Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-02-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspo ndent.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, Is

WASHINGTON, Feb. ID, 1851.
President making and tie intrig-
ues on all hands in behalf of the diff
ferent candidates is the absorbing
topic here now, the interest growing
deeper day by day. Among the later
rumors is one to the effect, that an
other liberal Republican movement
is on foot directed against the can
didacy of Gen. Grant calculated to
econmpass his defeat. Some of the
reports have put it down that this is
Secretary Schurz's Democratic year
and that he is in the liberal move
ment, with view to the nomination
of a ticket that the Democrats will
support. Bayard and Morrison has
been named as the proposed ticket.
But Mr.. Schurz himself laughs at
this report and says he knows moth
ing about any plan or movement of
that sort. Anyhow the contest be-
tween Blaine, Sherman and the ex-
President for the Republican nomi-
nation wakes exceedingly warm.
Here there is growing impression
that Blaine is the favorite among
the people, but odds are staked that
Grant will be nominated. | won't
undertake to guess the result, for
three months of time can work won-
derful changes in political cordi-
tions. M &fAtksx
The Democrats are good deal at
sea in respect to candidate. At
one time there was quite q lively
boom for Seymour, but he has put
himself out of the question by pos
tive refusal, on account OF his phys
ical condition. 1t is really interest
ing to hear the varying views of
Congressman and others here from
different sections. Thurman still
has many warm friends, but is not
much talked of; and Hendricks is
generally believed to be out of the
race. His financial record is some
what uncertain. Tilden is old and
feeble, but his spirit and determine
ton are strong, and the barrel OF
money is getting bigger all the time.
There are q great ,aaany public men
here who believe that Tilden is the
strongest man. Montgomery Blair
said to me the other day that if it
was not for the Kelly-Tammany fac
ton in New York, and the bitter
opposition Of the Southern Demo-
Gratis who sold Tilden out in 1876, on
account of his Anti Claims letter, he
would be nominated by reclamation.
Bayard stock is high, but doubt if
a President will be taken from little
Delaware. Within the past few
weeks an entirely new man is talked
of-William r. Morrison, CT Illinois.
He has, beyond question, some very
strong points. In the first place he
is a Western man, which is an adj
vantage. Next, he is as strong on
the hard money question as Bayard
is. Third, his record is clear on the
subsidy question. He has never vO-
ted for subsidy since he has been
in Congress, now nearly ten years.
His army record is good, he having
been'a cononel and wounded and last,
he is a favorite with the Germans
very important thing in the
Northwest. In addition to all these
advantages he is a gentleman, bar
ring little peppery language now
and then. If the growing interest
in Morrison does not eliminate in
making him one of the dark horses
then am mistaken.
Senator Bruce's committee, which
for several months has been inveSti-
eating the affairs of the late Freed
mems Bank, seems to have made
pretty fair story of the ups and
downs of that delusive institution.
From the testimony secured by the
committee it is easy enough to see
how the wreck came about, and why
some six millions of dollars were
still due deposirors when it happen
ed. What is presented in the evil
dence is not particularly new; it
only makes a complete narrative out
of facts already understood, and
serves little more clearly to show
what a shameless and unprincipled
business the management OF the bank
wGfor half dozen years OF its exis-
tence. The committee, 1t is under-
stood, will report that, in conse-
b, quence of the deaths of some OF the
persons responsible for the banks
bad management, and the present
impecnniosity of the. remainder,
nothing can now be done for the
further relief of the depOsitors, ex-
cept to consummate the proposed
purchase of the Freedman's Bank
building in this city by the United
States government, a bill for which
purpose has heretofore been recon-
mended by the commissioners aud
once passed by the Senate. The
hniIdiner 10 now REM ed for the nRp of