Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-01
Letter from Washington.
IrRom OUR REGULAR ooRRrspoSDrSr.I


March next, but also proceed to the transaction
of business. A good many reasons are given
for this belief being that it will be better
get out of the way, if possible, any disturbing
question of fiscal or financial character,
whose advent in the session preceding the pres
denta nomination is likely to vex the surface
of things nnduly.
The general opinion appears to be that the
session will be not less than two months, and
will probably extend to three. The leading
democrats, who are returned to the next con-
gress, state distinctly that it is their purpose to
offer, as soon as the house is organized, meas
ures designed to represent their views on the
tariff, banks internal taxation, etc.
These are, of course, designed to open these
questions for party capital, and to disturb and
annoy the republicans, of whose majority, on
some issues, 1t is believed there is considerable
| doubt. The democrats understand Follow my
leader" while the republican must air his own
views, and often, too, before he is content TO do
the same thing. Then there are shrewd repub-
lcans who believe it to be wisdom on their part
and that of the organization In congress to meet
and settle the questions involved, so far as prac-
ticable now, rather than wait to the next ses-
sion.
There are some great material interests, too,
that are urgent for a session which shall con.
slider their pleas. Among these and foremost Is
the Southern Pacific railroad and the shipping
interests of the land-or, as that's an apparent
paradox, let me say of the sea.
POSITION OF THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC.
| =, Co. n,,I tI,s
enterprise. AS will be remembered, it passed
the senate at the last session and got into the
house, in time TO go upon the speakers table,
where it has remained ever since. During the
whole of the present session, its friends have
been more active in slaughtering all other pro-
jects, than in getting their own measure into
shape. The truth is, there are so many uncon-
seionable jobs, lying on the speakers table
also, that it is utterly impossible to get any one
bill therefrom for consideration. The anti-land-
grant men, who form a growing power in the
house, resist the taking from the table any
measure of that character, even though many of
them would vote for the southern route, if that
measure were alone before the house TO be judged
on its merits. There is a strong feeling that the
south ought to have Pacific road, and that it
ought to receive decent land subsidy, and that
that should wind up the whole system.
By not pressing the measure now, it seems to
me that the bill can be brought forward without
any entangling alliances. This appears to be
the policy of its managers.
THE SUBSIDY AND SHIPPING INTERESTS.
There is tremendous lobby here on these
matters. John Roach, VIM. II. Webb, Ben.
Holiday, Courtney, Farwell, McKibben, Cod.
man, Bee, Irwin of the Pacific Mail, and many
Others, are seen every day haunting the corri-
doris of either house. Those have named and
others, are chiefly after subsidies for many and
diverse steamship schemes.
The idea is prevalent that they are pretty well
convinced that they cannot get their schemes
through this congress. Hence their friends are
anxious for a session of the 42d congress.
These and other things then tend to make al
most certain a busy session of the 42d congress-
GENERAL POLITICAL SITUATION.
Since the departure of the San Domingo COM
missioners, great calm has settled on the pOiit-
ical waters. To all appearance there has been
no period in the history of this administration
when there was so much good feeling prevailing.
If the old adage should prove true, that a calm
always precedes storm, then the one that is
brewing will be very severe.
Judging by the average opinions, the president
never was more popular than now Those who
were here during Lincoln's term, tell me that
there was much more criticism than is the case
in these days. President Grant, like his prede-
cessor, evidently and wholly desires to do right
The president is credited now with the possess
sion of finer moral fibre, as well as more po-
litical and admins rstive sagacity than was
the case a short time since. The SLAM
derous imputations about the Dents, &c.,
are dying out. Even the chief of reck-
less and slanderous humorists, Dom Piatt
has stopped throwing his, filth at the white
house. l have never been charged with sub
seryiency to men in power. If | sin at all it is
in the other direction. Usually, am on the de-
fensive, perhaps the aggressive, in meeting
Or considering them. l have never met Pres
ident Grant, never 60 to the white house, have
no friend in the administration, think my
chances for obtaining an office very much below
zero, if wanted one. Yet, in spite of these
| things and they show, "you know" how neg
lectful this administration is of merit and SER
vice (O am compelled to declare my convic-
ton that Grant is growing in grace, and that
more and more his own faithful adherence to
patriotic purposes impresses and harnonizes the
party. In saying so much your correspondent
is aware that he differs with the estimate of some
few ADLER men than himself. l regret to know,
for instance, that these views are not those en-
tertained by Mr.. Sumner, and those who
especially follow in his footsteps. But, if the
president does not quite satisfy the senator, he
pleaseS still less the member from Essex, who,
however, is too shrewd to show any chagrin he
may feel
A CABINET CHANGE.