The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-05-10
OO per- annuns, in adronce.
DAILY PRESS.
Pox1TAAND.
Tuesday Morning, May 10 1a7o
Letter from Washiuxt..
WASHINGTON, D. c., May @, 1870.
ESxI'I4ANG

|
| WASHINGTON, ID. c., May @, 1870.
PARTY sPECULATIoNS AND PRoBABIIIr1rs
Senator Morton, who is now recognized AZ
the principal party manager, taking the place
in this respect so long he'd by the grand old
commoner-Thad Stevens-has caused the cir
culation of a call for joint caucus to be held
on Wednesday next believe. Speaking of
the political succession to "Old Thad's" place
reminds me Of the singular oddity who repre-
sents the Lancaster District. Oliver j. Dick
ey came in quite with a flourish of trumpets,
and has been playing on them ever since,
though in his case they are unfortunately
male OF tin and for toy purposes. Every time
l see the attenuated figure he owns rise in the
House or hear his shrill, squeaking tenor, 1 am
reminded of witticism gotten off by Rufus
Choate at his own expense. MIR. Webster was
to speak on some public occasion, but being
compelled to be absent himself sent Choate to
make his excuses. The latter rose and ad-
dressed his audience with an explanation of
the causes of Mr.. Webster's absence. and then
proceeded in his own inimitabe manner to
say Mr.. President, 1 was asked to come
here and fill Alr. Websters place. can't do
that, but will try and rattle round il TO the
best ofmy ability" Mr.. Dckey rattles round
Stevens places and creates good deal of a
dry bones sort of commotion.
But this is digression. The call issued by
GOV. Morton seems to be generally welcomed.
While there is no substantial evidence of any
marked difference in policy among the major
lty In Congress, yet there can be no doubt
that there is considerable dissatisfaction ON
financial and fiscal affairs, and that with some
1t appears, like unto Longfellow's maiden. as
"the parting Of the ways was near.
The Democrats are evidently elated at their
propects, but as often before, they count their
chickens before they are Matched. There is
just enough danger ahead to give the Repub-
licans taste OF their quality and compel, as
it certainly will, closing up of ranks, and the
putting to the fore again of the ablest and
most experienced men. The average quality
OF the present Congress is not up 20 the meas
ure of its immediate predecessor, and in the
close fighting that is to attend the discussion
OF the economical policies and questions
pressing upon us for solution and formation,
think it may safely be asserted that the 42d
Congress will be an ADLER body-or rather that
there will be more ability in it than the pres
ent one. The fall elections, especially IN the
West, will be hotly contested. The Revenue
Reform" movement fully expect to capture
the President. In this they are destined to
disappointment. They count also, it is de-
clared, on both Gen. Butler and Gov. Norton.
In both cases they are mistaken, though it is
probable that the influence of these gen.
tlemen, with others like Logan, Coburn,
Cullum, Clarke, Allison, etc., will be
used to effect some moderation of the de-
mands on either side of the tariff, funding
and national bank questions. On one thing
there is growing opinion forming itself and
that is, that the undue pressure of taxation
for the purpose of rapid payment off the ma
tlonal debt, must be foregone, no matter
what reasons he urged in its support.
The caucus will probably not affect har-
mony so much by direct discussion as by an
interchange of personal views as to the prob
abilities Of success, or other wise in the sew
eral districts. The chances of defeat make
men great deal more peacable than when
success appears an easy prize. Among the
the things to be done is the appointment of a
campaign committee. The machinery is here
and the books and papers which were framed
during the last heated contest, will enable
Mr. Tuilock, who will probably be the Secre-
tary again to effect a thorough canvass for
both speakers and canvassers, IT, is IN be
hoped that when the committee ia forrnoa
some other gentleman than Gen. Schepck
VIII be put at the head of the executive conn.,
mittee. lie has too much to do to attend to
'he necessary duties of such position. and
as consequence the work was all done bv
suDordlnates and well done too. None of
tnem got any thanks, and very little of apv-
'nins eise Dut neglect, especially from the
committee they served so faithfully.
THE TARIFF.
This bill still drags its weary way along. II
is by no means "linked sweetness" though
"long drawn out" The committee when IL
rose on wednesday after its long steal beg
pardon, tight over steel-had reached the last
paragraphs on the 10th page. There are 30
in the bill, but until the free list is reached ON
the 45th page believe, it is thought there
VIII be no struggle of any length or impor-
tance. The particular and longest fight in
the free list will be over coal and timber. with
two or three other important but minor ar
ticles. 1t is thought that if the bill rcoes
through mainly in its present shape that tbe
reduction of duties will be equivalent to
more than s30,OOo,OOO; seven millions more
thsn the "Ways and Means" claimed would
be the effect of the bill as originally proposed
by them. Should the tariff be gone through
with, little expectation can be entertained of
the consideration being closed before the end
Oh this month. 1t is calculated that If the
bill be reported back to the House for passage.
that more than 120 roll calls will be had upon
dlierent amendments and sections. Allow
Ing twenty minutes for each roll call and sup-
posing them uninterrupted by any dilatory
motion, the time that would be occupied
would be over forty hours. 1t is not at all i'm
probable that ere long Gen. Paine's resolution
reducing certain articles ten per cent. and
ietung the rest go, will be taken up. 1t is do
clared by Senators Sherman, Wilson. Norton
and others Of the older heads in the Senate
ilat 1t VIII not consent to adjourn if the bill
Is sent to them, without final action. The
session is not unlikely to be prolonged into
August. INV
, REVIVAL OF COMMERCE..
when wrote last Mr.. Jenckes' civil Ger
wee VIZ bill was expected to have been got out of
tne way or withheld from discussion. 1t is
now however recommitted, and Mr.. LYNCH
VIII on Tuesday obtain the floor under call of
this committee, and proceed with the discus
sion OF the important measures now pending.
SPECTATOR
Recent Publications
FROM Harper & Brothers we have received
.nree new books of a widely diverse but equal
~ interesting character The first is a large
oo.aVo' clearly printed Life of Bismarck. The
au.nor is John G. L. Helekiel, and it was
translated into English bv Kenpeth Mack.n.