Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-10

the years Of discretion. And why . journal Of
this sort should be established the city of ash
iDgton, that graveyard of newspapers, may well
have exercised the wits OF the democratic states.
men in caucus assembled. Perhaps the audacity
of the journalistic venture startled the democratic
representatives, and they discussed il because II
had at least the merit OF being bold stroke. But
there was panic, as well as merit, in the PROPOSE
tion to that thirsty democrats should pair on
before going out to drink. Ii was bad enough to
lose democratic votes when the members had their
strong waters within easy reach. Several demo-
cratic papers spoke out IN meeting on the SUD-
ect, and called public attention TO the reeling
statesmen who loved whiskey better than party,
and who fingered long over the spple-Jsck 10 the
basement of the Capitol, while the Army oil was
being passed without their votes. Now, whisky,
and all that does intoNicate, is banshed from the
Capitol building, though some OF the more auda-
cious and thirsty statesmen may smuggie their
biuers Into the committee rooms.
To get draught OF spirits such as the demo-
cratic law-maker considers necessary TO his exist
snce, the bibulous must 90 half mile away
from the Capitol. There were thirteen Democrat
ic absentees when the Army bill was passed. How
many OF these were within reach, hut IN an unht
condition to vote we leave for the democratic CEN
sors themse Ives to say. What can he expected,
therefore, if the whisky-driukers must be brought
in from the nearest drinking fountain, which Is =
half mile off
A curious safeguard is proposed. whipping
duty of this committee TO see that every democrat
i, paired before he sbsents himself from the Cap
itol. But we do not know thai it Is pretended
that republican representatives are in the habit of
"gong out to see man, as the democrats are.
And, unless democrats aud republicans 20 out to
the fountain in pars-which thew will noL-the la
bors of the whippDg-in committee will be distract
lug. OF coGTse every virtuous and temperate re
publican when pairing of is proposed to him, will
soIemuly ask the democratic proposer, Are you
going out TO see man :" Aud If the
answer Is in the affirmative, the viItu-
Gus aud temperate republican Will refuse
to pair. Perhaps there are democratic represent
atyes who love their party better than they love
the II bitters. But there are not enough OF them
TO be depended on. Aud if the republicans decline
to pair with any of those gentlemen who have
lately advertised their iraties, the democratic
majority in the House will be destroyed, or else
there will be great temperance revival on the
democratic side of the House. Either OF these
would be a welcome consummation.
bearing Ia mind that TINS Is the Reform House
of Represe natives, the ma oiity of which OBJ
tanned by riding in on the great wave of reform.
in 1870. the occupation of the democratic leaders
is noteworthy. Ihis is the Congress which was to
revolutionize the politics and Government of the
country, purify the public service, and generally
make things lively for ali parties concerned. Two
bills were passed at the special session. And the
regular session is gradually begun by party eau
Gus to decide whe her the members shall subscribe
to start a new paper and how the whisky drinkers
shall be kept III line when their votes wanted.
rne solution OF these grave problems is OF vital
importance to the Democratic Party. Why don't
the wuippers-In take short cut TO reform, and
start Murphy movement instead OF a newspaper.
u NeW York Times.