The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-12-06
lFRoM QUA REGULAR ooRRRsroSDHNr, |
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, D. O., Nov. 27th, 1878.
The return of the swallows in spring
time is not hailed with greater delight
than Washingtonians manifest at the
approach Of q new session of Congress.
Aside from the material interests which
boarding-house keepers and tradesmen
have at stake in the presence here Of
three or four hundred Congressman and
Senators, with the crowd that follows in
their train, il is with all residents Il
question Of entertainment. Congress il
our menagorie. Theaters do not thrive
here because six months in the year we
have a better show free Of cost. When
Shakespeare wrote, "the plays the
thing" he had never seen an American
House Of Representatives on ono Of its
lively days. So here we arc getting
ready to greet our returning favorites.
The work Of cleaning, rcnoyating and
fixing up, has been in progress at the
Capitol building for some time, until
everything is now nearly in readiness.
The subject of ventilation has received
some attention, but no great improve
ment has been made. Every session
we hear of Congressman injured in
health and broken down by tho bad at
mosphere in which they live while on
duty. It really does seem that some
means could be devised TO properly ven.
tilate this magnificent structure. Yet
with all the ills that may DO suffered
from this cause, there arc in my opin-
ion other sources to which many Con-
gressmen's aches and pains may be
traced. The lives which some Of them
live while here render better ventilated
stomachs and minds quite as necessary
as better ventilated council chambers.
No doubt more of their ills como from
indulgence in late suppeis, wines, bad
hours, and the lusts Of the flesh gener-
ally, than are due to the cause TO which
they are 30 often ascribed.
Several members have already ar
rived and others are coming within a
few days Speaker Randall took pos
session of his residence on Capitol Hill
yesterday. Representative Stenger, Of
Pa, and Henckic, of Md, haye been
here several days. The Hon. wm. NJ.
Springer of Illinois, arrived during the
week. Mr.. Springer is one Of the most
active Democrats in the House, and
has, in a recent interview, expressed
himself concerning the late elections.
He thinks they point TO a union of all
the elements opposed to the Republican
party in 1850, and the nomination of a
Western man who can carry Ohio, In.
diana and Illinois. Senator Don Cam
eTon has been here this week, aud now
that he has settled his reelection, he
proposes to make some changes among
Pennsylvanians holding office under the
Government He interviewed John
Sherman about DR. I.indeman, Director
of the Mint, and appears anxious to
know how often the DIR. voted, and for
whom. Don esteems it important TO
have the mint presided over by one
who is politically sound, regardless of
his other qualifications And with all
the rest We have had Zach Chandler
here for few days. Some prcjndiced
persons always say there is mischief
a1oat when the old Michigander comes
about. After the election Zach telc-
graphed that Michigan is now the bar
ner Republican State" though asa mat
ter of fact, 1t was carried only hy a
small purality and nowhere near ma
jority. This reminds the Post Of "a Ger
tain historical telegram which read /:
"Hayes has IS5 votes and is elected.
n. Chandler, chairman" There are ugly
rumoIs ahoat touching the object Of
Chandler and Cameron's visit here, in
yolving a scheme to forcibly eject the
Democrats from control of the next
House on the ground of unfairness of
elections in the Southern States. do
not think any such revolutionary at
tempt will be made. Even IL it is con-
templated, as reported, the public could
not be worked up TO the point Of sus-
tanning it by any number Of fraudulent
negro afidavits and Eliza Pinkston sto-
ries. Undoubtedly this gang of unscru-
pulous manipulators is capable of even
more desperate and lawlcss schemes
than this, but they must be well back
ed up to have the slightest show of sue
cess. Chandler is reported to have
said that "the. Democrats wouldn't
fight" an opinion based upon the fact
that they did let him cheat them once
when their majority in the Electoral
College was greater than their present
majority in the House of Representa-
tives. Let the usupers try it again.
Revised returns gave the Democrats
l4S members to l33 Republicans and
Greenbaclgers. A majority of Is
over tho Panuil;cans and 2 ovar oil