New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-25
Especial Correspondence Of the Repubhcan'l
OUR WASHINGTON LITTER.

Especial Correspondence Of the Republican,
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. January u. 1870.
When Congress assembled in December
the Democrats presented solid, compact
front, and were, apparently, we'll trained
body with bold and skillful leaders; the
Republicans, q struggling line in which the
evidences Of disaster and defeat were too
plainly apparent, and with no acknowledged
chief. The former we're bold, confident and
reliant, and were prepared 10 enter uron an
aggressive campaign, with retrenchment
and reform as their battle cry; the latter
drew in their lines and prepared to put
themselves on the defensive only Ihat
the Democratic House could, by pursuing a
wise and prudent course, so strengthen
their party as to insure its success IN the
coming campaign, was claimed by all DEM
ocrats and feared by many Republicans.
But six weeks OF the session have passed,
vet in that time the order of things has
been completely reversed. By series OF
blunders unequaled in the history OF poll
tical legislation, the Democrats are reduceo
to disorganized mass, in which jaalousy'
recriminations and heart burnlngs are the
predominating elements.
When Wood moved to refer Morey's and
Spercer's credentials to the Committee on
Elections, and thus reopen the Louisiana
imbroglio, he did 60 with the advice ana
consent of most of the prominent men in
his party. When they found that gross
error had been committed it was deemed
| necessary to make a scapegoat OF some one'
60 Wood was sacrificed on the altar OF pub
lie opinion. He neither forgets nor for
| givee, and from that day his voice has never
| been raised in defense of his party's meas-
ures nor has be ever came to it's aid. He
| sat grimly by while it's self-constituted lead
| ers went down, one by one, under the rat
Ting fire of Blaines Gstling guns. There
| is no man on the floor of the House who can
chew the cud Of revenge with greater relish
than Fernando Wood.
This was the first irredeemable error
committed by the Democratic, for the cool,
cynical New Yorker was the best man they
could have pitted against Blaine. Nothing
was expected from Morrison in debate; Cox
is nothing, if not witty but his witticisms
fall barmlessly against the force OF Blaine &
logic. Randall was go badly beaten on the
amnesty bill that he no longer commands
their confidence, although from necessity
he is virtually their chief. In the rout that
has followed the defeat Of their champions
each man thinks he is capable Of extricat
ing the party from its perilous position and
retrieve, to a great extent, the errors al
ready committed. The result Of such 8
feeling can be imagined. 1t is an army II
which none are willing to serve as privates
The advance column of the Republican,
only has been engaged, for, in no instance
have they mad occasion to call up thei
reserves.
Opposite long list of blunders the Dem
| ocrats are unable to place one redeemlnl
point. No measure Of public interest ha
yet been passed. Even the important az
propriat;on bills, which heretofore at thi
season have been ready to send to the Sen
ate as it was prepared to receive them
have scarcely been considered in the con
mittee rooms. In fact some Of the commit
tees have not taken up their work at al
That on Mississippi levees held its first SET
sion Yesterday. Mr.. Ellis, the chairman
aside from his duties on other committees
has labored under the many disadvantage
naturally encountered by a new member
Thus far Mr.. Morey is the only man on thi
committee who seems to have remembers
his river constituents.
The Committee on Appropriations wi
cut down the appropriations tor the depar
ments to such an extent as to necessitat
an increase Of working nours and redu'
ton Of the clerical force fully one-ffth.
The case of Mr.. Pinch back still hold
over, but the indications are that it will b
brought up in a few days. The special
sent from this city to certain New Orlean
papers, to the effect that in case Mr.. Pincl
back is rejected Mr.. Eustis will be admi
ted, are not worthy of credence. Mr.. Pincl
: back may be rejected, for it is impossible
forecast the action Of such body as tn
United States Senate; but if he is-and
have high authority for making the asse
tion-Mr. Eustis, should q vote ever
reached in his case, will be rejected by
larger vote than Mr.. Pinchback.
: Colonel Scott will appear before the Sci
! ate Committee on Pacific Railroads ON Tue
day evening next in advocacy of the Texs
Pacific, He claims that he can get none
cheaper than any other corporation, wit
the government guarantee OF interest. Ih
Pennsylvania Central, ne says, has no col
nection with it, and that the South will n
, ceive the benefit.
The friends of the measure claim SO vote
in the House, in spite of Holman's ant
subsidy resolution. The general impressio
is. that if Lamar gives it hearty suppol
ita massage in the House is assured. HI
influence, especially with he Souther
!, members of his party, is NJ oounded, an
should it tail it will be owing to his want {
energy more than any other cause.
Mr.. Levy has an important bill before tn
Committee ON Public Lands, and whic
will doubtless pass the House, providin
..that the accretions which are formed SUI
cessively and imperceptibly to any so
situated on the shore Of any lake, river q
| other stream, and which are called alluvlor
shall belong to the owner or owners OF Tn
.o;, situated on the edge of the wateI
whether it be lake, river or other stream
and whether the same be navigable or moi