, 1878-11-07
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

of Iowa, before issuing his proclamation
calling attention OF voters to the election
about TO be held, consulted leading law
yers OF all parties and those not partlcu-
lsrly identified with any political organ
izatiou. as to whether the late act of Con-
gress rendered any change in date neceS-
sary for holding Congressional elections III
Iowa. It was understood that there was
unanimous concurrence In the opinion
that such elections held at the usual time
would unquestionally be legal and thar
they would be beyond the power OF
partisan Congress to make them other
wise. At any rate, the rumored purpose
10 force another election In November
and. In case Republican voters iaiI to par
ticipate, to demand that the canuluate
chosen at the new election be awarded the
seats belonging to the Republican NOM
inees elected Oh the sth inst, seems TO
trouble the Republican National Com
mittee very little. From latest adVlees
the project appears to have been partially
az least, abandond. There is nothing.
however, in the elforl.Patterson pre-
cedent to encourage the hope chat such a
scheme of partisan advantage might not
find sufficient strength among the Demo-
Gratis of the next House TO make tia sue
cess; but this emphatic rebuke that Col
orado has just administered to those who
aided In unseating Belford. and the large
number Of those who participated in that
iniamy that have been remanded to pri-
vate lie by the nominating conventions
of this summer and fall. are indications OF
public dIsapprobation that do not encour-
age a repetition Of that or similar out
RACES.
From the tone Of comment heard here,
no exposure since that Of Tweed and his
gang, has caused tithe of the sensation,
profound amazement, indeed, as that oc-
casiored by late interpretations OF cypher
dispatches, protesting TO trace home to
Tilden and other prominent Democratic
politicians, an attempt to purchase certain
Presidential electors In 1875. That large
class Of Democrats who supported Mr..
Tilden because he was the candidate Of the
party, have not been backward IN their
expressions Of Indignation that man
capable Of such alleged enormltles. should
have bacn foisted on the party rs The can-
lidate for the highest Office IN the nation;
and from all have heard in the limited
lime since the appearance Of the cards OF
Messrs. Tilden and Marble, they seem to
,ave eiieted very little change In public
,ainlon as TO the guilt or innocence of any
of the parties implicated la the "Tri-
,une's' arraignment.
The idea OF relIei boat, the Chamber ,
itted ont with all manner Of supplies
leeded for the sufferers by the bronze
coIirge depopulating city and country of
he lower Mississippi, originated here.
fr. Shepherd Of the National Relief
Committee, aud one or two other WASH
ngtop gentlemen, went to st. Louis and
'ersonally attended to the purchase OF her
argo, and remained there till she sailed
N hcr errand of mercy. Intelligence of
er progress has been eagerly sought BY
hundreds here, and news Of the death OF
Dung Lieutenant Benner who volunteered
Q command her on her perilous expedi-
Ion, has brought sorrow to large circle
Il personal friends and Others. only ac-
luaintet with him through his heroic act
II immolation.
Aside from many civilians whose inter-
sc In the meu made anil nnmade by their
connection with our armies during the
var, and which has been re-aroused by
eitz John Porter's efforts TO purge his
military record Of its shameful ending. a
Fery large circle Of military men watch
the proceedings Porter has instituted to
that end, with peculiar interest. So far ss
the President was concerned, and those OF
his advisers who were consulted In the case
Of Runkle and Draper, IL has been sup
posed Porter could couut OH the benefit OF
every doubt. But there seems to be very
strong public sentiment begotten by re-
membranes Of the hardships aid endless
griefs entailel by the war, that would
strenuously object to the removal Of Por.
ter's disabilities unless he lis able to dis
prove the criminal charges OH when they
are founded; and this Is not wholly con-
fined TO civilians.
Weare reminded By the cooler nights
Of the gradual approach OF the - gay sea-
SON" But many Of those who have con-
trlbuted TO the festivities of the Congress
sionai season since the close of the war
VIII come never again; and the number OF