memorial, they have done evervthin
and anything to impoverish the worl
ingman. 1t is not noticeable that |;
bor has risen with the Democracy ;
all times. This, too, when the Knigh
of Labor, as a body, have not present
ed a single petition. And yet, unles
We DOW charge Republicans with
change of a~tics, the passage of til
Convict Labor Bill must be conside
ed the work of both parties 1t ina
be hoped ike justice will be dealt .,
to the question of eight hours worl
and other questions in which the We
fare Of the workingman is concerne,
| though the question oil Information.
Copyright may be considered apart.
THE PRIVATE SECRETARY
is very often newspaper correspon
! ont th.rtpt,- the fnu,r devil ff :, naW