The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-04-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsuINGros, u. c., April 20, 1876.
S,ccih Correspondence,


As some OF the Democratic papers seem
inclined to take up the Radical cry that
Congress is doing nothing" 1t may not oe
amss 10 see what it has done. The smaller
appropriation bill has been discussed untll
nearly The last section has been reached and
il will he passed this week. The bill trans
ferring the Indian Bureau from the Interior
to the War department, has also passed. A
tariff bill has been reported and is ready for
discussion, while great numberof minor
aud personal bills have been acted on by the
House. The appropriation bills as reported
by the committee save the government iorty
millions of dollars, and because of this, have
been fought at every stage and in every con-
ceiyable way by the Republicans. As all the
money appropriated by Congress, goes into
the rockets of, or has to be disbursed by Re
publican officials, the friends of these officials
IN the House use every endeavor to prevent
tho reduction of salaries and OF approprla-
tions as the chances to steal are thereby
| lessened. The Senate by strict party vote,
has raised the amounts appropriated IN the
various bills which have passed the House,
from the sums deemed proper by the Repre-
sentatives of the people, who under
the constitution are alone authorized to
originate appropriation bills, to about the
amounts given last year by Republican
| House. The Democrats of the House will
not submit to this interference with Its pre-
rogative by the Senate, and very properly
| refused to ask for or order conference com
mittee. Besides the work enumerated, the
House las laid bare the corruptions of Radi-
calism. IL has shown that every post and de-
partment of the government is tainted with
fraud. or worse still, is a den OF thieves. 1t
has shown Cabinet officer living shame
lessly upon bribes--the private Secretary
| and confidential friend of the President en-
gagged in plotting burg larry, intended to
ruin an honest man, and the PRESIDENT MN,
self diverting the use of public funds to ald
in corrupting voters. If no bill had passed
the House, the work it has done in exposing
and rendering imI ossible for the future the
frauds and robberies of the past six years
would mark it as having accomplished more
than any other Congress since the war. |,
is now considered quite certain that should
the Senate determine that it has the power
to try Belknap Notwithstanding his resigna
ton, it will not be possible to commence the
trial before about the 10Th of May. The IN
teryening time from Wednesday till then
| will be consumed by the arguments OF the
counsel on the plea that a resigned oihcei
/ cannot be tried, and the discussion in the
Senate on that question. Judge Cartier viii
probably render his decision in the kilDourT
case by Wednesday. Should he decide tt
turn Kilbourn loose, there is no question
but what the House should order ms re
arrest ;otherwise all attempts at investigator
NAV as well cease as no wtuess could b'
compelled to answer The fact that the dele
gates to the New York convention are al
most unanimously for Tlden AS the Demo
cratic candidate for President strengthens
him in the race though | find strong feel
ing here that the candidate ought to come
from the West. 1t is said that New lorl
has furnished the candidate three times, IL
succession and we have been beaten eact
time =; and that now it should furnish vote
and let some other section offer the man
The southern men would generally prefer {
western man from the Mississippi valley; bu
they pledge an united South to the st. Louis
nominee, let him be who he may. Conk
ling is. being pressed by the administration
for the Cincinnati nomination and his friend
now claim that after a complimentary vot
they will make him formidable. There !
no news from Europe of interest, Ih'
Government in Mexico is making vigorou
efforts to suppress the Daz resolution an'
there is prospect of considerable lighting
in that country which will never have peac
until Uncle sam takes it in hand.
..... .... .a. RENO.