Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-02-17
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MoNIToR.]
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1879.

The rich lead struck by the Potter |
sub committee in New York has come
OPPORTUNITY to the large number of Re-
publicans, Administration, stalwarts and
all intervening grades, who were anx-
ious to bury the dead who fell in the
late N. Y. Custom House fight, and to
cover all reminders thereof with the
mantle of oblivion at the earliest posi-
BILE date. There are few among Repub-
licans, whatever the direction of their
sympathy, who are not relieved that the
matter is disposed of, relieving them of
all further necessity of taking part in
family quarrel which they have instruct
lively felt could only prove profitable to
Democrats. While the decision reached
will probably operate to change the
views of very few, pro or con. Repub-
licans generally seem willing to drop
the matter where it rests, all, probably,
equally assured that the lapse of time
must vindicate the justice and wisdom
of the position which each Individually
held. The enemies of the Adminstra-
tion have seemingly provoked Mr.. Sher-
man to make public the letters which
were read in the long executive session
that eliminated in the confirmation of
Merritt and Burt. They had been re-
ceived by Collector Arthur from Cabinet
and other high officials, recommending
A. Band for appointment under him,
and they from the basis, for the many
charges of insincerity and Inconsistency
relative to Civil Service Reform, heard
here during the past week against their
authors. That urging the appointment
of Judge Bradley's son has already been
made public as the others under the
Secretary's control will be, it is said.
The latitude of comment which the av-
v.uav DonvOrutio politician allowed him-
self when discussing the testimony of
the Republican leaders before the Potter
committee few days ago, was in mark
ed contrast their reticence since the sub j.,
committee cornered Marble, Pelton.
Smith, Weed and Tilden. While it
was insisted that neither Brady or the
Chambers nor indeed any other Repub-
lican who testified was entitled to the
benefit of single doubt that, contrary
to we'll settled principle of law, each
and every one of them was bound to
prove all the most damnable rascality-
they are silent as the Egyptian Sphinx
respecting failure Of memory on the
part of Pelton that makes him physio-
logical monstrosity and touching a lack
of intellectual endowment which Tilden
charges himself with. that gives the lie
to all the brilliant achievements of his
past life as a railroad wrecker, as the
inventor and beneficiary of the new sys-
tenn of "usufruct" which he introduced
among the iron miners of Michigan, in
his successful evasion of the q. S. in
come laws and, in fact, of his whole
business and political career. To sum
up it seems the general sentiment here
is that the sub committee has occasion
to 60 no further to prove that the whole
batch, collectively and individually, is
guilty of all that has been charged and
implied against them. And if Tilden
can be nominated for President in 1880
with such record as he now has, the
Democratic leaders are more brazer
than they have ever been charged with
being, which is saying great deal
The action taken at the Democratic
caucus Saturday night seems to confirm
the suspicion long entertained that thu
Democrats would find some pretext fol-
making an extra session necessary. Ii
view of all the circumstances an extr;
session to cost thousands of additional
dollars, is nothing short of an outrag
upon every taxpayer in the country.
members of Congress would work afte
they came here one half as hard as tn
average business or professional man a
home does, and would subordinate parti
san advantages to the public good, al
extra session could hardly ever be ne
cessary. But it is a fact requiring n
confirmation with those familiar will
those of Congressional habits, tina
neither may be looked for. Ever sine
Democrats came into possession of tn
lower House appropriation bills hav
been left to the last end of the sessio
before being reported from the commit
| tee. Millions have been spent on in
: vestigating committees, and simila
| contrivances, without dollars benef
: to the public. Now it is proposed t
. load down the appropriation bills still
} to be passed with partisan riders whic
? Republicans cannot vote for without b.
7 ing guilty of downright qualification
1t would seem the country ought to hay
: its stomach full of Democratic reforl
$ and retrenchment by this time. III
foot 10 Tho nitrr 10 fill &c nAmoA.ala G.,