Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-01-30
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. Jan. %. 1886.

mentioned ;-discussions in Con-
gress on Pensions, Silver money,
and the Electoral Count Bill; the
interesting controversy between the
President and Republican Senators;
and three different conventions
One of these was in behalf of i'm
proving the Mississippi river and
other Western water ways, another
was by the National Board of Trade,
and the third was held by silver
men from different parts of the
country.
Senator Sherman, President of
the Senate, made notable speech
to the effect that after nearly a hull
dred years it still remains an unsolv-
ed problem as to how the Electoral
vote shall be counted. He argued
that where the two Houses cannot
agree on any question affecting the
count, they shall meet and vote in
joint convention. His plan was
endorsed BY Senator Eyarts, and
controyerted by Senators Edmunds
and Hoar. The latter gentlemen
both held that Mr.. Sherman's plan
was for settling Constitutional dis
putes 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 candi-
dates. Each was on his mettle and
at his best. The Senate was full
and attentive. 1t was critical
court of able, subtle lawyers, and a
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 in the House
that exceeds in extravaganza any
thing yet proposed. 1t grants pen
sions to every soldier and sailor of
the Mexican war, and to every sol
dier and sailor of the war of the
rebellion who served even fourteen
days in the Army or Navy. 1t
gives pensions also to the widows of
such soldiers or sailors. provided
they have not married again. Then
is raises certain pensions to the
maximum of S24 per month, pre-
scribes that every IS pension now
paid to widows and minors shall be
raised to So, and finally it dates all
the civil war pensions back to the
death or discharge.
The attitude of the President and
Senate to each other has not chang
ed in the past few days. A politi-
cal debate is expected in the Senate
soon, however, over a resolution
that Senator Edmunds expects to
offer in open session, calling on the
President to furnish information |
and give his reasons for the removal
of certain officials. Both Democra-
tic and Republican Senators are
making ready for this prospective
fray.
There are some Democratic Sen.
ators who hope that the President
will refuse to submit to the Senate
papers on file respecting his nomina-
lions. The anxiety arises more
from personal embarrassment, which
the publication of such documents
would cause them, than from a |
desire to maintain Executive digni.
ty. Such papers would disclose the
fact that some Senators have, while
protesting 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 ignor-
ance of the deception practiced upon
them.
Most of the Democrats concede
that the Senate has a right to ask
for information relating to appoint.
ments, but they hold that any
papers containing charges against
incumbents who have been removed
cannot properly be called for. Yet
all through the campaign they said.
"turn on the lights and turn the
rascals out" The Republicans hold
that if dismissed officials had charges
brought against them, their personal
and party friends have right to
know what they were, for the Re-
form Administration y said, no one
should be removed "except for
cause"
Senators refuse to abandon their
secret sessions. Gen. Logan tested
this question fully few days since.
He proposed that all executive bus
mess 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 Sen.
ate in regard to nominations as in :