Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-03-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, March %, 1886


The third week of the contest be-
tween the President and the Senate
in regard to papers begins to-day
with Senator Colquitt, the Baptist
parson form Georgia, in possession
of the floor. He will sustain the Pres
ident in long speech, and then
Senator Ingalls,, who is prepared for
one OF his ablest efforts, will probably
close the Argument on the Republl-
can side.
In one OF the most notable speech
es of the past week, the new Senator
from Wisconsin, Mr.. Spooner, made
apparent some of the Presidents
weak points. Speaking of that re-
markable expression of the Presi-
dents recent message, inocuous
desetude," he said the term always
provoked a smile, though there was
nothing to smile at. This was a
Government of law, and he was sor-
~ the Chief Executive should have
used such words of any law that
stood on the statute books. 1t was a
dangerous time when the President
of the United States, with an oath
registered in Heaven to take care
that the laws should be faithfully
eXecuted,n should send such mes
sage to the Senate saying that a
statute had fallen into harmless dis
use. If ever there was time when
respect for law was needed it was
now, when thoughtful men in many
States were turning blanched faces
10 the future. How could the peo-
pie be expected to yield cheerful
obedience to the statutes when the
first citizen ct the Republic. himself
charged with their execution, assert
ed that statute could harmlessly
fall into disuse But Mr.. Spooner
said the President did not believe
his own statement-his acts had
been better than his words, for he
had sent in large humber of nomi-
nations of men to take the places of
officers suspended by him, under the
authority of the very act to which
reference had been made.
1t is now believed that the amor
Gus proclivities of Senator Jones, of
Florida, have hopelessly ruined his
political future. His friends think
that had he paid any sort of atten-
ton to his Senatorial duties this
winter he would have had no trouble
in securing re election to the Sen.
ate for the term beginning next year.
But on account of his unnecessary
and persistent absence from his
post, it is thought that there is no
hope for him, and Florida is talking
about sending some one here to fill
his empty seat during the remainder
of this session.
The Senator now ignores every eff.
fort to induce him to give up the
hopeless prosecution of his Detroit
suit and return to Washington. He
no longer responds to any messages
sent him on the subject, and some of
his best friends say that there is no
doubt about his partial insanity and
irresponsibility TOR his actions.
Senator Jones has inordiaate van
ity, especially in regard to bis fasci-
nations for ladies, which exist, how
ever, only in his own Imagination.
His present course in Detroit is not
surprising to the people in Washing
ton, who know him and have seen
him in pursuit OF rich wife several
times before. His course towards a
rich Massachusetts widow, and next
towards a wealthy Baltimore lady
were scarcely less public and absurd
than his pursuit of the Detroit heir
eSS.
An interesting hearing has been
girel, this week by the House Com
mittee on Territories to the Woman's
Suffrage Association. 1t was on
their petition for law giving wo.
men equal suffrage in the Territories.
The social event for which the
fashionable world of Washington is
now making preparation is the Mi
Careme, or Mid-Lent Charity Ball.
The church grants an indulgence of
| several days at this season, and the
gay young folks are looking forward
to this affair eagerly, as it is expect
ed to be the most recherche one of
the season. 1t will be given at the
residence Of Secretary Whitney Oh
April l, and the proceeds will be
used to establish lodging house for
Washington news boys. Cards of
invitation will be sent and if accept
ed, a contribution of 50 will be ex.
pected from each guest.