Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-05-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May 16, 1881,

DurlnR tne last week we ndu 700 uuCn
political excitment for such hot weather
as has prevailed. Things have been roll
ing hot in more senses than one. At one
time there was some hope among the Re-
publicans that compromise OF the un
pleasantness over the New York nomina-
tions might be arrived at, and senators la
bored zealously to that end. But the hope
has so far failed. Robertson must stand,
and he will be confirmed, perhaps. before
this letter is in print, while the war of
the Conkling element and the star route
ring against the Administration will go
on to the bitter end. Not the least part
of the weeks excitement in political
circles was caused by the attack upon the
President and Secretary Blain through
the correspondence Of the New York
| Herald. This relation of what is claimed
to be the inside history of the campaign
and its subsequent results, charges a
series of bargains and broken pledges
upon Gen. Garfield almost too base for
believe, even in these degenerate days.
| Governor Foster has passed some days in
the city in an endeavOr to patch up a
truce; meanwhile the bitter attacks of
Gorham upon Garfield and Postmaster
General James continues with increased
vehemence. Governor Foster also thinks
this star route scandal should stop. He
is shrewd politician and knows better
than we do here at Washington how
much it is hurting the party. Besides
he has some inkling of the terrible secrets
Dorsey talks about revealing. Dorsey,
with other wounded birds OF the star
route explosion, has been here and from
| tI,,o, h< Ant i, ,la;, h. 20
badly. 1t is reported that in conference
with Attorney General McVeagh a few
days since Dorsey asked the latter if he
meant to utter it as his opinion that he
was a party to any of the mail frauds.
Altogether things are real interesting.
The opposition shown in the Senate to
Stanley Matthews confirmation as Su-
preme Court Jndge, cannot be charged
as the result of political difference or of
personal aimosities. 1t came of pro-
found conviction that, Notwithstanding
his great abilities, and his high personal
character, Mr.. Matthews possesses quail
ties of mind or holds opinions which un-
fit him for a discharge of the functions of
that office. The most pronounced objec-
tors to his confirmation last winter were
the two most enient jurists in the Senate
Senators Edmunds and Thurman-be-
longing to opposite political parties. The
grounds for this opposition was Mr..
Matthews well-known views touching
the rights of corporations, and the fear
that his judgment might be the means OF
nullifying legislation lately accomplished
with reference to the Pacific railways,
! This is the argument ansa4she cansidera-
ton that weighed most ia The committee
which reported against him and that has
rendered his confirmation at any time
doubtful. The soundness of this Objec-
ton will be more fully comprehended
when the influences that have been
to work to secure his confirmation are
better known. It. probably would not
advance Mr.. Matthews cause in the pop
ular mind to have generally understood
that a gentleman in New York having
large railroad and business interest in
this country has been telegraphing to
Senators the inquiry wether certain fa-
vors extended ought not to be followed
by their votes for his confirmation. Mr..
Matthews, as private citizen, has right
to engage his service to railway corpora.
tions, but the present is certainly not the
time to put attorneys of these corpora
tions on the Supreme bench.
The fact that Mr.. Matthews has been a
strong partisan and that he played a
prominent part in the electoral complica
tions Of 1876 was expected to help him
with his own party friends and create
antagonism among Democratic Senators
But this seems not to have been the case
especially with reference to the Demo
Gratis, for the majority of his support
comes from that side of the chamber. Il
has been asserted in explanation of this
latter circumstance that Strong represen
ted to Democratic Senators that Mr.
Matthews would be certain to range
himself alongside of Justice Field on al
political questionsth that might come before
the Court. This seems almost incredible
How manifestly improper it would be fol
Mr.. Matthews or his'friends for him tt
give any such pledges. And if they were
given and accepted as reasons for confir
nation how certain it is that they woulc
be disregarded-tha those relying upor
them would only be one more taken into
camp and betrayed. The fact urged by
Senator Edmunds in the discussion, tina
sentiments uttered by Mr.. Matthews il
his address at the unveiling of the Thomas
statue showed dangerous tendency to
ward Capitalization, did not, strangly
enough, seems to produce any effect up
on the minds of Democratic Senators.