The Portland daily press., 1870-12-22
Letter fron Warrington.
WAsAINoToN, D. c., Dec. Is, ]

CRITICISMS ON CONGRESS.
It is quite the fashion in and out Of the
newspapers to belttie and misrepresent Con-
gressmen, members of either branch. heard
little pointed sarcasm tonight which illus
trated this. One lady said to another,-"T saw
your husband among the distinguished men,"
"Ah! where was that?" queried the interested
lady. "On the floor of the House, talking to
members there" "oh yes;" was the cool re-
ply. "he often gets INTO bad company" So
Congress is the mark of al the common scolds
in the country This is especially true of edi-
torial criticism. Twas peculiarly struck with
this in observing the reflection upon the House
in the matter of the Thanking privilege. The
House, at least, has fairly cleansed its skirts
from any sin on that score, having thrice abol-
ished the sprivilegs, and thrice placed the re-
sponsibility Of non-conourrenss upon tho Sem
ate. / have watched this matter closely and
believe the majority have fairly yielded their
judgment to the opinion of the public, or
what passes as such, and have honestly sought
the abolition, rs demanded by the pseudo-re-
formers. Congress is composed of, in the main.
men of honest, noble spirit, who are first per.
suadad that matter on which they are voting
i in some degree likely to be OF public bene-
tit before they act. True they are are often
mistaken, and not therefore corruptly infiu-
fiuenced. 1t is . cheap thing to abuse power
in country like this, and in no easier way
can reputation for journalistic courage be
gained than by shooting occasional pellets at
lators. 1t is easy, too, to raise hue and CRY
on given topic-such as this of franking for
instance.
QUESTIONABLE REFORM.
There seems to me great misapprehension on
this matter. Mr.. Cresswelps aim il to make
the Department over which he prosdes self
sustaining. Is that really q legitimate object?
IL the carrying Of the mails necessarily to be q
paying matter? 1t ought of course to be eco
n monte MANAGED, but that can hardly be
twenty-four tons Of envelopes, and sells them
again at loss of several thousand dollars.
loading the mails with superhuous mail mat
ter, and interfering for . contractors benefit,
WIN inc legitimate trade and business Of hun
dreds OF persons-manufacturers and dealers.
The Post ONCE Department pays best when it
is most widely and successfully the active
agent in disseminating information and
in making INSTRUMENTATION more
complete. The idea that the depart
logically necessitate the abandonment of all
mail routes that didn't pay their way. The
pioneer and others who arc indomitable in
their efforts to build and open the county for
tne millions who are 70 come after, would be
shut out OF the world. 1t must be remembered
too that the documents franked are generally
sent where they are q real advantage. Nothing
wiiEbe saved to the government BY its aboli-
LION, though Mr.. Cresswelps and the future
aostmaster Generals eyes may be gratifed BY
seeing their ledger balanced in the annual TO-
po.t am strongly inclined to favor the idea
tnat senator Mcdonald broacbed some time
aEo, mat OF declaring the Postofice free, or at
mnm u ~ ptthhcing its charges down to the mini
.uuns 80 .nAt the widest benefit might be OBJ.
tanned, while tthe burden fell m the not;on
Ihe abolition OF the ranking privilege ID = "a.
form likely not to prove verv mnch ~ . 49,.
after all, with all due deferencs No NJ GIL.
ley. - o'e0-
THE MISSOURI FIGHT.
The Senate has wisely-or at least Rer,h,;-
cans have-concluded not to continue *. -.
cent debate between the Missouri Senators. he.
gun by Carl Sehurs and mako the OPT ortunity
for departure from the Senate BY Mr.. Drake
in speech which. while it hayed his colleague
numerically, won at least that respect which
is born of fear, from all others. It il conced-
ed that the moribund speech II mean in Pick
wicklan sense,) was complete unmaskng Of
ic, his position in Missouri was simply that he
means to rule or ruin. In both objects he ap-
pears EN- inently successful Now at least he
Is trying to- escape the consequence of too
great victory. The result is seen to-day in
the undoubted surrender of Graft brown To
the Democracy and the undoubted probability
mat less than month will see Frank p. Blair
'1n., member of the U. s. Senate.
otu as 'old to day of one result in st. Louis
cG,sy anu county, which cuts both ways. The
S Germans there held the power in The Repub.
hed most Of fhs thus the
Sheriff down, with incomes ranging rom x saSm
GOO to 5000 q year The Missouri, Democrst
had public printing and advertising to the
amount of 500, 900 per annum. AS both wings
of the party. had tickets in the field, the Dem'
ocrats carried all before them, and the conse-
qnences was that the St. Louis aiders and abet- |
patronage are concerned, "lelt out in the cold"
The Missouri Democrat is anxious for = reun-
ion cause, the Missouri Republican has OBJ
tanned the $4,000 Of patronage wbic: formerly
we. to swell its neighbours fat profits. Cen
g e1,; verdict u ferved eplrieht-and tie ST.
Louis radicals appear to have no personal in.
tentlon Of the fraternal embrace. They think
,ness a I'M boters VINO destroy parties and
hold the balance of power may as we'll enjoy to
me IulI az the consequence Of their Action
unere VIII De at least no more washing of dirty
linen IN the Senate chamber. SPEcrAsGR