Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-19
Letter from Washington.
TrRoM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON. June is. 1

WASHINGTON, June 16, 1872.
The last session of congress illustrates quite
strikingly a tendency which has been becoming
gradually apparent for some years past. The
house is the political barometer. Its constituent
character is dictated in large degree by the
average tone of public sentiment. The senate
as rule has always been regarded, and justly
so, as the more conservative body. Certainly
this has been the case during the last decade or
so. But during the last session, a change has
come DER the spirit OF our Legislative dreams.
1t is the house which has become conservative
or rather moderate, while the senate has as
Sumed the radical role. The conservatism OF
the house indicates healthy public opinion--in
the main. 1t has been in the direction of rea-
sOnable revenue and tariff legislation; it has sus-
tanned measures of public credit, and has been
specially hostile to all measures of stock job
bling or kiting character; it has vigorously
and successfully "sat upon" all further land
jobbmg legislation, and was brought with diff
culty to bounty land law, because, as was
feared, it might in the main be OF benefit to
present spectators more than to ex-soldiers.
1t has also eschewed political speaking and con-
fined itself in the main to debate over matters
OF administration. In all these things the con-
duct of the house has been the reverse of the
senate. There is something worthy of study in
these facts and in the relative changes of the two
houses it indicates. If the house maintains its
good character we may all feel that the tone of
public sentiment must be healthy to allow Of
the election of representatives who are go con
trolled.
Part, perhaps the whole cause of the i'm
proved morale of the house, lies in the public
opposition (Which has of late increased so rapid
ly,) TO the controlling sway of the great
railroad and other monopOlies. The sem
ate is peculiarly the refuge of these
corporations. 1t is not too much TO say
porathat senators have been made by the cor
tions. don't know but what that's fair return,
the senate itself having made SO many of these.
The land grant railroads, and other ncorporat-
ed interests, threaten to become so many mon
strous creations, to which the maker having
breathed into them the breath of life, is now
compelled from fear alone to do obsequiOus rev.
erence. The fact that the senate is sure to be
the stronghold of all the special interests, which
Vi ldie years HAS CelleTeu neTei Will COHIluue 10
strip it of much of its prestige. It is therefore
noticeable that the discussion of q change in
the mode of electing senators is on the increase,
so far as the press is concerned. II may ere
long be question of importance; at present
the changed attitude of the two chambers is the
noticeable point. There will be another fact to
observe, aud that is, that the house and execu
tive are getting into closer relations, and are
likely hereafter to be united against the Sena tie.
THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.
This is the most interesting topic here. The
republican committees have got fairly to work,
and the campaign may be considered as begun.
OF course, the chief subject of speculation is as
to whether Mr. Greeley will or will not be nomi
mated at Baltimore. After Indiana it looks as if
his nomination there was certan-at least to
those who do not examine closely. | am by no
means sure Of this event.
BALTIMoRE-GREELRY OR NoT3
Thirteen democratic state conventions have
been held. The Utah territorial convention
met yesterday. The delegations, as elected,
stand as they are placed in the following table:
State. Endorsed Greeley. Against