, 1878-05-25
Our Washington Letter.
WAsHIyGrey, May 9th, 1873


Ep1roR STATESMAS:-Fromt their several
standpoints, many able exposltions OF tie
financial problems now confronting us have
been heard in the senate the present session.
Whatever their politics, it is clearly appre-
hended by rejecting minds IN and ont OF
congress that our prosperity for the next half
century must depend largely, upon their cor
rect solution The general prevalence OF
this sentiment always Insures large ami
exceptionally intelligent audience to those
thought to be unusually well qualified for
their discussion. General Gordons exhaus-
tive speech on Tuesday, on the bill TO repeal
The resumption act, was the great feature OF
the day-0f the session indeed In the esti-
nation of those sympathizing with his views;
and not few of the oldest champions OF
the gold standard and resumption enforced
by legislation, listened throughout and con-
cede Ii the strongest presentation OF the
opposing side made this session. 1t vas the
chief topic at the hotels and other places OF
resort Tuesday evening, and street comment
was heard everywhere. The verdict was
unanimous as to its ability, and Georgia GER
tainly has every reason to feel grauhed with
the high place accorded this representative
Of her people The General was aggressive
throughout, but not oiieuSively SO. Every
deduction from his first premises was logical.
clear and eloquently clothed. refer all my
readers TO the Record for the full speech,
only saying III summarizing that ''ill-advised
legislation was the burden of his indict-
ment against those who have moulded our
financial policy for the past decade. Con-
traction, he declared, the parent of all the
business prostration, suffering and distress of
to-day in this country. He cited in proof
the experience of England, France and Italy;
and it must be an eloquent pleader and a
thoroughly informed mind that can effect a
reversal of the verdict of the crowded floor
and galleries that the General SO sigIally
gained last Tuesday. He has never been re-
garded as one OF the 81 light weights" of the
upper house, and from this time on his IN
tiuence il shaping legislation must prove
potential Democracy, pure and undehled
and having "no respect OF persons, hasn't
an abler, more persuasive exponen IN either
house
1t is said that economy is the road to
wealth This Is no less true III government
than in private affairs. There Is peculiar
reason, now, for private rs for public econ
omy. The need never was greater than now,
though it may be hereafter. The house COM
mittees have so far, III most instances, done
their duty in this respeel, though the house
has not in every case done Its duty by the
committees 4 reduction of at least S20,-
G00, 600 in appropriations two years ago
shoald have been rigidly adhered TO in con-
ference committees There are yet bills
enough not agreed to by the two houses to
enable the democratic hoGse to show the
people that it, and not the senate, looks to
their welfare.
Hon. EageEe Hale's appearance as presi-
dental candidate for 1850. opens new book
in republican politics The only question
seems to he whether or not Senator Blame
will put his foot down on it at once. BY and
by he may not be able to DO so.
The snhject of Improving the Mississippi
riverat thccnvernmcn5 eypenSe has often been
discussed, and congress has as often made
made appropriations necessary for such I'M
provcments. The leyee appropriation, under
which Capt Eads has Sc much improved the
mouths Of TIE river is a case in point. Liber-
al appropriations have properly been made
for that. The leveeS on that truly national
river are proper subjects for such aid Other
matters, Ike the Texas or other Southern
Pacific railroad will call for aid, and doubt
less full consideration will be given to their |
claims. REX