The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-02-06
Our Washington Letter.
Special to the REPUBLICAN.

NO explanation accounts lot tue
otherwise inexplicable relapse suffered
by nearly every one of our great in
dustrial and commercial interests after
the convening of the 45th Congress in
extra session last October, except the
general distrust entertained of its abil.
ity to. successfully cope with the grave
problems confronting it and requiring
wisdom to solve. All through the
spring, summer and early autumn
signs ola business revival, which, fol-
lowing every preceding panic had
proved the certain harbingers and FORE
runners of complete restoration OF
confidence and prosperity. continued
to multiply and the feeling was gen.
eral that we had seen the worst of it,
and were almost out of the woods. A
feeling of insecurity came with the
meeting of Congress, and in a few
weeks it was found that we had, some
how retrograded into the very depths
of stagnation. At cost of hundreds
of thousands of dollars just two bills,
rendered necessary by the partisan
malignity of the preceding House, were
perfected and passed. The extra lapsed
into the regular session, and in the two
months since elapsed, not one practical
step has been taken to encourage re-
turn of confidence and turn again into
the channels of profitable trade the
boarded means of our capitalists. Ex'
cluding a very few whose practical
craftsmanship has been demonstrated
in past years, it is felt that Congress
has developed degree of wisdom that
would hardly suffice for the conduct of
ordinary township affairs.
The passage of the Matthews silver
resolution after the waste of many val
liable weeks OH a matter that only
amounts to an expression of opinion,
has elated the advocates of the Blan
bill ard depressed its opponents. Des'
pite assurances telegraphed hence from
a time to time that the measure was
steadily losing strength, and of the
metropolitan" press to tie same eff
feet, it appears that precisely the re
verse was true; and the reconciliation
Of silver seems now assured, eveI
against a Presidential veto which i
not at all certain,-not probable, in
deed, many think. The vote in tn
Senate stood ayes 4S, to nays %
Among the former were 19 Republi
cans, and the latter Democrats. Il
the House the vote stood ayes 189-
116 Democrats and 73 Republicans
nays 1856 Republicans and 20 Dem
ocrats.
The Whiskey Ring suffered sever
defeat on Thursday in the House. a
the Southern Pacific ring did on Tue
Day. The initiatory step to reduC
lion of the tax on this Democratic beV
erage was, as charged, generally b'
lieved, attempted under cover of bi
lo extend the time for withdrawal {
Nhiskey in bond to July l, 1871
blackburn, a name always suggestiV
cE every loathsome malady and alway
e0uDted on to support every Bourbo
measure calculated to restore the Co
efnment to medieval practices r
orlner Banning, who holds his pla'
The grace of Eph. Hollands repea
eIs; Harris,of Va; Tucker, from Il
ame Commonwealth /; and, in shor
about every Democrat of the pach
aermatous order, especially disti
eaished themselves in advocating Il
ill. 1t was estimated that its passal
WOULD postpone the payment of sever
Hillion dollars taxes, the deficit to
made up by taxing other articles, ne
essary to the poor mans living b
eause, as l said, it was regarded as Il
frst step toward the reduction of Il
Ehiskey tax from 80 cents to 80
sven 25 cents per gallon. Great
nilarity with the principles of poll
\ economy is unnecessary to see th
onr revenues are now barely suf
ent for current expenses, tea, cOG
some article even more absolute