Middletown transcript., 1878-04-13
Washington letter.

WASHINGTON, D. o., April 10, 1878.
The election Of Gen. Fields, Of Geor-
gia, an ex-Confederate soldier as Door
keeper of the House, yesterday, was
made the occasion Of remarks by Gen
eral Butler, Of Massachusetts, and
Messrs Frye and Hale, Of Maine. Mr..
Frye T rryye has tlt instincts If gentleman,
and at times gives to questions affect
ing the whole country a manly and
even generous treatment. He did not
act the demagogue yesterday, as But
Ter and Hale did, and his speech was
wholly upon the question Of the citi-
zenship Of Fields. This was Iegiti-
mate question. The speeches Of But
tier and Hale were not directed to any
subject before the House, but to the
voters of the North over the head of
the subject under discussion. They
called attention to the fact that the Re
publicans Of the House wished to put
a Union soldier, though q Democrat,
in the position, while the Democrats
desired to elect Confederate soldier.
Thirteen years ago such talk was just
as base as now, and just az false, but
was not as we'll understood. Thirteen
years in which the Democrats Of Maine
have nominated for office Union sol
diers as often as the Republicans have
done SO, should have warned Mr.. Hale
that the time had passed in which this
sham Of special devotion to the Union
soldier could impose upon intelligent
citizens.
If the Democracy i to lose ground
il the next two years it will not be be-
cause the Democrats of the House
were unanimous in voting for an ex-
Confederate soldier for minor Office,
but because they are not oftener unan-
imous upon questions Of real impor-
tance to the voters Of the country.
Debate in The Senate yesterday was
upon the Pacific Railroads funding
bill, and was Of more than ordinary
interest. Senators Thurman, Herman,
Sargent and Blaine spoke. Itnow ap-
pears likely that Thurman's bill-the
bill of the judiciary Committee-will
be SO amended as to make its terms a
final settlement with the roads to be
set apart for the benefit of the Govern
ment.
The tariff bill Of Mr.. Wood comes
up to-day, unless, as once before, that
gentleman gives way to other business.
Mr.. Wood will make the opening
speech. He says that the recent pub
lication by the Bureau of Statistics,
apparently showing that under his bill
the revenue would be many millions
less than at present, is deceptive, and
that it is published now for the pur-
pose Of defeating his measure. He
claims that the same amount Of money
can be raised, with less expense, and in
manner less burdensome to the peo-
pie and less injurious to commerce un-
der his proposed act than under exist
ing law. In commercial circles, and
by thinking men everywhere, the de-
bate on this important subject will be
read with great interest.
1t is again reported that Anderson.
Of La, will be made Collector of the
port Of New Orleans, and this time the
story is told in way to makeit appear
probable. The official knowledge Mr..
Hayes has Of Anderson is, ,insubstance.
that by manipulation Of votes in
Louisiana denounced as fraud by
Justice Strong, Of the Electoral Com
mission, who voted for Hayes Ander-
son succeeded in stealing the Presi-
dency from Tilden. The unofficial
knowledge he has Of him is that An
derson was tried for portion of that
offence, was convicted and escaped pun
ishment through technicality. On
this knowledge Hayes proposes to ele-