The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-10-17
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE,
WASHINGTON, !
Oct. s, 1871

WASHINGTON,
Oct. 8, 1877.
EDITOR DEMoCRAT-
The first number Of the National
Union was issued here on the 4th.
It is daily paper and has a thrifty
and stable look. It's somewhat pre-
tentious title may deceive some into
a belief that it is not q party paper,
but the contents Of the first issue
will speedily dispel any such delu.
sion. 1t is simply Republican pa
per supporting the Administration
in all its measures, but clearly not
looking beyond the party. Its pub.
fishers are wiser than other friends
of The Administration, who expect
to see made from the ruins of exist.
ing parties "Hayes party" The
paper does not assume airs Of organ
ship, and has in it's first issue no
Government advertisements. A few
days since, A. NJ. Clapp, late Gov
eminent printer, assumed control of
the National Republican, and will
run it as an advocate Of genuine re-
publicanism," meaning in opposi.
tion to the Administration. Thus
both sections of the party are repre-
sented, and quite ably, at the Ma
tional Capital. Long may both pa.
pers live to extend confusion in the
party.
Prosecuting officers Of the Gov.
eminent here have taken courage
from having convicted Ex-Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury Sawyer Of
having knowingly paid fraudulent
claim, and are now pushing the trial
Of one Witowski and Pennsylvania
Ex-C Congressman for presenting and
securing payment OF another such
claim. The good effect Of Furnishing
parties guilty of these things is ap.
parent. The frequency with which
fraudulent claims are known to be
presented and paid raises in the
minds of officials and the public nm
just suspicious as to other and more
deserving ones.
1t is also said the Grand Jury Of
the District will present one or more
Army Officers for fraud in securing
payment, for consideration, Of q
large amount Of money to parties for
sham article for The preservation
of Army clothing. Dom Piatt Of
The Sunday Capital, is the accuser,
and Quartermaster Rofus Ingalls, is
the party eccused. Piatt was In the
"ring'' and says he did not get his
share ofthe stealings. These things
with a forgery case in the Interior
Department, and a rumored defalca-
ton in our Post Office, of which no
particulars are known, and the start
ing Of a new Republican paper, are
horrors enough for one letter. Let
US turn to pleasanter subjects.
The streets Of Washington are al
ready filling up with the innumer-
able casavan that precedes the com
ing of the great body Of Congress-
men. Extraordinary interest is felt
in The next session, and the corners
are more numerous than usual.
More members are engaging houses
than at any time since the war.
There will be many "open houses"
this winter. The lobbyist will be
here. Tue old politician will be
here from every section. The Wash
ington property holder will more
nearly meet the interest on his
mortgages than for many years, and
here and there, let US hope, 9 man
will be able 70 pay his taxes.
+ OF private enterprises TO come be-
fore Congress the Texas Pacific
Railroad will have the lions share
of attention. Government ala to
that road will be advocated and
opposed by leading men of both
parties. His health permitting.
A. H. Stephens will assume the lead
in the House, of those favoring the
enterprise. The widespread oppo-
sition to any aid whatever will, it is
said, be in measure neutralized by
the submission of q plan with less
Objectionable features than in any
previous scheme. This seems to be
due 10 the Government, If it is to
grant aid, and 70 be good policy on
the part Of the Company, as none Of
the old fashioned Union and Central
Pacific plumber bills, would have .
! moments chance of success.