, 1878-12-05
0VR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, u. c., Nov. lG l~1S.
The administration finds time from
its present troublesome duties in en-.
forcing the laws against the violators
Of the voters rights, to take an in.
torest in the advancement of com.
merce, as is shown by its congratu.
latOrv action towards the Chicago
Commercial commission. That body
was chiefly engaged in ascertaining
what could be done to break the
present obstructive monopoly in the
Pacific trade, and to extend our trade
with California, the territories, Mex.
leo, China, and Japan. The almost
unanimous voice was for competitive
railroad lines across the continent,
and it recommended empbatically
the Governments aiding the con-
struction of the Texas Pacific Rail
road and the extension of time to
the Northern Pacific. The mer-
chants present said that the two lires
would be of immense value in the
Pacific trade, besides developing a
large trade in the territories await.
ing the tide Of immigration which
always follows railroads.
But TO return to the Southern
troubles. The administration is like
ly to have its hands full of them, for
the evidence aCcumulates frightfully
against the Democratic bull. dozers.
Even the Democratic organs are
forced to recognize the dark facts at
least, however much they may clamor
about the "bloody shirt" cry. The
Washington "Post," for example,
prints this dispatch without a word
Of comment:
"NEw ORLEANS, Nov. 13.-Col.
Frank Zachane, who was sent by
Governor Nichols as special agent
to Tensas parish to report the true
condition Of affairs there, has re-
turned and submitted lengthy re,
port. He says that Notwithstanding
the exaggerated reports from Tensas
he could only succeed in finding that
IL negroes had been killed"
Col. Zachane is one of the leading
Democrats in Louisiana, end of
course no Democrat dares to doubt
his word. He succeeded in finding
evidences of only II murders for po,
ltical opinion Is there any won.
der that the President has declared
his belief in the failure of his own
conciliation policy. He declares now
that the laws for the protection OF
human lights must and shall be en-.
forced. But there are many who
profess fears that it is too late for
any good to be accomplished in this
generation. "The mills of the Gods
grind slowly" The Democrats have
been allowed to seize control Of all
the Southern States, and the Presi
dent has tied his own hands by hi.
generosity TO his foe. Still, we must
hope that the attitude of the North
may force the Hamptons to decency
The administration is doing well now
in pursuing the lawless fellows il
Carolina, Louisiana and Mississippi
1t will bring them to trial. Can il
convict them with witnesses who
stand under the throat of death as
the penalty for telling the truth
against The assassins ? That is the
grave question.
Senator Blaine is receiving plaud.
its from all hands for his noble work
in the late campaign. He is now at
home taking a brief rest, the first he
has taken since he began the canvass
in August. He spoke in nearly ev-
cry Northern State and everywhere
to immense and enthusiastic audi
ences. Although he declares he is not
again a candidate for President, there
are many who name him as one of
the candidates before the next Ma.