The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-02-02
DIR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. d. c., Jan. 10, 1875

Yesterday in the Senate the death
of Senator Morton was Announced and
Messrs. Mcdonald, Voorhees,, C"nk-
ling. Bruce and other Senators spoke
briefly. Mr. Voorhees, gave the late
Senator credit for entire honesty Of
purpose, great ability and energy,
and extended to his life the same
charity which each of us will need
when the account is finally made mp.
Mr.. Conk|ilug devoted the most of his
few moments, to 4 very ornate con-
sileration of heather funeral services,
but found time to say that he be|'ev-
ed Mr.. Morton honest, patriotic and
able. The other speeches we've com
monplace. Mr. Blaine did not speak.
Mrs. Hayes was in the gallery Of the
Senate throughout.
The House yesterday passed a bill
Of great Importance. 1t follows leg
islation is several States, but other
States have refused recognition t" the
principle involved. | give the bill in
full, and hope the Senate will pass it :
In the trial of all indictments, in.
formations, complaints and other pro-
cerdiugs against persons charged
with commission |of crimes, Offences
and misdemcanors, in tho U. S.
S. Courts, Territorial Courts, Court
martial, and Courts of Inquiery in
any State or Territory (incl"ding the
District of Columbia) the person SO
charged shall at his own request, bnt
not otherwise, bc competent wit
ness, and his failure to make such re-
quest shall not create any presump'
ton against him.
Secretary Schurz is receiving a
great deal of very we'll merited con
domination. He did we'll to COM
mence an investigation of the In.
dian Bureau in his Department.
That was a step that public opinion
demanded he should take. He did
and IN. American and Unfair and IN
wise thing when he made suborden
ates the investigators, and he repeat.
ed the offence when he locked them
mp in a room, allowing some suspect
ell admittance and denying it to 9TH
ers and to the public. don't believe
an entirely innocent man has been
hurt by the investigation, but | be-
lieye the chief swindlers have escaped
even mention. There is no conf.
dence to be placed in such an inves.
tigation. Even Mr.. Sclurz shows his
own contempt for it by reviewing the
testimony and dismissing men against
whom the investigators found moth
ing in the evidence. Why, then, die
he procure such m investigation
Will he, in investi eating the Liant
Office, the Pension Office and the
other bureaus, pursue the same
courses -
1t is proposed that some of the Con
grcssional inquiries shall be made j,
secret, also. This, white wrong, ad
mits of excuses that Mr.. Schnrz can
not have. 1fCongressional Commit.
tees should assign the work of inQnir!
to their clerks the would be guilty y
the sasmc extent of mcanness as thu
Secretary. But they are elected re
representatives. of the people, and b!
their position are the peers Of an!
persons they may be called upon Il
condemn ; and, besides that, thei
recommendations before they can b'
made etfcctual, must pass the ordea
of thorough and open discussion il
the two House, instead OF receivin!
the scanty scrutiny Of one overwork
ed and perhaps partial Secretary.
1t will be a happy day for the coun
try when Congressman and Secre
taries begin to appreciate the right!
Of citizens, whether those citizens are
or are not in some way connected
with the Government.
Mr.. Stephens OF Georgia will re
receive for the House Of Representa-
tives the picture of President Lin
coin signing the Emancipation Pro
clamation. He will, no doubt, speak
eloqueDtly and well, as lie always
does. But, Mr.. Stephens, where i!
that general amnesty bill3 There
was to be a speech on that subject.
1t is said that those who favor tht
reconciliation of silver have giver
up all hope Of carrying the measure
through the Senate over Presiden'
tial veto. I venture to suggest t,
them that they adopt an early sug
gestion Of your correspondent and re-
fer to the Conrts the question wheth
or we have a President or not to veto
the bill. If they are as much in earn
est as they profess to be-and l dc
not doubt it-they have an oppor
tunity to put themselves right before
their constituents. 1t will reanir,
only a majority to secure the neces
sary legislation, and silver men are {
clear majority in both Houses.