The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1878-06-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Correspondence OF the standard.

Correspondence Of the standard.
WAsHING's. ID. c., June Is. 1878.
Senator Matthews alleged completely
with the efforts TO secure Anderson q
fat Federal position, as the price Of hi:
silence regarding tho Feliciana frauds
Of which he pleads guilty, and his de.
fant attitude towards the Potter Com
mittee in refusing to obey its subpoena,
are among the leading topics discussed
about the lobbies Of the Capitol. at the
hotels and in the more restricted polit-
ical and private circles. The Senate
has complied with his request for a
committee TO investigate him with a
show OF indifference that he cannot re-
gard as fattering. IL seems to be the
impression that he will take no further
notice Of Potter's summons and that
there is no way 10 compel his attend
ance. His Senate Committee has had
one or two meetings but very little was
done; and unless the scope Of its work
is extended 10 include an investigation
/ OF the conduct of the late Presidential
campaign in the alleged bull-dozed
] States as proposed by Senator Sargent,
aud as was intended by the Hale
amendment 10 Potter's resolution, It's
members will not, evidently, lay them.
selves open to any charge Of indecent
haste In vindicating or otherwise dis
posing Of Mr.. Matthews character.
The truth appears 10 be that Mr.. Mat
thews instability as party man since
he went into the Senate, has not en-
hanced his popularity with Republ-
cans or Democrats; and the leading
role he assumed has deprived him OF
great deal of sympathy that he might
otherwise have had and which might
now be source of much consolation.
Farther than this the appointment Of a
Committee under the circumstances
was felt TO be superfuous il nothing
more. 1t seems to be the opinion that
he would have much more fayorably
impressed the public with his inno-
cence, had he gone before the Potter
Committee aud frankly made his de-
fense reserving the right 10 ask an in
yestigation at the hands OF Senators, II
he felt he had been unfairly treated.
There is a disposition 10 sespend judg
ment a reasonable length of time; but
there seems no ground to suppose a
verdict Of acquittal could now be OBJ
tain from any but a small minority of
those who have scrutiuiZed the deyel-
opments before Potter's Committee, If
decision Was demanded on the evi-
dence so far submitted.
Butler has had bis usual success in
getting himself distrusted by both
sides. He seems to be running an in
vestigation on his own hook, and takes
no one into his confidence. He is ac-
cused working 10 secure the Presi-
dents impeachment, rather than bring
out the facts be was designated 10 help
deyelope. II seems the universal i'm
preston that he has gained no new
laurels in his passages at arms with his
associates Of the Committee: and not n
few have ceased to be impressed with
the relevancy or wit Of his blundering
scriptural quotations. They have not
become insipid by frequent repetition
but strike many as inexceedingly bad
taste.
Many wonder that he is in Congress
where they contend he represents no
one but Benjamin +. Butler, and the
most INSCRIPTIONS element in American
politics. 1t has incidentally come out
in the course Of the investigation that
the duty OF transmitting the certificates
OF the electoral vote IN their respective
States, were guilty OF the grossest care
lessness in the last attempt 20 discharge
that duty. The certificates from near
ly n dozen States were so far informal
that it was only by a stretch OF the law
that some Of them could be made to
pass muster. and had not its represent
atiyes of both parties been about
equally culpable, the guiltless one
might have successfully challenged the
vote Of the other.
From data submitted il seems Capt.
Eads has had 10 contend with many
obstacles other than those inherent in
the work he undertook TO make the
Mississippi river dIedge its own chan
nels. From his statement II rs shown
that he has been the victim Of n spirit
Of jealousy on the part OF army officers
envious of the distinction earned by
success. Mountains OF difficulties have
been heaped up across his path. IL
was sought 10 discredit his work by
every form OF misrepresentation that
suggested itself 10 men determined TO
defeat him. A study Of the causes con-
trbutipg to many of the defeats suffer
ed by the National arms during the
late war would convince the most in
credulous of the existance of such a
spirit among men of whom better
things are naturally expected. But
Ead's plea before the Senate when both
sides had equal facilities to be heard,
was deemed so satisfactory that he
came off more than conqueror; and a
vote eqally favorable is anticipated in
the House.
Mr.. Blaine meyer made moro etfec-
tive speech than that Of the ether day,
appealing for a subsidy to the Brazilian
line OF steamers. He did what very few
men could have done and what can
only be accomplished by the lapse OF
time with all save the few whose atten-
tion is specially challenged by the elo-
quence Of an earnest and able advo-
cate. That is, he 30 clearly presented
the matter and its important bearing
upon the development of our COM
merce as 20 induce n majority of the
Senate TO consider the matter on its
own merits, and not in the light of
Credit Mobelier or Pacific Mail subsidy
scandals He was gratified by q decis-
i've vote in favor.
Since the defeat of Woods bill and
the bill 10 repeal the resumption act,
both Houses have worked as though
having an aim. Business is being
pushed and many jobs will likely get
through during the inevitable confu-
sion OF the closing days of the session.
The District is thankful for the meas
ure of iustice,at last accorded il. Bat
how little the general public has 10 be
thankful for can be seen at one glance,
of the work accomplished this session.
Ex-senator Pomeroy is announced
as q candidate for his old place. before
tho Kansas Legislature: and his
friends (who seem a majority and en-
emies are alread at work. MurOS.
Mechanical and Scientific.
Water contains more heat than any
other liquid or solid. II this we're not
] 4 l. II 4