Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-03-14
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS

WASHINGTON, 18th March, 1881.
The defeat Of the Minnesota Railroad bill has greatly
dampened the hopes Of the friends Of similar schemes
though has by paraysed their exertons The
prizes too numerous and valuable be abandoned
without further struggle. 1t Is known that some Of
the members who voted against this BILL favor the gene
raj principle Of granting alternate sections OF land for
railroad purposes, and will make opposition where
STATES the applicants. They prepared, how
ever donate away large bodies of the public domain to
territories The defeat Of the present bin arbu.
table, in great measure to the tact aud adoitncss Of Mr.
Kerr, of North Carolina. Through his agency amend
ment adopted, providing that the proceeds arising
from the sale Of the reserved sections should be dbu
ted among those States which contain public lsnds-
But this just and wise provision than Demo-
cratic Congress could swallow for it involved too great
concession to the soundness OF Wing policy 1t Is to DO
hoped that attempt will be made to incorporate like
condition in all future bills of the kind. Ii it should re-
suit in the defeat Of them all then wholesale system Of
plumber will have been cectualy stopped; but It. the
other hand they should be able sagger safely through
though thus cncumbered the old States will be able to
derive in future equivalent for the spoiaous which
they have heretofore undergone. There Is little probable
ity, however, that Virginia would he benefited by such
result The leaders OF her democracy burden
ed with honesty, and Of such cxquscly nice, moral per-
con>ent to receive
anything from the Federal government. They
quietly look on while other States pro6ng
the expense of their own long they thus cheap
ly purchase reputation for political ineorruptbily-
VIVA, pity that such nice scrupcs should restrain
them from rcmorseeSsy taxing already overburiened
constituency?
The investigation taking place before cammi,tce
of the House. in regard to the supposed fraudulent claims
allowed by the Board Of Mexican Commissioners eIcitrs
-. I, =, ~.
veopmcns will take place, and vast amount oil rasciiy
be brought To light
No one will Ice surprised if It should turn out, upon
close scrutiny, that threcfourths OF the claims allowed
were altogether spurious TIE result of Gardiner in
vesgaton has prepared the public for the startling
disclosures. There is good reason to believe however,
that other rascacs will Dc discovered VI
date and with which that Board had connection.
hear whispered that resolution will shortly be intro
duccd into Congress asking the appointment OF Select
Committee Investigate certain matters very seriously
duplicating that chivalrous sandcrcr For
ney. Ii is said that he has in the most unbushins
manner prostituted his office his personal and pecu
MARY advantage The circumstances as hear, these
Congress lately adopted the usual resolution OF
ting each member cigh; nine hundred dollars
worth OF books, and Forney entered into with
a clerk in of the Departments, by which the latter
was to have the privilege Of supplying these books
condition OF paving him bonus of 100000 Tits con.
been by member OF Congress and all the
facts connected with the Transaction known several
others. Among the number i member of the Virginia
demanding investigation. He Is generally repucd to
be of great hrmncss and the most unimp achabe
integrity and i likely that he either DC fright.
rncd bought oil IL reports are To be credited, he has
deCltrei his determination To have the whole tho
roughly probci aud any ALTERING his part now would
very justly expose him to Injurious suspicious. An at
Tempt will doubtless be made ny Forney and his friend.
have the Investigation chokcd or but in the present
excited of the public mind this will be very dit
tcult thing accomplish. The country is determined,
that the misconduct OF public iunctionares shall be tho
by Of
Congress- Others high in power and position shield
the guilty will he visited with indignant rehuke BY
the people II Forney has really been guilty of the
duct attributed 10 him. not even the esertons of his eGd
the President will suffice to him.
The result of the late election in Detroit has greatly dis
turbei the equanimity Of the Brgadier and his Cabinet
The Government organ very boldly that the Ne
braska question had nothing 10 do with il and il this be
true the inference is plain that the general policy and
the administration has excited very greA, dis
Detroit has heretofore been sarnch democratic
city, and sudden and complete change 10 the scnti-
OF its inhabitants could only have been occaoned
by firm conviction OF the imbecility and corruption
which have marked the administration OF public affair
during the last twelve months There is every probabl-
y that the voice of old democratic New Hampshire will
he heard on Tuesday blended with that Of
Michigan in condemnation of the Brigadier's un-
wOrthness. Such catastrophe will necessarily |
plunge that estmable into the deepest distress
though il is TO be hoped that will teach him saulry
lesson. To be deserted by his State the OF
his mas probably convince him that the shung
eacEerous and time serving policy which he has here
oforc pursued finds favor with the American people
Mr. Bots second manifesto the subject OF Nebrasks
has undo mined the foundations of Washington. !
have heard speak of it aud have who
had read it, Even Sumner and Chase have failed pay
just tribute excellent production. Such iugrat
tude deserves the sevcrCst censure
In the House Friday last sharp alteration took
place between Mr. Lane Of Indiana and Mr Hunt of Lou
isana. Some personalities exchanged but no ap
prehension is felt that will be had pop crackers
and cold tea for two. Where qnlrrels public
venien friends always hand to effect honorable adj
justmen,s IKE.