Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-01-27
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c.,
Jan.s23rd, 1877.

eou WY many bcSioSo III LOuiSiiho
and South Carolina voted the Demo
cratic ticket at the late election, and
will probably vote it hereafter, he has
only to converse with members of the
Investigating Committees lately return
ed from those States. Eleven years of
Republican control, dating from the
close of the war, has put those States in
a condition not to be understood by
residents of other and more favored
sections. The whites distrust and fear
the blacks, and the blacks distrust and
fear the whites business and credit
are dead the poor are starving; crime
of all kinds goes unpublished. In short,
eleven years OF peace, under Republl-
can rule, have been more destructive TO
society than five years of war. If we
admit that all classes are in fault, we
must still condemn as inefficient and
unworthy the State Government under
which such a condition of things con-
tinues so long TO exist. 1t is knowl-
edge of the facts, and despair of relief
through Republican control, which have
driven thousands Of intelligent negroes
into the Democratic party.
The most earnest and important de-
bate since 1861 will commence i'll House
and Senate to-day. 1t may be briefly
said that the Electoral bill presented on
Friday by the committee will receive
the support of the Democrats i'll Con
gress generally, and that few of them
will openly oppose it. Its Democratic
supporters are increasing in number.
The bitterest opposition will come from
radical Republicans, who, having the
President Of the Senate and purposing
through him to declare Hayes elected
at the last moment and to support the
declaration by all the force of the Gov
eminent, see in this bill the end of such
a revolutionary scheme. 1t is not be-
lieved by any one, however, that more
than dozen Republican Senators will
vote against the bill. Among these, Of
course, are Morton, Sherman, ingalls,,
etc. Much curiosity is felt as to the
course of Senator Blaine but he has
so tar given no indications of what he
| intends TO do.
1t seems TO be understood that the
subsidy for the Southern Pacific Rail
road will not be granted at this session.
| 1t must take its chance with other great
National works, after the Presidential
trouble is over and the business of the
country has began to assume its former
life and magnitude. official figures
show that less than one third the usual
amount of private capital has been in
vested III new enterprises i'll Great
Britain, in the last three years, and no
doubt the proportion in this country is
still less. With our own peace assured
for the next four years, and the conse~
quent revival of business, Congress will
be much more likely than now to grant
the aid desired in this and other cases.
Reports from New Hampshire are very
encouraging to the Democracy. The
election there will be the first State
election since November, and great ins
terest is felt in it. New Hampshire
Democrats here are hopeful.
The examination Of j. Madison Wells,
a member OF the Louisiana Returning
Board, on Saturday by House Com
mi,,ee, developed in that gentleman
wonderful loss CT memory. lie did not
remember whether 100 or 1000 votes
were thrown out by the Board; did not
remember whether the votes thrown
out changed the result of the election
or not, but knew they reduced the vote.
He is here under arrest by the House
for refusing to provuce the books of the
Returning Board. The remainder Of
the BOARD are also under arrest
A gentleman is here from Arizona to
secure the removal of L. 5. Judge III
that Territory. lie has failed to get
the Administration to act, aud so will
attempt TO have the House impeach the
Judge. The charges are corruption
aud drunkenness.
Senator Kernon has done a sensible
thing After SO much of the Geneva
award had been distributed as Congress
had made provision for in the settle
ment of "Alabana Claims, some 49,,
100000 remained. Senator Kernon
proposes that any person who suffered
loss by confederate privateerS and who
thinks himself entitled TO any portion
of his money, may enter suit i'll the
Court of Claims for it. Claimants may
appeal from the decision Of the Court
of Claims TO the Supreme Court, as IN
| other eases KENO,