Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-12-03
Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, ID G
Nov 26. 1873.

Nov. &c, 1878.
Preliminary meetings Of several of the
Congressional Committees have already
been held to get the particular work with
which they are charged we'll in baud, in
anticipation of the resssembling OF the
National Legislature next Monday. The
usual lack OF interest was shewn by the
failure TO secure quorum at several OF
the meetings in question. Ia keeping
with Democratic brag and buster about
''roform" we were assured prior 10 the
meeting of The three last sessions that the
appropriation bills were all to be in shape
TO oe reported before the holidays. But
we all remember that at the last two SEES
sions some OF them were not reported
from The Committees until late in the
following spring or even summer
Hence the repetition of former boasts
excite very little else but derision and
incredibly.
One of the most important matters that
came over from the last session is the bill
in aid of the construction OF the Texas
Pacific r. K. By mutual agreement in
the Senate the first Wednesday OF the
present session was assigned for its con-
sideration. The main feature Of the bill
is the guarantee of the interest OF that
roads construction bonds. at D per cent,
and among the conditions precedent to
granting that limited aid are the follow
ing, which seem to amply guard the Gov
erumeul from possible loss in the prem
ises. The road is to surrender previous
land grants, covering more than 1900 OVo
acres of land; the absolute urrender of
the control of the road 10 Government,
till every claim it may have against the
Company shall have been satisfied, this
provision carrying with 1t the right oil
Government TO fix the prices for such
transportation, postal and other service
as it may require. The bill also provides
tor the creation of sinking fund to sat-
isfy al claims the Government may have
agaius, the road, aud as an additional Sc
curity first mortgage is to DO executed
in its favor on the road and all its equip
men,s. The House bill is very similar
only a little more strict relative to the
roads eastern connections. The purpose
OF the Central Pacific monopoly TO hold
on to its present control of all trsnscon-
,inoltal trade has become so apparent
that steady reaction has been provoked
in favor OF the Texas Pacific, extending
il is said, 10 many Members OF Congress
heretofore hostile to il; and this reaction
ary movement of public sentiment has
received decided impetus from the pub
lici,y given Auditor French's report, de-
failing the point blank refusal OF Mr..
Hun,ington's Central Pacific Company TO
comply with the laws of Congress.
Most every body will agree With Mr..
Eyarts that the months Intervening be-
tween Presidential nominations and the
following November is about all the time
VIZ can probably devote to the red-ho,
work of a Presidential campaign. But
i, is noticeable that the present discussion
OF the availability of Gen'l Grant as Re
publican nominee 10 succeed Mr.. Hayes,
has been precipilated by Democrats. It
also REQUIRES no stretch OF the memory TO
recall the fact that the verJ men and pa
pers pretending to free knowledge oil
Grants purpose TO overluru our free Gov
eminent and establish military despol-
ism, are precisely the men and organs
that fought hardest and detained loud
est for the destruction OF tho Republic
and the establishment on It's ruins OF an
oigarchy founded on slavery as its cor
ner stone. We know how Grant gave
the lie TO al their predictions by quietly
slipping out OF the place now occupied
by President Hayes. And to their ever
lasting shame and confusion il is known
that the men and papers who have re-
yived the old tales OF Grants intended
count d etat-his purpose to merge repre-
sentative Government into C@sarism-
are the ones who have most loudly APP
plauded or most sbjectly apologized for
the wretched burlesque on tree suffrage
enacted in the South on the 9Th inst. MOI
has il escaped public notice that 1t is
these men and organs who are RESPONSE
BILE for the diaboicsl murders and terror
ism which have characterized the bloody
rule of Southern Democracy since il
wrested control from the hands Of 6
peaceable majority and reduced it 10 a
condition infinitely worse in many re-
spects, than the legalized slavery exist
ing less than two decades ago. The re-
opening OF the Illicit distiller's war on
revenue officials, shows what an unsub-
stantial basis Southern pledges" are
upon which to base Government policy
''De POI white trash" which contributes
most OF the "moonshiners' has followed
the distinguished example OF great and
good men" who pledged" it to cheer
ful submission of the laws as part oil
the programme OF their lawless usurpa-
tions. And all must feel it is cowardly
and contemnlible mari. 10 arrest and pun