Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-15

5000 $500, $500 and $1,000 pieces. Interest paid
in Boston at Suffolk Bank. The total net debt in
1870 was 81 l2S,370, showing a reduction since of
81 100000. OF the bonds outstanding 81 sos 900
arc re- istered, Si,4l2, 400 coupons.
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, d. c., October ,l2 1877.
To the Editor of the Rennebec journal.
The smoke of the Ohio political battle has
cleared away, exposing a disastrous republican
defeat as the result of the administration policy.
That this has had the lions share in bringing about
this result the majority of republicans here are
willing to concede, and judging from the CONVEX
sations which have heard from various quarters,
Yesterday and to-day, in the public Offices and at
the hotels and street corners hosts Of those rePub
licans who were severe on the action of the New
York convention and Conkling, are ready to-day
to fall into line under th at banner-i. e. to return
to first principles. There is no denying the fact
that Saying nothing of the Southern policy. which
is beyond the lines of dspute) this new departure
of repubicansm has disgruntled, discouraged and
| distracted the abest and most consistent leaders
of that organization and the party stands to-day
like sheep without a shepherd, or like ship with
out ruddcr. Truth compels me to say what is
now so generally said. There may be advan-
| tage in taking up political cudgel and belabor-
| ing the Administrator, but there is a necessity
| for pleading honestly, faithfully and earnestly
with the powers that be for a change Of base-at
| least so much of a change that the bone and
sinew of the republican party may not feel utter
ly unable, in its hepessness, to work tor the recu
peIation and renewal of strength OF those prnci-
pies which have 50 long been uppermost in the
hearts of the people. With no leaders, no CAPT
tai, means TO provide the ordinary necessities
| Of party canvassing, and q strict prohibition
| against finding these necessities, what, in Heav-
en's name. is there to do (as has been done in
Ohio) but to let the elections go by default, the
party to ruin and the fruits of former victories to
| the four winds
| Consequently looking this fact square in the
face there is doubt that a strong fight, (which
NAV wax into a bitter one) will take place either
during the extra or regular session this policy.
| As was remarked in this CITY, there seemed to be
two parties which We're happy after election, viz,
the out and out democrats and the Anti Hayes
republicans-the former over their victory, and
the latter over the Presidents defeat; for, il must
be remembered, Ohio Is the only State where an
election has been held. in which the policy of the
President squarely Endorsed in the republican
nominating convention. Thousands of repubi
cans, rather than seem to be in accord with
that Endorsement, remained quietly at
home; while many others, feeling 1t duty TO
exercise the right of franchise, voted either for
the national or working mems candidates. The
ANALYSIS of the result will show tina. such are the
II,
manner speaking derogstively of the Presidents
honesty or good intentions, or of his own faith
and convictions in the course he has taken. No
body doubts the sincerity of his purposes. But,
when a mistake is made and it becomes alarm
iugly apparent the question arises. will the Pres-
dent be generous and statesmanhke enough to
acknow ledge the fact and seek at once to find a
rem dy for the blunderi This is the question
that the great republican party is asking him to-
day.
The OPENING OF CONGRESS.
There will be nearly a full House on Monday.
There will not be half the squabble over the
speakership that the correspondents generally
would have us suppose. Randall will evidently
be the man, unless am greatly mistaken. The
Presidents Message is to be brief and relating al
most altogether to Army matters. The House
need not remain In session fortnight so far as
the demands of the Message concerned.
The democrats however, are determined, at the
start, to precipate matters-i e., stir up excite
ment, aud possibly strife, amongst republicans,
| by introducing a re solution endorsing the course
| and policy of President Hayes 1t is then, quite
| likely, that the strength OF the First principles"
| republicans will be developed; and, a said pre-
viousy. 1t has developed greatly since the Ohio
election if | mistake not. The length of the ses-
sion depends entirely upon the tactics of the dem
| ocrats; for, should they introduce the Southern
Pacific Rail Road scheme. the Financial question,
or the War Claims budget, and other like matters
this session would merge itself into the other, with
| perhaps longer recess for members during the
| holidays. The Senate, owing to the closeness Of
party lines will be well represented at the extra
| session. but doubt if any undue advantage will
| be taken by either side. The regular session may
develop some more strategy 10 this body. Much
| is expected of Senator Blaine this winter, as he
| has now become somewhat used to his new posi-
| ton, and can consider himself entitled to the
privileges OF the forum without reserve.
| THE CAPITOL.
The Senate and House halls present fine ap-
peaiances. Splendid new carpets have been put
down Tor members TO eNpectOrate upon, the panels,
| doors and desks have been retouched with paint
or varnish, the ventilation improved and all rub
bish removed. The grounds adjoining the build
ing, ana which within two years past have bee
greatly enlarged by pui chase, have been wonder
fully adorned and beautiied, so that, after seeing
all, there Is no wonder that fellow likes to be a
member OF Congress. The city Of Washington,
with this beautiful structure crowninp its CHI,
hill, can justly feel proud of ITSELF in spite of the
cuffs, kicks, fiowns and revilings which it gets
| from time to time. more urjustly than Justly, |
think.
| PERSONAL.
! DR.. G. s. Palmer, formerly of Maine. and in
charge of the Freedmens' Hospital in This Dis
trict, has had charges of malfeasance and neglect
preferred against him by An inmate of the Insti-
tuition. DR.. Palmer since his residence here, has
| borne an excellent reputation, and am inclined
to think that the charges are puerile. and induced
| by small coterie of persons who would like to
| get his place.
Prof 'Fullonton of Bates College is on brief
visit 10 this city, ard is stopping with his son,
who is an employee of the government.
| Senator Hamln has arrived and looks as hale
ana hearty, for Gil can see, as he did ten years
ago. His health and vivacty is often mentioned
by The hosts who know him here F. i. n.