Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-02-25
Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON. ID c.. I
Feb. 10, 1879.

w ~ S's
Feb. 10. 1879.
The latitude of comment which the
average Democratic politician allowed
himself when discussing the testimony
OF the Republican leaders before the Pot.
ter Committee q few days ago. was in
marked contrast with their Ieticeucs since
the subcommittee cornered Marble, Pei
ton, Smith Weed and Tilden. While it
was insisted that neither Brady or the
Chandler's, nor indeed any other Repub-
lican who testified was entitled 10 tie
benefit Of q single doubt-that, contrary
TO we'll settled principle of law, each
and every one OF lhem was bound to prove
all the negatives involved in their sever
al cases. or stand convicted OF the most
damnable rascallty-they are silent AS
the Egyptian Sphinx respecting failure
of memory on the part OF Pelton. that
makes him physiological monslrosity
and touching lack of intellectual en-
dowment which TiIden charges himself
with that gives the lie TO all the brilliant
achievements OF his past life as rail-
road wrecker. as the inventor and bene-
ticiary ot the new system OF "usufruct'
which he introduce among the iron
miners OF Michigan, in his successful
evasion OF Toe U. S. income laws, and. in
fact, OF bis whole business and political
career. To sum up it seems ths general
sentiment here is that the su5-com mittes
has occasion 10 go no further to prove
diyidually, Is guilty OF all that has heen
charged and implied against them. And
il Tiiden can be nominated for President
10 1880. with such record as he now
has, the Drmoc attic leaders are mo G
brszen than they have ever been charged
with being. which is saying a great
deal.
The action taken at the Democratic
caucus. Saturday night. seems to confirm
the suspicion long entertained. that the
Democrats would ind some pretext for
making an extra session necessary II
view Of all lhe circumstances an extra
session 10 cost thousands OF additional
dollars is no hing short OF an outrage Lp-
on every tai. payer in the country. Ii
Members OF Congress would work after
they came here, one half as bard as The
average business man at home does. aid
would subordinate partisan advantages
10 the public good,an extra session could
hardly ever De necessary. Bot 1t IL a fart
requiring no confirmation by those famil-
lar with Congressional habits, tina. Meth.
er may be looked TOR. Ever since Dem
octats came into possession OF the wer
House, appropriation bills have been let
TO the last end ot the session, betUre b,
ing reported from the committee. Mi
lions have been spent on investigating
committees, and similar contrivsnces,
wIlhou, u dollars benefit to Tho public.
Now Il is proposed to load down me ap
propI,ation bills still 10 be pasaed vito
partisan RIDER which Republicans canno'
vote for without oeing guilty OF siultIh-
cation. 1t would seem the country ooght
10 have its st,niaeh full OF Democratic
reform and tr~nchment by this time.
The fact is. the city is full OF Democrats
from North. South East and Wesr ur sing
the distribution Of Senate offices, that
come iulo their hands alter March 4, and
il teCen, pre'rxt cannot be found Tor
an extra session. in which 10 divide up
the spolls, an indecent one is likely to
prevail.
The oil tor the revision OF the sugar
tariff comes mp to-day and from thu mag
nitude of the interests involved is likely
to preeipitste a severe struggle.
The 5ilt tor the distribution OF the Ge.
nevs Award has been lost sight ot in the
multiplicity of jobs striving for preced-
ence The some may be said Of other
meritCriOu~ met sures.
UNDuH.