The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-03-13
Washington Letter.

Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. :, March 8, 1879.
One of the arguments used by the
Republicans in Congress to induce the
Democrats to back down from their
position on the repeal of the supervis-
ors law was. that Mr.. Hayes would not
call an extra session if the appropria-
tions failed, and that public interests
would therefore suffer. But the alac-
rity with which Rutherford proceeded
to assemble the new Congress, when
the pinch came, shows how correct the
Democrats were in disregarding this
bugbear, and how certainly they hit
the acting President in q tender spot
when they failed to pass the appropri-
alton bill under which he draws Mr..
Tilden's salary.
The closing days of the 45th Con-
gress were busy and exciting. Politics
ran high without the slightest exhibi-
tion of "bad blood" and the uncer-
tainty whether an agreement would at
the last moment be effected between
the two houses, excited unusual inter-
est, and packed the galleries with eager
listeners. During the last Orty-eight
hours of the session there was scarcely
an available vacant spot where one
could crowd in, or even peep over
peoples heads. The night sessions
were not such scenes as have been wit
messed on some similar occasions here
tofore. Last summer the last night of
the session was q scene of disgraceful
drunkenness, in the senate at least,
and it may be that Senators in their
sober moments blushed to read the
graphic accounts of their hilariousness
which filled the press of the land, from
Maine to California.
Only one feature of the last few
hours of the session reflected discredit
upon anybody, and that was the per-
sistent and disgraceful methods of the
Republicans in opposition to the i'm
peachment of Minister Seward, q con-
fessed rascal. This, accompanied with
Conger's awful and continuous yaup,
was rather disgusting. There was evil
dence enough against Seward to inn
peach him, and he certainly should
have been compelled to clear himself
or suffer conviction, though he were
twenty times Seward. He refused
to produce the only evidence that
could clear him if innocent. His plea
was practically, gentlemen I am
guilty; every body knows that, but you
cannot compel me to prove it." And
the Republicans said no, we won't. 1t
has ever been a settled principle of Re
publican policy to stand up to a man
for every rascal among them, no mat
ter what the evidence, SO long as he
don't confess.
One of the most signal and success
full legislative triumphs of the session
was that won by Mr.. Cox, of New York.
in the passage of his census bill. When
the Speaker affixed his signature to
the act he called Mr.. Cox and present.
ed him with the pen with which he
signed it, at the same time compli-
mented him upon the result of his eff
forts. The only provision of the bill
that is different from Mr.. Cox's origi-
nal plan is the one pertaining to the
appointment of supervisors. This Mr..
Cox proposed should be done by the
Governors of the different States, but
the Radical Senate insisted upon max
ing them Federal appointees, in order
to secure all Republicans. It was final
ly agreed that they shall be appointed
by the acting President, by and with
AS the Senate is now Democratic, de-
cency will have to be observed in filling
the appointments. Among the more
important measures that failed are the
legislative, executive and judicial ap-
preparation bill the army bill, the bill
to establish postal savings banks the
Indian transfer bill, and the railway
telegraph bill. The latter passed the
Senate as separate proposition, and
went through the House as an amend
but it finally failed in the Senate on
account of disagreement over other
features of the bill. Both houses were
really favorable to establishing tele-
graph competition. The heavy man.
ner in which the House sat down upon
the Brazilian subsidy scheme surprised
nobody acquainted with the situation.
Lots of people don't agree with Blaine
and some others, that national prosper
| ity or thrifty trade with Brazil de-
pends upon steamship subsidies, though
all can see how this bill would have
been a good thing for John Roach and
his associates. Taken altogether, the
lobby has not Jared especially we'll at
the hands of the Congress just closed.
The tumult and excitement of the
winding up of one Congress has scarce
| ly subsided before we enter upon the
still more lively and engrossing events
of al exciting contest for the organiza
ton of another. The time intervening
is so short, and the interest in the con-
test SO great, that most of the re-elect-
ed members from distant States remain
in Washington to hold the fort" as
it were. A large proportion of the
new members are already on hand,
and every train will bring scores of
persons who hope to be benefited by
the reorganization. 1t is estimated
that from ten to fifteen thousand seek
ers after position will arrive within the
next twelve days. Candidates for the
Secretaryship of the Senate-the best