Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-01-25
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iFos thv oxford Democrat.
Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON. D. c., I
Jan. l., 1876

Nr. Editor -
The holidays are now over. and the gay
season, which will continue until Lent, is
fairly upon Us, and promises lull round
Of pleasure, receptions, soirees. parties,
private Germans, etc, etc, vii. be in
order FOR the next six weeks.
Many regrets are expressed that the
Hon. I5ratio King has extended his trip
abroad and thus deprived society here OF
what has proved TO be one Of its greatest
pleasures during the past six seasons. Mr..
H., ,feelingthat something more enuobhng
and elevating was needed, conc ciyed The
idea CT furnishing literary and social
entertainment, invited few kindred
spirits 10 spend one evening esch week
10 his house. when an hour was dc
voted to reading essays, scientific papers,
&c, after which the time until 10 o'clock
was spent in social conversation. They
az once took high rank, as they became
known were highly appreciated by The
better classes. Here were gathered For
ga Ministers, Members OF Cabinet.
Senators, men Of great literary renown,
until his parlors for several seasons past
have become too STRAIGHT for tue crowds
who s5agh, admission, and those Who
were invited were considered very for
,una,e. Nothing yet projected promises
to take their place.
Congress is again in session, and Is at
tracing considerable attention as the
amnesty bill is being considered. Ran
dali undertook to pass /. through the
House without. debate or amendment. In
,hi, he was seconded by Sunset Cox and
w. ID. Kelley, but they were promptly
met by the Republicans with Blaine in the
van. To day Gen. Garfield speaks and
the discussion is likely to continue lor
some time, "a many members wish to
speak on the question though the bill has
been voted down and is virtually dead.
Report says that IS sooD as this debate
is through the opposition will open fire on
the administration by ordering several
investigations There is but little to be
feared by the friends OF the admlnistra-
ton from this source, as there are too
many live democrats in the departments
70 push far in that direction without
hitting some of their friends. Until the
recent resignation OF the % Comptroller
not = dollar could be drawn from the L.
5. Treasury without the signature OF
some democrat.
The recent action of the House in dis
missing every Union soldier employed
there has created some little stir. The
door keeper last week discharged the last
one, a Mr. Decker. who lost both hands
while serving in the 4th U. S. Artillery
during the late war. He had by an in.
genious instrument fastened to each arm
been able to perform bis duties efficiently.
We have not word TO offer cOndemning
this course, as any party who takes care
of its friends challenges our admiration.
With the Confederate Congress re-assem'
bled in the Capitol of the Nation why
should they be expected to take care OF
those who fought to save the Nations
life. The arranging of the committees
of the House indicates the purpose OF the
majority, and the old ehmity towards
New England is plainly de mOnstrated to
exist with all its former intensity.
There is one thing quite certain, that is,
the present House in point OF ability is
not up to the standard of any former
House. This will apply only to the ma
iority who have q very large number OF
men who were nominated with no expec-
tation of success, consequently there wss
very little thought OF who the candidate
should be beyond having some one named
Tor whom the party vote should be cast.
while it is admitted by all parties that the
republicans made unusually good NOM
;naiiops. and where successfully elected,
men much above the average, and men
who will successfully keep up the reputa-
lion of the party. We think it very gen
orally conceded that The republican party
will acknowledge leader during the