The Morning herald., 1877-11-15
THEsHERALD.
Thursday November 18TH. 1877.

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From our Special Correspondent
Y \ WASHING TON, D. G.. Nov. IA, 1s77.s
Senator Blalne's absence from this city
prevented his taking part in discussion o1
much interest in the Senate on yesterday
The appointment Of Hon. John l.. Stevens
of Maine, as Minister to Sweden and Nor
way, was before The Senate for action, and
friends of the gentleman now occupying
the position opposed the confirmation oi
Stevens. There was not 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 oppor
tunity to express his ideas, If he has any,
on the subject of appointments to Office,
reform in the civil ssrvice, &c. Senator
Hamlin hates the administration, but as
there was an office depending on the
Senate's action, be could not help endorsing &
what the administration had done. If there
was lighthouse keeper or tide-water
vacancy in the country, this venerable old
Senator would forget all the principles,
policies, enmities, or loves of lifetime in
order to get Maine Republican into the
place. What the small politicians of Maine
will do when Hamlin dies passes the under
standing.
The effect ON Mr.. Hayes of Saturday 3
Republican caucus is unoficially given as
follows: Hayes while refusing to commit
himself on the subject Of appointment,
evinces disposition to be guided some>
what by the views of Senators in relation
to all appointments yet to be made. This
is not in terms the complete surrender
which some anticipated, but that will come
If the Senate sticks together.
Convictions Of such men as Cardaza, and
Smalls, in South Carolina, do not seem to
me to meet the necessities of the case. The
men are guilty, undoubtedly, and ought to
be punished. bnt 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 thief 60
free, is to invite contempt for the law and
its officers. If Patterson and Chamberlain
cannot be reached earnestly hope that the
"white trash and ignorant niggers who
have been or may be convicted, will be
pardoned by Governor Hampton.
The army, so far as the House can do 1t,
has been fixed a. twenty thousand men for
the year ending June 30, 1878. At the
regular session expect to see an honest
effort to reduce the force to $4,000.
The Mexican muddle receives undeserved
notice in the army appropriation bill, and
every scoupdrel and speculator who hopes
for profit out of war is happy. If those
people. who really suffer from Mexican
outrsges 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 be excuse for the, action Of the
House on yesterday In providing that four
regiments of cavalry should be sent to
Texas. But every one who cares to know
The facts knows that those who are most
In promoting disturbances on the
border, and in urging the. government to
violent measures, are men who have no
with our citizens or with Mexi-
,ans, but simply desire to make what money
hey can from war.
In late letter speaking of the enormous
Indebtedness of this district, said it was
incurred by appointees of Grant and not by
he people themselves. This is true. One
If our city papers, however, considers the
statement reflection upon the integrity of
Boss" Shepherd. did not intend to say
hat Sheppard or any of his associates
,rodted dishonesty by the expenditure.
Fhe money was recklessly spent, and
'rought no good to the District, which in
ny reasonable degree corresponds with the
mount expended. That is the ground of
omplsint. It is only fair to say that GOV.
hepherd, aside from profits on real estate,
vhich he sold while it had the fictitious
alues his scheme of improvements tenn
orarily gave to all District property, was
poorer man when he retired from office
han when he accepted It. r0 |
HILTON.
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