The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-20
Letter from Washington.
Correspondence of the Democratic Advocate.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 18th, 1877.
Notwithstanding the near approach of the
political doom of the powerful party that has
so long controlled the country, its officials
and satellites here continue TO make the most
Of their lapsing tenure, in the enjoyment Of
that sensuous snowy life which has been con,
tinued in spite OF the panic of '73 in spite of
the whiskey ring, safe burglary, police board,
and naval investigation disclosures in spite
of the collapse of Boss Shepard, the disgrace
Of Belknap, and the defeat of Hayes. The
proprieties Of the occasion would suggest in
the name Of decency an dipsthetic arrange.
ment Of soiled official drapery, u settlement OF
grocers', tailors' and wine merchants bills,
and other preparation for departure from the
temple where they have thrown loaded dice,
and battered soiled doves. But these wor.
thies will regard propriety as little as they have
respected law, and n termination, in any
sense heroic, Of an eight years debauch is too
much to expect of the party which abandoned
Greeley, Chase, and Sumner, for Grant,
Chandler, and Belknap. So the revelry and
debauchery is kept up, of course on credit
and the tailor and boarding house keeper,
indeed all that troublesome class, is unpaid
and unhappy; for, as the ides Of March up.
pIOANuf lucy IthuAt hhhN kuty viii nDl Dt pau
at all. Let us hope that those who will take
their places may (even If they do not drive
fast horses with faster women, and emulate
some elegant bachelors of the army and navy
superselect circles, in dcfrauding the res.
tauranters, or the secretary of war in wiring.
ing an indirect revenue from the poor soldier
ON the frontier, or the secretary of the In.
terror in bulldozing the widows and orphans
OF soldiers into contributions to the Hayes and
Wheeler campaign fund, go down to history
with sweeter memory and that our posterity
in 1876 may be able to say that the beginning
Of the second century Of our political life,
though clouded with peril, was inspired and
redeemed by the devotion, the heroism, and
the sacraiice, which, in l776, attested and
won mans title to self government.
The week had been uneventful, from a
political standpoint, until yesterday, when
Senator Withers made the day memorable by
his arraignment Of the President for his past
and threatened usurpaiions, and by Mr.. Lutt.
rell, Of California, who, in half dozen sen.
fences, completely demolished the Republican
leader in the House.
Senator Withers, of Virginia, called up, as
per previous notice, the message Of the Presi.
dent in relation to the occupancy of Peters.
burg by troops on election day, and offered a
resolution requesting inquiry in regard to
the construction of the law by the President
and his Attorney General, in their instruc.
TONS to United States Marshals last Septem.
Der. Mr.. Withers followed this resolution
by the ablest and most convincing speech
that has been heard on the subject. He was
especially eloquent and admonitory on the
dangers which threaten the country from the
accelerated strides Of executive usurpaton.
Senator Withers has in very short time
this is his second year in the Senate) attained
enviable distinction as a statesman and an
orator. 1t is not often that he is heard in the
Senate, but no senator examines more closely
and critically the great political questions OF
the day, and when he does speak, it is with a
weight and conviction that gives proof OF
thorough study and profound earnestness.
The sensation in the House arose from
some pertinent questions propounded BY Mr.
Luttrell Of California, to Mr. Frye Of Maine,
Zach Chambers son. in. law, who has assumed
the role of Republican leadership since Mr..
Blaine has been made senator. Although
Mr.. Luttrell could get in but few sentences,
and questions, they were so terribly 10 the
point, and so cruelty incisiye that the corrupt
party jade WINGED and writhed. Mr.. Luttrell
charged the Republican committee with hav.
ing levied heavy assessments upon the wild.
ows and orphans of soldiers in the Depart.
mepts. Mr.. Frye aoundered hopelessly in
his efforts at denial, while the spontaneous
applause from the galleries proved how gen.
orally these seandalops assessments are known,
and reprobated, even in Washington.
The committees sent south to look into tho
manner Of elections,have nearly all returned
to Washington, as has also the committee
sent to investigate alleged election frauds in
New York and Philadelphia. This commit
tee found no frauds to speak ofin New York,
but in the Republican city of Philadelphia,
which though much smaller in population
than New York, had a much larger registra-
ton of voters, there we're frauds discovered
the disclosure Of which will startle honest
Republicans. Q. a. $.