The Portland daily press., 1870-05-03

WASHINGTON, ID. c., April 20, 1870.
THE LEGISLATIVE "sTOP THIEF" CRY.
In my last letter gave pleasant descrip-
ton of the ridiculous episode which occurred
one week ago. The second act in this "call
of the house" was played on Monday, where
in little sharp sarcasm well delivered, on
the part of Mr. Lynch, made the principal
promoters of the farcical sham vince some
what and brought the affair to an abrupt ter
mination. The epilogue is now being enact
ed in the shape of special dispatches cooked
to order, and designed to make appear real,
the over Jealous display of virtue INDUCED in
last week by Messrs. Dawes, Schenck and
other gentlemen.
The truth is about the call of the House
last Friday night, that, there had been a
steady evasion of attendance on the part of a
number of gentlemen, who liked to be
deemed the leaders in work as well as brains.
The members Of the Ohio Legislature came
on here when the week was young, and their
State representatives, thought it necessary to
play the Icicerones-besides there were many
handsome ladies in the party. Other men,
bers also INDUCED themselves. The night
previous to the call was notable illustration.
When Mr.. Lynch pleasantly reminded
Messrs. Dawes and Schenek of their derec-
tons, not to excuse himself, but to express
his admiration and wonder at their zeal. It
created some feeling on their part and
amusement on the part of the House, who
heartily enjoyed what the "boys" would term
Mr.. Lynch's "sly dig"
The truth is that up to that moment some
one was playing before the country the well
known trick OF the escaping rogue,-that OF
crying stop thief" to divert attention from
his own misdeeds.
or course the specials to Boston and else
where msrepresent the whole affair. and
seek to cover tier friends retreat bv maxi
ing it appear that some one was irving to
evade responsibilities by calling attention to
the derelIctions of those who ought to have
known better. The truth is the ca II was a
clumsily contrived attempt to hide general
delinquency and to turn the attention of the
country from those on whom censure should
fall to those whom accident placed in false
light MI. Lynch's little jest on Monday
mad the effect OF placing the attempt in its
real light.
GENERAL BUSINESS.
The Senate has certainly made haste while
the leisure or rather the Georgia bill has
Deen lying pefdu. On two several DAYS il has
disposed OF more than thirty bills, under r1iIJe
proposed by Senator Anthony, which com
Peis the disposal of business on the calendar
ID ~ .ne Rouse the tariff is about half through.
L am AFRAID its Loves Labor Lost +. anJ ~
bill cannot pass. The revenue rpformors 'n se
called, have made serious inroads into tho o
iron duties, reducing them to a consIdo,oI Lo
extent. The result will be opnosit;or g.
that source TO the passage of the measure
when it comes out OF the Committee nj tho
Whole. 'no
There have been several attempts TO can.
ture the President on the Revenue and
tariff issues. He has however not commit
ted himself to the theories of any wing,
. further than to express his desire to see
taxes reduced as much as will be practically
consistent with the necessities OF the govern
ment.
The bills or the revival of American com
merce are likely to be brought up for discuss
+, ion at an earlier day than was expected. when
wrote last. The select committee will he
ealled, probably on Tuesday next, unless Mr..
JencKes mas business from the retrenchment
commHtee, and If it is brought up, it will run
'Inrougn the morning hours until disposed of
The bill has been amended since ifs ;ntr U,'
@duction in some unimportant partlculars. and
the tonnage tax section of the second hin
has now been made an additional section of
the general bill, it being deemed improbable
= that more than one bill can pass at this adj.
vanced stage of the session.
Inc Senate seems disposed to give consid-
aid ~ prominence to measures designed to
/, A sna c establishment of mail steamship lines.
!, which pend mm ute was raised yesterday to
lis probably ubm Ggf bills are to be referred. There
atthe present. mt ses tie inclination to do more
NS.c.n u perhaps the pronoso5 -. See"o ISL
oeok aa and PS n Royal Medter fs om
J. ports; and the increase of f ths and Mexican
semi-monthly to a weekly mail n' ina, from
> proposed Australian line is likely to Inc me
through, as the British have already occupied led
vessels obtaining subvention from the colonial
government.
u .TAE PRESIDENTS VIEW ON GEORGIA.
h..Asentlemen interested in Georgia affairs had
al 1nserVlew with the President on the sub