The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1871-03-11
Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. Feb. o5th. 1871

"AsaiNGroS, IL. u, feb. 10Th, 1911.
Another Radical infamy was cousumated
IN the Senate of the United States this morn
ing at l-35. by the passage of the amendito-
~ enforcement act. Yesterday the Presi-
dident's man-conkling-called up this piece
of partizansbip to the exclusion of all other
pressing legislation, such as appropriation
bills etc., which had been before the Senate.
TIE provisions of this bill are simply mon
strous. Senator Vickers told the whole story
when he moved to amend the title so as to
read. "An act to prevent the free and intelli-
gent voters of the United States from exercis-
ing the right of Suffrage Able speeches
were made on the question By the few, but
true, men on the Democratic side: earnest
protests were made against the iniquitous
| plain statements of facts, the unconstitution-
atty of the act. the legal aspect of the sub
ject and the common sense view of the pro-
posed infamy fell alike UNDECIDED on the ears
of those who were determined to pass the bill
before they adjourned, which they did. They
made no reply to the remarks of the Demo-
cratic Senators, but the few who remained in
their seats received what was said with con-
temptuous indifference, sneers, laughter, rude
remarks in an updertone, shrugs, and in a
manner, generally, which was far more be-
coming to a beer garden than the Senate
chamber of what is vulgarly supposed to be
/ r. eha
physical exhaustion were forced to permit a
vote early this morning, they having, from
their small numbers, to remain in the breach
while the Radicals relieved each other BY
sleeping in the anterooms. The most humili-
ating and degrading portion of the Infamous
proceedings was the abasement which the
Radical Senators submitted to at the hands of
the insufferable egotist and dandy, Senator
Conkling, who pulled up by the authority he
Yields as the Presidents "skip" in the Sen
ate, used the whip of Presidential favor over
the pliable Radical Senators and they voted
at his dictation, as if they were SO many field
hands under the control of an overseer. Some
men are born to lead, some in the field, some
in legislative hall, others in the different
branches of science or in the walks of life as
plain citizens, but this skpjack is not of these;
the intriguing politician, elevated to place
and by the tricks of the politician, curries ia
vor with the President, whose dirty work he
servile Senator'S of his party to do his masters
bidding. This the powerful lever, this the
powerful agent of the autocrat of the White
House for whose special benefit this bill was
passed. When -Conkling-falls below
the contempt of honest men then he will have
received his just deserts for his deeds.
There will be long session after the 4th
of March, doubt very much if even tie
appropriation bills will be got through with
especially if the Radicals have any more
electioneering bills to pass this session. The
topic of the hour here is, whether the claims
which the Canadians purpose bringing against
the United States for damages by the Fenian
raids are to be settled by the calf and 'alf'
commission which is to fix up the Alabama
claims. The general opinion is that our
near neighbors will have to wait until we set
tie with our cousins over the water, which
will be done in the building of the State De-
partment at Washington.
The greatest series Of frauds, swindles and
robberies brought to light since the "Freed-
mans Bureau" Howard investigation is that
of the Indian ''ring" in the Indian Bureau.
The Committee will report to-day. The dis
covery of these inhuman robberies of the poor
Indians is due to the Indian Peace Commits
sion, especially Mr.. Welsh, of Philadelphia.
who prosecuted this case. The Commission
had invited Cochis, Chief of the Appaches, to
come to Washington to have q conference
with the President in regard to the protection
of his people. As the Appaches have been
troublesome, it was thought best to try peace
ful means before resortng to force to keep
them quiet, but the Senate, in their desire to
protect the Indian ''ring" have so cut down
the appropriation for the Peace Commission,
in order to hinder them in their good work of
showing up frauds, that it is thought Cochis
will not come. THUS the Indian ring in the
Senate are trying to drive the Peace Commits
sion home in disgust by cutting down their
appropriation. Will the President stand by
the Commission, as he has promised, or will
he bolster up General Parker, Indian Com
missioner, and the rascally Indian ring? We
shall see.
Grant has to take care of the lame ducks
already. He has appointed John S. Witcher,
NJ. C. from Va, who remains at home after
the 4th of March, as collector of Internal
revenue for the Third District in that State
Grant will have a jolly good time in taking
care of all those Congressman whom the peo-
pie have weighed in tie balances and found
wanting" as there are goodly number of
them.
The carpet baggers and seallywags have
met in council aud have agreed to demand
their share of the patronage in the organic