New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-11
Especial Correspondence Of the Republican
FROM WASHINGTON.

FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, January 6. 1876.
When Congress assembled yesterday but
two of the LOUISIANA delegation, Messrs
Levy and Morey. were in their seats. Cen
eral Gibson had not arrived from New
York, where he has been for some days.
The others were sill home, or en- route.
There was but little business transacted.
A resolution, expressing as the sense of the
House that Union soldiers should have the
preference in appointments in the depart
ments, received the hearty support of the
Democrats. Considering that they have TO
appointments within their gift in any of the
departments, it was q cheap method of max
ing good record, and the gusto with which
they supported it was surprising to many
Republicans. When, however, a little later,
Fort, of Illinois, introduced another resolu-
ton, directing the officers of the House to
appoint none but wounded and deserving
Union soldiers, it proved, in common par
lance to be "a horse of another color
After the demand for the previous question
was defeated by strict party vote, it was
very appropriately referred to the Centen-
NAL Committee. Another century will prob
ably elapse before the present dominant
party in the House Will be willing to call it
up.
The manner in which the old employees of
the House have been "tolnced" is truly re-
treshing. Two notable instances have Oc-
Cured during the past few days. One was
a Union soldier who lost both arms during
the rebellion, and who was we'll qualified
for the position lie held-assistant door
keeper. The other had passed the ordeal
Of Andersopville prison, and is unable to
perform any manual labor. Neither have
taken part in politics, aud both were ap-
pointed from Democratic districts. Yet
they were promptly dismissed. Banks had
but enc appointment in the House, and he.
too, has gone. Their places have been filled
by men whose record, as Confederate SOL
diers, is above reproacb. Nearly all the
appointments made thus far have been ex'
Confederates, and to say that the Northern
members are indignant, is simply stating it
mildly.
The rumored investigation Of Senator
West is regarded here as newspaper bum
combe, animated by the animus borne all
Southern Republican Senators by the South
ern Democracy. The charges are vague
and unsatisfact tory, and are not believed in
any quarter to have any foundation in fact
IT or <ha iofo fail
I believe, to inform you that a ''congres-
sional executive committee" had, on motion
Of Mr.. Cox, been appointed by Dem.
| ocratic caucus. The agent fails to teie-
| graph good many things of interest to
the people of your section, and seems to
entertain some peculiar ideas as to the
| wants of the Southern public in the way OF
| news. Exactly what this committee Is ex-
| pected to accomplish is not clearly under
stood, but it is generally supposed it will
unearth all frauds alleged to have been
| committed since the Republicans came into
| power: show that the financial policy OF
! the administration has been disastrous to
| the business interests of the country, and
| furnish such other matter as may prove OF
use in the way of campaign documents.
| The officers of the government have been
| 60 long engaged in the detection and con-
viction of men who have SO systematically
defrauded the revenue that it is too late foE
the Democrats to share the honors. AS for
their financial policy, the Republicans can
afford to let their opponents show how they
I cf hat hr Il
legacy, the war debt.
The most remarkable feature of this affair
was that Mr.. Cox declined the chairman
ship Of the committee. Coming from the
city of New York, ne would have been pc
culiarly fitted to have shown to the COM
mittee and the country at large the advan
tages to be derived from a Democratic gov
ernment. Or, after accepting Mr.. Coke
graceful declension, why not have appointed
"a chairman one of the members from oul
own goodly ruled Democratic city of New
Orleansa To an unbiased observer, it i;
clear that the president Of that caucus
lacked proper conception of tho eterna
fitness Of things.
Abil was introduced in Congress previous
to the recess, directing the Secretary OF tnt
Treasury to pay to the owners, their heir'
or assigns, the proceeds of the sale Of any
land sold by the United States for direc
taxes in the late insurrectionary States, {
quit claim to be given, however, before ths
money is paid. Tho bill will, no doubt, pas
both houses.
The million ard half of dollars asked
for by the centennial commission will b.
appropriated by Congress, thus placing th'
exhibition beyond the possibility Of failure
Barring few stray journals, there is little
if any, opposition, and it will pass tn
House by large msj jority.
An effort will be made during the presen
session to impose tax on tea and coffee
The removal of the tariff on the importa
ton of these articles, while it has deprived
tho government of a large revenue, ha
been of 60 benefit to the consumer, the ad
vantage accruing entirely to the importer
It is not likely, however, that either party
on the eve of q presidential election, vii
care to shoulder the responsibility OF wha
, must prove an unpopular measure. Thre
!, of the eleven members of the Committee o
WAYS and Means, Messrs. Morrison, Gal
, field and Burchard, are in favor OF the tai
The sale of matter that has accumulated
the dead letter Office will commence on tn
seventeenth Of the present month. Tn
, catalogue contains $500 different article'