, 1877-05-19
Gar Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 8, :.

W ASh4NhION, II. N.t MAY
EnrruR STATESMAN Three recent occurrences
mark the return of better times, politically, to the
country. At the funeral of Parson Brownlow yes
:erday, at Knoxville, military company command
ed 10y an ex-coufelerate officer, performed escort
duty. Henry WattersOn, editor Of a Louisville
paper and late OF the confederate army has accepted
an invitation TO deliver the address on May 3Oth-
Decoration Day-st the national cemetery, ut Nash
vile, Tennessee He says that he feels that the
American soldier, who gave up his life for his opn
ions, no matter where he fought, was his comrade.
At Inui-viile, Ky. the citizens assembled without
regard to party to celebrate tie Presidents action
Withdrawing the troops from participation in South
ern State atflirs. These things, occurring at one
time in various sections likely TO be followed as
good examples, and certainly reflect credit on all
parties.
The celebration of '' memorial day" at Arlington
the principal national cemetery, will not der from
previous ones at which citizens we've gurously pro
hibei a3ornS any but federal graves, and the few
confedcr;es buried there viii receive only such at
tention may on other days be bestowed on them.
A year or two since an effort vas made to honor
them on the SOth OF May, bat it was prevented.
The acting President, IT is reported, WILL in his
first message 70 Congress- recommend that assistance
be given by the governnlent t. the Southern Pacific
railroad. The let:er opinion seems 10 he, however,
that he viii in general way call attention to the
IMPOVERISHED condition of the South, consequent
upon the war and the subsequent ignorant and cor
rupt rule Of negroes and carpet bagyers and ask that
such action be taken by Congress will most bene-
fl; the section. While favorable to the granting OF
aid to he road the acting President anxious that
no final action be tuken at the extra session.
Unreasonable complaint Is being made at proPos
ell reduction in the number of government agencies
for the pay ment of p nsions. The facilities for the
payIneuJ o. such claims by mail complete that
all the agencies mig De abolished without injury 10
the pensiOneT, ant all payments te made direct from
this city. IL is the ofa- that pass upon pension
claims that Is inefficient not that which makes the
quarterly payments.
Th-re is much quiet discussion of the question
whe her not the democratic House OF Representa-
tiveS should compel the removal OF all the troops
froa the South. Many advocate such a course, and
it is certain the idea will receive eloauent eIdorse
msnt in the House.
The lrueo-Rn-s..in rar continues TO absorb publlc
aucnt n The cove nment has US vet received no
formal cc.ce OF its existence from the representa-.
'i's OF those gov. rnmrDts r-SiiinS here, although
Sueh Dotincat:Jn was promptly forwarded by onr
ministers at ST. Petersburg and Constantinople- 1t
= not thought tht any formal PROCLAMATION of neu-
tray on the part OF our government Is required or
viii De Is sued Every DeW Development telegTaphed
us from Europe serves 20 coiItirIn the prevailing
opinion that the war will become general No doubt
that even a strong probability OF war OF the char
scter Threatened would iegitmately result IN some
aivanee in eaisiUfs; hut nrthIng save reckless
spirit Of speculation account for the remarkable
striies il las taken upwards in ten days. Our bakers
cy.ugbt the fiction, and attempted to make four
teen onaees of bread answer tire legal requirements
OF l6ounce loaf ResU!t-evvry defcient loaf con-
tsctel, and a. Fer loaf additiOna WIS imposed as
fine. hEN'