Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1880-04-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Fr6m OUT Regular CORRESPONDENCE.
WAsHINGToN, April 10, 1Ss

loho OottitiiiltCE OFCi Liz - dSIDuIHC-
Donnelly case, and the charge against
Mr.. Springer, the Chairman of that
Committee, preferrad by Democratic
associate, is one of those unfortunate
episodes the like of which will never
cease to occur in the affairs of men,
This contested seat is of unusual inn
portance, not only on account of the
grave charges of bribery and impro-
per Influences on the part of Mr..
Washburne, but also because seating
the contestant would give the Demo-
Gratis majority of the State delega-
ton, and the vote Of the State in case
the Presidential election had to be de-
termined by the House. But as these
Questions, under a Democratic Con-
gress, are decided upon their merits,
and not upon party considerations as
when the Republicans run the House,
there were differences of opinion
among the Democratic members of the
committee. Undoubtedly Mr.. Man
ming, VINO is an honest, Jealous parti-
san thought Mr.. Springer had been
influenced by improper motives in re-
fusing to vote to seat Donnelly The
circumstances of the anonymous let
ter sent to Mr.. Springer's house, and
the previous misunderstanding of his
position, might, not unnaturally, pro-
duce such an impression upon the
mind of a man of Mr.. Manming's tenn
permanent. But after the complete
and circumstantial statement made by
Mr.. Springer on the floor of the House,
| do not think single person. in Con
gress or out, shared the opinion or be-
lieved that any improper motives what
ever had influenced his course
have known Mr.. Springer for many
years, extending back long previous
to his election to Congress, and /
could never believe any such charge
against him. He is earnest and inde-
fatigable in the service of his party,
or any cause he has espoused, but a
lawyer and man capable of con-
sidering any case where he sits as
Judge, with judicial fairness. The
most | could think, in explanation of
Mr.. Manning's charge, is that Mr..
Springer, knowing his associates
strong convictions, may not have
been very frank in stating his own
views. The virtue of frankness in all
things is one that politicians are not
much given to cultivating.
There was very significant vote
in the House on Monday on the mo-
ton to suspend the rules and pass
Mr.. Townshend's bill placing on the
free list printing type, printing paper,
and all materials used iii the manufac-
ture OF paper The v,te in favor OF
uspending the rules was 1I3 yeas Ia
so nays. Though the majority fell
short of the required two-thiids. it
was large enough To show that the
bill is certain of passage could it be
presented in the regular order 1t in
dicates, moreover, that the bill placing
wood.pulp on the free list. as well as
that taking the duty off of salt, would,
if presented as independent propose
tions, be passed under suspension OF
tue rules. There were only 16 Repub-
licans in the majority i'll favor of Mr.
Towushend's bill, and but l3 Demo
Gratis in the minority against it. One
of the most influential Republican
Journals in commenting on the subject
says: The course of the Republican
leaders 10 Congress in identifying
their. party with the maintenance o
all tariff duties. however unproductive