The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-05-18
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, d. c., May 13, 1876.
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Republicans IN washington nave Deen
somewhat disconnected by the good will
and harmony existing in the Democratic
party, which they had expected to see
divided and disrupted by sectional differ
ences. We no longer hear the sneering
assertions, formerly so frequent, that the
Democracy could not unite on any can
didate. They begin to osee that the Demo
cratic party sin earnest, and mean to win
this fight. The widest difference exists
between the advocates of Hendricks and
those of Tilden, and yet insinuations that
the friends of Hendricks would refuse to
support Tilden, should he be the nomi-
nee, are treated by the most earnest sup
porters of the distinguished Indianian as
absurd. The fight for the nomination
will be determined one; but those who
expect to see it followed by dissension
after the nomination, whatever the result
may be, will be disappointed. This de-
termination to sacrifice sectional interest
and personal preference to insure party
success is fully manifested by the South
ern men in Washington, in and out of
Congress. They are all, or nearly all,
Bayard men, as far as personal preference
goes; but they are almost unanimously
supporting Tilden, because they believe
him to be the only man the party can
elect. Some of the warmest personal
friends of both Bayard and Thurman,
and some who are personally devoted to
Mr.. Hendricks, are pronounced Tildcn
men for the same reason. 1t is true that
there is an exception to this genuine ex-
preston of good will in New York State,
where Gov. Tilden is opposed by the
friends of Tweed and the Canal Ring.
These persons asserted that Tilden would
not be supported by the State Convention.
But the Convention endorsed him by
unanimous vOtc. A very influential men,
ber of Congress from New York stated to
me, yesterday, that, aside from few pol
iticians whose past record would make it
impossible for them to receive any recog-
milton from an honest President who
knows them, and has already sent some
of them to the penitentiary, the Democ-
cracy of the State is for him, besides
large proportion of honest Republicans.
"And," said my informant, eff this adj
verse clique had any power or influence,
it would have shown itself in the Conven-
tion"-which it did not.
THE CHARGES AGAINST Mr.. BLAINE.
The public is likely very soon to hear
the facts in regard to Mr.. Blaine and the
Arkansas bonds. The subcommittee of
the House Judiciary Committee have is
sued a summons for Mr.. Harrison, of
Indianapolis, with whom the reports
originated. Mr.. II. has telegraphed that
he will come, and asks for subpoena
duces tecum, for the books of the Union
Pacific R. R. Co. which are now in Bos-
ton. 1t is important that this matter
should be explained and the opportunity
is now offered. Mr.. Blaine read a very
ingenious defence in the House, yet has
not seemed to court investigation as he
ought. Let him meet and vanquish Mr..
Harrison, or he is lost.
U. S. SUPREME COURT.
The Supreme Court of the United
States, after a long and important session
during which it has decided many cases
involving great property and political
questions, adjourned on Monday, May 8,
to meet in October. Prominent among
its decisions were that in the case of the
Usage lands, where the titles were con-
firmed in present settlers-and that in the
celebrated "Hot Springs case," whereby
the Government takes possession of the
whole property, leaving all the claimants
out in the cold. Probably the most. i'm
portant decision during the term, because
affecting in its results the entire nation,
was that rendered in the cases from LOU
isiana and Kentucky under the Enforce
ment Act" passed by the 43d Congress.
This decision, while not passing upon the
Constitutionality of the Enforcement
Act, virtually declared it nugatory, as
not being, appropriate legislation"
within the meaning of the 14th Amend
ment. In accordance with this decision,
proceedings against persons held for al
legged violations of the act referred to
have, in several States, been quashed.
The general effect of the decision has
been to render that act dead letter.
THE NEXT CONGRESS.
The interest of both parties has been
so completely concentrated upon securing
the control of the Executive branch of
the Government during the next term,
that the Legislative Dranch seems 10 nave
become sort of secondary consideration.
With a suitable candidate, who can
insure the confidence of the whole from
the start, there is no reason to doubt the
success of the Democracy in the election
of President. That there will be any
material changes in
THE HOUSE,
whereby the present Democratic MAORI
ty will be seriously endangered, it is not
possible to believe. 1t is the habit of
the Republicans to predict that the rocks
upon which the tidal wave of Democratic
success is destined to split, are investiga-
tions and reduction. These men talk
like surface politicians; and their opin-