The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-07-29
Our Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., July ls, 1876.
The large number of strangers 10 the
city, en- route to or coming from the Cen
tennial Exposition at Philadelphia, affords
one, having some Yankee inquisitiveness.
good opportunity to learn the temper of
the people in different sections Of the
Union, in view of choice as between
the Republican and Democratic nominees
for president and vice. president. have
been industrious in seeking information
on this subject, and l have arrived at the
conclusion that the country is al thor.
oughly Republican in 1876 as it was in
1868 and 1872.
1t is said that "mills of the gods grind
slow, but they grind exceedingly fiuo.
This refers to the gods Of the heather, bnt
is equally applicable to the Democratic
House of Representatives, which goes the
slowest and grinds the finest Of any egis-
lative body known TO modern history. 1t
is believed that between the sewer. filter.
ed "spring water" furnished by the
chairman Of the Committee on Accounts,
commonly called "Blue Jeans Williams" 4"
tho poor whisky smuggled in Tor the
Bourbon Democrats and the hot weather,
that the House will soon be compelled to
bring this session to a close. that even
Sam Randall will have to weaken aud
permit the appropriation bills to pass
Mr.. Randall's policy in the congress is
precisely opposite to what ii Was when he
was a member Of Republican house.
Then he favored the salary grab bill,that
gave each member nearly $4,000 extra
pay. voted for it and took his share OF the
stealing without protest His yirtuous
Indignation was not then in a state OF
active devslopement when large appro.
priations for any object were asked for I;
on the contrary, he urged the allowance
Of large and extravagaut appropriations
The great change of policy that ha, been
adopted by this man is susceptible Of but
one reasonable explanation When he
vas a member of Republican house he
could make no political capital by acling
the part ofa partisan demagogue; now
he assumes the role of reformer for
political reasons. hopipg.o induce the peo-
pie to believe until after the next presi.
dental election that tho Democratic par.
ty is reform party imbued with the
principles Of honesty, economy and patri-
otism. He advocates q reduction 10 the
nun Ter Of offices as they are held chiefly
by Republicans, but opposes any reduc
ton in the appropriations that would ai-
feet his friends in his own district.
Formerly he was for large appropria-
tions, now he is for small ones; once he
favored general increase of the salaries
of Office holders, now he favors general
reduction of salaries Is this change one
Of principle, or of policy? Has his mind
undergone such radical change as his
actions have? No, he is tho same uu
sciupulous politician and partisan dema'
gogue as ever, ono who always places
party above country. As a leader OF the
house he controls its action largely. The
ex. .Coniederates who for the first time
have been sent to Washington TO help tC
make laws for the whole people, defer tc
his judgment generally and follow his
advice for the time being, believing thai
he knows best what measures will be mos
popular in the North, which is considered
Democratic missionary ground. 1t is
only in the Northern states where mucl
effort Is made to convince the judgment
Of the people that Democracy and reform
are synonymous lerms. 10 the Southern
states Democracy has different methot
by which to obtain and keep control o
political power If a man offers to vote
the Republican ticket in Georgia, o.
speaks in public in advocacy Of Republi
can principles, he is 10 Danger of havinl
his good name, his property or his lif
destroyed. Georgia can be carried 70
the Democracy for any man, no matte
how mean and despicable he may be