Middletown transcript., 1877-09-15
washington Letter.

W
The Eueniaq Star Of this city repub- |
fishes the welI-known letter of Jefer-
son, declining to make tour through |
the country while he was President
He does not base his refusal on the
ground that such a tour would be justly |
criticised as an attempt to catch votes,
for no election seems at that time to
have been pending, but on the higher
ground that it would seem to be a
seeking after personal popularity. The
letter and the surrounding circum-
stances leaves the impression on ones
mind that if Virginia, for instance, had
been about to vote ON the policy of
Jeferson's administration, that States
man would have considered any sug-
gestion to travel through the State, if
any one had been bold enough to pro-
pose it, an insult.
The confession of State Treasurer
Parker Of South Carolina, may have
been necessary to the conviction by
the courts Of the late Republican Off
cials of South Carolina, and it adds
something to the facts before known,
but public sentiment had long ago de-
cided the whole lot to be unfit for any
trust. No such astounding develop
ments have been known in America or
other history.
From the highest to the lowest in
ar,&bo,-s &La,,o saa1,,o - hav1a f.aor,
only here and there one man who
would not steal. 1t is wonderful, in
view of all this, that the people of
Louisiana, who have probably suffered
to the like extent, do not proceed to
the punishment of the raseals who have
plnndered them. Is it possible that
the connection Of that State with the
ultimate decision of the Presidential.
question has induced conservative men
there, under pressure from Washing
ton, to prevent investigation
Up to two or three weeks ago the
election in Maine, held yesterday, was
looked forward to with much interest
by Democrats outside of the State. It
is only telling the truth, however, to
say that Of late no hope of defeating
the Republican party, or Of reducing
its majority, has been felt here. It is
for the party in the State to find out
the causes Of the division and apathy
which caused their defeat, and to ap-
ply the remedy. Advice from outside
Is not usually we'll received by parties
to local quarrel, but this, if it goes
50 far as to deprive the Democrats of
d u. s. Senator after March Sd, 1879,
is something more than State quar-
rel-it is a national calamity.
The course Of ex-Minister WASH
burn, after his return from France,
will be watched with some interest.
He was at one time ready to break
with General Grant, expressing his
views very freely to Americans whom
he met in France. / have not heard
of any expression of opinion as to the
present administration. Very ambi-
tious, with an excellent record abroad,
a reputation for honesty at home, and
great ability as a politician, his sup
port will be valuable to the admins
tration, or his opposition damaging.
Besides the numerous 0ther devices
of Secretary Sherman for keeping
money in the Treasury, and showing
reduction" of the debt, may be men-
toned one which works hardship to
the New York merchants and which
will therefore soon be exposed to the
metropolitan press. Most of his schemes
affect individuals throughout the coun-
try who are not so fav0rably situated
for combination or for making the in
Justice known. The law provides that
if any importer believes too large
duty Is assessed by the Custom House
authorities, on his imports, he shall
enter suits in the u. S..Courts against
the Collector, and if judgment shall be
obtained the amount shall be refunded
by the United States. Ever since the
law has been in force these judgments
have been paid whenever presented here
Secretary Sherman without asking the
opinion. of the law officers Of the Gov
ernment, refers the merchant to Con-
gress for relief. The fund heretofore
used for the payments is covered into
the Treasury" and the unreported
debt of the Government is increased
from day to day by the judgments. It
win be in order to ask, when Congress
meets, for what purpose Secretary
Sherman puts his name, from month
to month, to debt statements which he
knows to be false. SoLoN.