Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-14
LETTER From WASHING TON.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. IL,

To the Editor Of The heantbee journal.
Just at present we are making the best resist
ance possible to a condition of the atmosphere
that New England man readily recognizes as
"cold snap" 1t came suddenly in the disguise of
rain that quickly changed to light furry of snow,
and very sharp wind that still sweeps acl oss
the country while the thermometer capers about
in the vicinity of zero and ears and nose require
special attention to escape unpleasant results from
the frost.
There has been little excitement the past week
in the city, in political circles and it is quite
probable that great quiet will prevail until the
committees which have been ordered South to i'll
vestgate the election, have returned with their
reports and testimony to Congress. 1t was the be-
lief of many that the Presidents message would
| comment at some length on the condition Of the
South, with reference to the election, and indicate
precisely the Presidents opinions and proposed
| action; but with the same reticence that charac
tel lied his action when in command Of armies,
he lets those who would commend or criticse
aid or interfere, learn by his acts what he believes
to be his duty and convinces all parties by the
quetude of conscious power that the county will
have peace and whoever is declared elected will he
safely inaugurated and also that while statesmen
seek TO know the real voice of the people, who
rightfuly vote, and tlcksters are endeavoring to
manipulate msjorities and crush out the voice of
citizens by fraud and violence, or seize upon the
vote OF State by the willing act of partzan
execution there shall be to each and all protection
and from each and all obedience to the laws of their
country.
The action Of the Senate on the question wheth
er or not the Joint Rules are binding on the
House and Senate without action, settles con.
structvely the opinion of that body. as well as the
position of such prominent democrats as Bsyard
of Delaware, Cameron Of Wisconsin, Eaton of
Connecticut, and Herman Of New York, by vote
of fifty to four that they are not in force thus
placing Speaker Randall and his followers in the
House in strangely embarrassing difference of
opinion with the leaders of their party in the SEN
ate. SO far as the important application of the
special joint rule in relation to the counting of the
vote for President, since the action of the Gov
ernor of Oregon. the average party democrats
seems to care little, but the thinking men not only
appreciate the real weakness of the position, but
also the sharp and telling contrast of San appeal
to the conscience of the American people" as the
champions of reform in asserting the justice Of
securing democratic President by single DEM
ocratc electoral vote by the action of democrat
ic Governor in State where all parties agree
that the election was fair, the majority large, and
conclusively republican, and where to make the
trick especially glarng the elector put in
place, had been a candidate for the position and
by vote of the people been advised that at least
he was not their choice.
The only excuse that has any apparent force is
based on the pretended right to overcome by such
means what is assumed as great abuses IN what are
termed the "pivotal States" whereby the Return
ing Boards have returned republican electors
Already large committees of the House have ar
rived at these points, or are on their way and the
committee Of Privileges and Elections Of the Sen
ate, consisting of Senators Morton of Indiana
Logan of Illinois, Mitchell of Oregon, Wadlegh
of New Hampshire, Cameron of Wisconsin Me-
MILAN Of Minnesota Howe of Wisconsin, Bout
well of Massachusetts, Salisbury of Delaware,
Merrmon of North Carolina Cooper of Tennes-
see, and Herman of New York. with special ad-
dtion Of Senators Christiancy of Michigan, Tel
lery Of Colorado and Mcdonald of Indiana, have
sent subcommittee TO these important points.
Stenographers accompany these committees and
there can be little doubt that out of the mass Of
testimony, the truth may be elected, so that at
least those not too bitterly partzan can where
justice lies
The House committees are headed by Mr..
Thompson from Gloucester, Mass formerly AS
sistant United States District attorney, whose
committee goes to Florida, and has appointed
Mark II. Dunnell Of Minnesota, and other repub
lcans; VIM. r. Morrison of Illinois, who has
been speaker Of the House in Illinois and is a
lawyer of some prominence, who goes to Louisna
aud has upon his committee such republicans as
flurlbut of Illinois, Grape of Mass, Joyce OF
Vermont, and Mr.. Sayler of Cincinnati, speaker
of the House of Representatives during the alb
sence of Mr.. Kerr the last session. Meantime
the cloud of opinions of the situation changes
not and the propositions for the solution of the
difficulties grow no less in number or variety. In
Louisiana, however the acknowledged fairness OF
correspondents Rcdfeld, Of the Cincinnati Com
merciai, and Mr.. White of the New York Tribune
especially the latter, who went TO New Orleans,
having no sympathy with what he regarded as
sensational stories Of intim idation and abuse give
their opinions much weight, as they declare of
many Of them that terrible as they are "the worst
of it is they true" as Mr.. Redfed asserts, or
in the significant words of Mr.. White, spite of
the attempt 10 prove them false, and his careful
endeavors to investigate them, 'there is no other
| side" With fair minded men these opinions are
entitled to great weight and cause all such to be
especially glad If there is power given by the law
Of any State to deprive all guilty peraons of re-
! suits sought by such means as the full exercise