Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-12-13
Letter from Washington.


ment usually attending the assembling of Con-
gress. The thropgs of hangers on, always to be
found around the hotels and in the corridors OF
the capitol have sensibly decreased in number.
OF course we have every type of camp follow
er," but the representatives OF each type
parsvely few Those only who come
to stay and watch and lobby. This session i. sim
ply continuation of the last with nothing new
to attract those whose hopes are 10 political
changes wherein there may be tide for them to
take at the food. Congress itself exhibits no
signs of excitement. Both parties resting on
their oars. The de mocrsts who usually are full
of importance and isily manifest their intention
of max ing grand assault upon the enemy, are
quietly chewing the cud of bitter reflection on CT
piers and bulldozing. That the democrats wish
to be let alone at present is shown by their strict
attention to business. They passed two sppropr-
alton bills in three days last week and promise
more before the holidays. This is CONNIE ndsble
and presents pleasing contrast to the usual blum
derug in democratic attempts at legislation Pos
sibly the first gddy effects of return to power af
ter a hunger of sixteen years have passed away
and they realize that Congressman are sent to
Washington to legisate and not to wrangle At
tie wisdom, unsupported before. is their posses
sion. Wnat action they will take when Senator
Blaine stirs them up remains 10 be seen. II was
expected that his attack upon the political WAYS of
the southern democracy would be made yester-
day but to morrow is set for that event
Our political oppone uts resolved in council to
meet all aspersion on the character with silence
or, if silence cannot be maintained, TO answer
temperately and wisely through the mouth of
cool northern Senator. But predictions are no,
few that such course /. impossible for the hot
southern blood TO sustain; and we NAV see a re-
enactment, with change of stage, of that famous
| scene in which Senators Blaine and Hill were
prominent actors short time since in the House
1t is pity that bitter partisan strife and sectional
hate must again be aroused; but this time the sin
cannot be laid at the door of the north for 70 be
silent in the presence of the facts, which southern
men OF high position at times openly boast of and
at times lamely excuse, is an offence against the
| laws of humanity.
| There visible signs that the extreme view,
of the Greenback party are becoming modified
| One of the signs is a reported interview with
| Judge Kelley OF Pennsylvania, who has hitherto
been regarded as leader in the fight against hon
| est money. In this interview he deprecates the
wild uteiapces of those who profess to speak for
the geeHback party, ard says they were the causes
| OF the strong opposition with which the national
| movement wa. opposed, and that, but for these
| wild uttersnces so industriously promulgated as
the views of the party, the national vote of Penn.
| sylvania would have been twice as large as that
| polled at the late election. The greenback idea.
he says, is the establishment of a currency at all
times equal 10 gold, which cannot be deprecated,
and always equal to the demands of business
"lhs is not imitation; there is nothing wild in the
| idea" Nor can sound money man dissent from
this proposition. The sound money man and the
class which Judge Kelley presents diff RADICAL
as to the means Of establishing such a cure ncy,
No financial legislation is expected this session
| except possibly bill to make the trade dollar a
legal tender may pass, though it is well known
that there is "a good thing" in such leg isaton for
somebody.
1t is believed that Efforts at obtaining subsidie,
will receive cold welcome this winter. The indi-
cations that those who hope to be benefited by
subsidies have exhausted all their resources in the
way of influencing Congressman and are watching
their chances passively. The Texas Pacific bill a
| prominent example of the claims of this class OF
men, Notwithstanding its able presentation by
Senator Matthews, has been suubbed in the Sen.
ate by vote OF % to 49, and it i, understood that
the majority against this scheme will be much
larger in proportion when the matter is decided by
full vote. If this the case and if the opposi-
ton against the Texas Pacific represents the senti-
| ment Of Congress concerning subsidies, the Amer
lean people may well be thankful.
A bill for the further distribution of the Geneva
award is to be considered to day in the House
When the award was made 1t was understood that
the fund was for the benefit of the persons ow ing
in ships which had been destroyed by rebel cru sers
and that the whole amount was to be distributed
accordingly. Great Britain, therefore, watched
with care the course which this money took and
saw it distributed as follows one third to owners
of ships destroyed, and two thirds to the United
States Treasury. They soon found an opportuui.
ty to take partial revenge. and secured an enor-
nous price for their fishes. That is not the di.
plomatc way of looking at it. but it is the plain
truth as understood by laymen. With exceeding
i'll grace would any attempt to avoid payne ut
have been made by US. At Geneva we proved
that England owed us SIS 600 600; but when we
came to settle the losses at home we found only
5000 600 justly due our citizens. The balance
we now hold, and is it not wrong TO hold it
Either we were overpaid or we have wronged our
own citizens. The question of returning this bal
ance to Great Britain is not much considered ;
but, on the analogy Of an honest mar returning
the balance Of an overpayment, good argument
might be made in favor of such a course. That
the government is not entitled to this balance
should be the conclusion of all who think serious
ly on the subject; and the ref, renee of the mat
ter to the Court of Claims. as proposed by the
| bill above referred to, will indicate that Congress
is disposed to act justly in a very troublesome
| matter.
Political.