Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-05-18
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER

WASHINGTON, d. c., May 13, 1876.
The distressed, unhappy and anxious
Democratic factors of Mr.. Caultieid'o
committee, return here from their two
days relaxation at Philadelphia, with
minds depressed by visions of the terri
BILE Davenport and hallucinati0ns Of
various kinds, from different causes,
poorly prepared for the efforts still
necessary to insure his silence relative
to the frauds and other crimes which
have disgraced the administration o!
New York City affairs for the past
twenty-five years, when under Demo-
cratic rule. 1t is quite certain that they
will rid themselves of his menacing
and irritating presence as soon as they
can do so consistently with keeling up
an appearance of zeal for reform. a
more thoroughly denOraliZed and hu-
INFLATED aggregate of eX-Confederates,
copperheads, doughfaces and s. indie
pendentS" wereneVer in the National
Hall of Representatives, than listened
TO the reading of President Grants
message in response to Black burns
impertinent interfogations; and the
trip to attend the opening of the Cen
ed and welcomed as pr0vidential
escape from the theatre of their last
and most crushing defeat. The better
informed, more thoughtful and more
liberal Democrats in the House, frankly
admit that it was a deserved punish
meut, handsomely administered. Even
the more virulent representatives OF
the party refer to Blackburn's resolu-
ton which calls it out, as mistake.
AS the feeling of eXaultatiOn animat-
ing them at the beginning of the session,
the blind partiZan zeal and Southern
spirit of opposition 10 the results of the
late war which have dictated the cause
of the party during the winter, have
become somewhat toned down. 1t is
very evident from the tone of the leau-
ers here, that they regard their inSul-
ter'S work, with many inisgivingS, aS a
series of gross blunders which would,
of themselves, be likely to prove fatal
to their hopes of restoration next No
VEN ber. even were there no record of
theil reasonable uprising against the
! Government. But they are reminded
every day that that has not been and
will not likely be forgotten for many
years. And with all their opportuni-
| ties while controlling the House TO
have so shaped Legislation and con-
Quoted themselves as TO secure return
of confidence, tLey have only added 70
the distrust with which the party was
regarded prior to 1874.
1t is the general feeling that Congress
/ will now make haste to get through its
work here and adjourn before the
torrd weather of mid summer shall
have wasted their remaining energies
Much remains to be done, or perhaps
should more exactly represent the stu
alton by saying that very little has yet
been done. Only one OF the necessary
appropriation bills (PensioDs) has yet
passed both Houses; and very little
difference of opinion could exist As to
the amount necessary to be apprOpriat
ed by that. 1t WAS Il matter Of arith
metic. None of the other general ap
preparation bills were passed and there
is no prospect of the Houre and Senate
agreeing. 1t is understood that the
President would return many Of them
without his approval should they reach
him as reported by the House commit
tee.
The effort made to deprive cities
OF less than 10000 residents of the car
rer system failed yesterday, after ii
long discussion, in " hich the ltepuli-
cans aud some of the Democrats spoke
against the proposition.
The House coinIEittee Investigating
Mr.. Clapp, the Congressional printer,
has reported. He is charged with al
most every crime known to the Grim
inal code except those liable TO capitsl
punishment. Its members report in
favor of measures looking to his speedy
punishment by impeachment, and rec
ON mend that Mr.. Rivers Ga noble Dem
ocrat) be awarded the printing oi the
Congressional Record.
The case of Miss Sweet, the Pension
Agent, is being Investigated and prom
ises to make something 0f sensation.
Il is said that some statements made
by eX-cOmmissioner Baker, yesterday,
fatty contradict some of those hereto
fore made by her. 1t is now asserted
that Davenport will not be allowed to
again appear before the committee
here; but for appearances sake a sub
committee will bn designated to go to
New York aud finish taking his testi-
mony there. 1t is an ugly job and
Democrats who understand the vital
importance of preventing Davenport'S
knowledge of Democratic vilainies as
they exist in that city, from appearing
on The record, will probably be sent on
the delicate mission. REP.
COURT REPORT.