Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1874-12-28
FIRST EDITION.
WASHINGTON.
OUR REGULAR WEEKLY LETTER.

Az NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF TaE NEW DISTRICT |
DILL-THE DEMocRATIc POLICY ETC.
Especial Correspondence Of the Commercially |
WAsHINeroN, d. O., Dec. 20.
His Majesty, King Kalakaua, took his depar-
ture for New York ON Wednesday last, and had
it not been for the speedy arrival of Christmas,
with its attendant preparations and pleasures,
we should have had rather quiet week OF it.
On Tuesday evening, the grand State dinner,
heretofore mentioned was given in honor of
him by the President at the White House. rh @
members OF the Cabinet, portion OF the
Diplomatic Corps, aud other prominent persona
ges were present. Dinner was served in the
State dining room, the table being beanti-
fully decorated with flowers and fruit To a
considerable extent formalities were laid aside
and spirit OF real, hearty enjoyment and soca-
bilty pevaded the party. The King was ac-
companied by the members Of his suite. After
their return to the hotel they were serenaded by
the Marine band. lie was taken to the depot in
the Presidents carriage with four horses, and
accompanied by Secretaries Fish and Robeson to
do the final honors
battling nobly in behalf Of the Republican party
since the late elections. Particularly since the
assembling Of Congress its editorials upon "rhe
Leadership OF the party" Resumption OF
Specie Payments, thc encouragement Of inter
nal improvements, and the bad policy of seeking
out aud investigating every charge that may be
tumped up against members of Congress- or 9th
or officials belonging to the party, to crafty,
and make capital for the Democracy
have been exceedingly able and pointed,
and abounding in good wholesome advice
and suggestions which it would bo well for those
having controlling influence in the party to con-
sIder and weigh well for the good of themselves,
the party and the country. The fact that it is
generally credited with rejecting the views of
the Administration gives additional significance
to itH articles, and causes them to be more freely
commented upon. The new society paper, the
| Figaro, alluded to iii former letter as having
| been recently started, has thus far been very
successful and from its neat appearance and the
careful manner III which it is conducted for
journal of that class, there is every reason to
believe that the issue will be permanent one.
Thus far the Investigating Committees of
Congress have met with but little SUCCESS. In
the success of the two principal ones in prog
ress, that OF Representative Stowell, OF virginia,
charged with having sold Naval Cadethmp
and the Pacific Mail Company, nothing satisfac-
tory has been elected. In the first instance the
principal witness for the prosecution, State Sem
ator, George W. Graham, OF Va, mysteriously
| disappeared from the city when the time ar
rived for the taking his testimony by the Com
mittee, aud nothing was heard OF him until the
day previous TO the adjournment of Congress
| when a letter was received by friend OF his
stating that he would be here after the 23d inst.
the date of the adjournment. 1t remains to
be seen whether he will present himself before
the Committee upon the re-assembling OF Con-
gress after the holidays. 1t is thought not, but
| That he will endeaYor to keep without the
reach of the Sergeant tf ArmH and
avoid giving testimony in the case.
1t will be rememberSa That Graham was
the party who received the 81, 700 for getting the
appointment for Schoolcfalt, and Mr. StOwell
states that ho iover received dollar of the
money, and is very indignant and threatens
vengeance upon Graham II is believed that
Graham pocketed the whole amount, ana beinB
a state senator at the time of the transaction,
| o,a all DrOlaDitV be brought
against him for accepting bribe IN the faclhc
Mail matter the Committee were also brought to
standstill by the refusal Of Mr. Richard u.
Irwin, the main witness in the case. and the one,
who for no long a period it was difficult to find
10 testify RI 10 what he did with the large
amount Of money which he received from the
Company for use in this city. The Com
mittee then endeavored to get him brought before
the bar of the House for contempt, in which
they have temporarily failed OWING to his con-
tinued i'll health.
In the meantime, tho Democratic members
look on and chuckle at these nice little efforts Of
tie majority to secure the party, and by way OF Il
/ gentle shove every Monday morning some one
OF them introduce resolution for another lilves-
, tgation of the safe burglary case. Thus FAR,
however, they have failed and are likely 10 CON
tuue to do v Judging from the state OF the vote
Mt the several tmes 1t has been offered.
By the last report of the Librarian of Congress
, the number of books at present contained IN the
library s 27i, l57, besides 53,OO0 pamphlets, an
|
10000 He states that at the present rate OF m
, creases, the library will have 5OO,OOO volumes IN
, twenty years and upwards or 2,OOO,OOO by the
1 end OF the century. He again urge upon Con
a press in view of the above, the necessity for the
, erection without delay of new building for the
5 library, and states that the proposed enlarge
: memt of the Capitol for the purpose VIII be but
o temporary expedient and urgently dlsap-
v proves of tile same. The collection of books
i has already been twice doubled within thirteen
years. The new bill for the government OF tins
district has met with some hard knocks during
4 | the dc bate upon it in the Senate and there II
@ but lttls likelihood OF its ever gong unrouBn III
| it, present state.
i Notwithsts 1ding the prominent manner in
Y which the citizens have shown their opposition
i to suffrage here, owing to tho shameful manner
h in which they have been used as result OF IL
IL IL evident that large number, If not maj or
b ity if both Senators and members are IN iaVol
o of it and that it may ultimately be embodied il
Is the bill in whatever shape 1t otherwise passes
it Senator Wright has already submitted an amend
ment in the nature of a substitute, which dl
d rects that there shall be a mayor and municlpa
ID council elected by the people, the Mayors power
to be limited as before the war. The Councl Il
O. to consist of 56 members, two from each OF IN
" ~ districts and II at large The elections are
= | he held on TIE 2nd Tuesday in April OF eacl
year Then there il to be Controller and Audl
M tor Justices and notaries pnblc. Iaxahoh !
IN hmlfed to / - per centnm and tile improvement
n to lie under board of three engineers, one ap
9. pointed by the President and the other Two D.
e, th Council ,.u,
The passage of che specie resumption bili pN
the Senate gives almost universal satisfaction {
nroninent Republicans hero. Gen. Butler AM
Judge Kelley together with q few of the Wss
h. tern Republicans may make some little oppo
&c nition when it comes up for action in tn
House, but there IL no doubt of its passage an
al a sneedy one at that. Had a little. longer tim
INTERVIEWED prior to the adjournment the mem
n. hers would have had the satisfaction OF return
inc TO their constituents and receiving fror
- them thanks for at last having taken a ste
a. likely to prove of benefit to the .hepuDhcan pal
ty and the country at large.
The Democrats appear to be completely non
ly nnssed by the movement ON the part Of thei
" onnonents and though many of them profess 9
he stauuch advocates of resumption, still th
w vote in the House will be as strictly party on
70 as that in the Senate and they be shown clearl
npon the record against it. The fact OF its be
,s- ing a Republican measure now appears 10 be
a. rood and sufficient reason for opposition tlere
Id 10. it evidently being settled discriminate
with them to prevent, if possible anything bein
done bv the present Republican Congress- tina
Ie- viii benefit the people and thereby weaken the
~ chances when in power, OF manufacturing cap
IL tai for the coming Presidential election.
Notwithstanding the universal feeli' g OF hsT' mar
to times Christmas passed of with us very cneerilN
by 'The day was all that could have Leen desired
an snch as has. [ believe, never been known her
NJ rms season of the year. little mil1er an
at IL wonld have been perfect May day. IL Is
ha | la honad tlat we will be similarly favored III