The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-01-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
lF'ron our Special Correspondent.
WAsHINGTON.D d. c.. Dec. 24'77.

WASHINGTON. d. c., Dec. 24,'77.
l.. J. Draper, of Washington was
commissioned as Assistant Surgeon in
the Navy during the War. While on
the Princeton, at Philadelphia, IN Dee.
1861, he secured IS hours leave of
absence, with permission to take With
him one MeRenzIes, a prisoner confined
on the Princeton, aud becoming res,
ponsible for his return. Menepxies
was blockade runner, had been an
officer in the rebel navy and was pre-
suinsbly, personal friend OF Draper.
They went direct to Baltimore where
an ovation was rendered Menenzies at
his sisters house by rebels and rebel
sympathizers, Draper participating.
The jolliication was exceedingly bors
ferrous and was so offensive to Union
lists as to have nearly provoked riot.
The whole party was arrested, incIud-
ing Draper, who was informed Feb. 2,
1865, by Secretary Wells, that his
commission was revoked. Draper
wrote requesting that he be allowed to
resign, and his letter wa treated as q
formal resignation, the Secretary in.
forming him that il had been accepted.
Draper tried to get reinstated but Sec.
retary Robson declined to interfere:
but he has been more successful with
the present Secretary, who decides
that he has never been legally out of
the service and, it is said, has ordered
bis name restored to the Naval Regis
ter. As this decision carries with it
pay and a.lowances-about $25, 900
for the Is years that he has been prac-
iicing medicine here. rendering no
service whatever to the Government,
Ihe case is exciting good deal of ad-
verse criticism in naval and political
circles.
Since the political lull tn at has como
through the adjournment for the holi-
days recess, public interest, which had
been largely absorbed in the struggle
for supremacy in the Senate between
the representatives of Republicanism
and Bourbonisn, and by the issues
that have, unhappily, been forced be-
tween the former and the Administra-
ri ha haao Arx =
ters now pending before Congress Of
such exeeptionable importance to the
whole nation as to demand much more
attention than has yet been accorded
them. The case of the Union Pacific
Railroad is among these, and it has
come to strike many rejecting people
as very remarkable that creature Of
Congress can go on year after year d.
flying the power that called il into e1-
istence in open violation of its charter,
and in virtually refusing compliance
with its promises as to the repayment
to the Government Of the money loan.
ed TO aid its construction. Away back
iu the extra session the President wae
requested by both Houses to inform
thtm what impediments existed to en-
force the original contract with the
road. The Attorney General appears
a long while in framing an answer.
The interests Of the Kansas Pacific and
otter roads, as branches, are indirectly
involved, as are also the relations OF
the Government, to a greater extent,
to the great railway system of the
country; and, notwithstanding the
fact that every influence is being
brought to bear, likely to aid these gi
gai,tic monopolies in defeating the
Governments efforts to establish its
supremacy in the premises and to force
them TO rigid accountability in all
tinesro come. In no previous Congress
has there been manifested such a gen
eral hostility TO their designs and such
determined spirit to establish the
metes and BOUNDS beyond which they
may not go hereafter. Every bland
ishment, every temporizing expedient
will undoubtedly be resorted to by the
formidable array oflawyers here work
ing to defer the blow, which, when
given, will render them thereafter al.
ways amendable to law. The proposi
ton tnat the Government accept some
million acres of worthless land at q
valuation that would be ridiculous
even were tine land of average growth,
10 satisfy the Government claims will
be eunniDgly and persistently urged;
but forbearance has apparently been
stretched to its utmost limit in behal.
Os these swindles, and ;he day of reck-
oniD2 bastens apace.
The reconciliation of Messrs Blaine
and Conkling appears to be regarded
IA one of the most distasteful and III
promising incidents that grew out Of
tie contest in ths Senate over the
Nominations OF Roosevelt and Prince,
by Democrats. Mr.. Blaine had been
counted on to antagonize every move
made by Conkling; and now, that
hope failed them, they are laboring to
renew the arrangement by detailing
the incidents Of the wordy encounter
that separated them twelve years ago.
But their aIniable purpose seems likely
to miscarry; and they are destined to
severe punishment hereafter from the
joint blows delivered By those two
grea, leaders Of the party that reioioes
10 know they now stand shoulder to
shoulder. confronting a common en-
emJ.
No such December has been known
here for many years. Out doors plants
and flowers srs still seen blooming l.,
sheltered spots: there has not been .
sign of snow; the ground hss hardly
been frozen, and free have been re-
gard.d as superfuous.
The President and members of the
Cabinet who attended the reception of
the Union League, in New York, Sat
urday night, are expected back to-
night.
The city Is largely deserted By msni-
bers of Congress and other oficiaLs
gone to spend the holidays at home,
and those of US remaining have loss
interest in public affairs, even the
Mexican matter, in our preparation
for a general observance Of the holi-
day season MAXWELL