The Portland daily press., 1874-01-01
The Record of 1873.


ers events as they have occurred during the
year that is gone, should give brief summa-
ry.o. the most important of these events, SO
that those who watch the signs of the times
ma' see when real progress has been made,
or when there has Deen retrograde move
ment and thus note the tendency of the age
and learn by what means the interests of hu-
manity may be advanced, and the evil that
imrends may be averted. As awhole the
year 1873 is not marked with many of those
great events which render years notable in
history. Nevertheless there have not been
wanting many matters OF general interest
worthy Of grouping together.
POLITICAL EVENTS.
When the year 1873 began, the 42d Con-
gress was holding its last session. The prin-
cipal topic of interest was the investigation
of the Credit Mobilier scandal which was in
stituted on motion of Speaker Blaine. The
Committee was composed of two admiuistra-
tion and three opposition members of the
House. After an exhaustive investigation.
on the 18th of February the Committee sub
mitted the report recommending the expul-
sion of Messrs. Arles of Massachusetts and
Brooks of New York. Other members OF
both houses of Congress whose names had
previously stood nigh in the estimation OF
the country were unfortunately involved,
particularly Vica President Colfax and Sena-
tor Patterson of New Hampshire, not so
much by their correction with the fraud as
by their mendacious and unsuccessful at
tempts to rid themselves of the imputaton.
The rest of the work of the session was gen.
orally creditable. No bad land jobs stain its
record, the ranking privilege was abolished,
bill granting almost universal amnesty to
the late rebels was enacted; but the Congress
disgraced itself in its expiring moments by
increasing the annual salary of its members
to $500 and making the measure retroac-
tive. A bill was also passed authorizing suits
against certain stockholders of the Union Pa
cifc Railroad for The purpose of recovering
the money of the Government squandered
through the Credit Mobilier in the construc-
tion of the road. SUITS were brought under
the law but they will prove abortive.
The extortion of railway managers and the
growing importance of cheap and abundant
means of carriage from the West 10 the sea-
board have made the question of transporta-
ton of national Importance. In view of this
fact the Senate appointed Special Commit
tee, with Senator Window of Minnesota as
Chairman, to visit various parts of the coun-
try aud take testimony as to the needs of the
country and the most judicious remedy to be
applied. The Committee has not yet reported.
Several transportation societies have BEEN or
ganized, in connection with which the won
derful growth of an organization called the
Patrons of Husbandry, may be noticed. This
society year since was nearly confined to a
few western farming sections and was design
ed as means TO secure a discussion of agri-
cultural topics, promote higher state of
mental culture, and secure social and neigh
borly intercourse. The expressions of the
railroads and the exactions of the middlemen
have given this organization wonderful vi
tality. 1t is estimated that there are now
1000 ''granges" mostly in the Western States
with membership of 100000. The order is
very attractive to the small politician, who
shifts dinner from its political promise In
most States, however, the organization has
de lined to take part in politics.
During thu past year very satisfactory
state OF quetude has prevailed in the South
The results of the election of 1872 seemed to
settle the questions growing out of the war.
In January there was trouble in Louisiana
where two reckless factions strove for control.
There was some riating. and at one time seri-
Gus trouble was apprehended, but the Kellogg
party being recognized by the President, the
other gradually submitted. In Grant parish
a collision occurred between the sheriffs OF the
respective factions and Warmoths party
burned and murdered about hundred color
ed men. In another section body of armed
men was organized to resist the Kellogg gov
ernment in the collection of taxes, but there
was no actual collision. Arkansas al one
time promised to have civil war, but those
engaged in it found themselves better adapt
ed to political buster than earnest blood let
ting.
The elections of last fall, particularly in tt e
West, indicate that, for the time at least, tie
people are voting very irregularly or not at
all. Indeed, in the West. elections have been
most uncertain things to calculate on. Doubt
less the salary act of last March affected them
as well as the feeling against railroads and
monopolies. 1t is quite probable that the
for hoe Il
weaken party restraint. In Maine, Vermont.
Pennsylvania, Iowa, Minnesota Mississippi
and New Jersey the Republicans elected their
State and Legislative tickets, but with reduc-
ed majorties as compared with the phenome-
nal maiorities Of 1872 and also very largely
reduced vote. In Ohio, the Democrats elected
their candidate for Governor and majority
of their legislative ticket but the balance ofthe
Republican state ticket was elected. In Wis
consin the independents carried the State
and majority of the Legislature. In New
York, the Democratic State ticket was elect
ed with two exceptions and the Republicans
have majority of the legislature.
In the Dominion of Canada there has been
complete overturn in political parties.
After very holly contested election in 1872,
Sir John A. Macdonald found himself sus-
tanned by majority Of about twenty in a
House OF two hundred at the beginning of
the session in January 1873. In a few
weeks, however, rumors were rife. that this
majority was secured by bribery and corrup-
ton. An investigation was moved but the
Ministry placed obstacles in the way so that
nothing was done by the Committee of thz
House. In July the country was startled by
the publication of lot of letters which went
to show that Sir John A. Macdonald sold the
control of the Canadian Pacific Railway char
ter to Sir Hugh Allan to secure funds to car
ry the election. The Dominion Parliament
met Aug. 18th. and before any action could
be taken was prorogued by the Governor
General, who announced royal commission
to investigate the charges against the Minis
try. This act provoked deep Indignation, and
the opposition took no part in the nvestiga-
ton which followed. The House of Com
mons met again in November, and after hear
Ing the report of the royal commission, went
into the consideration of rotion of a swami
q l.