Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 December 1877 — WASHINGTON NOTES. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON NOTES.

A large number of the President’s nominations failed of confirmation at the extra session of the Senate, and Attorney General Devens has given it as his opinion that the failure to confirm the new officers appointed in place of old officers virtually reinstates for the time being, and until the future action of the appointing power. The only Republicans voting with the Democrats for the confirmation of Fitzsimmons as Marshal of Georgia were Conover, Patterson and Stanley Matthews. A Washington telegram says “the silver men are much discouraged at the President's message. They are now certain that any bill which would be acceptable to them or the West would be vetoed. The anti-resumption men are also disheartened, aDd feel confident that there is no further use at present of pressing their measure.” A Washington dispatch states that “Judge Humphreys has delivered his opinion in the habeas corpns case of Senator Patterson. He denies the power of South Carolina to vacate Senator Patterson’s commission, which must ooutiuue until constitutionally revoked in purguance of organic authority.” A new Democratic journal called the Washington Post has made its appearance. The staff consists of Stilson Hutchins, proprietor ; John A. Cockerill, managing editor; A. G. Buell, editorial writer, and Messrs. Aiken and Marks, assistants. Secretary Sherman has signed another call for the redemption of 110,000,000 worth of Government bonds. The Democratic caucus of Senators has as signed Voorhees to the Finance Committee ; Jones (Fla.) to the Committee on Naval Affairs ; Butler to the Committee on Military Affairs; Harris to the Committee on the District of Columbia, and McDonald to the Committee on Indian Affairs, with the understanding that he will give way to Eustis, should the latter be seated. Mr. Blaine has relinquished the Chairmanship of the Civil Service and Retrenchment Committee in favor of Teller, and, taken the Chairmanship of tlio Committee on Roles. A Washington dispatch states that the evidence in the naval inquiry into the causes of the loss of the Huron has all been taken. A formal decision will not be made for some time. It is stated that the decision of the court will be that the Huron was lost by an error of judgment in the commander. His course was right, and he had the fullest confidence in his observations, which probably were correct, but he failed to take sufficiently into aooount the fact that his vessel was very long, drew a comparatively small quantity of water, and offered little resistance to the sea, which in the gale was setting in so strongly toward the land. The ship was heading right, but had been forced out of its course by the gale and the tide.