The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-03-16
Political News.

The Democratic caucus committee, ap-
pointed two months ago to consider some
propositions to define the relations of the
States to the Union, are in as much of
deadlock as on the question of finances.
They are not yet certain whether we are
nation.
The Democratic organ in Washington be-
| gins to see how it is. 1t says: sIt was a
grave error to allow the witness Marsh to es-
cape, and all the personal explanations gen.
tlenen can make will not render it any the
less an error"
They say Ben Hill actually has his great
speech in defence of secession all ready for
delivery. His agonized Democratic brethren,
however, will not give him the chance if they
can help it.
The drag net businss does not appear to be
paying very well just now. Too many big
democratic fishes in the net?
Not word is said in the virtuous Demo
cratic House about prosecuting the cases of
Schumacher and King Have they so many
secrets in their possession that the reformers
are afraid to call them to account?
A Washington despatch says: The House
judiciary Committee will begin to investi-
gate the Belknap affair this week. The course
OF examination has not been definitely
marked out, but it is probable that the COM
mittee will first take up new cases of post
traderships concerning which charges are
made. 1t is morally certain that other trad
ing posts have been sold by somebody, but it
is doubtful whether the same Clear evidence
can be obtained as in the Fort Sill post. Mr..
Clymer's committee is entirely demoralized
and useless. Besides the doubt whether thew
desire any evidence, Clymer has no time to
spare from himself, though the case which he
is now pursuing promises to be short, and he
is likely to convict himself within the week
if the expected witnesses arrive.
The Republica ms of the Third Connecticut
District have nominated by reclamation the
Hon. John l. Wait to succeed the late Con-
gresham Starkweather.
The Democratic Convention of the Third
Congressional District in Connecticut have
nominated the Hon. David A. Wells to sue
ceed the late Congressman Starkweather.
The Blaine men at Washington, are jubi-
liant over the news that Maryland and Wis
consin will send Blaine delegations to Gin
cinnati.
A correspondent of the Cincinnati En-
Quirer cries for Presidential ticket made up
of "honest ex-Gov. William Allen, of Ross
County, Ohio, and Hon. Hester Clymer,
from honest old Berks County, Penn" This
correspondent is very cautious in the use of
his descriptive adjectives.
The Supervisors elections in New York
last Tuesday show total Republican gain
of 1873.
An acute Washington lawyer is said TO
have remarked the other day: ''The House
ought to instruct the Belknap committee to
go at once before the Grand Jury. 1t is the
greatest nonsense IN the Democratic men,
bers to pretend that they ought not to be ex-
amined there. On the contrary, the ends of
justice demand that they shall give their tes-
timony freely to the Grand Jury and that
they shall be at once examined by capable
District Attorney"
The Belknap investigation does begin to
tell, for a leading Democratic organ in Wis
consin says: "Pendleton must not be chair
man or anything else of prominence in the
National Democratic Convention"
The Haverhill Gazette is unique. 1t raises
aloft its banner with this strange device;
"For President, William D. Kelley of Penn
sylvania.''
The st. Louis Globe-Democrdt says that
the Missouri Republicans are nearly unani-
nous for Blaine, and that the State delesa-
ton to the National Convention will support
him as long as there is any possibility of his
nomination.
The New York Times says SIN common
with three-fourlhs of the party membership
throughout the State, we should have little
respect for choice made by con vention
deliberately packed for that purpose:' and it
warns sundry Federal ofice-holders against
the tactics by which it sought to Keep George
William Curtis out of the Republican County
Convention.
The Utica Herald says that Senator Conk- |
ling has really no strength among the Repub- |
licans in the New York Legislature. 1t is
Bristow and Blaine, or better both.