Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-01-23
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. Jan. IS, 1886.


ings at the Capitol became more
animated with each week. In the
Senate there has been an immense
amount of oratory on the silver
question from Democrats who felt
constrained to differ from the Presi-
dent and advocate continued COIN
age.
The majority in the House OF Rep
resentatives, coerced by the contln-
gency of possible Republican restor-
alton before 1888, adopted the
measure they once rejected, and
now the Hoar Presidential Success
sion bill has received the Presidents
signature. The first division of the
session on party lines, took place
over this bill, leading to little fill
clustering and several roll calls.
The opinion prevails among pub
lie men of all political shades that
the present session will be the live
hest for many years, although it
may not be marked by much legs
lation beyond its appropriation
bills. 1t is thought there is no
chance of the House and Senate
agreeing to any general tariff bill,
and on all questions of currency and
coinage there is great diversity of
opinion in both parties.
Some of the ahlest leaders of the
Republican party are in the Senate
and as the Republicans retain con-
troll of that body, they will protect
and promote the interests of the
party. Still it will be almost i'm
possible for any measure, of a dis
tinctively party character, to become
law during the life of the Forty
Ninth Congress-. The Democratic
majority in the House, and the Re.
publican majority in the Senate
each stands as an effective bar to
party legislation.
There can be no bargain, no CON-
promise, no agreement or arrange
nent by which any bill intended
merely to carry out the pledges of a
campaign platform, and manufac-
ture political capital can escape
defeat. The most inexperienced
new Member knows this as we'll as
the veteran Member, and the coun-
try knows it so thoroughly that it
will not be disposed to tolerate a
waste of time in attempts at the i'm
possible. For this reason the Dem
ocrats, who are getting ready to
agitate certain questions that prom
Use no practical results, have been
admonished to let them alone, and
take up subjects on which both par
ties can agree.
In Senatorial Republican caucus,
the relations between the President
and the Senate were discussed, and
the action to be taken upon his
nominations in cases Of suspension,
and particularly, the course to be
pursued in regard to obtaining ex-
plantations for removals and appoint
ments. 1t was practically decided
that if the President and heads OF
Departments do not produce the re-
quired information, the nominations
are to be shelved for the present.
eve can stand it as long as the
President can" said one of the Sen.
ators, and if there is a deadlock,
we are prepared for it,"
Notwithstanding all that has been
said and written on the subject OF
Civil Service appointments, the pres
sure for Office is as great now as it
has ever been. Office seekers pay
no attention to what is said to them
by their Congressional friends, and
refuse to believe that the hands of
Congress are in any way tied by the
Civil Service law. Some of them
refuse to take ono" for an answer,
and continue to harass their indor-
sers day and night.
Senators have been discussing
Nepotism in connection with the
Judicial Salary bill. One section of
the bill provides that no person re-
lated within the degree of first
cousin to Judge of the United
States shall be appointed by such
Judge to any position IN his court,
and 1t also legislates out OF office
the relations now in. Senator
Edmunds thought it would work
great hardship and injustice to legis-
late out of Office men who by exper.
fence and training, had perhaps
come to be the most capable and
efficient persons who could he found
to fill the offices. If so much was
said of Judges who had appointed
kinsmen to Office, he thought Sena-
tors should remember that they had
provided for their own sons and rel
atives in the same way. "Even
this reform Administration" con-
tinuad tho Qaunton &c..