Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-04-20
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Correspondence Of the Bulletin.
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WASHINGTON April 18th, 1877.
10 the great disappointment of
the, Republicans and indeed all of
the conservative partisans, the
Louisiana Commission so far has
turned out dead failure, and to COM
plicate matters, Senator Blaine and
Ex-senator Ben Wade, have arrayed
themselves against the Southern pol
icy of the Administration. When I
last wrote you, matters had assumed
such pacific and temperate aspect,
that the sanguine was congratulate
ing himself on his President, his
national system of citizenship, and
on most of the historical transactions
the past, present, and anticipat-
ed. Now the little cloud, ono big
ger than mans hand" for it is a
mans hand, and Senator Blaine's at
that, has shown itself, and threatens
to disturb the unanimity of his
party's ranks. 1t was gathered from
the Presidents inaugural address,
and his subsequent conciliatory con-
duct, that he intended to disrupt the
"Solid South" and insert a wedge III
to the Democratic ranks, strong
enough TO prevent them rc-concen-
trating at the next canvass. But
schism seems arising among his
own partisans, which, if it spread
among the leaders, may defeat his
schemes. Mr.. Blaine is an ambi-
tious man, and full of courage. He
is one of the best fighters that has
appeared in the Congressional arena
for many years, and should he an
tagonize the Administration here
after, we may expect lively times
In the Senate he will not have that
opportunity for exercise of his great
powers and astonishing parllmen-
tary ability which the House per-
mitted. But if he be led to oppose
the Presidents policy, we will see
repetition of the grand struggle be-
tween Mr.. Sumner and Gen. Grant,
for he will bring every energy to
bear to secure his point. We, how
ever, do not expect more than a
mere passive antagonism to the Ad-
ministration from any member of
Mr.. Blaine's party, for those who in
cline now to oppose, are regarded
as the extremists, who unite at the
rear rather than at the front of their
party. 1t is too soon to cast the
horoscope, for experience teaches us
that the roaring lion of to-day, under
some fancied political oppression, is
as mild tomorrow as sucking dove,
hence the many expressions of dis
sent now heard, may be turned to
words Of praise. The Presidents
"amiable stubbornness" will render
him formidable opponent, and may
serve him as good purpose as the
logged persistency Of his predeces-
sor, by preventing many an attack
that would be made upon an antag-
onist of greater pliability. The
small majority which either party
will have in Congress, will serve
to prevent the passage of all radical
measures, and should the President
succeed in adjusting his Louisiana
imbroglio satisfactorily, the session
will be short one.
THE NEXT HOUSE.
The composition of the next House
can now be calculated with reason
able accuracy. 260 members are
now on the pay rolls by authority of
the clerk. Mr.. Adams, the clerk,
will leave several contested districts
to be attended by the House after It's
organization, which will be effected
without delay under his enrolment.
The Speakership will be given to a
Democrat, unless by some most I'M
expected combination some Of the
Democrats should deem it policy to
cast their vote for a Republican,
''Politics makes strange bedfellows, :"
is an old saw which has many veriti-
cations here, and we lookers-on
should never dare be prophetic in ad-
vance of any public measure in Con
gress. If hostilities are inaugurated
the vote in the House and Senate is
so close, that it becomes no laughing
matter, and with the Louisiana mat
ter still on the carpet, or more liter
ally speaking, the table, our fighting
politicians will have their hands full.
So far the only suggestions thrown
out by the Commission have encoun-
tered the entire disfavor of either
one or the other of the con-
testants, SO that anything like a com
promise seems very difficult ofexecu-
ton. Although the President has
directed them to enlarge their field
of action, and try some other method
of settlement, the result will proba-
bly, remain very unsatisfactory, as
both sides refuse to concede any
thing, whilst the conference with
private citizens have but one alter.
native, Nichols or a military gov.
eminent. Nevertheless, Mr.. Hayes
pursues the "even tenor of his way
and feels satisfied that the crooked
places will be made straight with.
out deviation from his happy peace
policy. Yesterday being the thir-
teenth neutrality-suspicious. day
of the National Deaf Mute Col.
lege, there was very large atten,
dance of dignitares and ladies';
chief among whom, President and
Mrs. Hayes, and Secretary Schurz,
were noted. After few remarks
by the President, the degrees were
conferred by the distinguished Prof.
Gallaudet who has done so much for
the instruction and elevation of the
condition of the unfortunate deaf
mutes. 1t was quite interesting to
notice the petting and attention Civ
en- two pretty little prattlers belong.
ing to a married couple of deaf
mutes teaching in the college. Tn.
like their parents, the children con-
versed readily, and seemed delight
with the homage Of the OCCASION
! M