The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-02-01
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER

Ine people VI tne co"usiJ " snei' 's''
BILE waste of the public money and their
infamous corruption and extravaganza,
agreed to raise the cry of economy and
reform as their battle cry, and it was
their shibboleth during the late elec-
tions. The Senate in the debates on
these questions show a queer state OF
affairs. There are those who are poll
tic and wish to keep on throwing dust
In the peoples eyes by talking economy
and reform, but who always vote for all
the money jobs of their party. There
are others like NJ orton, Conkling, Nye,
&C., who openly and boldly advocate the
most unblushing expenditure and cry
down all attempts at reform. o. the
question of reform which arose ester
day during the discussion of Senator
Trumbulps bill to "protect members Of
Congress from impuuity," Mr.. Conkling
got set back from Mr.. Trumbull when
he declared that there was no abuses in
the New York Custom House, BY the
reply of Hlr. Trumbull, that Senator
Patterson, who is investigating the
abuses there now, wouldnot say so. This
quite disconnected the New York Sen
ator and caused quite smile around
the Senate, as only two days ago Conk'
liug's friend and protege, collector Muir
ply, had been found guilty Of the most
barefaced swindling Of the merchants
of New York in order as he said to as
sist General Grants friends. Nye, the
Joker, said that "none but Republicans
were fit for Office, and the people, by
large majority, had said the same
thing" Mr.. Nye did not state when
the people had said SO, surely it was
not at the recent election. Nye will
have his joke.
The judiciary committee agreed to
q supplemental bill to wha: is known as
the Congressional enforcement or elec'
tion act. This addition extends the
operations Ct the act Of last session to
every precinct in the country as we'll as
to the cities. The former law was oa'
sensibly to prevent frauds in Northern
cities, in truth to crush the Democracy
ofNew York, and other Democratic
cities, but this looks to placing the
South again under the control Of the
military, which are actually under the
command Of civil officers. Will this
tinkering at laws to control the South
continue till the crack Of doom; Is the
gouth to be made the ireland or Poland
of the New World? It would seem to
be the effort.
Quite novel scene occurred in the
Senate yesterday. Mr.. Sumner pre-
sented the resolutions of the Democrat
ic Legislature of Indiana directing their
Senators, Messrs. Morton Il Pratt, to
vote against the San Domingo scheme.
At Mr. Summers request the iDstruc-
tions were read amid the poorly con-
cealed rage of Mr.. Morton, who could
scarce restrain himself. While Nor.
ton looked the very personi6cation of
hate AID revenge, with his facs distor-
ted with the workings OF his diaboli cal
head, Mr.. Sumner was as bland and as
serene as summers morning, and in
his satisfaction at the tortures which
Sorton was undergoing, he half smiled ,
and in his extreme delight struck seve-
raj entirely new, if not graceful posi-
tions, as he lounged with great self
satisfaction in his seat. Morton was in
reality, "too full for utterance," and
i,timatcd that he would reply again.
There are large number Of bills
and resolutions now on the calender
which will not be acted on this Session
on account of the short time betweeL
this and the adjournment Of Congress.
Ofthese there are sixteen Railroad bills;
among them is the Southern Pacific
Railroad which is Of National importance
and of paramount interest to the
Southern States. The feeling both in
Congress and among the people is uni
versally favorable to the accomplish
ment ofthis great enterprise, which will
do so much TO develop the various in-
terests Of the South. There is not the
slightest doubt of the favorable action OF
Congress with gard to this important
measure. 1t will be brought up very
shortly SO as to enable the projectors
to at once proceed with the work.
Senator Abbott is hunting up docu-
ments and preparing evidence in order
to contest the sect Of Senator Vauce,
OF North Corolina. Mr., Abbott claims
the election because he received the