The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-12-11
Washington, Letter.
[From Our Regular Correspondent.l

Washington, Letter.
IFrom Our Regular Correspondent.l
WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. 5, 1879.
Congress is again at it. First blood |
for the Democrats. The President's
attack on the currency, with John
Sherman at his back, has had a most
discouraging effect upon the Republi-
cans, and they have been in solemn
conclave ever since the missile fell in
their midst, endeavoring to harmonic
among themselves, but, so far without
real effect. Senator Edmupds is busted
with suggestions, but, as the matter is
of such q nature as to bar him from ex-
ercising his Mephistolian attributes of
chicanery and trickery, his peace
making efforts hardly suffice to cause
his brethren to dwell together in
peace and harmony.
The financial fight promises to be
a defensive one for the Democrats, and
they propose to make good use of their
play of flowers with which friends of
the Senators and members decorated
many of the desks, and the tables of
the chalrmen, the opening on Monday
was wholly devoid of interest or varie-
ty. Mr.. Randall was highly favored
with floral contributions, none of
which came from some Government
conservatory, and his face displayed
his appreciation of the gifts as he called
the House to order and entered upon
the routine which precedes the recep-
ton of the Presidents Message. AS
the press had anticipated the Message,
thus acquainting all with its points few
remained to listen to its reading. The
members pocketed their copies, which
were laid on each desk, and disappear
ed, leaving the Clerk to read to empty
seats, and we venture to say that no
annual message of the past had less
weight with Congress than will have
this tame effort of his fraudulency,
Hayes. Vacant desks received it, and
unless we mistake the adverse feeling
so far expressed, Congress will allow
vacancy to hold its suggestions. Little
will be done prior to January 1, beyond
arranging programmes of labor for the
long session which is inevitable, and
the absence of the lobby interest is
quite noticeable. General legislation
only brings these fellows here, partic-
ularly such as are interested in saving
the infamous Indian frauds from de-
molition. Carl Schurz is intensely ex-
cited over the expressed determination
of Mr.. Scales, chairman Of the House
Indian Committee, to go to the bottom
of the frauds and fizzles of the Interior
Department in Indian matters.
The improvements made in and
about the Capitol have been extensive,
and conduce largely to its beauty. The
broad approaches, which extend from
the avenues through the grounds on
the west to the Capitol terrace. have
been laid in ornamental concrete, with
guarding walls of white and blue stone,
and give much effect. The ventilating
ducts are complete. Paint and polish
have been freely used throughout the
building. Brumidi's fresco in the ro-
tunda has been SO extended that the
visitor can appreciate the full beauty
and grandeur Of the painting which,
as work of the painters art surpasses
all others in the Capitol, save those
magnificent pictures Of Moran, repre-
senting scenes in the Yellow Stone re-
gion.
The recommendation of the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, in his report, and
of the President in his Message, favor
ing the retirement of the greenback
from circulation, has developed a de-
cided opposition to such a measure
among most of the Republican men,
mers from the West, and among both
Democrats and Republicans from the
South. For two days it was the SUBJ
ject of discussion in the coat-rooms, in
the lobbies, and on the floor of the
House, but now a calm succeeds the
breeze, out of which there came
the audible whisper from the potent
voice of a strong majority" The cir
culating medium shall not be decreas-
ed, and the business of the country
destroyed by such legislation"
The most important legislation an
ticipated this session is q revision of
the tariff. Whether tea, that beverage
for which our forefathers raised such
row in Boston harbor, is to be the OBJ
ject of taxation, or quinine, which
feeds our statesmen to preserve their
lives near the tadpole flats of the Po-
tomac, has not yet been determined.
The stealing and publication of the
Presidents Message and the report of
the Secretary of the Treasury, before
they were given to Congress, is still
the subject of Investigation, much dis
cussion, and, with few, some swear
ing. Many theories and speculations
are advanced as to the manner of pill
fering them, and several fertile
schemes set on foot by the Executive
branch Of the Government to get these
documents, in future, to Congress be-
fore the fingers of the thief takes them
away and sells them for $3.50. It is not
the first instance of the kind, and
therefore they will tax their ingenuity
only for the next administration to fall
into the same trap. In 1867 President
Johnson's message got into the papers
before it was read to Congress, and it
was stated that the many journals pub
fishing it paid 500 each for the docu-
ment. Notwithstanding this expert
ence and renewed vigilance, in 1868
Secretary of the Treasury McCulloch