Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-11-17
Oar Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. c.,
Nov. IA, 1877.

SShatoi tDlitiiie absence from Inc
city prevented his taking part in a dis
cussion of much interest in, the Senate
on yesterday. The appointment of
Hon. John L.. Stevens. OF Maine, as
Minister to Sweden and Norway, was
before the Senate for action, and friends
of the gentleman now occupying the
position opposed the confirmation of
Stevens. There was not a political
contest, but there might readily have
been one brought on. The appointment
of Stevens is understood to have been
made at the suggestion OF Senator Blaine,
and he could very properly have taken
yesterdays opportunity to express his
ideas, if he has any, on the subject OF
appointments to office, reform In. the
civil service &c. Senator Hamlin hates
the Administration, but as there was
an office depending on the Senator'S
action. he could not help endorsing,wh
the Administration had done If there
was a light house keeper or a tide-water
vacancy in the country, this venerable
old Senator would forget all the pr!nci
pies, policies, ennuties, or loves Of life
time, in order to get Maine Republi-
can into the place. What the small
politicians of Maine will do when Ham
lin dies passes the understanding.
The effect on Mr.. Hayes of Saturdays
Republican Senatorial caucus is unothcl-
ally given as follows: Hayes, while re-
fusing to commit himself on the subject
of appointment, evinces a disposition to
be guided somewhat 10y the views OF
Senators In relation to all appointments
vet to be made. This is not in terms
the complete surrender which some
anticipated, but that will come IT the
Senate sticks together
Convictions of such men as Cardiac
and Smalls in South Carolina do not
seem 20 me to meet the necessities OF
the case. The men are guilty, undoubt-
edly, and ought to De punished, but
there are others as guilty as they and
more dangerous to society from their
greater prominence. To punish the
small thief and let the greater thlet go
free, is TO invite contempt for the law
and its officers II Patterson and Cham
berlain cannot be reached | earnestly
hope that the ''white trash ndignorant
negroes who have been or may be con
yicted will be pardoned by Governor
Hampton.
The Army, so far as the House con
do it, has been fixed ut twenty thousand
men for the year ending Jnne 80, 1873.
At the regular session | expect to see
an honest effort made to reduce the force
t. $1,000. -
The Mexican muddle receives unde-
served notice in the Army appr0pria-
ton bill, and every scoundrel and spec
ulator who hopes for profit cut OF a war
is happy. If those people who really
suffer from Mexican oUtragcs could
have their wrongs righted by stationing
an army on the Rio Grande, or by the
war that is almost sure to follow, there
would he excuse for the action Of the
House OF yesterday in providing that
tour regiments OF cavalry should be
sent to Texas Bat every one who
cares to know the facts knows that
those who are most earnest i'll promoting
disturbances on the border, and i'll urg-
inc the Government to violent measures,
arc men who have 10 sympathy with
orr citizens or with MeXicans, but sim
Div desire to make what money they
can from war.
In a late letter, speaking of the enor-
nous Indebtedness of this District,
said that it vas incurred by aPpointees
of Grant ard not by the people them
selves. This is true. One Of our city
papers, however, considers the state
mcnt a reflection upon the integrity OF
Boss" Shepherd. | did not intend to
say that Shepherd or any of his associ-
atcs profited dishonesty by the eXpendi-
ture. The money was recEleSsly spent
and brought no good 30 the District
which in any reasoable degree CORE
spends with the amount expended.
That is the ground Of complaint. 1t is
only fair to say that Gov. Shepherd,
aside from profits on real estate which
he sold while it had the fictitious value
his scheme OF Improvements temporarily
gave to all. District property, was a
poorer man when he retired from office
than when he accepted It,
HILTON.