Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-02-13
Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON. d. c.,
Fob. 2, 1877.


OF admission, or with those Who had been
able to muster sufficient funds TO purchase
of the original holders the pasteboard
fayors; and before the opening Of The
count about every seat was filled. "A
little before one O'Clock the Senate az a
body, preceded by President Ferry paired
with Ssrgeant-at-arms French. and having
its rear guarded by its attaches. entered
the Hall of Representatives, who received
their guests standing. The sympathy
for Senator Morton who was borne almost
helpless in chair by two able attendants,
was visible on many faces who remember
his loyalty 10 freedom, and how effective
IL he smole treason in the dark days OF
rebellion, when constantly menaced by
the knife or pistol of Democratic assas'
sins. President pro tenn Ferry took pc
sition at Speaker Rsndall'S right. The
Senators were seated on the Democratic
side, in reserved seais.' The Justices OF
the commission had seats assigned them
in front OF the Speakers desk, and among
other interested spectators on the floor
were Evarts and Stoughton OF Republican
counsel, Judge Black, General Sherman,
Hon. Geo. Bancroft, historian, Charles
O'Connor, Lieutenant Governor Wood
ford OF New York, Post Master General
Tyuer, and representatives. of the Navy.
For few moments there was much con-
fusion, out when all were seated quiet
was restored and the momentous count
began with Alabama. The States were
proceeded with alphabetically until the
certificates of the Florida Hayes cleo
tors, followed by those OF the Tilden
electors and democratic document re-
ceived from the authorities OF that State
the night previous, were read in the order
named, when Field filed written o6jec-
tons to the Hayes electors which action
was reciprocated toward the Tllden cleo
tors and the reception OF the document
named. The two houses were then mott
fed that sll the papers in the case would
be imme dia,ely placed before the arbi
tra,ion commission. AID that the count
would be resumed when decision had
been reached. The Senate then quietly
withdrew TO It's own chamber and the
galleries were soon almost deserted.
The city was filed, but not crowded
with strangers. The adjoining counties
OF Virginia contributed OF her old-lash-
toned Democrats, enough to have made
q respectable bodY-guard for General
and those Of My Maryland"
were not behind hand; but more distant
failed to respond, and so
the general was without command
There were some incidents worthy OF
record. but on the whole, the proceedings
were tame and tiresome. One feature
OF the arrangements deserves q little
attention. Within the past few years
members of Congress seem to have i'm
bibed the erroneous impression that none
but high and mighty officials with their
families or personal fsvoriles have any
RICH to a seat in the galleries on extra
ordinary occasions. Reserved for the
families of members OF Congress" has
come to be standing order, although no
exists tor this distinction.
Field is playing his last hand with a
desperation and recklessness when the
immense stake-the whole patronage Of
the government for four years-is con-
in strange contrast with the cool
cautious su5tlety with which he fought
the New York authorities in behalf oil
that avaricious old thief, Boss Tweed
But his witnesses prove altogether too
much. Liitlefeld, il believed. is scoun-
drel deserving the penetenliary. II his
story is untrue. such tale rs he has
coucocted should make him an outcast
from the presence of honorable men
But his own testimony, according 10 the
National Republican. convicts him OF
perjury. lie swore that he was instruct
ed by Wells 10 change the l7j votes OF
Vernon Parish so as TO elect the Repub-
licau candidates. Now one OF the three
offices Of Senator, Judge and District
Attorney was already democratic and the
other two republican, not needing the
votes as he testified. Certified sliidavits
are now on their way 10 Washington
which will cook his goose. Pickett ap'
pears 10 have been Il soldier of fortune
sort OF misunderstanding where there
was most to be- made. While protesting
great regard for the ''lost cause" he sod
il out TO the Federal Government for a
consideration. MADDOX. while nominally
working to suppress jeff Davis, appears
to have been hob-nobbing with that pa
triot during the war, in Richmond. In
short, it appears 10 have been scheme
TO buy the State of Louisiana Ter Tilden,
reserving a good share OF the purchase
money for their percentage; and failing
in which they now put in an appearance
in the interests Of reform. How far this
attempt TO bias the Arbitration Commits
sion will be successful remains 10 be seen,
but there is no doubt as TO their deserts.
The low price of gold and our excel