Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1878-11-14
Our Washington Letter.

Our Washington Letter.
Special Correspondence Of MeOBsrnvEa
" AsIHNGToN, ID. c., Nov. s, rs
After March 4, 1879, Cor the
first time in more than 20 years,
The Democratic party will CON
troll both Houses Of Congress.
The Importance OF his, espc-
cially III view of the fact that
the party holding both Houses
has always elected its candidate
for The Presidency, can hardly
be overcstimated. but aside
from the Presidential question
'lierc are many and great OPP
po:iunitles for the party in its
Anew position Of power. The
coming session of Congress, in
which the Senate is still Rcpub-
llfaE, will be the occasion for
The Democrats TO indicate the
course the party shall take in
The succeeding two years. We
may as well understand now as
hereafter that anything which
fcnds 10 the creation, directly
or indirectly, Of sectional feel
ings is us unwise in policy as
~ is unratriotic. To the radi-
Gals that may be left, with fnll
assurance that any temporary
benefits derived from it will be
lost at an early day, the Dem
ocratic House must insist on
rigid economy in all public cX-
penditures. 1t must demand
he repeal Of all laws permit
ling Federal interference with
State elections. Ii must attempt
10 simplify the customs and in
lernal revenue laws. With
such a platform as this The par
~ can hardly fail in 1880.
Tuesdays election, as indica-
ted above, has left The House
Democratic. 1t has not inter
1ered with previous anticipa-
tons that the Senate would be-
come Democratic after this
year. Aside from these re-
suits Democrats have little to
boast OF. In New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massa-
chusetts, Illinois, Michigan,
Wisconsin, and other States
lately Democratic or believed to
be doubtful, the radicals have
made great gains. 1t is now
probable thai they will control
amajority OF States in the House
al Representatives, so that, in
event Of a Presidential election
being thrown into the House
their candidate ..wilI be elected.
Congress will have to wrcslle
with the question OF Railroad
monopoly this winter in prac-
teal way. The Central Pacific
Company not only defes TIE
Government and EFFORTS mon
strous tolls Of trade, but goes
right on increasing It's power
for evil in spite Of all protests.
its Southern Pacific railway of
california has been diverted
la,.ln It's true purpose as South
<rn railroad, and will unite with
cie Atchisou ana Sanle Fe road,
supposed to be controlled by
Jay Gould. This is in defiance
OF all promiscs,to put through a
Southern road; in fact, it is in
tended 10 defeat the object de-
sired by everybody, an indie
pendent competing Southern
line, and the southern and cast
crn merchants are uttcring loud
inprecations against the pcrfidy
of the railroad gamblers and
iaonopolists, whose tricks will
:ena Ia arouse movement for
new liDe that will Prove TO be
irresistible. g
Among minor matters which
should early engage the atten-
ton of Congressman, without
regard to party, is revision of
the laws in relation 10 pensions,
pay and bounty of soldiers of
The late war and their heirs.
The laws themselves are liberal.
The intention of their trainers
was good. But through the
arbitrary rulings OF Secretaries
Sherman and Schurz, nearly ey-
cry applicant has to wait for
year or two longer than is nee
cssary for the small amounts
due him or her. 1t should be
understood that what are here
called "claims" are only what
The law has already declared to-
be due, and what, in many ca
ses, has been adjudged due TO
the individual after Department
1al scrutiny. There is no good
reason why, in such cases, the
soldier should be compelled TO
await the pleasure of Cabinet
officer. AUsTIN.