Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1890-02-14
WASHINGTON NEWS.
from our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8. 1880

(From our regular correspondent.l
WASHINGTON. Feb. 8, 1880.
Speaker Reed is certainly the most
abused man in the country just now,
but having mapped out his course he
goes calmly ahead and keeps his tenn
per. There was, at first, some differ
ence of opinion in the ranks Of the re.
publican members, but since the fight
began the party is acting as one man
in support of the speaker. Mr.. Reeds
actions are for the purpose Of righting
a wrong Of long standing. He believes
that the majority ought to control leg.
islation and be responsible only to the
people. The democrats are making Al
hard fight and 1t will probably last un-
til the republicans have a quorum of
the own in the house, and it will not
be very long before they will have it.
The last four days have been the most
exciting in the house since reconstruct
ton days, but when one comes to sum
up what has been done it amounts to
little more than roll calls and personal
abuse of the speaker by democratic
members. The question before the
house was the report of the election
committee in the Smith VS.. jackson
contested election case, which the
democrats objected from taking up,
and which has not yet been disposed
of.
A strong effort is to he made this week
to get a quorum of republicans in their
seats in tho house. They would have
had and fully expected the day before
to have had II quorum of their own
members ON Saturday, but one man
went to New York Friday night, and
Others were too sick to occupy seats,
though one of thenar-Rockwell, of
Observation-Disclosures word that he
would take the risk of leaving h,s- bed
and c1ming to the house if his presence
would make up the desired quorum.
With the present number of republican
members of the house it is we'll nigh
Impossible to keep quorum of that
party on the floor of the house for two
days at Il time. 1t wilDbe different later
ON.
Secretary Noble is very anxious that
the senate should take early action on
the Oklahoma townsite, bill, and that
the bill organizing the territory Of Ok
laho,na should be hurried up in both
houses. He has paid several visits to
both the house and senate committees
on territories to urge early action, to
avoid trouble and bloodshed. The ter.
ritosial bill was reported to the house
today.
The house committee on elections has
decided to report IN favorseating Mudd,
the contestant for the seat now held By
Compton, Of Maryland.
Ohio has scooped another fat posi-
tion, Judge w. H. Taft, son Of ex-At-
terney General Taft, having been ap-
pointed solicitor general in place of q.
w. Chapman deceased. The pay is
$4,000 a year.
Secretary Winiom|s silver bill is not
meeting with as much favor as. was ex
|peeted. 1t has republican opponents
| in both house and senate. Several re-
pyesentatlves of the G. A. r. are hele
working in the interests of the service
lpen ension bill framed by that organlza-
ton.
Senator Chandler gave some. very In
teresting testinony before the naval
court of inquiryas to what ha knew
about organizations of naval officers
and their efforts to control legislature.
It is thought here that this court might
have discovered a great deal more than
it did if it had been so disposed.
Representative Dibble. thinks there
should be two vice presidents, and he
has a bill providing for them now be.
fore the house committee on the cleo
ton of president and vice president.
Senator ingalls, was an Interested
spectator on the floor of the house for
an hour Saturday night.
Representative Payson, Of Illineis,
is an invaluable assistant to Speaker
Reed dunng these stormy days.
Again the angel Of death has visited
already the stricken household of Secre
tary Blaine carrying away his Oldest
daughter-Mrs. Col. Coplinger.
There is an unverified runnor floating
around here that says Secretary Noble
will leave the cabinet to take the place
vacated by Justice Brewer in the United
States district court.
Senator Allison has got back from
Iowa. He says his election is all right,
only matter Of time.
The Mormons, through their attor-
neys, are still hammering away at the
bill for the admission Of Idaho. They
object to the test oath clause in the con.
stitution adopted by the territory.
i The house committee on commerce
Twill not report either of the several bills