South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-04-29
Letter from washington.
wA,uxeros. April 25. 1881


WA-HIweros. April % 1881
Nh. HsRPEE:-It Is possible that
the general public takes less interest
now in affairs at the Capital than
they are justly entitled to. / think
no more serious crisis in the country's
history has been known since the re-
construction measures were under dis
cnssion in Congress. Then the legis-
lGtive branch was dealing with q sec.
ton OF the country lately ravaged by
war, and, partly because Of apathy on
the part OF those most interested, il
adopted IN connection with the ex-
ecutive, rule OF conduct more dam
aging though less direct than would
have been possible III Austria or Ger.
many The intelligent whites OF the
South were turned over TO the domi-
nation of the ignorant blacks, aud rs
1t turned out OF a corrupt gang ofself
seeking men from thc north. For
SIX years there hardly seems to have
been an idea of local government in
most Southern states, which was not
inspired by cupidity from abroad, and
put in force by ignorance at home.
Now that every Southern interest,
material, moral, educational is great
~ advanced since the blight of car.
pet Dagger and negro domination has
yielded to remedies applied by patriot
ic & sensible southerners, & intelligent
immigrants, the Republicans seek to
use Federal Patronage TO restore the
old chaos. They find Mahone--a
man not in any respect one who has
done more or professed more than any
other Southerner in the interest Of
the proper government i'll the South
and they offer him the patronage
for distribution in Virginia. They
hope for others in other Southern
States. They will find them if Dem
ocratic Senators consent that Mahcne
shall be paid for his trcachery to his
people and to the course Of good
government. In this proposed trade
do not mean to say that President
Garfield had any part. | do not think
nc had. There is nothing to show
that he had. The sending OF a bou-
quet from the White House to SEN
ator Malone, when the latter first vo-
ted with the Republicans on which so
much stress was laid, was not with
the Presidents knowledge. l do not
believe he sympathizes with those who
negotiated with Malone or will re-
cognizc their acts.
Tie hate Post Office changes have
a great deal of significance. To un-
derstand this is not necessary to be-
feve the retiring officials were caught
Ill any dishonest act. All depart
ments need occasional rotation in Of.
ticials, whether parties change or not.
There is no more reason now for be-
lieving General Brady, retiring and
assistant Postmaster General, is q
rogue, than there was q year or more
ago when democratic House Com
mittee reported that he was not 2
rogue. All that is brought against
him, now, after his retirement was
known to, and discussed by the Com
mittee. lie simply administered bad
and indefinite laws in the manner of
his predecessors. 1t he was more
prodigal than they, in the use Of public
money, it was probably because SEN
ators and Representatives of both par
ties We're more urgent. There is no
proof that lie proiied by it, But the
condition Of the service justified the
President in requesting Dyady's rcsig-
nation. SO no doubt, he might profit
ably ask that nearly every official who
has administered the affairs Of q Bu~
reau for several years. This / believe
he will do. MEMO.