Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-04-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, D. O., April 20, 1871
The sum of 1915, 600 appropriated at the last
session of Congress for payment on Mail Con-
tracts of 1859, '65-'6 has been found INSULT
cient. It is thought $500, 900 will be res
ouired. It has been decided not to pay any
of the claims until all are filed, and this it
strikes me, is an abuse of power. The own
ers of $685., 900 worth of these claims must
wait for Jones, Smith or Robinson to apply
for his 81 900. Is there any good reason
there is none in the law-why the claims
should not be taken up and paid as presented !?
This 1915 900, which ought to be paid out,
remains in the Treasury and will help to
show PRODUCTION" of the public debt. That
$4,000, 900 production" in March was large.
ly made up of items like this The Govern
ment would have acted more honorable
part, and money would have been easier
throughout the country if tho new admins
tration had been content to report the usual
PRODUCTION" and had paid its citizens money
decided by Courts, Departments and Com
missions to be due them.
But man holding Office by means believed
by the great mass of people to be dishonora>
bic must make a favorable showing of results
| in order to gain any degree of popular re-
gard In the same way the great Daniel
| Danser estate in New York, acquired by
gambling, is being distributed to charitable
| and religious organization. In the Danser
case some share of remorse and real charity
may induce the distribution, but submit that
| to delude people into fattering belief in the
| reduction of the debt, while they are being
| robbed to further the deceit, is neither char
liable nor honest
Democrats laugh at the idea of any but Re-
publican votes being given to Hayes man
for Speaker. Every Democrat whose name
has been connected with such bargain has
put himself on record against it. There is no
doubt that Hayes expected such support and
was surprised" when he saw he could not
secure it. He was surprised, too. when he
learned that any Republicans wero opposed
to his Southern policy.
Unless the secret M cans used by the Adj
ministration shall secure a break in Packard's
Legislature, it is now certain that Packard
will remain in the field until driven out by
force. The silly device of an irresponsible
Commission has had its day, and has failed.
1t might have succeeded if the President
had given it the dignity and authority Of his
personal presence, but neither side has been
materially moved by its public or secret
propositions. What remain of Packard's
forces are more united and determined than
ever, and the petty devices of the President
have unques,ionaby raised up strong sup
port for them in the North.
A proposed considerable reduction in the
regular army is the subject of favorable com
ment among we'll informed men-military
men and others-in this city. The virtual
ending of the Indian war, by the surrender
| of tho hostiles makes this course practicable !;
and the general disinclinaton to having Fed
eral troops used in State affairs is so pro-
nounced, that such reduction as will pre-
| vent that use of them in the future would
meot with but little opposition. The expense
of tho Army is enormous, probably not less
than 81 200 year for each man, and re-
duction of fifteen thousand men would make
an apprcciable saving in expense.
The Russian Grand Dukes arc here, and
enjoying themselves, the diplomatic troubles
which spoiled the enjoyment of Alexis when
here few years since, having disappeared.
RENO.