San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-03-23
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. D. e.,
March ii, 1878. (

thO SSOPuoiCdub ouUuiu uOI uuIC CdT'
ried New Hampshire yesterday. But
they carried it. The Democrats, not
withstandiug all the opportunities they
have had 10 the last few years to re .es.
tablish public confidence, to reform a
buses, and to reduce the expenses of
Government, have failed, in the open
ing battle of 1878, to carry State
which has long been considered doubt
full. l am not given to sermons, but a
word of advice and warning may not
be out of place here. This Democratic
failure is due, first of all, to the fact
that the House of Representatives has
not done and has not attempted to do
one half it should have Gone in the
way Of reforming abuses, reducing tax
alton, and thereby restoring confidence
to the country. Secondly the Demo-.
cratic party has become as thourough.
ly divided over Mr.. 4ilden, who has no
patronage, as the Republican party is
over Mr.. Hayes who has all the FEEDER.
raj patronage. Thirdly-Democrats
all over the country-not all democrats
butsome aspiring men in every section
have gone farther than Republicans
themselves in asserting the validity of
Hayes title to the Presidency.
The House of Representatives shows
a disposition to repair It's error. and
will probably do its share of the work
Of preventing further defeats like that
in New Hampshire, Prominent men
in the House promise now that the
Radical party shall be put on the de.
fense. So far as the foolish Demo-
cratic squabble over Mr.. Tllden, or
over any other man, as a candidate for
the Presidency in 1880, is concerned
the mere putting the factin plain words
would seem to be enough. If the Dem
ocratic party can find nothing but per.
soual matters to discuss while the
country is in distress we may be sure
that the country will seek relief out
side of the Democratic party. The
folly Of giving prominence, in letters
and speeches and platforms to expires.
sions Of confidence in Hayes title to
the Office. while his own party almost
universely ignores the subject has
made elfapparent to every Democrat
from Maine to Louisiana. The country
does not honestly believe in that title.
Give the people change on these
three points, and We may have victories
instead of defeat.
Mr.. Hewitt of New York paid his
respects to the Civil Service Reforms
Of Mr.. Hayes, on Monday. There
has been no such forcible speaking in
the House since Blaine with his Presi
dental hopes depending on his utter
ances, defended himself from charges
of dishonesty. Mr.. Hewitt surprised
even those who knew him to be an
BILE man. His dissection of the hypo-
critical pretense of reform was
thorough. One cannot imagine Hayes
reading that speech without a blush.
Particularly forcible was the state
ment that Hayes thought it improper
for him or others to reward ordinary |
political services, but had showered Of
fices upon all who aided him by trick
cry, forgery, perjury, and in other ways
in his irregular and extra.constitution-
al elevation to the Presidency. This
speech should have a general circula-
ton.
Senator Blaine on Monday made
a formal argument against the pay
ment of the fishery award of D, 800, 900
dollars. l suppose he has no expec-
tation OF preventing the payment, but
is attempting to provoke an agitation.
Out of that agitation will necessarily
come a general discussion of the ques-
lion of anDexiDs the Provinces of the
United States, Senator Blaine would
unquestioDab blytake the lead in all dis
OF that subject. Ithas been
life long study Of his, and has entered
nto all his plans for the last year.
The act approved on the Sth inst.
concerning pension for 1872 soldiers. it
s now thought will benefit many thou
aud persons. Under it any one who
ierved IA days. or participated in one
,attle. In the war Of 1872, is entitled