The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-06-22
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


Especial Correspondence to The Republican,
WASHINGTON. d. c.. June Is, 1878.
The fault finders role is not diff
cult one to play. The unfavorable
criticism of Congress by the Wash
ington correspondent is often unreas-
enable, and largely destitute of any
real foundation in fact. 1t may be,
and doubtless is, prompted by per-
sonal motives not infrequently. But
after making due allowance for mis-
representations and perversion
prompted by personal or party con-
sideration. and for the spiteful as
severations of those disgruntled by
refusal of favors, dispassionate
review of what has been done and
what left undOne at this session,
leaves a large margin for doubling
the competency and the honesty of
men who inaugurated the present
session of Congress as the special
champions of reform and economy.
1t is now a matter of record how
little this aggregation of statesman.
ship and wisdom above their fellows,
has been able to devise for the great
industrial interests of the country.
| Nor is the impartial critic able to
stop with showing that it has been
an Improbable and negatively un-
fruitful session. Without mention
ing the food of private bills that
have been introduced intended for
the benefit of faVorites at the expense
of all not included in that deSigna-
ton, the addition of millions of dol
lars to the appropriation bills during
the past ten days above the amounts
agreed upon by the Committees as
necessary, will make it notorious as
one of the most Wasteful sessions ever
held. The unanimity with which
the House voted itself nearly $4,000
to pay its newspapers alH stationery
charges for the session is, perhaps, a
| small matter to mention when mil
lions were being voted away but it
serves to show with what avidity
those voting for it have seized upon
every doubtful provision that could
be so twisted as to justify an increase
of their own already liberal pay.
Though not a positive violation of
law the charge was often heard that it
was a plain perversion of its spirit.
But the record of the session is nearly
complete and the information re-
uuisite to making up just verdict
will soon be within the reach Ofevery
voter. Most of the appropriation
bills have necessitated one or more
Conference Committees but it is be-
lieved they will all have been agreed
to by Wednesday, rendering an adj
journment by that date possible.
The Army hill was very difficult to
harmonic. Several Conference Com
mittees wrestled with it, but finally
/ by good deal of concession on the
part of the House and little on the
part of the Senate an agreement was
reached. 1t leaves the strength of
the Army at %, 900 men and the pay
proper as heretofore, though some of
the allowances of offices have been
cut down. The House clause pro-
hibiting the use of any portion of the
Army as a posse cOnait0tats was so
modified as to deprive it of much
force.
VOORHEES, took advantage of
squabble between two Senators to
move the repeal of the resumption
act and in lieu thereof the Senate
substitute was adopted with only 10
dissenting votes. By it our green
back currency is made Immediately
receivable for our per cent. bonds
the same as gold, and custom'dues
on and after Oct. l, 1873.
Interest in the Potter Investigation
has gradually waned since the first
day of Anderson's Munchausen re-
citals and the Democrats where Fri
day. forced to administer to it the
coup de grace. Those who urged the
further prosecution will be justly
held accountable for criminal waste
of the public funds. Burchard fairly
made the Democratic "catch their
breath" by the suddenness with
which he sprung his resolution on
them, declaring it incompetent on
the part of any subsequent Congress
to revise the work of the 44th Con-
gress in creating the Electoral Com
mission; and that any attempt,
positive or negative, to disregard its
findings and verdict, would be revo-
lutionary. 1t threw that side into a
state of the utmost CONSERVATION. AS
fast as its members recovered from
their half-paralized condition from
| the shock. thew sought bV the most