Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-03-14
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WAsaINGToN, D. c.,
March 10, 1871.

| ment aud her BarebOues' Parliament, and tho
Congress, whose existence terminated at noon
on Saturday, might not iuaPprOpriately DO
branded as the carpet baggers' Congress noe
indeed that this class OF members is even nov
scarce in either wing Of the Capitol, but their
ranks are broken aud their complete expulsion
we'll begun. But in truth the Forty trst Coz.
! Gress deserves title far more OpprObrious
than this Dsms, so aptiy descriptive Of large
element in t. Most OF the mischief of re-
construction was accomplished by Its piedO-
cessOr, but it found in the lowest depth lower
deep aud earned in the annals Of usurpation
more conspicuous name. One single law
the BaYOnet enforcement Act-wbich clothes
the President with power TO control the State
! elections at the point of the bayonet, we'll
entities it to this pre,eniinence of shame
Aud such a law is no less proof of the apathy
aud endurance of n people chan Of tho daring
and turpitude Of party. Ten years ago it
would have lighted beacon fires upon every
hill top in the land.
Ever since the war. the Radicals, possessing
a twO-thirds majority in both Houses, have
been able, by suspension of the rules, to
force their worst measures through Congress
under gag and pressure, but in the present
House, parties are more equally divided, and
therefore au inSolGnt and crafty effort was
made in the last hours Of the expiring Con-
gress 50 to. E,Odify the rules as to give 10 a
bare maj 'rity thereafter, the same power
hitherto held by two thirds. This was at
tempted By cOvertiy inserting into mere reso-
luton to take 4 recess, two little words that
would have effected the whole matter, which
J in the noise and confusion, it was hoped, would
pass undecided. But Mr. Brooks, ON. Y.
fortunately discovered the trick aud by his
prompt and fierce denunciatiou defeated and
J disgraced lis authors.
Failing on Saturday last to reach the Cap.
itOl in season to secure admission to the House,
had to content myself with witnessing the
lesser exodus from the Senate. As entered
the galleries Senator Howard, of Michigan,
was violently declaiming against some petty
|. appropriation bill, with the sole purpose, as
Was clear, of preventing n vote upon it. In
few moments the gavel of the Vice Presi.
dent fell, putting an end to tho eloquence and
the senatorial career of the speaker, at the
Same moment. That officer then declared
the Forty first Congress adjourned without
day aud the Forty-secOud Congress begun.
The roll of new Senators was Immediately
called and the oath administered to them as
they successfully responded. The number
was unusually large, aud although most Of
them are OF the political faith of their prede
cessOrs, even in that class the change is for
the better. You may be sure il was pleasure
to see, for the first time, genuine reprcsen-
tative Of West Virginia upon the aoor of the
Senate, but it was pleasure ia which Bore.
man did not seem to participate as he escorted
his new colleague, Mr.. Davis, to the Vice
Presidents desk, doubtless rejecting that the
ingloriOus departure of Wiley. too plainly pre-
figured his own more inglOrious fate a few
years hence. The House organised by elect
ing its old officers, aud both bodies seemed to
look at a speedy adjournment, but it is now
said that the President has requested a delay
that he may communicate u message aud re
commend some legislation on affairs at the
South. 1t is also announced ia the papers that
IN the reorganization OF Committees, Senator
Sumner is TO be depOsed from tho chairman.
ship uf that upon relations to make room for
Mr.. Morton, of Indiana bold aud uuprinci
pied partisan of the President. This is re-
buke to Sumner for his heresy on the San
Domingo question, and will surely create
fierce war in the republican ranks. We NAV
watch the combat with pleasure, sympatbising
with Sumner to the point in issue, but
knowing that neither party can receive one
teuth Of the punishment he deserves.
The Joint High Commission, COMPOSED of
five members from England and as many from
the United States, to settle disputes between
the two nations, is beginning its sessions in
this city with preliminary skrmish OF dinner
parties. Remembering Lord SruwelTs remark
that dinners "lubricate" business, they seem
determined to oil the machinery very thorough
ly before setting it in motion The Alabama
claims aud other matters of dispute are of
little interest to the Sou bern psupIe pecuni,
arily or otherwise, but for the sake of peace
we may hope for 4 satisfactory result of these
negotiations. Asto the ability of the British
commissioners it is inex pedieut to speak, but
few will deny the charge Of the New York
Tribune that there is marked deficiency Of
intellect on the American side of the table.
The Supreme Court on Monday rendered
ito decision in the case Of the disputed juris.
diction OF the counties of Berkeley aud JEFF
tersOn. AS your readers have all learned, the
decision was in favor of West VIRGINIA Tbo