The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1873-01-23
Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Is.
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
Senator Morton made his promised speech
yesterday on the defects of the present cleo
toral system, and had the resolution passed
instructing the committee on privileges and
elections to examine the subject and submit
a remedy So far as aOolishing the cum
bersome machinery of electoral colleges,
there is general hearty concurrence; but
with regard to the direct vote for President,
there is considerable doubt as to its wisdom,
Notwithstanding its seeming fairness As
Nr. Trumbull remarked, .thi, il not De
mocracy; i; is Republic, aud it never was
intended that the majority should rule in
every thing; if this was once commenced ito
would end in Despotisul" The Committee
to which this question has been referred IS
composed Of Norton, chairman, Carpenter,
Anthony, Logan, Alcorn, Hill aud Trum-
bull. On the prosecution Of the matured
and settled plan Of centraliZation detcrmin-
ed on by the administration and endorsed
tie radical party. the first four Of the COM
mittce Will 20 to any extreme. aud We may
be sure that any measures recommended by
them will be directly or Indirectly the means
of perpecuatug raScal rule
sLoops OF WAR.
From the vote yesterday on taking up the
House bill for building six sloops of war, oh
Monday, the indications are that the bill
will pass. though it is thought that the SEN
ate will amend by increasing the number to
ten, as was originally reported from the
House Naval Committee. The ship-Duild-
ing interest is pleased with the bill, as it
gives the Secretary of the Navy authority
to allow private ship-builders to compete
with the Government yards in the construc-
tion of the vessels.
POSTAL TELEGRAPH.
The very important question of the union
of the telegraph with the postal service will
be considered in the Senate next week, upon
bill and report that received the unani-
nous vote of the Senate Postof6ce Commit
tee. 1t is claimed that the facilities will be
greatly increased by making all postofices
on or near the telegraph circuits postal tele-
graph Offices This will give from 5000 to
5000 new officers without discontinuing any
of the old ones. The rates will be reduced
to one-half, and the length of the message
increased over so per cent, and for 25 cep.s
a message of 25 words can be sent at right
i 900 miles. The rates to the press will be
reduced to as great an extent, and for Is
cents 100 words can be sent 500 niles. The
system will be in harmony with tie mail SER
vice, letters and kilograms being received
and delivered through the pos offices; trans
mitted between Offices by COP tractors, owning
and operating lines of rail. load or telegraph,
at rates fixed by Congress. This plan will
wi will give cheap tslegraTl Tlhy, without cost to
the government, as tb', postage of five cents
to be paid on each telegram will cover all
expenses. l find that many Democratic
members of Congress favor this measure
some on Its own merits, and others because
they believe if this plan is not now adopted,
government telegraph will be forced upon
the country next year, and every Democratic
member prefers this plan to that From
present indications this bill will BE- acted ON
anl passed in short time. and on account
Tits being stopper Of Creswclls pet scheme
-goyernment tclegraphy-;t viii most pro
badly receive the almost entire Democratic
vote.
CREDIT MOBlLIER.
This Investigation still continues but has
not rs yet developed any direct completely
IN the part Of members, nor anything tia,
will fa-ten an attempt at bribery On Oake>
Amcs. though the pabfc arc well aware tbrt
he never sold Credit Mobilicr stock to Mem
Dcr> of Congress, simply for the i)ycof them
bat the Old fox Wa too smart to be- caught
by au investigation dae net 4 number Of
n C's have been before the Committee
aud ,oli thoir little Credit NobieI stolics
Hon jas Brooks bought stock Tor his son
iu-law II.n John \. bingham bought for
himself, as did ex-ConSressman Boyer, of
Penn. who claims that he did what he had
right to do. If c., McCcmb does rot
f,>tcn the chlrges down more clearly. as he
has promised. there will be no member ex-
PEELED, nor probably even censured. The
point in their favor Icing that legislation
had not been influenced by the sale Of the
Credit Mobiler stock, or at least SO proven.
SENATOR HARLAN
has been persistent advocate IF the Union
Pacide Railroad, and has greatly belittle'i