Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-04-12
L0rreSp0HAeHce.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., APRIL s, 1876.

WASHINGTON, ID. G., APRIL 8, 1876.
NEW YORK TO BE THE BATTLE GROUND.
A Republican member of Congress, who
is understood to be in the councils of the
White House Ring, said, yesterday, in my
hearing, that ii the Democrats could car
ry New York State, they would select the
next President; but that they would have
to do some pretty tall work to accomplish
that end, as the administration would
show them before they get through. This
simply means that the Custom House, Ma
Wy Yard, Post Office and Internal Revenue
service in that State, backed by the i'm
mense sums of money that are now being
assessed upon Republican ofilcehoders all
over the country, will be used to aid the
Republican nominee. 1t is more and more
evident, every day, that New York is to
be the great battle ground. Forewarned,
forearmed.
LEAKY SENATOR'S TO BE BROUGHT TO BOOK.
Just now, the Senate is greatly excrcis-
ed over the publication of its transactions
in executive session. Executive sessions
are held, almost daily, for action upon
Presidential nominations and foreign trea-
ties; the doors being closed and none but
certain sworn officers of the Senate being
allowed to be present. The Senators are
pledged to secrecy; and yet, in spite Of
all precautions, scarcely an executive ses-
sion is held of which the proceedings are
not published to the world on the follow
ing day by enterprisng news gatherers.
This contraband information comes, of
course, from certain Senator's and who
these leaky Senators are it is the duty of
the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tons to find out. AS rule, the informa-
ton referred to is drawn out by the re-
porters from different Senators. All the
shrewd news man wants is Il clue; and if,
perchance, he can obtain this clue from II
good naturcd Senator, he is sure of get
ting at "bottom facts" He learns, for in
stance, that the Senate, in executive ses-
sion, considered the nomination OF John
Smith to be postmaster Of Boston, or New
York. Familiarity with passing events
enables him to judge by whom the nomi-
nation will be favored, and by whom OPP
posed Gas, for instance, in the case of r..
H. Dana) and straightway he calls upon
an Indifferent Senator, and cautiously
sounds him. He does not, by any manner
of means, begin by asking, "What did you
do in executive session to-day?" because
the answer would be a laugh, and, 81 am
sorry, but am not at liberty to dvulge
what is done in executive session" On
the contrary, he begins:
81 hear thnt Cnnotor--- m"do q VIC
,vnu speech, to-day, against the conflrma-
ton of Smith,"
"Indeed who told you 500" queries the
Senator.
"Well," replies the willy newsman, II
heard it from several sources; and |
know that two or three corresponds in
tend to telegraph to their papers to that
effect tonight" (Ths, of course, is Il
pure fiction intended to provoke the in
terviewed Senator into a communicative
mood)
"Well can say this much" replies the
Senator, ''that Senator--di did not make
violent speech in opposition to the con-
frmation of Smith. He made moder-
ate speech, opposing Smiths condrma-
ton solely on the ground that although he
is a man of good moral character, he is
not the choice of the people d."
eyes" replies the interviewer, "but
didn't he charge Smith with having once
failed in business under suspicious crcum-
stances?" ale simply referred to the
matter" responds the Senator, "saying
that he was unacquainted with the partic-
ulars, but that the Senate ought to in
quire into the matter, before deciding up
on Smiths case"
"Who urged his confirmation Asks
the reporter, growing holder.
made speeches in his favor"