Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1876-08-31
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. August 18th, 1877

WASHINGTON, August lin, 1910.
In defiance of the prostration induced by
an eight months session in the miserably
ventilated House and Senate chambers, in
tensified by the present hot weather, the
past ten days at both ends ofthe Capitol haze
been largely devoted to campaign work rather
than to legislation; and marked in
difference is observable among the leaders of
both parties relative to adjournment, although
the newer and less consequential members
have so generally acted upon the promptings
of home sickness as to have left the Senate
largely reduced and the House with hardly a
quorum. If the leaders OF the Ku-klux
savages could appreciate the burdens they
impose on Democratic members of Congress
in denying their existence, or in belittling and
apologizing for their cold-blooded butcheries
there would be cessation of them for the
next three months except when they were
imperatively necessary during the campaign,
to insure the absence of Republican voters
from the polls at the November election. The
evidence in the hands of the committee that
investigated the last Mississippi election show
that it is entirely feasible in the South to so
overwhelm whole communities with dread
and terror as to practically disfranchise
Republican voters. This appears to have
been accomplished in Mississippi by resort
O every means calculated to be effectual,
emphasized by the requisite number of MUIR
ders, judiciously distributed. The barbaric
social condition of such communities can be
in some degree estimated when it is shown,
as by the testimony taken, that even ministers
of the gospel not only tacitly approved but
in one instance. at least, led the low savages
in their CHASTITY work. This report and the
facts OF the Hamburg massacre, have taxed
Democratic ingenuity to its utmost capacity
in Congress and the inconsiderate action of
Democratic constituencies in the late insur-
rectionary States has obliged every apologist
therefor to sink out of sight every sentiment
of humanity, justice, mercy and manhood,
having an eye single to the rehabilitation of
the Democratic party. Of course there is
only one provocation it urges in extenuation
of these outrages-the misrule of negroes
scallawags. No one can fail to note the
similarity of the spirits now prevailing with
that existing prior to the war, which deemed
the possession of a copy of Uncle Toms
Cabin or the New York Tribune deserving of
punishment by torture or death or both.
The conference report on the River and
Harbor bill has been accepted by the House
and Senate and it will be passed, appropri-
ating about $5,000,000. The Legislative Ap-
bill will be passed to-day. The
Indian bill will also pass to-day or to-mor-
row, the custody of the Indians remaining
with the Interior Department, instead Of
a transfer to the War Department. 1t is also
believed that the Conference Committee will
be able to report an agreement before the
close of to-morrow's session. Last years
appropriations have been again extended four
days.
The agreements upon and an3 passage of
The above bills have probably been fastened
BY the growing discomfort of the Democrats
with Randalls management. Had he con-
inued his obstructive course longer, there
would have been open mutiny. He has been
oointedly rebuked and snubbed by members
If his own party; and he has fritted away
lis position by his pig headed obstinacy.
The inflationists are complacent and happy
because of their victory in repeating the
;lause of the Resumption act, fixing a
lefnite date for resumption. Tilden's letter |
8 generally regarded as surrender to that |
wing, and Hendricks has been avenged for
he slight of the St. Louis Convention. 1t is
be general verdict amid all the antiquities
# Mr.. Tildens letter, his purpose is evident
o make clean sweep of Republican officials,
hould he succeed in reaching the White
1ousc, and no one yet has been able to dis
over that he commits himself in his letter,
D any of the reforms to which he was so
astily converted after his confidential rela-
ons with the Boys and his pet thieves
ad been shown up through the revelations
nat followed the assaults of the New York
Tines.
Mr.. Bluford Wilson and Mr.. Yaryan have
cen so often contradicted by all the other
illnesses examined, in their efforts to con-
ict the President of lukewarmness in the
bisky prosecutions, as to vitiate their testi-
lony; and the discovery of public papers,
lcluding the Barnard letter, in the boxes
[r. Wilson has caused to be packed to be
mt to him as his private papers, and his
atement that he had no evidence of the
residents Indifference save his effort to I
held Babcock. his unwilling admission that 3,
e believes the President had snecial ref | 6