The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-02-20

Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. IA, 1879.
The Democrats in Congress have
never been more united and determ-
ined upon any question of policy than
they now are in the resolution to re-
peal the "test oath" as it is called, and
certain obnoxious and partisan sections
| of the election law. It has been one
of the difficulties confronting the Dem
ocratic majority in the House, to secure
unity of sentiment and harmony of
exist, and SO many pronounced differ
ences upon minor questions have OBJ
tanned, that an effective policy has
been impossible, and party discipline
imperative. And worse than all that
there has been q lack of nerve, or, to
put it mildly, an excess of conserva-
tism, which has caused measures that
were essentially Democratic and patri-
otic measures, to suffer defeat at the
hands of the more active and partisan
minority. This was the case last ses-
sion in Army legislation, and caused
inaction upon some of the appropria-
tions. But now there is prospect of
bold, determined and decisive action.
The enactments sought to be repeal
ed are encroachments upon the cOnsti-
tutional liberties of the people. They
were placed upon the statute books by
a reckless partisan Congress for parti-
san advantage and ends. The jurors
test oath operates only in the Southern
States, where it enables corrupt feder-
al judges of the Billings, Settle and
Band stripe, to pack juries and out
rage respectable citizens without a
shadow of cause or justice. It has
been done, and is being done to-day in
Florida and Louisiana. The objection
able sections of the election law also
marked for repeal, are not, as the rad
ical press asserts, provisions for secur-
ing "fair and free elections" but the
ones that prevent "free and fair cleo
tions," by the appointment of hordes
of strikers and bummers to do the
dirty work of Republican campaign
committees, for which they are paid
out of the public Treasury. Then they
are required to supplement their other
work by false charges and perjury be-
fore packed juries. The thing has
gone far enough. The unfortunate
position of Senator Bayard on this
question is deeply regretted by his
friends and he stands almost alone. 1t
has been asserted that if these laws are
permitted to stand as they are that the
Democrats will not organize the next
House. This may be sensational, but
it is known here that Radical infiu-
ences afe at work with the Nationals,
and in the light of recent events no.
body will be surprised if they are ''se-
cured" to operate with the Republic
cans, in spite of their constituents.
But that is not enough to control the
organization without getting seven
Democrats out of the way. If the laws
remain as they are that will be done,
provided it will accomplish the end,
no matter how arbitrary and outrageous
the proceeding may be. The next
Presidency depends in some measure
upon the control of the House of Rep
resentatives.
There is Congressman from
Michigan, which his name it is Ellis
worth, who thinks he can stop the flow
of liquor in Washington. He might
as we'll undertake to stop the flow of
the Potomac River. But he has in
troduced his little bill. Some time ago
he summoned the keeper of the House
restaurant and asked him if he was
selling beer, wine and liquors, in the
Capitol. The answer was in the af-
firmative, accompanied with the infor-
nation that it was only sold to Con-
gressmen. and that a majority of them
were with him. This is probably the
truth and just what Ellsworth is going
to do about it I don't see. There is al
ready a very stringent rule banishing
all drinks of a doozy nature from the
building, and Speaker Randall has
stated once or twice that he intended
to see it enforced. But what's the use ?
If it is kept out of the restaurant it
goes into the committee rooms, for
congressman will have their tipple.
For a time there was none on sale on
the House side, but the Senate caterer
kept it, and it was interesting to see
the pairs of Congressman lock arms
and walk over to the Senate side about
every fifteen minutes. Now all they
have to do is to go down stairs and ask
for cold tea. If a stranger goes in and
orders a cup of tea the waiter looks at
him sharply to see whether he tips the
masonic wink SO I think it is mis-
take about the sale of drinks being
strictly to congressman. If
the honorable member wants beer or
ale he asks for a pitcher of milk and
the beverage is brought in little sill
yer pitcher holding just a bottle of
beer.
The approaching end of the session |
brings rush of the lobby, and all the
vultures are gathering round in hopes
to press through something that will
benefit them, or prevent somebody |
else from getting through something
that will take away from them.
Friends of the Texas Pacific Railway |
and of John Roach's Brazilian steam
ship subsidy, are working away with
little perceptible effect. 1 have not
any breath in discussing the
pros and cons of these measures, be-
cause Congress appears disposed to