Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-02-22
Correspondence.
Letter From Washington
" ASnINGrUN. ID. {

WASnINGrUN, ID. e.,
tcbruRy l.. l>1I. !
Among the debris Of wrecked politicians
which la, been washed to the surface by the
wave, Of partiztn ,trif. during the past twelve
months, the case OF Purman excItes the least
sympathy and the most contempt. lie Is IN
deb,ed TO the Republican party for all that he
is; he was taken from his ob-curity and given
8 seat in the National House OF Re representatives.
and enjoyed all the honor aud emoume nts per
tainng TO that position. Some weeks ago It
was rumored that he had entertained PROPOSE
tons Of surrender. lie denied II with great
show OF indignation. After the close OF the
campaign he persistenty charged the Demo-
cra,, OF hi. State (Fiorida) with the most I'M
blushing frauds and heartess outrages. Dur
ing the course Of that contest his continued as
sertions that the vote was honestly carried for
Hayes notw withdrawing the bull-dozing efforts
Of the enemy are known to every one here at
all interested in political matters. But fading
II difficult TO re-establish Republican confidence
in him and the party disnclined TO pay his
debts the price Of his continued allegiance.
he arose from his seat on Tuesday and gave
public notice that he had fallen in with the
overtures OF bogus Democracy. Like every
man who decided to turn traitor, he first ad-
dressed himself 10 the task OF abusing his FORM
er associates, which drew n little feeble sp-
plause from the Democratic side; withal he
was so loud in his expressions Of thaDkfuness
to the Deity that he was not other men. that
he excited the disgust OF every hearer by his
cant and offe nsivc egotism. After the manner
OF other converts 10 reform, he is openly sc-
cused OF having made bargain with his new
friends before his public profession OF CONVEX
sion to Tildenism whereby he is TO receive pay
and mileage as a member OF Congress up to
December. when the party contestins his seat
will be installed. II this should be considered
sinsll pric' for his treachery, it must be- re-
memtersd that the times are hard ,and that it is
prineely sum alongside the $40 paid for one
OF the North Carolina Democratic members
few years since, and who was last fall re-elec-
ted typical reformcr of the Tilden era In
politics.
The Democrats have somewhat rallied from
| the panic that stampeded SO many of them at
| the time the decision in the Florida case be-
came known; II they have not recovered SUI.
| fcient confidence 20 take much stock in the
| predictions Of few who are sanguine under
the most depressing circumstances, to the ef.
| feet that Tilden will ultimately slip in through
the proved negibility Of one or more OF the
| Hayes electors 10 Louisiana, or through the
Baker-Cronin rsscality in Oregon. The Arbi-
| tration Commission, q child of their own be-
| getting, is still denounced. although the more
| cautious of the party have made an earnest eff
| fort TO muzzle the marplots, seeing the mis-
| chief their unruly members have already
wrought by the reckless attacks made upon
| Miller, Strong and Bradley, particularly the
latter. But all appearance of discipline among
the rank and file has given place to complete
Generalization, every member striking out
mildly for himself, and notwithstanding the
boasts that every point is to be stubbornly con-
tested even ill the last ditch shall have been
reached, 1t is the prevailing belief that should
the Louisiana case go against them it will be
found impossible to rally for a united stand be-
hind the ramparts of Cronin's cardinal red pro-
boscis; but that the revolutionary elemen mt
which declared its purpose to filibuster so thst
formal declaration Of the findings Of the Com
mission should be defeated until the advent of
4th Of March, should render it null and of no
effect, would re-assert itself and make q deter
mined effort to carry out the programme.
There is no doubt that this element was TEN.
porsrily suppressed at the meeting at Hewitt's
house few evenings since, but that they will
again rise to the height Of the occasion, il defeat
ed in Louisiana, every one seems To believe.
Bot very little more than two weeks remain in
which to transact necessary legislation. The
appropriations bills appear to have been for.
gotten. very few having yet been reported to
the House, and everything else is equally be-
hind hand. Lobby members are sctive hoping
to do good deal OF effective work during the
confusion that always reigns supreme during
the two or three days immediately proceeding
the final dissolution. We are waiting with
painful intensity Of feeling for the Louisisns
decision. The excitement Of the past week
has pretty well spent itself, bat u VIII aasDs W