Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-05-13
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D, c.
May 6, 1876,
EX-SENATOR CARPENTER IN DANGER.


he will find himself, one of these odd days,
''in contempt" for the ironical, sarcas-
tic, and often absolutely impertinent
manner, in which he speaks to and of the
honorable court" composed of grave
and reverend Senators. Carpenter was
never remarkable for dignity Of demeanor
when in the Senate. and il il quite certain
he has not acquired any TO speak of since
he retired from that body. Possessing
any amount of confidence in himself. he
walks in front of the lower tier Of Sena-
torial seats when talking, declaims loud
", and, extending his arm, places the
index finger of MS right hand in unpleas-
antly close proximity 10 the Senatorial
noses. OccasIOnly, he INDUCES in sarcaS-
tic, illusions which are apparently not
very much relished by Senators, Is. for
instance on the 9TH inst, when he dwelt
on the extensive learning and high char
acter of Senators. ending up with-'you
are all great men and il Is not necessary
for YOU TO make any research III this case.
But we of the counsel for the respondent
are nothing but common lawyers, and
should be allowed time TO hunt up the au-
thorities in the case" Several Senators
smiled ut this debating-schoo wit, or
whatever it should be called, but the
! majority were apparently aIfnoyed, and
considered it 4 vulgar impertinence, -
they well might.
POLITICAL.
The House of Representatives has done
a vast amount of work this session, much
more than it is likely TO receive credit for.
Few Houses have ever worked so hard III
Committee Is the present one, because OF
the unusual number of Investigations III
progress; while the regular business of
legislation il well advanced. This being
Presidential year." and both parties
being, therefore, on their good behavior,
there has been a marked unwillingncSS to
act upon such schemes rs invited
draughts upon the Treasury or encroach-
ments upon the Public Domain. And
vet. the House has failed 10 make its mark
as Reform body, or 10 inspire much
confidence in the minds of the people.
The reason of this is, | think, that the
American people are no longer TO be led
or controlled by the professions of pOliti-
| clans, and diStrustS all that the House has
done in exposing the rascalitics of Repuh-
I licans, is the mere effort of one set OF
politicians TO diSCrcGit another set, rather
! than an honest cndeayOr to crush ont cor
| ruption, wherever ii exists. This feeling
! certainly does injustice 10 some members
of the Democratic majority, at least. But
the feeling exists, and will be felt in the
! coming election.
The people know that, with Republican
politicians in control of every branch Of
! the Government, ii is impossible 90 bring
dcrelict Republicans to justice; that the
I Credit Mobilier was investigated only al
! ter the facts had been brought TO light in
! a civil action in the Courts, and only then,
| after the Independent Press had made il
| impossible to ignOr the charges. And
! there is no reason to believe that were
| Democratic politicians in control of the
I Government, they would manifest any
! alacrity TO investigate corrupt Democrats.
! The New York Tribune says:
Though there are several Democratic
statesmen who might be named whose cam
! didacy would 90 far TO assure the people
! of the earncstness OF the party, it seems 10
us that only one has been brought promi-
ncntlv toward who has been so thOrOughly
identified with political reform rs 10 be
able to lift The party upintO the confidence
! of the people. That man is Governor Ill
! dem"
The truth Of this is felt here, and makes
! Tilden the strongest man on the Demo
! cratic side. As it is certain that no other
! Democrat can be elected, and that no ina
! chine nomination" AT Cincinnati can beat
! him, his nomination will secure good
man in the White House, whichever par
| ty wins.
NICE LITTLE JOB SPOILED.
Murtagh, editor ofthc National Repub-
| Iican, and Grants man Friday, is in tears.
! He is likely to lose the lucrative job Of
printing the list of delinquent taxpayers
| in the District of Columbia. The District
| Commissioners advertised for proposals
| for the work; and Murtagh, being the
! lowest bidder, got the contact without
! refereuce To the circulation of his ''kitch-
Ell organ" His bid was fifty cents per
4 inch, while last year it was $40. His bill,
| last year, was sos 900, while this year, II
! he secures similar contract, his cOmpen-
/ sation will not exceed $40 1000. lie made
every preparation for doing the work this
! wear: procured extra hands and new type
! and, in fact, now has the "copy" in his
possession. On the 9TH inst, however, the
! Chairman of the House District Commit
/ tee presented a resolution, which was
J adopted, directing the Commissioners to
! have printed at the Government Printing
| Office 3, 900 copies of the taX-list in pham-
! Printer simply the prime cost. Mr.. Buck
ner. Chairman of the District Committee,
said that at least $40 900 would be saved to
the District'by this course. The resolution
will probably pass the Senate, and then
poor Fl iday will be deprived OLA little job
out of which he hoped to make few
! thousand dollars. Last year he was given
/ the same job ut the urgent request OF
President Grant, and il i believed the
/ Commissioners were Influenced this year,
/ in making their award, by the same high
/ authority; rs ii was made without refer
ence TO the circulation of the newspapers
published in Washington, which should
have been considered. 1t is conceded that
the Evening Star, of this city, has 4 much
/ larger circulation than any other paper
| in fact it keeps standing at the head Of its
columns double loaded statement assert
| ing that its circulation is more than that
| of all the others combined; and this state
mcnt has never been contradicted.
THE CONNECTICUT SENATORIAL ELECTION.
takes place on Wednesday, the 10th inst.
Both of the aspirants, Senator English and
/ Representative WIN. III. Barnum, are on
the ground working like beavers; and
| Judging from the latest advices, Mr. Bar
! mum will be elected to the seat now occu-
/ pied by Governor English. Mr.. Barnum
/ i very popular in his State, not only be-
caus. of the public enterprise he has ex-
/ hibited in promoting the material interests
I of Connecticut, but because of his liberal
/ itv toward his party and the readiness
! with which he has always mingled with
! his fellow citizens. Ii is related Of him
! that he often pays, for months at a time.
all of the large force of labOrers employed