Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-11-08
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. o., Nov. All, 1871,
Editor Republican:

Considerable Interest Is beginning to
be manifested as to the coming session
OF Congress, that will take place in the
course of month. There is a great
deal of speculation goinr on relative to
the formation of tae new committees
that will necessarily be one of the first
steps to be taken, before any work can
be commence in earnest. It viii! be
remembered that Speaker Blaine, re-
fused to appoint the Committees at the
March session, inasmuch az it was de-
sired to make that session as short as
possible, and meanwhile he has had
ample time to think over the matter
and consult the many new members
that TOOK their seats on the 4th
Of March. The most important change
that will take place, will be in the
craftsmanship of the committee of Ways
and Means, in consequence of Mr..
Schenck's absence from the House
Garfield, Of Oaio, is most prominently
spoken of in connection Herewith, al
though there are other prominent can
didates In the field, but there hardly is
any doubt but what the place will be
| given to some one in favor of revenue
tariff and against a high protective
tariff. It is also said in connection
herewith, that Congress will materially
reduce the present tariff. Many Sem
ators and Members are already here
and speak their minds quite freely as
to what Congress ought to 20 on many
important questions.
The civil service commission has
been in session for some weeks past
and is said by this time to have very
nearly completed their plan this. how
ever, does not include any more than an
examination, to which each applicant
for Office will have to submit. This,
it seems will be of no practical value
whatever, and will probably only apply
to positions in the several departments
here. The different heads of depart
ments here have already some time ago
prescribed certain rules for admission,
among which an examination takes the
most prominent place, but this is a
mere farce, and is no test whatever for
ability. 1t is possible that Congress
will take hold of the matter in earnest
and pass law on the subject Senators
Schurz and Trumbull have bills pre-
pared on the subject, and although it
is asserted in many quarters, that Con-
! gress Will not pass any bill looking to
civil service reform, [ am not inclined
to take this view Of the matter. i be-
lleve that most members will be glad to
| get rid OF the patronage system, for it
is well known fact that for every
| friend that is made in the distribution
of offices, at least a dozen enemies are
made, consisting of the deposed officer
and his friends, and the host Of disap-
pointed candidates. The most radical
change that will be proposed, and the
one Of mos t interest to the people, is
the electio of postmasters by the re-
spective communities. This is con-
sldered a great improvement on the
present system, but whether it will be
adopted or not is another question not
| so easy to answer as yet. 1t is also
proposed that candidates for certain
offices in certain localities shall be able
to speak the German language, that no
officer shall be allowed TO vote or infiu-
ence any voter in or outside of cAncuses,
conventions, &c. The duration Of off.
ce to be during good behavlor-in short
the offices are altogether to be filled
without respect to politics.
The Internal Revenue laws will also
receive an overhauling, and there is
every prospect that the taxes will be
reduced very materially. The Senate
Finance Committee will meet here on
Tuesday and remain in session until
Congress meets, in order to consider
! questions Of like nature. While it is
undeniable that there are Republicans
in Congress who will resist many of
the changes to be made, yet it is GER
tain that they are In the minority, and
the proposed improvements will be
adopted, unless the Democrats should
resist them and join the minority !;
such, you know has been the case be-
fore, and it has been done merely to
defeat beneficial changes, and then
afterwards blame the Republicans. 1t
vii be interesting to see, ii they now
again for this reason, will resist the
changes that they have SO strenuously
advocated in their platforms and on
the stump.
By the time that this reaches your
readers the November elections will
have taken place, but as you will not
be able to give the result in your next
issue, [ may perhaps here be allowed
to state, that there is good reason to
think that they will result in Repub-
blican victory in every State, where
elections are held. From this not even
New Jersey is excepted, although
there the situation is most doubtful
The downfall of Tammany in New
York has demoralized the Democratic
party there, and with fair election,
that there isss.:eyery reason to expect,
the usual fraudulent Democratic maj
ity in the City will be materially redu-
ced, possibly enough to give US the
State officers, certainly enough to give.
US the Legislature, and with that re-
turning honest government In the city
of New York. OF the result in Wis
consin and Minnesota we here in the
East have no doubt.
Hon. H. D. Barron, of your State,
now Fifth Auditor of the Treasury, in
tends, as | understand, to resign his
position here this Winter, il he is
elected to your Legislature for which
| / understand he is candidate. and if
not, early in the Spring. Life in
| Washington not seem to agree with
him, but he has gained many friends
here and is spoken of as an able and in :
teIligent officer. Senator Carpenter
has been in tie City for some time at
tending to cases before the Supreme
| G,,,,+ ,ro,i]ol H.