The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1873-03-06
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsn1NGros, March /, 1873.


The great scandal of the season has
finally been smothered, just as every
body suspected it would be. The Re-
publicans knew that a candid and
honest Investigation would draw
them all into a whirlpool of destruc-
tion, SO they resolved TO avoid it.
But the way in which this pretended
investigation was managed is worthy
of admiration as work of fine art.
No job of whitewashing was ever so
deity done before. The Investigating
committee itself was made up by an
implicated member. All suspicion
was allayed by an apparently honest
inquiry, although the ease was unnec-
essarily prolonged. Then it became
evident that an effort would be made
to divide the guilt between the two
political parties by whitewashiDg the
innocents. Poland conducted the
prosecution in half-hearted way ;snd
there are excellent reasons for think
ing. that he was himself the author of
Sargeant's substitute oflcensure for
expulsion. But this was not all.
When Kelley's case came up, it be-
came evident that the committee had,
by the most unblushing violation OF
duty, contrived to make it impossible
for the House to censure any of the
Republican members, save Ames,
without further investigation, which
could not be had for lack of time. In
direct violation of the resolution re-
quiring them to make full investiga-
Etionathey, had informedy these mem-
bers that they. need not produce any
witnesses, as they would not bepro-
Eceeded against, The Republicans in
the House seemed all to be in the Sc
cret, and upon a signal from Dawes,
they promptly rejected all resolutions
of censure. sHs
1t is not strange that the Republi-
cans did not investigate IN earnest.
They did not dare goad any of their
number into turning estates evil
dence." Ames limited that he could
expose fifty more members of the
chase in various ways. But on being
assured that he would rot be expelled
he thought better of it, Some of the
mem bers whosvoted for Ames' GEN.
sure are simple lobbyists. They are
owned and fed by the corporations
whose interests they subserve. 9th
ers are Immensely wealthy and are in
Congress for the purpose of looking
after their monopolies. Others have
suddenly become rich by specializing
in stocks swhose- value depends on
legislation, and there is scarcely a
member who does not hold free pass
es on most of the railroads. In short
there were the best of reasons for pre-
venting an honest investigation into
the relations between moneyed corpo-
rations and members of Congress and
ACKNOWLEDGMENT. lo 1i,s9fc. g
All the Republican Congressman of
genuine worth are much more serious
ly disahected by the results of the re-
cent Investigations than any one
would suppose who has not been
among them, Perhaps can best rep
resent this feeling by repeating con-
versation 1 had lately with Judge
Williams, member elect from Wiscon-
sin. lfT31siiL y s9YoIK} asjai7f
g He said 81 spent several months
last season on the stump denying all
these charges against prominent Re-
pubiicans.. I had the utmost conf
dence in their deniaTs, and now the
charges are more than proyen. But
worst of ali is the attitude of the Re-
publican party which refuses-to CEN
sure them. These are things l. can no
longer defend before my constituents.
3* ~ am half inclined to believe
ought to have left the Republican par
ty when Trlmbull did, though 1 did
not think SO at the time. y
had talk with General Hawley of
Conn. He said that L being a new
member would need to be on my
guard. because, though Tneed not fear
actual corruption, would find the
atmosphere of Congress as foul and
noisome as that.ofa cave. ~
Judge Williams remarks are fair
exhibit of the feeling among . good
many Republican c congressman. \
AS for General Hawley, this, is his
first session, and not understandin ng
the necessity for: pretending without
intending, he committed the, blunder
of supposing that the Republican par
ty wanted to investigate fully and
punish promptly. when, as, a matter
of fact. they only wanted to white
wash. On one occasion, having be-
come vexed with the masterly inactiv-
ity' of the Republican managers, VOW
ed then that by their course they were
for having the Republican party in its
grave. From present indications the
war of the people against monopolies
is already. upon us; and the Republi-
can party must 60 down with that on
which it has SO long fattened.
The Senate Credit Mibiler commit
tee has donesa brave. thing in recon-
ommending the expulsion of Patterson
and the censure of Harlan and Will
son. But, of course the Senate will
not act upon the report. Patterson
feels his disgrace most keenly, and
Wilson thinks it isn't fair for the COM
mittee toimply that the lie that he
told last fall about Credit Mobiler
stock, was a disingenuous statement.
They are. making grand prepara-
tions for the Inauguration, The city
is already thronged with people; and
1t will probably be more populous on