The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-12-12
OUR wAsHINGToN LETTER.
WAsH1NGTos, Dec. 8, 1872.

fz .5a-H =
usao WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 1872.
Edskes. Democratic Press.-Con-
gress convened yesterday with a good
attendance of members. The Presi-
: DENTS message was rather stale read
ing, as its contents had previously
leaked out through Washington cor
respondents. This is q short session,
and as there is much to be done, will
be an exceedingly busy one. There
was a movement started few days
since favoring spring session, but it
! was suddenly dropped, chiefly be-
r.aause the President was opposed to it.
If is said he always prefers short ses-
sions and does not feel half as COM
7 Portable when Congress has plenty of
: time for making investigations.
; The principal issues of this CAM
) paign are already assuming pretty
definite shape. The postal telegraph
scheme will be warmly discussed, but
!: tbs quite doubtful if any action can
be had son the question until the next
Congress. Fears are express that the
Radicals win make it party issue
'sand adopt it with view to the ex-
tension of power. It Is further urged
that Congress has no right to injure
the business of those who have the
existing lines and compel them to sell
J at q sacrifice.
!, The question of civil service reform
] JIG likely to have pretty thorough
oyerhauling. Judging from the tenn
sper of several prominent Congress-
men, the question will make trouble
in the Radical ranks, much is said
against the method of competitive ex-
aminations, and some members OPEN
Z ly advocate the doctrine that those
who asaVed the country" in the recent
campaign, Ooh, glory! fan me with a
cabbage-leafl) should occupy it's pro-
ninent positions. Some Republicans
will oppose this doctrine, however,
whence will arise envyings, strife, dis
coFd-you know the rest.
The era of Investigations has not
yet passed, and the man whose finan-
.cial policy made Grants adniinistra-
fion so sssafe" for business men will
be asked where he got his authority
for reissuing the five millions of cur
rency retired by Secretary McCulloch.
Eminent jurists declare that this ac-
ton was contrary to law; submissive
! of the financial policy of the govern,
ment-which is contraction and not
! expansion-and that Congress alone
has power TO change that policy. 1t
is.even charged that Boutwell, took
this action prior to the session of Con-
gress believing that the majority
would sustain it, rather than admit
thata prominent official had violated
a law. and he certainly has reason for
thinking so. =,
The Credit Mobilier business is not
dead, but sleepetn. A movement is
ON foot to aim an investigation at
Oakes Ames himself, thinking the
whole affair will thus be ventilated.
There is quite general approval in
Washington Society of the Presi-
{ dents action in pardoning the default
ing Paymaster Hodge, who had been
very favorably known here. Every
one here can recount dozen mitiga-
ting circumstances in his case, and
there may be something in this plea
for clemency; but if the Major had
been some poor devil whose friends
had no power to call attention to miti-
eating circumstances SO potently he
must have suffered the laws full PEN
atty.
A new feature of the next Inaugur-
alton ball will be, probably, the ad-
mission of the ssman and brother" to
participation in the hilarities of the
occasion. Four years ago, the utmost
tact was required to explain to Pom
pey why sit was not well" without
getting caught in a lie. This time
they might as well succumb at once,
for brother Langston will be after
them with sharp stick. IF he can't
represent his numerous constituency
in Grants Cabinet, he is certainly
qualified to do something in the "Ole
Virginny reep business, and viii
make it warm for them no doubt.
forgot to say that the negroes as
mass are opposed to the present sys-
tenn of reform in the civil service. It
has too frequently been set forth as
an insufferable objection to their ap-
pointment to Office.
Washington is exceedingly gay this
winter. Our amusements are first
class. To begin with, we have had
two Thomas concerts which were
much enjoyed. believe my chum
must be sslew-down" fellow; for
I'll tell you what sortlof remark this
brother made. He dropped in last
evening and, when the conversation
turned upon musical performances,
said that he hears HThomas concert"
every night, on pine woodshed in
dark alley, under the direction of Pro-
fessor Norval. For my part shall
have no more to do with him. per-
fectly disgust him!
Edmund Yates was here and disap-
pointed everybody by giving lee
ture composed almost entirely of in
antics and worm-eaten jokes. Sew
eral papers had the lecture taken
down verbatsns bat did not think it
worth publishing.
We have the renowned Tyndall this
week. Everybody goes to hear him.
But the mail is closing and so must J.,
with half my story told.
CARL.
The Santo Domingo ring is in high