Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-25
CURTAIN RUNG DOWN
End Of First Act in lie Interesting
Drama al Washington,
SPLENDID PLEA FROM DANIEL"
mn On Remove Confederate DISH
biiiticx Passed by the senate
~, ui.scu;.ng Noicc-NtrEthi"
ucsoiutIons Presented

fsnecial THE curtain was run down w
-, ,ror the interesting congressional
drama OF the past few weeks. Io-n'o'
ROW, as II were. the music or the orc"eS
ira and the merriment and laughter OF
so,,.l life viii FIJI In the interim.
r,ursdav the scenes will be shifted
from committee-rooms to the MOOT u ''e
uouse. and the last act OF Legislature
and Executive will he played by the he-
nuhlican congressman, with the fresiuen'
in the proscenium-boA
There is no longer doubt as TO inc
two bills which it is proposed TO pass
on Thursday. The bond bill OF low Ut
nominations. and tariff measure, hrsN
,om,p, a few articles. such as wool ana
wooren goods and agricultural products
and then a horizontal Increase OF 10 per
cent. on everything but sugar
The Democrats viii offer substitute
hills but these will he passed and then
60 TO the Senate. where their ia'e Is
exceedingly doubtful. In fact, IL Is haiu-
ly possible for either bill TO get thIous"'
at least without a very long DEBATE.
The president gave the House a hard
problem to solve. but he gave them ms
kew 10 the situation. They refused MS
suggestions. and may have satisfied them
selves as far as politics is concerned put
they have no measure now that VIII
readily pass the Senate, or that Will Al
ford the prompt relief for which the
President asked.
IN THE SENATE.
The scene in the Senate late this az
ternoor was Intensely dramatic, and
thrill OF excitement flashed over the sena-
tors and eaHerie as. without DIVISION
or dissenting voice. the Senate voted TO
blot from the statute-books forever the
discriminating clause against the eN-Coh-
federate soldier
The days session was drawing TO
close when Senator Hill arose and ad-
dressed the Senate on this bill. He al
ludsd 10 the passage of the measure as
a fitting and graceful Christmas present
- to tn ex-Confederates, and begged its
immediate passage.
Senator Sherman followed. and said he
thought the bill should 20 in regular
order to a committee, and then. paus-
irg for an instant. he pledged himself
TO vote for IT when 1t should come up
from the committee.
Senators Plat and Chandler each spoke
for the passage Of the bill. the former
saying this was a season for forgiveness,
and he was ready TO vote at once.
plea. presenting the resolutions of the
Virginia Legislature. A vote on Sena-
tor Sherman's motion 10 refer was lost
30 20 sand the Ohio Senator then with
drew his motion. and the bill was passed.
The law originally excluded all Con-
federates. but was modified some years
ago. and now only relates TO ex-COn-
federates who were In the United States
army at the commencement OF the war.
r. liz mas
men. General Wheeler. Of Alabama. be-
ing almost the only one in Congress. Its
fianl passage, however. will probably
prove a death-blow to bloody-shirt wav-
ing.
HOUSE SESSION.
The session Of the House was very
brief to-day. no business of importance
being transacted. Messrs. Jones, Elicit,
Swanson, Turner. and Meredith. Of Nir-
ginia, were in their seats. The other men,
bers Of the delegation are at their homes.
and will not return before Thursday or
Friday
a full attendance of the lower branch
of Congress is certainly expected by Fri
day, as the proposed Republican bill for
the financial relief asked by the President
will be reported, and will be up for de-
bate OF course the tariff feature of the
proposed measure will be opposed by the
Democrats. and it is expected that the
day sessions will be extended and proba-
bly, followed by night sessions. until it
serves the purpose of the Republicans
under Mr. Reeds rulings TO close the dc
bate. pass the BILL and send 1t TO the
Senate. All the absent Republican mem
bers have been summoned back by the
Sergeant-at-Arms and Democrats who are
at home have been included in the call
though their presence Is not so much
Ill.
deal can be accomplished this week, but
the battle royal will be well opened.
LIKES HIS ASSIGNMENTS.
Congressman Smith s. Turner was at
his home when the committees were
announced, and he did not know his
assignments until he read them in the
Dispatch. lie was specially favored BY the
Speaker. being placed on four committees.
three Of which are among the most inn
portan. In the House. Mr.. Smith is well
pleased, but ne is the only one OF the
Virginia delegation who is, except, per-
haps, General James a. w alker. All OF the
others are desgnedly misplaced, and as
signed to committees In which neither
they nor their constituents take the
slightest interest, This action is mali
cious, and is characteristic Of the former
car but now truculent presidential can
ddate. Reed.
POST-OFFICE ELECTIONS.
Mr.. Grant, Of Pennsylvania, has intro
duced a bill which is of considerable in
terest TO that large class OF govern
ment officials known as fourth class post
masters and The patrons Of their offices
This bill provides that no person may
hereafter be eligible 10 the Office OF post
master unless first recommended by the
patrons OF the office by vote in open
meeting called for that purpose. II also
provides that within sixty days after the
passage of this act copy OF II shall
be posted in every office in a conspicuous
place.
list OF the qualified voters who are
patrons OF the office shall also be posted
and be open TO inspection. This list shall
be corrected quarterly, and copy so
corrected forwarded TO the Postmaster
General.
II any postmaster shall refuse or neg
lect for more than sixty days 10 for
ward the list Of resident patrns, or
with his quarterly retuyns the corrected
list, II shall dlsqualify him from holding
such post-ofce.
Ii further provides that whenever a
majority OF the patrons Of post-oiiice
shall sign a request asking the Postmas-
ter-General for the privilege OF express
ing their choice or for any neglect OF the
incumbent. under the provisions OF this
act the Postmaster-General Is 10 issue
his warrant to some person not patron
Of the office. but II practicable commits
sioner Of the Circuit Court of the United
States, authorizing him 10 call meet
ing Of the patrons. after notice Of not
more than twenty days. for such pur-
pose. The person appointed shall hold
an election. and shall determine ali
questions OF the right OF any person en-
Titled TO vote He is TO keep the boz