The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-11
MEN AND MEASURES AT WASHINGTON.
from Our OtVl Correspondent
Hon. n. II. Washburne's Retrcnchment
speech

WABHINGTON, Jan. y, lobSs-'J IL uOJ OIten ludl
MIR. Washburne treats the House to a carefully
written speech. This fact of itself, naturally
attracted attention to the sTeech which he read
from printed slips on Wednesday last, just
previous to the consideration OF the Pension
Appropriation bill, Everybody at once surmised
that whatever Mr.. Washburne said on this
occasion might be fairly taken a reflection of
the opinions of General Grant. Washburnc
himself denies that he consulted the President
elect about thi3 speech, or that it was read to
Grant after it had been prepared and previous
to its delivery in the House. This may be the
fact, ana doubtless is; but Washburne's relations
with Grant are so intimate that 1t Is
safe to assume that be is thoroughly
acquainted with the latter's views, not only
concerning Tetrenchment, but upon every other
subject. There is a class of men who out o
manifest jealousy affect to believe themselves
and to convince others, thai Washburnes init
macy with Grant is some What mythical.
Those, however, who have any kno Wedge of
the two men will lay 10 such "aattering
junction" TO their souls. Taxing Washburne'6
speech as an index OF the policy of the next
administration, so far as the inauces are con
cerned reduction OF the public expenditures
and a corresponding decrease of taxation may
be regarded as certain. This will necesstate
thorough reform in the Federal patronage. The
internal revenue service, from which the GOV
ernment derives most OF its income, must 0e
overhauled, and nearly all its officials change1
from the Commissioner down to the storekeepers
and detectives. This one fact Of itself sets a
rest the silly stories which have been set atoa
about Grants keeping the johnson officials in
office.
Consolidation of the Central and South
American Missions.
General Buffers amendment to the Dpo.
matte and Consular Appropriation bill con-
solidatiDg the diplomatic missions of the United
States in Central and South America, does not
meet with that favor which its passage by II
large aiority in Committee of the Whole would
seem to indicate. 1t has been stated that
Buffers object in offering 1t was 10 displace
General Kilpatrick the present Minister to
Chilli. Butler disclaims any such motive; and,
indeed, even had he entertained it, he could
hardly have hoped to accomplish his purpose
in this way, for even should the mission to
Chill be abolished the President elect could
easily appoint General fitzpatrick minister to
one of the consolidated missions. Those who
Are anxious TO perpetuae tine old feud between
Grant and Butler have circulated story that
Buffers object was to cut down the patronage of
the President elect. 1t may be safely asserted,
however, that Butler had no such object in
view when he offered his amendment. 1t went
through the Committee OF the Whole without
much opposition, and may pass the House when
the bill is reported on Monday. But it is very
doubtful if 1t will pass the Senate. Butler urged
urned it purely on the ground OF reform and
retrenchment, and in view OF the fact that that
policy is already inaugurated, the members Of
the House could scarcely vote against it with
consistency, even if they were SO disposed. The
removed from
the people, and often sanction measures from
which the Representatives would shrink. Be
sides, these foreign missions are to a large
extent controlled by the Senator'S aud they will
be 10th to deprive either themselves or General
Grant of so much valuable patronage Butler
demonstrated to the satisfaction of the House
that the adoption of his amendment would be
a clear saving TO the Government OF about
seventy-three thousand dollars per annum. 1
will venture TO assert, however, that there will
be Senators able to prove when the question
comes before them, that the abandonment o.
these missions would insure a loss to the com
mercial interests of the United States of twice
that amount
The Civil Service Bill.
MIR. Jeuckes' Civil Service oil, about which
so much has been said and written, experienced
a formidable attack from General Logan on
Friday. The speech, 1t may be sald was born
of an accident. Like many other members o
the House, General Logan's attention mad been
so much engrossed by other matters de eman dia (
more immediate action, thai he had not seriously
considered the Civil Service bill. Daring his
recent Illness, however, he examined the bI
carefully, and also the report of Retren chment
Committee accompanying it, He was so in
pressed with the absurdity of its propositions
that he Immediately prepared the speech
which he delivered in the House on
Friday. Logan attacked the general theory o..
tle measure, leaving the discussion OF it's legal
aspect to others more versed in constitutional
.aw than himself. His speech, however, will
bIm the Keynote OF opposition TO the bill. 1t
vas noticeable that upon its conclusion he was
warmly congratulated by number of the best
lawyers in the House. among others Judge
Woodward OF Pennsylvania. The latter is en-
gged i'll preparing speech in opposition to the
bill, in which he will discuss ii from purely
,egal STANDPOINT. He contentcd himself on
friday with simply denouncing it as "a mis-.
hevous measure" and tu.s opinion is con.
urred in by so many members that there is
title hope OF the bill ever becoming law.
The Prospects of IA TariT Bill.
The fact that the Ways and Means Committee
las come to the conclusion TO allow the tariff
I'LL to take its chances III Committee of the
Whole has given rise to tears OF defeat upon the
prt of its friends. Had they agreed to ask thC
huse to recommit it, it would have been much
hitter hut 10 attemDt 10 perfeCt II i'm Com nit te,