Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-12-31
Washinaton CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON. ID. c., I
Dec. "a, 1878. (

Dec. "a, 1878.
Among the more important inheritauces
from the last session which 90 over the
holiday recess 10 be finally disposed Of
after the resssembliug on the 9Th proximo,
is the bill for distributing the balance OF
the Geneva Award. n bill for the Gov
eminent guarantee of the interest on The
construction bonds OF the Texas Pacific
railroad. bill Senator EdmundsD to
cure the deficiencies OF our present meth
cd Of eleeting President and Vice-Presi-
dent, and a bill for the establishment OF
postal savings banks. A House Com
mitiee was charged with the duty Of
making an equitable decision between
the claimants tor the undistribu,ed por-
ton of the Geneva Award and the irrecon-
cilable views OF its individual members
have been embodied in a majority and
minority report, which were holly dis
timated that several million dollars will
set remain in the Treasury after all
claims for direc. losses by rebel cruises
other than the Alabama. Shenandoah and
Florida shall have been added TO those
already paid on account of the ravages OF
the three vessels named. Two SETS OF
claimants for this balance are in the field,
and each have their friends and advocates
10 Congress as well as outside. These
sre the insurance companies on the one
hand and the "war premium mem
those who paid the high rates OF insur-
auce on vessels or cargoes or both charged
by the insurance companies-on the 9TH
er. The majority report layora sending
both classes TO the Court OF Claims, while
Ihe minority would exclude the companies
from all participation in the distribution,
81 least until ali the just claims OF the
war premium men are satisfied. II would
probably require lawyers knowledge TO
decide as 10 the legal or technical rights
involved; but there would hardly seem
any question as TO equity in the premises.
Il i, admitted that stockholders waXed
rich in lew months on the enormous
dividends the companies were able to
declare from the excess OF the premiums
paid CHE rates being in some instances As
high as 50 per cent. after al losses were
deducted. L, Is. | believe, IS generally
conceded that many of the men forced 10
DaT these ex0gbi;ant rates or take The
chances OF the absolute loss OF their prop
etty, were ruined thereby and soon driven
cat of business. But as the companies
are rich and able 10 act in concert every
body recognizes the advantage they pos
sess over the other class; and, whether
well founded or no., there Is a very gem
era. feeling that the contestant who goes
before Congress with the most money
stands much the best chance OF winning,
other things being equal.
The bill tor the limited loan OF Govern.
meut credit asked Tor by the Texas Pa
ciac R.R Co. has only been discussed
onco-,hen 5y Mr.. Matihews-in the
Senate. As Government, seems TO be ab-
solu.elY protected from loss by tho security
provided IN The biz, the advocates OF the
measure have notably increased. partic-
u.arly among men most intimately identi-
hed With lbe plans that have, been formed
in the past twelve months tor the deve,-
opment Of our home resources 10 cOnnec-
lion with those looking to an extension OF
our commercial relations with foreign
nations. Tue tact that The new railroad
now being constructed across tho CONT
nent will be under the same cOatro. lhat
the existing one is, has done much 10
abste opposition. 1t requires no a'Eu-
ment TO convince rejecting men that he
hold OF the present monopoly on large
portion OF the worlds vast trade will BE-
come more CALLING and intolerable in pro-
portion as rs means Tor absolutely con-
trolling it are increased; and that II vii!
never be less till the power Of that
monopoly shall have been shattered 10 the
only way possible, that is by the con-
s,ruclion OF competing lines.
Although Mr.. Edmunds' bill has passed
the Senate, The slight Democratic support
accorded Il there as well rs the opposition
10 il expressed by Democrats OF the
House, forbid any hope tina; il will be-
come a law, though the dangers No hardly
escaped 10 1876 from this source appeal
never 50 forcibly to every patriotic con-
sideration to provide by legislation
azains, their recurrence. The feeling in
favor OF postal savings banks appears as
imperative as ever. though i. had been 10
some extent forced to the rear bY matters
OF more immediate interest.
/; is expected the few remaining appro-
pci4,ion bills will be reported from the
Committee soon after Congress recon
yeues. Five OF them have alre4dy passed
the House and gone to the Senate, bat
the latter body shows no disposition 10
assent to tho Liberties taken by the former
with the Department es Inmates. 10 view
of the large deficiency appropriations that
have been and will be required to make
up for the cheese paring 10 which the IS
tImatas for tho nrnsnnt reAr Haere sinh