Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-05-08
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May /, 1876
Special Correspondence.

WASHINGTON, D. c., May l, 1876.
Special Correspondence.
May has opened upon US bright and
beautiful and all seems mild and calm.
Did the national pulse correspond to the
calmness of the day we should be
happy people indeed. But frowning
brows uplifted hands and elevated voices
too well betoken the coming storm. To
one accustomed to Washington society
the scene recalls to mind the living like
ness of former days. At the principal
hotels may be seen gathered in groups
the active politicians, both citizen and
stranger discussing the elective merits of
the expective aspirants for the Presiden-
tial nomination. While both the great
political parties seem split into numer-
Gus fractions, each urging the fitness of
its favOrite, it is openly apparent to
disinterested observer that a0ai6bi6ty
Will determine the selection.
The decision of Judge Carter in the
Hallet Kilbourne case has elected much
discussion among lawyers and politicians
and it is currently remarked that an at
tempt will be made to again summons
him before the committee and PROFOUND
the same questions and should he still de-
clineor refuse to answer, to again commit
him for contempt and ignore the power
of the court in its issuance of the writ
hobeaS corpus. Arguing that if court
is permitted to discharge prisoner COM
mitted for contempt of the House, that
such action paralyzes all investigation
-And destroys the usefulness of the stand
ing committees which the House has al
ways had to enquire into the expendi-
lures of the various executive depat-
ments. This is one of the gravest ques-
tions of the day. The House is consid-
cred to be the grand inquest of the
nation and the sight of habeaS corpus is
undeniable. A direct issue is now made
and it is only to be hoped party spirit
will be laid aside and the question fairly
and definitely determined. Henry A.
Wise, lifelong politician and uncom-
promising democrat Ex-Governor Of
Virginia and T. S. Senator, has written
letter to the Capital, paper of this
city, in which he uses this language in
speaking of Andrew Jackson "He had
Just dictated who should be his successor
in the Presidency, and intrigue and
corruption with abuse of power had been
so successfully used in the fall of 1886
as to elect the Jackall of the Lion whose
proclaimed motto was TO the victor be-
long the spoils He again says in
speaking of the Democratic party. No
use of public money charged upon Gen
Grant comes up to the abuse of public
deposits IN the pet banks by the Secre-
tary of the Treasury and Reuben NJ
Whitney, see the report of the committee
of nine and especially the 'woOlclip
correspondence between Mr.. Woodbury.
and Mr. Whitney" This will be del
icate morsel for the stump orators Of
Democratic prOclevities to chew during
the coming campaign. There is a pre-
vailing complaint of the scarcity of smal
change, although large amounts of silver
have been paid out by tradesmen but
little has been received by them in re
turn The secret of the retention o.
silver by those who have it is perhaps
its novelty and general desire to hold or
to it as long as possible. As the suppl;
of fractional currency becomes exhausted
however it is reasonable to suppose tina