The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-03-08
NOTES FROM WAsHINGIoS.


There is universal complaint Of the want
OF results in Congressional action. Congress in-
dustriousiy ats six days in week, end this seems
10 imply disposition to work But there is
such an incredible amount Of hindering talk and
delay, occa ioned by speeches for home consump-
ton, that things go slowly. Both bodies are
filed with county court lawyers, aud II Is strange
to soc how they carry their home practices into
public affairs II is constant practice Of the
legal profession TO split No points so fine You can
not see them. What Congress needs Is business
men, and not endless takers. The best men in
the Senate are not devoid Of this weakness.
Morton of Indiana, for example, lately spoke
eleven times on one subject
Postmaster. General Crcsweil is pushing poll.
tcian. and is understood to have engineered him
self into the Cabinet very much as Cameron did
into Mr. Lncoln's. The frst thing he did was TO
tumble out insantsneously, heels over head, all the
chief assistants in the Office always piece Of
supreme folly, IL any regard Is to be had to the
interests Of the Government. There is the same
amount Of sense in Il as there Is for new army
commander TO dismiss all the corps and division
generals and Gil their places with men from the
ranks.
But the point Of my narration is this: Cres-
well, who was an ordinary lawyer la Maryland,
had ordinary law partner. He made this
partner his first assistant. thus making the De-
partment snug company concern. The first
assistant held on to his place less than year.
He then resigned and established himself as an
agent for claims before the Department he had
left, Of which his former law partner was the
Head. In this post he continues.
So far there is no question If the facts In the
case. But, further, Il is said, Lat anybody can
pursue a claim before the Department, and carry
1t TO a certain point, but that it here meets with
myaridble distinctions which can never be re.
moved or surmountcd, except by application TO
Mr.. Crcswclrs law partner. The employment
of this gentleman removes all difficulties, aud
niierward the case goes with perfect case.
THIS state of facts Is disroputaLle to the De-
partmcni, the Government, and the Republican
party Ii all the facts stated are true. IL is dis.
graceful and outrageous. But whether this be so
oruot, what allss>assld can see TO be true, name
~, the appointment, the resignation, and the es-
adjustment of the agency, is rmutch ard a
smut upon the Administration, and ia worth q
Congressional inquiry and Congressional eon-
domination.
TIE sentiment prevails in Congress that keep
ing up taxation on its present scale for the mere
purpose Of paving the national debt before IL is
due, Is a grievance, an oppression, folly, that
must be ended.
1t is such a preposterouS misuse of the public
resources while we are entanged and c. barrassed
9th mass OF uuredeemed demand notes, that
every body is inclined to pEt stop to it. The
system will get its quieius at this session. lie,
the next generation pay its part of the expense
Of the great war against slavery. It is just
obligation which posterity owes to the present.
There hrs been nothing fully worthy Of the
occasion yet said In Congress on the Cuban ques-
ton. Spain is the most cruel, the most menda-
cious, the most thoroughly false nation Of modern
civilization. Her people in modern times arc
brnggarts and poliroons.
Wellington's letters aud dispatches during the
Peniusuar War alone demonstrate this. The
story Of her expressions In the Low Countries is
one of the most appalling pages of history since
Christ. As to the administration, it is worse
than Congress. 1t is reserved cold, and callous
where, 90 say the least, il ought 10 be warm,
sympathetic, and generous.