Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-02-04

Capital may be mentioned - Discus
sions In Congress on Pensions, Silver
money. and the Electoral Count hill
the interesting controversy between
the President and republican Senators;
and three different conventions. One
of these was In behalf of Improving
the Mississippi river and other western
water ways, another was by the Ma
tional BOARD of Trade, and the third
was held by the silver men from diff
ferent parts of the country.
Senator Sherman, President OF the
Senate, made notable speech to the
effect that after nearly hundred
years 1t still remains an unsolved prob
lem MS TO how the Electoral vote shall
be counted. He argued that where the
two Houses cannot agree on any ques-
ton affecting the count, they shall
meet aud vote in joint convention.
His plan was endorsed by Senator
Evarts, and controverted by Senators
Edmunds and Hoar. The latter gem
tlemen both held that Mr.. Sherman's
plan was for settling Constitutional
disputes on the basis of the biggest
bias. The debate was unusually in
teresting, and was made more So from
the fact that the Speakers were all
possible Presidential candidates. Each
was on his mettle and at his best.
The Senate VAS full and attentive. Ii
was q critical court of able, subtle
lawyers. and large audience in the
galleries also stimulated effort.
Some extraordinary Pension schemes
have been introduced into the present
Congress. One has Just been brought
forward i'm the House that exceeds in
extravaganza anything yet proposed.
1t grants pensions to every soldier and
sailor of the Mexican war, and to every
soldier and sailor of the war of the re-
bellion who served even fourteen days
in the Army or Navy. 1t gives PEN
sions also TO the widows of such SOL
iiers or sailors, provided they have
not married again. Then it raises
certain pensions to the maximum of
S24 per month, prescribes that every
IS pension now paid to widows and
JUNIORS shall be raised to S12, and final
" it dates all the civil war pensions
l 10 otr 70 fha d-nfh Or dicpflo roe
The attitude of the President and
Senate to each other has not changed
in the past few days. A political de-
bate is expected in the Senate soon,
however, over a resolution that Sena-
tor Edmunds expects TO offer in open
session, calling on the President to
furnish Information and give his rea-
sons for the removal of certain Off
cials. Both democratic and republican
Senators are making ready for this
prospective fray.
There are some democratic Senators
who hope that the President will re-
fnse to submit to the Senate papers on
file respecting his nominations The
anxiety arises more from personal eIh-
barassnent, which the publication of
such documents would cause them,
than frcm desire to maintain Execu-
tive dignity. Such papers would dis
close the fact that some Senators have,
while processing an active interest in
behalf of one applicant, diligently
pressed another for the place sought
SO long as these papers remain buried
in the files of Departments, Office
seekers will remain in ignorance Of
the deception practiced upon them.
Most of the democrats concede that
the Senate has q right to ask for in
formation relating to appointments,
but they hold that any papers contain
ing charges against incurnbents who
have been removed cannot be proper
ly called for. Yet oil through the
campaign they said, turn on the
light and turn the rascals out" The
republicans hold that il dismissed Off
Gals had charges brought against
them, their personal and party friends
have right to know what they were
| for the "Reform Administrations" said.
no one should be removed except
for cause"
Senators refuse to abandon their
secret session. Gen Logan tested
this question fully few days since.
He proposed that all executive bust
ness be considered with open doors,
hereafter, introducing resolution to
that effect He held that the people
had as good right to know what was
said and done in the Senate in regard
to nominations as in regard to legisla-
sion, that they were equally interested
in both. lie said that while he never
violated the injunction of secrecy, he
was willing to have everything he said
or did in executive session published
to the whole world.
There was great deal of consterna.
ton ut this attack upon an ancient
precedent, and loud protests were
heard from both sides of the Chamber
Only one Senator, Van Wyck of Ne
braska, supported Gen. Logan, and Inc
Withdrew his resolution, finding there
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