Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1877-01-18
Our Washington Letter

hhIlc anu SOiOitu hGpuDllCaDS
and little by Democrats, that
large numbers Of colored men
voted the Democratic ticket and
many more would if they had
dared to; and that from the
time the votes entered the bal
lot-bOx 10 the time the Return
ing Board got through with
them there was, on the part Of
their Republican custodians, a
pretty steady stream of irrcgu-
larily, fraud and perjury. This
10 a mild statement Of what in
tcliigeDt white men and negroes
swore TO in regard to both the
States. If human testimony is
TO be relied upon, these States
ought in justice to be counted
for Tilden, even if there had
been an apparent majority for
Hayes. Every moderate Re
publican who went South as a
member Of any committee has
come back with confession on
bis lips and fear in his heart.
The publication of this testi-
mony, and its subsequent dis
cussion in the House and Sen
iate ought 10 secure an end of
the weak, vicious and corrupt
governments that have dis
graced these States in the last
few years. The effect upon the
action Of Congress on the Pres
iden!ial question cannot yet be
known, but it certainly ought
to be to keep Democrats firm
in their determination to use all
constitutional means to inaugu-
rate Gov. Tilden, as a necessity
for the protection Of the peo-
pie OF the South.
The Union of this morning
has fierce attack upon the
proposed subsidy 10 the South
orn Pacific Railroad. The New
York World, on the contrary,
mildly urges points in favor of
the subsidy. Republican pa
fpers are equally divided, so that
this cannot be made a party
question. The guarantee Of
the Company's bonds, required
by the compromise bill now be-
fore Congress. is very large,
but much care seems 10 have
been taken TO protect the Gov
ernmeut, so far as the party fur
nishing all the means for a
doubtful speculation can be pro-
tected by the material bought
with hismoncy andusedby other
parties. Powerful delegations.
are here in the interest Of the
bill. There seems to be no
doubt that the building Of the
road would be Of enormous ben.
eft TO the Southwest.
The " ashington Police Board
is getting to be some such Ma
itional scandal as our Board Of
Public Works became. Yes
terday a committee of the House
commenced an investigation of
the President Of the Board,
Murtagh, and the Chief Of Po-
lice 5wore to an effort made BY
Murtagh to use him and his de-
tectiyes for the purpose Of dis
grazing a Democratic member
of Congress. The evidence Will
be corroborated by the detec-
tiycs. 1t is plain that all kinds
of rascality have had free run
here under President Grants
two administrations.
The Commissioner Of Pen
sioDs has requested the. Deputy /
Commissioner to resign. The |
Deputy Commissioner won't do
it. Probably there will be a
new Commissioner, as the Dep
uty has strong political backing. |
The Pension office affords a !
fair illustration of Grants sys-
tenn Of appointments. 1t is AMI
Office Of great importance. The
Government has paid three hum
dred millions of dollars on the
action of the office in the last
ten years, and the amount will
probable average twenty-five
millions per year for the next /
ten years. Yet since Grants
first Inauguration the Commits
sionership has not been held by
q man of even average business
ability and experience. though
seven or eight ehangcs-about (
one q year-have been made at
the beck Of politicians. A thor
ough investigation Of the office
ought 10 be one Of the first acts
Of the incoming administration.
The Oregon investigation is {
about over. There Leyer was a I
moro complete failure than that ,
Of the Senate Committee. Start |
NO ont with the expectation Of .