Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-03-01
Our Washington Letter.

Our Washington Letter.
DEAR CHRONICLE;-But seven DAYS
remain OF the last session Of the Forty
second Congress, and vet there is work
enough before them to faithfully employ
them seventy DAYS. Congress will not
work early in the session, and the con-
sequence is that much Of needed Iegisla-
ton goes over, and much that is done in
the hurry Of the last few days, is crude
and unwise. As an instance, the last
Congress, at the very close Of the ses-
sion, passed the famous C~horbeuniug
claim against the Post Office Depart-
men;, by which the Secretary was or
dered, without any discretion in the
matter, to pay the claimant upwards Of
four hundred thousand dollars. The
claim was fraudulent, or unjust, and it
wal only by chance that the money was
not paid over and lost. For some reason
it wa not paid till aner the present Con-
grsss met, when the law was promptly
repealed. So many bills arc passed at
such a time Of which not a dozen mem
bers know their merits. It is not prob
able, however, that any Of the great
lobby, subsidy or and-grabbing schemes
will pass this session, as Congress will
have its hands full with matters that can
not be put or; and it seems to be gensr-
ally understood that the railroad grants
and steamship subsidy bills are to 90
over. The Southern Pacific Railroad bill
passed the House, shOrn Of all branches
and other devices for getting a double
quantity Of land; and perhaps it should
pass the Senate, as it will open up an
immense country for settlement. and
develop much territory that is rich in
minerals.
1t is said that some two hundred bills
will be lost between the two Houses
and it has been agreed in the Senate that
the appropriation bills shall be disposed
Of, and that Senators must dismiss or
postpone their pet projects. There will
be no action on the income tax, the tar
if, the ranking privilege, the finances,
nor on many other subjects Of real i'm
Portsnce to the people and to our many
industrial pursuits.
The much-talked-of carnival is over
and there has been a vast throng Of
people in the city. There may have
been fifty thousand strangers here. The
illumination of the entire venue, at
night, from the capitol to the treasury,
wa grand. The masquerade procession
was immense, embracing every variety
Of g~rotesqus, absurd and funny char
acters, with comic limitations and bur-
lesques Of everything and everybody.
The tournament with Knights with lace
and m and gay plumss reminded
one Of the tales Of the old omance
The fireworks were very fair and the
civic and masquerade balls were said by
the peculiarly frothy editors Of the pa
perI in this city, 10 be magnificent, but
in other respects the carnival was a Itu-
pendous failure. The trottiug and horse
racing, would be eclipsed at any respec-
table Ohio County Fair. The celebrated
horses and their owners from abroad
were not here. Neither were the famous
military regiments from New York and
elsewhere that were to help make the
imposing military display, and compete
for the thousand dollar prize. Not a
solitary soldier Of Uncle Sans, or the
peoples was visible. The grand civic
procession was made up Of about two
score butchers on hOsebaek, one junior
base ball nine in a covered wagon and
three Adams express wagons preceded
by a band OF music. The by plays OF
goat races, sack races and Hheelbarrow
races were as usual small potatoes. The
splurging localeditor Of the Republican
here who had been vOcifsrously claiming
the glory OF originating the carnival, is
not now airing his glory so much as
formerly.
The anxiety concerning the Tennessee
had become intense here till the welcome
news was received a few days ago that
she was safely at SANTANA, and the San
Domingo Commissioners were quietly
pursuing their mission. The opening
reports Of the Newspaper correspondents
are highly favorable as wa to be e1-
pected, but it seems to be generally con-
coded that it was wise to send this COM
mission and obtain reliable information.
Senator Sumner is i'll and exaggerated
reports have been made. and copied
widely in the papers, that his brain was
so seriously affected that it wa doubtful
II he ever were himself again, and that
the s1citemento Of the great San Domingo
debate had aggravated that tendency
already existing. I think the facts in
the case are that his illness is but tenn
porary and that he will soon be in his
place again.
This is no longer the District Of Column
bia but the Territory Of Columbia. The
President appoints the Governor and
higher officers, as in other territories,
and one branch of the legislature, while
the people elect the other Legislative
body, and some minor officers, and a
delegate to Congress. It is thought the
change will be for the interest Of the
people in various ways-in preventing
corruption for which the politics Of this
city have long been noted, and in giving
them a Representative in Congress to
look after their interests. Formerly
the time of Congress had to be consumed
by every special measure for the Dis
Urict, and the consequence vas that it
was almost impossible to get the legisls-
ton actually needed.
Twill inform you Of the closing labors
Of Congress in due time.
Yours, EZRA.
WASHINGTON, Feb. q, 1871.
Peace Treaty Signed.
At q long conference held by Thiers,
E---l Ds--.n-oL ~ Erfdau Lost u