Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-09
Our Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., July 3, 1879
Mcssrs. Editors: --Congress has adjourned at
last, after three months and half Of political
pickering In the vain attempt to wipe all the
war measures from the statute books" This
DEFEAT OF THE DEMOCRACY
has been accomplished only after hard struggle
which has been continued long enough to give the
country, at least, a true conception OF what may
be expected from the democracy in case ts con-
troll OF the government Is extended any further
than 1t Is at present. This seems 10 be the only
good result which has come out OF the extra ses-
sion. The democratic party was sure to make
blunder and the special session Of congress was
the agency through which It could be shown
Every move made by the majority In congress
from the first hour OF the session until It's close
was in the interest Of partisan prospects. There
Is nothing in the history Of the whole session that
bears the slightest resemblance to patriotic re-
gard for the country's interest. It is impossible
to go through the Record and close the volume
feeling any respect for party which shows in its
every movement that 1t is held together by sell
fshness and greed. II IL impossible to believe
that the country, committed to the care Of these
men, would not be robbed and disgraced Ap-
parenty no political party ever had a greater
number Of bold, determined, and thoroughly
INSCRIPTIONS leaders, and 1t will be very strange
II the next elections do not show that their motives
are thoroughly understood and fully appreciated
While the democratic party has been showing
more and more its cloven foot, the Republican or
ganization has been rescued from the control Of
that disreputabe element which always attaches
itself to party in the days of long-continued
power. The president has shown himself WISE
prudent and patriotic, and under his leadership
the dissatisfied element have returned TO the
ranks Of u party in which they can once more
feel Just pride No administration has been 50
distinguished for its honesty and capacity. Never
before has scandal had so little TO say, never has
she had 30 little excuse for saying anything.
Although the democracy failed in all It's larger
schemes they nevertheless have succeeded in
nearly
PARALYzIsG THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY,
which will no doubt be gratifying to numerous
democrats OF the rank and file who have from
time to time been seriously interfered with in
their operations by the federal arm OF the law
By refusing to appropriate money for the expenses
of the marshas, the democracy have emasculated
thc Ohttu Dittcs CbuIts tlTOuBHOut TIC country,
and 1t Is only by wise and cautious steering on
the part Of the administration that the judicial
department can escape a total wreck. The democ-
racy have endeavored to create the impression
that the appropriation for marshals Is used for
the purpose OF paying the fees Of these officials
and that their salaries provided for in another
way. This is a false impression and should be
corrected. The fact is that the appropriation 70,
the United States marshals is used for the pur.
pose Of defraying the expenses Of pursuing and
arresting criminals, the service Of subpnnas on
witnesses, the safe keeping Of property attached
for the United States the service OF writs of DOS.
session In favor Of the United States, transporta.
ton OF all prisoners after arrested and for subsis
tence of the same, all expenses OF guarding
prisoners and, in fact, the expenses of every es.
sential act OF the court The marshal's fees con.
sist of five dollars per day while attending court
two dollars per day for serving a writ, and fifty
cents for n subpoena. But to earn these fees the
marshal must have the money to travel and ar.
rest his prisoner to search out his witnesses and
summon them; to earn his fees on a seizure he
must have money for himself and deputies to
travel and seize and care for the property seized
80 that while the expenses of the marshal's Office
may be fifty thousand dollars, the fees OF himself
and deputies will be but six or eight thousand
The democratic congress have shackled these high
constables of the United States courts, and they
are happy; so are the democratic moonshiners
for they can proceed to tighten their Illicit still.
unmolested so is every smuggler, violator of the
internal revenue laws, pilferer OF public property
all feel safe when the making Of laws is in the
hands Of their democratic brethren. The way i,
paved for a thieves carnival, and cheap whiskey
is made possible.
Despite the failure of the appropriation fol
marshal's fees there will be
NO EXTRA SESSION
called, the president believes it will be possible
to keep the courts open and transact bushes,
under the circumstances without calling congress,
together again. The fulfilment of existing law,
or their faithful execution in the administration
OF justice is believed to be the paramount duty o.
the marshals, despite the failure of congress Il
make appropriations therefor, and that the Off
GERS, in the absence of any appropriation, assum,
all the risk themselves of being reimbursed oil
paid the fees provided for by those laws Tn,
attorney general has already advised numerous
officials to proceed in their duty, believing tina
necessary appropriation. Empty threats are be
ing made by democrats in this city that tn,
encouragement will be impeached for advising
his subordinates to incur any liability OF thi
kind but such talk has thus far failed to frighter
| anyone. Even should the attempt to impeacl
be made, the democrats have not the two-third,
majority to do it in either house.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
| The arrangements for lighting the capitol with
new electric light are nearly completed. Tn,
| experiment has already been tried in the hall o
the House OF Representatives, and single ligh
placed on the front row Of the reporter CALLER,
| and over the speakers chair made the entir,
chamber so light that print could be easily reat
at the points furthest from the burner The plal
is to place four lights in the hall, and 1t is be
lieved that they will be very great improve
ment upon the present arrangement of gas burn
ers. Three electric machines have been pur
chased under the appropriations for lighting tn
interior Of the building, and it is contemplated Il
place another in position for the purpose of sup
plying light Of vast power upon the top OF tn
dome. 1t Is claimed by the inventors that
burner can be constructed there which will bril-
liantly ilumine large portion Of the city.
The Fourth" was celebrated in Washingto
| by an almost complete desertion Of the city, as
was the hottest day Of the season thus far, an
excursions on the river were numerous and largel
patronized. The thermometer was one hundre
degrees throughout the day, and in some place
ranged at ninety-nine degrees at midnight Tn
departments were closed on that day and also o
Saturday. 1t is supposed the second holiday wa
observed merely as day of thanksgiving for tn
adjournment Of congress.
There is now hardly a congressman In the city
A majority Of both houses left within twenty -fou
hours Of the final adjournment Senator Morri
and family left on Wednesday. Colonel Joyc
and family started Thursday. Sol.
FoRTIFICATIoSs DEsTRoYED.-One of tn
stipulations of San Stefano has just bee
carried out in the destruction of the famou
fortresses of Widin, Siistria and Rustchu
on the Danube aud Varna on the Black Sc
hundred or two miles farther south. Th
walls have been broken down, aud the earti
works left for the action of the element
, 1t was one of the articles of the treaty tha
there shall be no more fortified towns on tn
Danube, nor ships of war in the waters
Roumania, Servia and Bulgaria, except sue
light craft as may be needed for police Sc
Al =