Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-03-29
correspondence.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., MARCH %, 1876.

l see that the Republican politicians OF
the Empire State have decided, in conven.
ton, to support Senator Conklin for the
presidency, in the Republican National
Convention. Some Of his supporters and
admirers will be surprised to hear that
their favorite will soon be invited TO APP
pear before a Committee of the House to
answer few questions regarding trans
action which was more profitable than
honorable, if even legal, to the supcrcil-
ious Senator. There Is no attempt at sen
satioh IN this paragraph. When the facts
are laid before the country, Conklin will
be universally pronounced unworthy to
occupy seat in the Senate, although it
may be as impossible to punish him ac-
cording to his deserts, as it will be, ap-
parently, to punish Belknap. There need
be no surprise at the announcement |
have just made. Has not Conkln always
been the friend and confidant of Grant ?
Should we be surprised that the annie in
time Of a ,file de joie should be found to be
herself uncl aste? Would it not be nearly
beyond the possibilities that she would be
otherwise! Talking of Conklin and New
York, reminds me that many democratic
papers in the South and West favor the
nomination of Samuel j. Tildcn, the great
Reform Governor of that State, for the
presidency. The non-partisan papers also
speak kindly fhim. Tldcn is lifelong,
Incorporating, dyed-in-the-wool demo-
crat but is more favorably and widely
known to the country at large as man
who has reflected honor on his party in
New York, as we'll as on himself, by rid
ding it of it's dishonest leaders. The I'M
firing industry, dogged perseverance and
sterling integrity Of the man, and the fact
that in pursuing, year after year, to con-
viction and punishment, the Tweed Ring
and the N. Y. Canal Ring, he entirely ig-
noled politics, and, Washlngton-likc, re.
fused compensation for his professional
services to the City and State, have crea-
ted stron. impression in his favor, and
attracted the attention of politicians to
him as an easy man to elect.
BLAINE'S STRATEGY CD
The republicans are growing loudly ov-
err what they call Blaines strategy on the
bill to prevent the collection of money for
political purposes from officers and clerks
in the service of the United States. They
would have you believe that Blaine forced
the House to accept his amendment in
Guiding members of Con grcss, against the
will of the majority, and that the demo-
Gratis were clevelly outwitted. The facts
are Just the reverse. The Republican
party maintains regular bureau here for
the collection of money from government
employees, at the head of which is the no.
torious Judge Edmunds, Postmaster OF
Washington. He sends letters to every
officer in the country, levying upon them
regular contributions to the machine-not
only to officers, but to all those who are,
in any power, dependant upon the admin
istratiOn for the positions they hold. Ev-
ans, the post-trader, who paid Marsh Sl2,-
900 year for his place, has just testified
that he was "assessed" $500, at one time,
by the Republicans, for party purposes,
and that he sent the money to Washing
ton. So extensive has been this system
of official blackmail that hundreds OF
thousands of dollars have been collected,
each year, ostensibly for political purpo'
ses, but of which large portion has gone
into the pockets of certain lavorites in
Washington, either in the shape of sala-
res as secretaries of Campaign Commit
tees, &C., or as direct stealing.
The democrats were determined to put
an end 10 this abuse, i'possiblc, and Mr..
Bernard G. Caulfeld of Illinois, reported
bill from the House Judiciary Commit
tee, on Tuesday last, making it an offence
punishable, by fine and Imprisonment, for
any person in the employ Of the United
States to collect or contribute any money
whatever for political purposes. The Re,
publicans were seriously alarmed, and Mr..
Hoar, of Massachusetts, offered an amend
ment to permit the collection of money
for the purpose of sending out printed
Campaign documents. Other amend
ments were offered; and, it becoming evil
dent that the Republicans were anxious
to cucumber the bill and action Mr..
Caulfeld, who had charge of the bill, mov-
ed the previous question, and it was or,
dered. 1t then became evident that the bill
would be passed unless something could
be done to kill it. AT this moment, Mr..
Blaine. whose ability as a manager, and
transcendent skill in all kinds OF parlia-
mentary trickery, are generally. acknowl-
edged, sprang to the rescue. He asked
Mr.. Caulfeld to yield to him for mo-
ment which was done; but when he pro-
posed to offer an amendment to the bill,
Mr.. Caulfeld declined to yield further.
Mr.. Blaine then moved to- reconsider the
vote by which the previous question was
ordered so that he might offer an amend
ment to include Senators and Representa-
tives of the United States; and on this
motion he demanded the yeas and nays,
in order, as he said, that every man should
60 upon the record. The sole object was
to defeat the bill, or to place the majority
in false position, by inducing them to
refuse to allow the amendment to be Offer
ed. But in this, Mr.. Blaine was defeat
a