Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-03-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Things that console the Drmocracy-A state
of,oar in the Republican parry Whatmoy
Hoppen-AJiournment of The Se"ate-
The Washington Gub-Locat Natters, dc.

WAsHINGroN, d. c., March Is, 1871
AS the Democrats seem doomed 10 remain out
in the cold for few more years, 1t IL only
natural that they should take to themselves
some comfort in looking upon discussions in
the warmed and lighted camp Of the enemy,
aud much comfort is promised. 1t is plain
that the acting President means to put bis
party through something the same process of
Representation" that the party attempted to
force upon the South. AT least. the change
he attempts will be as thorough and compre-
hensive. No less earnest are the old leaders
Of the party in resisting such changes. They
have Withdrawn from the first mistaken step
of attacking policy not then clearly defined.
but are only waiting for better opportunity.
On reflection they saw tho folly of attacking
the acting President on account OF Cabinet
appointments, as each of the more prominent
Republicans might be suspected in that mat
ter of personal disappointment. So one after
another of them has mado his peace, assured
Hayes of cordial support, and is now quietly
plotting his overthrow. That the acting
President holds those assurances Of amity at
their real value is apparent, for he is seeking
every occasion to make himself popular with
the people without resortipg to the old time
leaders But he feels too, the strength of
the opposition that may at any moment be
developed. and already makes daily promises
shat if his present Southern policy shall not
succeed, he is willing at any time to change
it. Thus the Republicans may be said to
have their war paint on, and their arms at
hand, not from any fear of the common ene>
my, but because of jcalousies and mutual
hatred and distrust among themselves. AS
said before, it is natural that Democrats should
find in this state of things among their enc
mics, some consolation. Even the mist; rtunes
of our friends, some one has said, give US a
certain pleasure.
The Senate has been notified that its pres
ence will be necessary for only few days
more. Its only duty is to act on such nom.
inations as may be sent in, and these, it is
officially announced will be very few.
A few days since the Washington Club
House, famous in the days of the District
ring under the Board of Public Works. was
offered for sale. 1t was the headquarters of
'Boss" Shepard and his friends, and cost
that gentleman large sums Of money. He
had a way of paying his own bills, and those
of his friends, in the days when no was pros
porous, aud if speculation and the hard times
had not kept him embarrassed for year or
two past. we should not have seen the Club
House sold for its debts.
Public attention has been directed lately
to the number of hOmicides committed here.
They are not moro numerous now than here
tofore perhaps, having always been GU. Of pro-
portion to our population, hnt the lately pub
lished fact that our police force has for years
been used for partisan and illegitimatc pur>
poses. to the neglect of it's proper duties.
will probably cause some decisive action TO he
taken by the acting President. in whose hands
oil the power is placed by law. RENO.