Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-12-23
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE nosIToR.]
WAsuTNcTov nac II 1873

luentidi electionS anu WHICH passed. tne
Senate on Friday. has little or no chance
of successfully running the gauntlet of
pretended Democratic suspicion in the
Lower House. It's absolute certainty
of defeat before that body detracts from
the general interest which would other
wise be felt in its details. Our narrow
escape from the perils of disputed
Presidential succession which were only
avoided finally by resorting to an extra
constitutional compromise after months
of disquieting and mischievous, agita-
ton, amply demonstrated the necessity
for such legislation as would insure us
against the chances of their recurrence
from similar cause. All other consid-
erations aside, the relative strength of
parties in this Congress makes the pres
ent session peculiarly suspicious for Sc
curing the changes demanded with little
chance for either or any party to secure
undue advantages by the proposed
amendments. But this is precisely the
reason, probably, that will induce the
House majority to withhold its approval
from the Edmunds bill, hoping after
the central of both branches falls to
them to be able to so shape the needed
legislation as to secure decided benefits
to Bourbonism. The reason assigned
for opposition is certainly not very COM
complimentary to the wealth of intel
lectual endowment of their leading law.
yers who have microscopically scruti-
nized every provision of the bill. 1t is
to the effect that while they found moth
ing wrong or partizan in it, Edmunds
is so profoundly astute in its maneuvers
that they fear to favor his plan lest they
walk into a trap. This pretense will
likely excuse them with not very ex-
acting constituency for failure to meet
one of the most imperative needs of the
session, and hence answers as we'll as
another.
1t seems the impression of those con-
versant with the features of the bill
recently passed by the House to prevent
the Determinations and exactions of
railroads, that the range was too high
and that consequently those favoring its
passage overshot the mark. Many of
its provisions are undoubtedly crude and
immature. 1t would be strange if they
are not found so, when it is remembered
that the demand was almost universal
in the West for restrictive legislation
against railroads whose expressions had
driven the producers Of that section to
revolt; and the member first in the field
with measure likely to crafty this
feeling of evaporation on the part Of
the mass of voters stood good chance
to become the hero of the hour. But
whatever the practical effect the vote
has its encouraging features. 1t will
tend to discredit the allegations of the
ownership of Congress by rich railroad
corporations and shows that when pub
lie sentiment is sufficiently decided Con
gress can be forced intoan assertion Of
Its constitution powers in the premises.
The report of the Committee for Army
reorganization Is. next to Blaine speech
which the leading place, the most gener
al TOPPER of discussion here. Tone O
comment differs widely of course. anc
the CONSERVATION among the Washing
ton staff, which is fearfully slaughtered
by the report. is general. Some of it
propositions are extraordinary, as, fo
, instance, that which proposes, practical
ly, to abolish the Secretary of War
Whatever the opinion as to specific
methods advised in dealing with exist
ing abuses, very few will disapprov,
the looping off of some of the snobs
young and old, who largely make ~
the Washington staff. Some of then
know as much of actual military servic
as cow does of a musket. They ar
the favorites of society because of thei
position, and effect an exclusiveness tina
is as offensive as their boasts Of "blood'
are ridiculous. They cost the tax-pay
| ers of this country thousands of dollar
annually, and are of use chiefly as orna
ments to the service and to lead tn,
German and to '.do" the other leadin,
parts in the dissipated. heartless, snob
| bish circles of shoddy aristocracy tina
gather here during Congressional season
r and put to utter shame our profession
of Republicanism.
: The we'll known fact that the me
J who shaped the Republican campaig
l last Fall studiously avoided all issue
growing out of the war and reconstruc
: ton, were silent as to generalization
q and before to denounce the men VIII
: had repudiated all their pledges, as the
I. deserved to be, gives the lie to the Den
s ocratic allegations that Mr.. Blaine an
his political associates in Congress al
i striving to relIght the fires of section;
hate. The crimes against humanity an
I. the frauds that finally induced M
Hayes to move, all occurred during la
i Falls campaign. 1t was an Issue force
s. on the Republicans in Congress by Den