The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1878-04-12
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
from Our Regular Correspondent. !
WASHINGTON, d. c., April 10, 1878.
The election of Gen. Fields, of Georgia,

| The election of Gen. Fields, of Georgia,
an ex-confederate soldier, as doorkeeper
of the house, yesterday was made the
occasion of remarks by General Butler,
OF Massachusetts, and Messrs. Frye and
Hale, OF Maine. Mr.. Frye has the in>
stincta OF gentleman, and at time gives
to questions affecting the whole country
a manly and even generous treatment.
He did not act the demagogue yesterday,
as Butler and Hole did, aud his speech
was wholly upon the question of the citi.
zenship of Fields! This was a legiti>
mate question. The speeches of Butler
and Hale were not directed to any subs
ject before the house, but to the voters
of the north over the head of the subject
under discussion. They called attention
to the fact that the Republicans of the
house wished to put union soldier,
though q Democrat, in the position,
while the Democrats desired to elect q
Confederate soldier. Thirteen years ago
such talk was just as base as now and
just as false. but was not as well under>
stood. Thirteen years in which the
Democrats OF Maine have nominated for
office union soldiers as often as the
Republicans have done so, should have
warned Mr.. Hale that the time had pass.
ed In which this sham OF special devotion
to the union soldier could impcso upon
intelligent citizens.
II the Democracyis to lose ground In
the next two years it will not be because
the Democrats Of the house were unan,
imous In voting for an ex-confederatc
soldier for a minor Office, but because
they ara not o;tener unanimous upon
qustions of real importance to the voters
OF the country.
Debate In the senate Yesterday was
upon the Pacific railroads funding bill,
and was OF more than ordinary interest.
Senators Thurman, Herman, Sargent and
Blaine spoke. 1t now appears likely that
Thurman's Lill-the bill OF tho judiciary
committee--wil be so amended as to
make its terms a final settlement with
the roads, and then be passed. IL re-
quires fixed portion--one.iourth--o
The net profits of the roads to be set
apart for the benefit OF the government.
The tariff bill of Mr.. Wood comes ND
to-day, unless as once before, that gen
tleman gives way to other business.
MIR. Wood will make tho opening speech.
lie says that the recent publication by
the bureau Of statistics, apparently show,
Ing That under his bill the revenue
would be many millions less than at
present, Is deceptive, and that 1t Is pub
lished now Tor the purpose OF defeating
hiS measure. Ho claims that the same
amount OF money can DO raised, with less
expense, and in q manner less burdens
some to the people, and less injurious to
commerce, under his proposed act than
under existing law. In commercial cir.
cies aud by thinking men everywhere,
the debate on thid important subject will
DO read with great interest. 1t il again
reported that Anderson of Louisiana,
will be made collector of the port Of New
Orleans, and this time the story Is told,
in a way to make 1t appear probable
The official knowledge MIR. Hayes has of
Anderson Is, In substance that by n
manipulation OF votes In Louisiana (de>
nounccd as fraud by Justice Strong Of |
the electoral commission who voted for
Hayes, Anderson succeeded IN stealing
the presidency from Tilden. The unoffl.
cial knowledge he has OF him 10 that
Anderson was tried for q portion OF that
offence, was convicted and escaped pun
lshment through technicalIty. On this
Hayes proposes 10 elevate tho
'ervioc by giving Anderson Office.
Grant wouldn't do that. HIlroN.