The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-02-28
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
OUn wAsIIINeroN sPECIAn.

WASHINGTON, Feb. "a, 1880.
President making and the intrigues on all
hands In behalf Of the different candidates is
the absorbing topic here now, the interest
growing deeper day by day. Among the later
rumors is one to the effect that anot her liber-
al Republican movement is on foot directed
against the Candidacy Of Gen.Hrant and cal
culated to encompass his defeat. Somo of the
reports have put It down that this is Secre-
tary Schurz's Democratic year and that he is
in the liberal movement, with n 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 ut this report and says
he knows nothing about any plan or move
ment of that sort. Anyhow the contest be.
tween Blaine, Sherman and the ex-President
for the Republican nomination wakes exceed.
ingy warm. Here there is n growing impress
sion that Blaine is the favorite among the
people, but odds are staked that Grant will
be nominated. 1t won't undertake to guess
the result, for three months Of time can work
wonderful changes in political conditions.
The Democrats nre good deal at sea In re. |
spect to a candidate. At one time there was
quite lively boom for Seymour, but he has |
put himself out Of tho question by positive |
refusal, on account Of his physical condition. |
II is really interesting to hear the varying
views Of Congressman and others here from
different sections. Thurman still has many
Tarm friends, but Is not much talked of; and
Hendricks is generally believed TO be out Of
the race. His financial record is somewhat
nj In fu oIl nj hut
spirit and determination are strong, ard the
barrel of money is getting bigger all the time.
There are great many public men here who
believe that Tllden is the strongest man.
Montgomery Blair said to me the other day
that If it was not for the Kelly-Tammany fac.
tion in New York, and the bitter opposition Of
Southern Democrats who sold Tlden out in
1875, on account of his Anti-Claims letter, he
would be nominated by acclamation. Bayard
stock is high, but doubt ifa President will
be taken from little Delaware. Within the
past few weeks an entirely new man is talked
of-William II. Morrison, of Illinois. He has,
beyond question, some very strong points. In
the first place he is a Western man, which is
an advantage. 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 voted for subsidy since he has
been in Congress, now nearly ten years. His
army record is good, he having been a colonel
and wounded, and last, he is q favorite with
the Germans-itselfa very important thing
in the Northwest In addition to all these ad-
vantages he is gentleman, barring little
peppery language now and then If the grow
ing interest in Morrison does not eliminate in
making him one of the dark horses then am
mistaken.
Senator Bruce's committee which for sever
al months has been investigating the affairs
Of the late Freedmen's Bank, seems to have
made pretty fair story the ups and downs
of that delusive institution. From the testi-
mony secured by the committee 1t is easy
enough to see how 'he wreck came about, and
why some s,x aaiidons Of dollars were still
due depositors Nhen It happened. What is
presented IN the idence is not particularly
new It only makes a complete narrative out
of facts already understood, and serves little
more clearly to show what shameless and
unprincipled business the management of the
bank was for halfa dozen years its exist
ence. The committee, it is understood, will
report that, in consequence of the deaths of
some of the persons responsible for the banks
bad management, and the present impecuni-
osity of the remainder, nothing can now be
done for the further relief of the depositors,
except to consummate the proposed purchase
of the Freedman's Bank building in this city
by the United States government, bill for
which purpose has heretofore been recon-
mended by the commissioners and once passed
by the Senate. The building is now rented
for the use of the Department of Justice and
the Court of Claims, and the price asked for
it is 1915, 900. This amount could in case of
purchase be divided among the sufferers. The
receivers or Commissioners have been draw
ing $4,000 year ever since the failure-a
pretty fat take, and fair illustration Of the
workings of legal proceedings.
Congress is stubblng along about as usual
The Democrats feel q little nervous over the
discussion that is pretty sure to come out OF
the Fitz John Porter case, because it promis
es to be as bitter and sharp a political and
sectional debate as any that took place during
the extra session. The Republicans are do
termined, If possible, to make 1t appear thai
ex-Confedera.e officers in Congress are en-
3 deavorlng to restore TO the army a Union of
ficer who really sympathized with their side
and was, therefore, righteously convicted b!
the first court-martial and dismissed the ser
e vice. General Garfield is the leader in this
= and very prominent in urging the adoption o
the plan by Republican caucus. The ques
tion is not to be discussed on its merits at ali
o but hot and sectional fight is to be inaugu
1 rated solely for effect in the coming Presi
dental campaign. The Democrats don't de
e sire to abandon man to whom they think s
Q much injustice has been done now that The
C have the power to right him, and their actio
= is sustained by court Of inquiry regular
= constituted by Mr.. Hayes. Still. the wises
- among them are urging that the debate Of
!, their side shall be limited to the and shal
Il be as brief as is consistent with its prope
IS presentation. 1t may be, though It is hardl
= possible, that they will succeed in stopping
n the threatened. Controversy.
, Dom PFDRO.