The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1878-12-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
pnespondenoe Of the standard.

! Correspondence OF the Standard.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL, 1878.
The frst week OF Congress was not
particularly fruitful Of anything SEN
saiional or startling. though the repre-
sentative of the ruffianly elements OF
Five Points. "Fernandy Wud,' after
his usual officious and precipitate n an-
ner occasioned little panic among the
House Democracy on the opening day,
by the recoil of the pieces Of his bat
terry which he hastily trained on the
White House and prematurely dis
charged, without execution save at the
breecb. Woods position is pitable
one. With a doughface's ambition 10
serve the task masters of Northern De
mocracy out OF proportion TO his intel
lectual abilities, he rarely opens his
mouth without inhictiDg a wound on
the cause he has at heart. He has
probably suffered more humiliatiDe
discontinue than any man now in the
House, who has invited the blows OF
bis opponents by entering the lists OF
that arena TO discuss important politi.
cd and industrial problems. His te-
dious convalescence from the severe
punishment inflicted on him by Blaine
three years ago, rendered his withdraw
al to back seat a necessity. But Mr..
Randall on his ascension TO the Speak
er's chair seemed to regard him as the
most acceptable sop he could throw h.
the South. Accordingly he was made
chairman OF the Ways and Meaus
Committee, position which carried
with it that OF leader OF the Houss
majority. His incompetency for either
has been made painfully evident many
times. 1t was probably fully appre-
ciated; but il was also the rankest in.
gratitude TO ignore the servility and
sycophancy that lifted him head and
shoulders above the frowning and
cringing representatives. sent here by
Northern and Western Democracy
His complete breakdown aud ruinous
failure as a tariff reformer last session
is still fresh in the memory of tht
reading public. The crude absurdities
Of the bill he reported after months
devoted to its preparation, were too
evident even TO Legislators not much
given to reflection, to commend it,
adoption with a majority of his party
associates. Its almost unceremonious
rejection was equally a reflection on
his competency for the work undertak-
en- and a protest against the inefficient
leadership imposed by Randall. Mr..
Woods sun went down in darkness
But the Presidents assurance in dAr-
ing to allude in moderate. almost dep
recating terms 20 the ruffianly meth
DDS adopted 10 solidify tho late Con-
federacy, and particularly his mild
suggestions that his duty as we'll a.
outraged humanity demanded that he
urge an inquiry into the crimes alleged.
seemed to be regarded by Wood as an
excellent opportunity to ingratiate
himself anew with his Confederate
commanders and 10 reconstruct q repu-
tation sadly out of repair. But he on
ly succeeded in embarrassing his party
by committing the notorious investiga-
tors Of which II is made up, 10 the pol
icy of resisting TO the bitter end the
general demand for light on the diabol-
ism of the last campaign South; and il
now looks as though Fernando would
be made to walk the plank upon a re-
petition OF any of the many indiscre-
tious that have marked his course as
leader.
The Fertilization and West Point
bills, involving in the neighborhood OF
5000. 600 were passed, and two other Of
the appropriation bills have been re-
ported TO the House, when, exhausted
with their four afternoons devoted 10
public business, both Houses adjourn
ed over Thursday evening 10 NJ ,nday
General Sherman, Secretary Schurz,
ex.Secretary Of the Treasury Morrill,,
Col. Mescham and several others more
or less conspicuous in the administra-
ton OF Indian affairs, have been heard
relative To its transfer to the War De
partment, Sherman in favor aud the
others against it. II is also reported
that about 96 per cent. Of the tribes
that have 50 far expressed their senti-
ments are against the transfer. Few
expect 1t To be accomplished at this
session at least.
OF the important bills inherited from
last session, the Texas Pacific r. r.
bill has already been called up in the
Senate, and those providing for postal
savings banks aud for the farther dis
tribution OF the Geneva award, will
soon be resurrected.
The secrecy with which the Demo.
Gratis Of Potter's Committee strive o.
conduct their movements-their very
evident desire, indeed, TO avoid public
attention--is in marked and ridiculous
contrast with their vain-glOrious boasts
aud their bragadocia few short
months ago. Glow have the might,
fallen" Once courted as custodians
nf the destinies Of the country, per
haps universe, there are none so poor.
degraded or obscure as 10 do them
honor. Even the loafer and dead-beat
point them out TO the derision aud
contumely of their fellows. The situ
alton is terribly trying. To go on
promises only to sink their party deep
er in the mire Of corruption. and max
them more ridiculous. But their re-
treat is cut of by the yawning abyss
II the cipher kilograms aud kindred
iniquities of the leaders daily coming
to light. To remain where they are j.
certain death. Unlike good Christians,
the burden they bear only seems heav.
ier as they come TO the cross. How
ever. ss a temporary respite, portion
Of them are TO be sent 20 Louisiana,
ostensibly tn pick up the threads of
Investigations which were incontinent-
ly dropped in their haste 20 escape
"Bronze john MILTON:
n.t..sk a. tknr,uuhly o1txa 10 Oh.