The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-08-06
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


Especial correspondence oil the ~, W. DemoerHl
wAsutaeros. August o. 1876.
Tho session Of the first Democratic House OF
Representatives assembled since 1851 is rapidly
drawing 20 aclose Tbeduostiop naturally sug-
goats itself In what respect does Ii differ from
its prsdsoossors2 What hos II accomplished
Has II been an Improvement on tho Republican
Congress Of tho past 1fteen years Hue 1t ful-
filled tho expectations of tho people and realized
the predictions of It's friends7 B9s 1t earned
the confidence and respect OF tho country WIZ
II bs trusted again with power and the interests
of the people Such thoughts as theso are
urpermost in the mind Of tho Intelligent and
patriotic citizen Tho fair and unprejudicod
observer of the proceedings Of the House dur
ing the last eight months. cannot fhll. think.
to render verdict In favor Of the political party
that hns controlled aud directed the course oi is
legislation.
Al tho outset serious difficulties we're pre-
sentsd. Most Of tho Democratic members elected
wore now men. inexperienced rs Legislators.
and unfamiliar with parliamentary tactics thoy
found themselves confronted by the most
sKtI1ruL AND AoooMrttsHED LEADEns
OF the Republican party, whose thorough
knowledge Of all the ways that are dark and
tricks that are vain" had to be combatted et
every turn. Added 10 this were hostile Exeou-
tive and an antagonIstic Benate. In spite how
House has performed its work and discharged
its duty we'll and faithfully. II has shown its
honesty and entire ability 70 grapple WIN the
rrsnt question of reform and 10 give the people
that relief for which they have been and arc still
40 clamorous. For this II deserves and Will re-
eelve the commendation Of the cntire country.
The thorough t-.,...,-.
Hn sYsrxM or fNvEsTfoArtor
pursued this session has rosultsd In exposing
tho rottenhess and corruption OF the Republican
administration Of the Government. Imbcciltty,
veaality and fraud have boon traced 70 every
department Ofictai bribcatAkers. thieves and
arcompli@~ have 'hecn dsteetsd. driven from
once ana disxYAced. Tho sAnetity Of the White
House even has been invaded. and Government
swindlers likc Babcock and Luckey have been
ssissd by tho throat and ierked from nhdeg the
very nose Of the President and exhibited 10 the
world in their true oolors. The dIsreputable
spcculations OF Cabinet officers. Ut the expense
Of tho Government have bcen detected and the
guilty participants arragncd for trial and pun
ishment Belknap was caught In tho very act OF
taking brbes. while Robeson Ia shown to bo
equally guilty Of malfeasHBcs In Office. and
quite M amonable to impeachment In there
any one In the country 40 simple ms to believe
that Republican House would have arrested
30 eummarily the populations of those
highly favored pets Of the party2 To
this extent then the Confederate House, ~ II IL
sneeringly termed Ivy Republican corruptionists.
bas purified In degree tho Cabinet. and demon
sirated 10 tho world
TIM CHARACTER or MEN
by whom Republican President In surrounded
TO counsel and aid him in tho conduct Of tho Gov
arnment Of tho United States.
Nor have the Investigations ended here. They
have reached beyond the sea. and brought
hither. to answer the indignant demands of an
ipeuited nation. faithless and unworthy for
eign minister and secured his iRnominious ex-
pulHion from tho position no dishonored and tho
trust he betrayed. sohenck will In future. only
bs known M Grants poker playing Emma
Mine swindling Embassador 10 England. 81
For the riddance Of this Dational shame tho
country will be grateful 10 '-"A
DKMocRArfc HOUSE
The honor OF our people has In q measure
been vindicated by the rebuke Il administered 30
promptly 10 the notprious echenek. II has con-
signed him 10 an obscurity whore no will long
remain. unless another Republican administra-
ton should come 70 demand such services ~
he. Babcoek. Belknap. Blaine. and othors Of that
ilk know 80 we'll how TO render a party and o
master 9E1 40 HEtfT H4#
Nay. morei Tho spirit Of Democratic investi-
cation has stalkod into the halls Of Congress
and confronted OK speaker Blaine. tho iavorite
and most talented Republican leader. with
charges OF corruption 40 clearly established M
10 defeat his nominate for the Presidency just
at the time when his highest ambition was about
to be gratned. II has held up to public gaze tho
gigantic and cruel robbery Of the credulous and
too confding freedman. committed by tho asso-
cistes and friends Of Grant under the ouise Of
friendship and pntcrnal interest In the unfortu.
nate negro.
Aud, finally. II has impressed evory Radical
official in Il country with the firm conviction
that his conduct hereafter will be liable to the
closest scrutiny and any delinquency on his
part will be promptly discovered and corrected.
As a consequence. u healthy change must take
place In tho administration OF the Government
by the servants OF the people. ts1
But the work Of publication and
OWL SERVICE REFORM
has not alone occupied the time and attention Of
tho Democratic House OF Representatives. The
great questions Of economy and the reduction Of
taxation have also received intelligent and Judi
cious consideration. At one fell swoop the ex- |
penses Of carrying on the Government have |
been reduced nearly thirty millions, and this. too,
has been accomplished In spite Of the opposition |
OF a Republican Senate that has placed every |
Obstacle in the way Of obtaining their ad- |
vantage. .Sineoures and useless Offices have |
fncnt employees required 10 earn their pay. The |
sauandcring Of public money has been stopped
and agents Of tho Govsrnment are held TO a strict |
accountability. All this. and more the Confcd- |
crate House may Justly claim TO have inau-
gurated during the first session OF Congress.
with this much ~ an earnest In behalf Of re-
FORM II is reasonable 10 conclude that the work
40 auspiciously begun viii bo vigorously and
zealously prosecuted to the end. To future
sessions. then. the people can &
LOOK wITn CONFIDENCE
for renewed efforts and more work In their
interest on the part Of their representatives,
who. thus far. have merited all praise. and to
whom the Democratic party can truthfuily say:
Woll done thou good and faithful servants
hear it frequently urged by Republicans who
would depreciatc the value OF the work done
and pretend to ignore the good accomplished by
this Congress- that tho time of the session has
been frittered away In useless and senseless