Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-05-16
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON Msu2


had been postponed until the middle
of October. Dismay of the most pro-
nounced character followed the an
nouncement among Washington mer-
chants. hotel men and clearinghouse
keepers; and it prolongs the agony
now endured by Randall, Cox, Sayler,
Morrison and ether Democratic aspir-
ants for the Speakership, who are lett
to claw aud scratch each other all
through dog-days. The change in
programme-the meeting in June
having been an accepted thing by all
will necessitate the reconstruction
and readjustment of many plans, mon
etarily, socially and politically. Army
officers here who are intimately inter
ested, as the postpou ement places many
of them in the hands of the swarms of
unconscionable note sharers and curb
stone brokers who infest this city,
always looking for just such oppor-
tunities, are disposed to be indignant
The sharks will no doubt chuckle and
grin over their discontinue, as they
(the oficers) will be obliged to sell
their pay account for four months at a
ruinous discount. There was undoubt-
edly strong disiuclinatiou to an extra
session of Congress, from tear that it
would be improved as an occasion for
tinkering legislation with the finances,
the tariff and other matters Of national
importance, which in turn would un,
settle values and bring upon business
chaotic confusion. Every Congress
has one or more of these res,ive spirits
anxious to distinguish themselves; and
they usual y select for experiment
great national interests about which
they know next to nothing, and are
capable of doing much mischief. Then
there is the danger Of revival of
partisan warfare, and what appeared
almost as likely-the opening of cru
sade by disaffected Republicans against
the Southern policy, and many are
inclined to assign to the latter a very
powerful influence in deciding the ad-
ministration against a meeting in June,
Randall among them. A reported
conversation by the President makes
it appear very probable that such a
consideration had much weight in de-
termining at the last hour, the post
ponemeat. Democrats are disposed
to be little facetious over the matter
at the expense Of the President and
Cabinet because of their exhibition
of the "white feather" as they termit.
1t is currently rumored that some Of
the leading Bourbons have determined
to fight, all appropriations for an army
of 10000 men. Others rumor to the
effect that they will insist upon re.
peal of all reconstruction m measures cs-
pecially enacted for the benefit of the
freedmen. and still others imputing to
the President purpose to favor the
construct on Of the Southern Pacific
railroad and the execution of other
Southern jobs at the expense of the
United States Treasury, continue to
furnish food for discussion. And upon
the whole it is pretty safe to predict
that the next session of Congr ess will
prove an exceptionally lively one.
Mr.. Mullett, formerly Supervising
Architect Of the Treasury, said to have
imbibed such an erroneous impression
of the Governments inability to exist
without Linn that he ventured to "sass"
Secretary Bristow, who Immediately
requested his resignation, has improved
the occasion Of the New York Post
Office disasters to write several com.
munications. The malice and viodic-
tiveness that are alleged to be two of
bis most prominent characteristics are
SO patent in these fulminations AGA inst
Mr.. Hill, his successor, that the7 will
likely react upon him, if, as is charged,
he is scheming for reinstatement.
However great Mr.. Mullett's ouali6-
cations or Mr.. Hills deficiencies, the
arrogant and despotic manner of the
former while an official, AS wall as the
damagingly familiar relations said to
have existed between him and some
members of the old district ring. will