The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-05-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. C., May %, 1878.

From the Committee appointed by Speak
er Randall under Mr.. Potter's resolution we
may hope to get at the whole truth in regard
to Florida and Louisiana. What new state
ments of fraud, if any, may be received, is
of course matter of conjecture but we'll in
formed men expect ample confirmation of
much that has heretofore been denied when
charged, or which have been mere conjecture
The vigorous efforts of Republicans to pre-
vent investigation showed that they feared
the result. 1t is not believed the Hale amend
ment, not accepted as part of the resolu.
tion, will be pushed as separate measure.
1t provides for an investigation into the
election in 1876 in the State of Mississip.
pi.
In the memorable contest over the resolu.
tion Mr.. Potter showed excellent sense and
admirable temper. Speaker Randall was
equal to the occasion. as he always has been,
and his ready and complete mastery of the
situation was the more remarkable when it
is remembered that Speaker Blaine, perhaps
more thoroughly versed than any other man
in parliamentary law and tactics, was often
on the House floor giving aid and comfort
to the Republican leaders. Perhaps because
he was one of the implicated parties Mr..
| Garfield left to Mr.. Hale the management of
the Republican side of the contest, and Mr.
Hale perhaps did as well as any one could in
bad cause.
The immediate effect of the passage of
the resolution on the Democrats of the House
must be good. They were going from bad
to worse in hopeless dissension on various
matters and apologizing for themselves to
the Republican minority. This, trust, is
over, and that we shall now see them insisting
unitedly, on the reductions and reformation,
promised at the beginning of the session
and on the stump at the last election. Sena-
tor McCreery, who has not been given to
over much speaking, created sensation the
other day by making an exceedingly able
and effective speech in favor of the repeal of
the resumption act 1t was one of those rare
speeches which so briefly, clearly and forci-
| bly, says all there is to be said on question,
that all that comes after it seems to be only
| repetition.
In connection with the statement of that
| eminent civil service reformer, Mr.. Hayes,
that he should contribute to the Republican
campaign fund, and would be pleased if
other officials would do 50, attention is in
| vited to a section of law passed year ago
| by Congress made up of machine politi-
| clans" of the two parties, which makes it
a misdemeanor, punishable by fine of $500
and removal from place for one class of Fed
eral officers to do anything Of the kind. The
assessments are now going on, however, and
though tH"y may not he as open, as when
IL Chandler was at the head of affairs
they will be just as certainly enforced.
Til, R'pub lean Congressional Committee
had better be. reorganized. Its recent ad-
dress to the people of the country, signed by
Eugene Hale, Chairman, and Geo. G. Cor.
han, Secretary, and which is doubtless the
work of the latter Is a ridiculous document.
1t speaks of the roposition to investigate
Florida and Louisiana AS an attempt
H. Mexicanize the Government" and uses
other equally nonsensical language The
writer must have felt certain that something
would be found out which would make it
necessary for Mr.. Hayes to retire from office,
or else he wrote without any definite idea of
what he was writing abont.
SEMINOLE.