Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-12-21
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER

decisive II we were 10 Judge by the
ominous giyings out Of certain newspa-
pers and correspondents, as to the extent
and influence Of the lobby this session.
The number Of acres Of the public do
main that are to be granted to railroads,
according to the aforesaid authority, is
perfectly astounding and incalculable,
and the number OF candidates for the
rich subsidies that have been so grateful
TO the leading western and Pacific roads.
are steadily multiplying. Foremost
among them, it is said, in the amount Of
its influence and the extent of its wants,
is the Southern Pacific, Gen. Fremont's
pet project, which, although having
received vast grants from the State Of
Texas, is yet a $ hungry as ever, and
will not be content with any small slice.
But sensible people must remember that
sensation is the only atmosphere IN
which some Of these journals can live
and with a few facts and a lively imagi-
nation. these correspondents can OF a
| small molehiu make a pretty good-sized
mountain. So Of the sweeping state
ments Of the Mentality Of Congress-of
the Presidents generous provisions for
his extensive circle OF relatives, and
other sweeping sensatiOns-they should
be taken with many grains OF allowance.
It is safe to believe that wisdom and
integrity did not die with the prophets
I Of the last generation, and that the Presi-
/ dent, Congress and high officials, have
at least an average quantity. And yet
there are growing evils that must be
met and corrected by legislation, or the
people will groan under greater burdens
than national. taxation. Not to speak Of
the vast monopolies which Congress is
doing so much to create and foster, by
the consolidation Of great corporations
and the absorption OF small ones, till
they are enabled 70 rule the States in
which they exist, and exact their pound
Of flesh from the public with immunity.
Without referring to several railroads as
notable examples Of this, take the tele-
graph, now a public necessity. The
rival lines having all been absorbed or
ruined by the Western Union Company,
that gigantic power is in a position to
dictate the terms upon which The whole
people shall receive their intelligence
and transact their business. 1t is re-
ported already that they propose to in
crease their tariff fifty per cent. VIII
not some statesman speedily arise in
Congress TO lead a movement to avert
this great perilf It is the rock ahead.
Congress has as yet done little, excspt
to Law out committee work. A short
session and much work, even, cannot
induce it to depart from established
usage, to postpone hard work until after
the holidays. Yesterday occurred the
first sensation, and the House was in
lively mood. First, after a spicy de-
bate, It passed the bill for the repeal OF
the Tenure Of Office act, a relic Of the
Johnson times-a check upon that trail
tor to his party. 1t was an act Of doubt
r fuI e~xpediency then, and has since re-
turned to plague the inventors" Con-
gress. having tasted the sweets Of power
over the Executive, has refused until
T now to let go OF it. Then came San Do
mingo, that gem OF the sea, so bright
and valuable in President Grants eyes
which caused so much sparring, some o.
If at the Presidents expense. Congress
seemed disinclined to add any NOR
acres Of doubtful value to Uncle Sans
, farm. But the event Of the day was the
slaughter of Porter, by a joint resolu'
/, ton to abolish the Office Of Admiral and
| Vice Admiral in the navy, the former
/ now vacant by the death Of the heroic
Farragut. The reading Of the resolution
/, brought a score Of members to their fee
at once, and a spicy and confused debat'
/. followed. Logan declared the office
useless-that they were created in ls6.
for a special purpose, and the war nov
being over, they ought to be abolished
He rubbed down the CommodOre's veal
> points with a strong solution. But Gen
! ButIer "went for Porter with NOR
than his usual bitterness, and demol
; ished the Commodore in New Orleans
STYLE. Porter, like he Of Lundy's lane
is given 10 writing letters Of somewha
doubtful wisdom, and two recent ones
. the first rejecting severely upon tn
: President, and the last Of opposite ten
:, dencv-were the objects of much sarcas
tic remark and no defence. The charg
: is made. too. Of Porter's hostility to ant
7. Jealousy Of Farrsgut, Of marked an'
r systematic indignities to him, and con
! slant endeavOrs to wound his feelings
while the former was in charge Of tn
NAVY Department, while it was unde
= the nominal Secretaryship OF Borie. Tn
6 flag forced upon him by naval order, a
his ensign, and which, on his death-bed
the Admiral besought might not b
=. borne before him at his funeral, is men
toned rs an instance. If these thing
, are true, the people will not acquit POI
!. ter. or think him worthy Of Farragut'
place: for until Mobile and New Orlean
are forgotten, he has q safe place in th
hearts Of a grateful nation.
To-day there has been a greater sensa
ton in the Senate, on the introductio.
j bv McCreery, OF Kentucky, Of a resolu
= ton looking TO the restoration Of Airing
ton, the quiet resting place Of tens {
[ thousands Of our glorious martyr dead
e to Mrs. Gen. Lee. Have we come
= this. that a glowing and eloquent eulog
for il was such-of the arch-traitor an
leader Of the rebel armies shall be Pre-
nounced in our national capitol! Fo
o the honor Of patriotism, and even {
Democracy, be it said, that a propositio
so abhorrent could only command th
y votes Of four Democrats for its reception
) Mr.. Edmunds, Of Vermont, denounce
the proposition 10 dig up the bones
I our dead soldiers in order that the prof.
Y ertv might be given back to its reb'
y owners as perfectly mOnstrous. Senate
Morton e|Ioquently protested against Il
reception Of the resolution, and said tn.
man Lee, Of all others, was the gre
2 sinner against light and knowledge, an
. his treason was not to be atoned b
strewing the flowers Of rhetoric ov'
his grave. 1 send you a good synops
J. of the debate.
j. I had intended to speak Of other toI
lg ics-of social matters and Of city in
e provements, but must reserve them.
Gen. If. D. Leggett vas here tn
m week, looking young and well. It
- r,uora1 that he has been offered II