Middletown transcript., 1877-10-20
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washington Letter.

While the reelection of Randall and
other efficient officers of the House is
unquestionably an indication that the
Democratic majority mean the forty
fifth to be pre-eminently working
Congress, it at the same time gives as
surance that the proper interests OF
party will be protected in the House.
The sentiments Of all the Democratic
representatives is favorable to rigid
adherence to the old organization. The
administration, which some time ago
expected to find votes in the market
when a Speaker should come to be
elected, could not have purchased one
vote, even if one would have given ii
the organization of the House. The
Representatives, in electing Randall,
have given the best possible proof that
they mean to have such a session-con-
serYative, industrious, safe -as will
strengthen the Democratic party ev-
erywhere, and thus make doubly sure
the revolution 50 nobly begun by the
people at the polls.
This reelection is also in the line Of
civil service reform. as it continues in
power those who had acceptably filled
Office. Mr.. Hayes, like guide board,
points the way, but never walks in it.
We have taught him a lesson in reform.
The opening proceedings Of the
House were not Of great interest.
There were a few objections to the
swearing in of.Southern members. Mr..
Hale got the laugh on himself by in
PRODUCING resolution instructing the
Clerk to undo something that he had
not done, which shows that the Repub-
licans, having made laws and governed
the country by party caucuses for many
years, are not prepared for the open
and fair manner in which Democrats
intend to do it. Hale's resolution was
prepared in advance, in caucus, to pre-
vent some rascality which the radicals,
Judging others by themselves, supposed
Democrats would attempt. The Senate
adjourned early, and no legislative
business was transacted or attempted.
In the Senate the wish seemed to be to
make the necessary appropriation for
the army and adjourn. In the House
it is the general wish to go on with
public business.
Mr.. Clapp's paper (anti-administra-
tom publishes a new version Of the
letter written by Hayes to Garfield,
and which induced the latter to with
draw from the Senatorial contest in
Ohio. As now published, Mr.. Hayes
expresses confidence in the elevation Of
Garfield tothe Speakership if he should
remain in the House, and promises all
the assistance the executive can give.
Mr.. Garfield did not get the Speaker
ship, but he is better off than he would
have been if he had gone to the Senate
for the brief term given up to Stanley
Matthews. If Mr.. Hayes was working
for the good Of fGarfeld hebuilded wiser
than he knew.
In the confusion Of statements it is
impossible to say what course Senators
will take on nominations sent in by Mr..
Hayes. If any that are particularly
distasteful to prominent Senators are
sent in at once, l think there will be
open rebellion. If, on the contrary,
the bitter doses are held back, the ear
lier nominations will be confirmed, and
after that it will be impossible for
Conkling, Hamlin, Spencer and the
other irreconcilables to organize an
effective opposition. | purposely omit
Blaine from this list, as it is rapidly
becoming plain that neither one side
or the other has any confidence in him.
Among the subjects sure to come up,
whenever business is entered upon, is
an investigation of the workings of the
Treasury Department. I hope Sena-
tor Davis, Of West Virginia, who asked
for this investigation during the last
Congress, and was answered with a
reference to a standing committee Of
the Senate, will get a special commit
tee this time. He believes the affairs
of the department are SO managed that
the public has no just idea of what is
being done, or of the financial condl-
ton Of the country. He will again ask
for the only channel special com
mittee-through which enlightenment
can be gained.
Being, as one may say, poor rela-
tions, our petitions and remonstranceS
as citizens of this district, however just
and reasonable they may be, are looked
upon ''in the States" as an imperti.
nence. Let me once more assure youl
readers that what we district people
desire, is exactly what guilty people
do not desire, viz : investigation. We
wish every citizen of your State, espe'
cially if he be member of Congress
to know all about the debts the district
owes, and how incurred, the taxes, the
value of our property. Having secured
this knowledge we wish him to act ex
actly as he would if the case between
the general government and ourselves
was a case between two individuals.
SoLoN.