The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-06-08
Our WASHINGTON LETTER.


WASHINGTON, ID. c. June 8, 1877,
In the present depression of all in
dustrics, and the reduced value of real
estate. capitalists are beginning to look
around for places for investing their
surplus cash. They look to future re-
vival of trade in all its branches. which
will bring with IL corresponding en-
hancement of houses and lots. I'm Bal
timore, the suburbs are being pros
pected for eligible sites for building
manufacturing establishments. The
same objects arc easily attainable here
in Washington. Indeed, no city in the
Union presents greater inducements for
the erection of manufacturing establish
ments. and the early commencement OF
operations. Senator Conkling, seeing
in the near future an advance in real
estate in Washington, has "planted'
$4,000 as a venture.
Those who see in the courtesics ex-
tended to ex-President Grant in Eng
land preconcerted arrangement 10
bring him prominently forward as q
candidate for the presidency in 1880
are certainly not entitled to much con-
sideration. In the ordinary Judgment
of Americans, England would be the
last place in which an aspirant for polit-
cal fame in this country would unfurl
his banner. All this comes of petty
malice on the part of bitter partisans.
We are certain that Gen. Grant never
thought of such trick, but il would be
well for those who would weep over his
election for third term, to "spcak low.
whisper Deep lest he may hear and
yield to the suggestion.
Whatever differences of opinion may
exist as to the general policy of Presi-
dent Hayes administration, it will be
conceded by all impartial men that the
executive and his cabinet are sincerely
determined to strike at malfeasance.
malversation, and mal-adminlstration
in office wherever they may be fonnd
President Hayes IL admittedly an hon
est man, and il is expected that he will
apply the pruning-hook to cut off rotten
branches in all departments of the pub
lie service. This operation is what the
Republican party requires of the man
who has been elected by their votes. II
will be the consummation of its desire
that the party shall purify itself without
extraneous aid. The work has been
commenced. Let ii be vigorously pros
ecuted without fear, favor, OF affection
In this way the president can serve his
party best. The ousted will soon find
their road to the ranks of the opposi-
ton.
Some curiosity is expressed in politi-
cal circles in Washington for the deyel-
opment of an amended Democratic pro-
gramme, which it is expected will be
enunciated by Ex-Governor Hendricks
at banquet which is to come off in
New York prior to his departure for
Europe OH the 18th instant. It NAV
safely be predicted that this platform will
be such as to embrace all issues on which
there exists a difference of opinion with
in the Republican ranks, the presidents
Southern policy included. 1t will rec
ognize that because it is the same which
Tilden would have adopted had he been
inaugurated. The resumption of spe-
Gle payments on January /, 1879, and
government aid to the Texas Pacific
railroad will be questions Oh which the
spokesman for the Democracy will have
something to say. After the publica-
ton of the views" of Tilden and Hen
bricks, the Republicans of the country
may easily decide as to what amount of
support from the Democracy concessions
Of the administration have secured.
There is probably no public man in
this country who possesses the ability of
Caleb Gushing, who, at the same time.
has so little influence in moulding pub
lie opinion. lie has a miserable politi-
cal record. which caused his defeat as
an aspirant for the seat of Chief Justice
Chase. His appointment Immediately
after the withdrawal of his name as
nominee for the judgeship) as Minister
to Spain was not received with much
favor, but having rendered good service
in securing the Alabama award. the
charges of personal interest to the Span
ish Mission were overlooked He now
comes to the front contemporaneously
with his retirement from Office, with n
representation that the insurrection in
Cuba is a trifling affair, that the patriot
revolution is like unto our war with the
Seminolcs in Florida, and that it would
have been just as reasonable to expect
recognition of Seminole independence
in q foreign country, as that we should
recognize the independence of Cuba.
Such talk as this will not serve to raise
Gushing to responsibility in the cstima.
ton of the American people, much less.
we opine, will il influence this govern
ment i'll its treatment of the Cuban
question.
Prominent citizens from different Sec
tons of the Union, particularly from
the West are arriving in Washington
and urging objections to the financial
policy Of the secretary of the treasury in
contracting the volume of currency bv
the withdrawal of the legal tenders, In
anticipation presumption. It's charged
.hst sahama is about being entered
into between the New York banks ana
the treasury department to issue addi-
tional circulation TO be locked up, upon
which 80 per cent. of legal tenders will
be withdrawn and Cancelled, when the
locked-up circulation will be returned
for retirement, the bonds Withdrawn,
and the same process repeated. To keep
up the stock of legal tenders for cancel
lation, bonds will be sold for gold with
which legal tenders will be purchased.
There are provisions of law for all this,
but many business men say that unless
the president cries "halt," we will reach
deeper depth of prostration. 1t is ru-
mored that the president will interfere.
A president in former times made the
public declaration that there is frequent
ly great difference between pledges
made by candidates before an election,
and corresponding filfillment after be-
ing clothed with official power. A later
truth comes TO us second-handed from
presidential aspirant, which, with the
former, is irrefiagable. 1t is as follows:
"When we see men who have for eight
years steadily maintained that black is
black, suddenly change about and, in
three days, as loudly maintain that black
is white we know that then or now wa