Ellsworth American., 1880-04-15
Family Jars.
UxsER J CH,pBouESE. SECRETARY of state

aullf JAls.
The Democrats in Congress have been
indulging in series Of family jars lately
which are neither digniiied nor interest
ing but tend 10 show how incompetent
and unworthy such men are 10 have the
control of our national affairs. Early
last week a difficulty arose between
Representative. Springer. of Illinois. and
Manning. of Mississippi. The cause OF
the difficulty was charge made by
Manning that Springer had been bribed
10 vote against the unseaiing of Wash
burn to give place TO Donnelly. Springer
Indignantly denied that he had been
bribed, but produced two letters which
he sent TO the Clerks desk and had read
The first promises to pay Mr.. Springer
$1,000, ii he viii keep Washburn III his
seat in spite of the Democrats. This
letter has no signature The second i.
as follows:
Confidential
My DEAR Nh SPRINGER: | have heard
with a good deal of chagrin ,ha, YOU have
some doubts as to the expediency Of adopt
ing the report Of the subcommittee to sea,
Mr.. Dsnnely Not TO do this will. | know,
leave YOU open TO the severest criticism. and
give color Of truth TO reports which Wash
burns friends have most unguardedly set
ahoat The importance Of the matter. as il
NAV develop, in regard 10 the next election OF
President, makes every Democrat anxious to
see the State saved now that we can legally
and properly do il, TO the Democracy The
whole case is before our friends in New
York, and upon the assurances which gath
cred from what YOU said 10 mt, have told
them that the report would be adopted and
Mr. Donnelly would be seated a; once
cannot believe that YOU will now fail 10 make
this good. Among the hundreds Of letter,
which come 10 me there is not one in which
the matter has not been urged TO compile
ton, when there has been any mention OF
IL, and il is as much matter Of general po-
lItlcal interest rs any of which they write To
me. ] am convinced that neither YOU nor
the Democratic Congress can afford to dis
appoint our friends in this matter am
weight ought 10 be gwen to the paid Demo
cratic detractors of Donnelly and 10 the
mercenary quasi democratic defenders OF
Washburn's bribery. 1t is not enough thai
Washburn should be deprived of his seat
but that the wishes of the voters, as legal,
expressed. should be regarded and yindi
Gated, and they demand their chosen repre-.
sentative should be seated To send Il.
ka.l 60. L.. L L
only to invite the investment Of . large sun
OF radical money 10 be expended there. anc
this would be done without stint Tn,
worst elements of the party would be put tc
work then, and the result would be disaster
TO US. The high character Of the member,
of the Subcommittee, too, would seem to b.
impugned should the report fail of unani
nous adoption BY the Democrats, and
trust that such is not the case. Pardon xha
may seem like interference in this matter
still hold the closest and most conhdentia
relations 10 those who are, perhaps. person
ally most TO be affected by your decision il
TINS matter, and speak in that capacit,
when | write this, and urge upon YOU promp
and decisive action in this vital matter: ans
! may add that il reaches further even thar
have intimated, and will both immediatel,
and remotely affect US all beyond what cal
now be apparent to you. ] see, beg leay
10 add, that il still seems incredible TO m
that any one should doubt Your intention
TO carry out the wishes of our friends in thi
matter. am, with sincere respect, YOUR
very truly, HENRY II. finley
Washington, March 8. 1880.
The similarity of the handwriting oi
the two letters struck Springer at one
and closer inspection convinced hin
that Finley was the author of both
Springer was indignant at the attempte.
duplicity and boldly charged the othe
leaders In his party with what has a!
along been known to be the object O
the Democrats in getting Donnelly int
Washburn's seat. namely. to secure
majority of the States in the House il
case the election of President was throw,
into that body. Additional color wa
given to this view since Finley has re
peatedly arowed himself as Tilden'
agent in Washington. An attempt wa
made. at once, by the Democrats to re
pudiate Finley and he Immediately wrot
to Hon. Abram S. Hewitt of New York
chairman of the Democratic Nationa
Committee, in 1876, for character
which that gentleman promptly for
warded. Mr.. Hewitt's letter to Finler
however, has given rise to fresh troubl
for he takes occasion to remark tina
ssthe effect of these everlasting quarrel
between Democrats is to destroy the con
idence of the people in the capacity O
the Democratic party for self-govern
ment," which shows due appreciation
of the results of his partys actions
Another ..little unpIeasantness" cam
up, Wednesday, between Representative
Sparks Of Illinois and Clymer, of Penn
aylvania, in which Sparks rspsats&,