Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-11-09
Our Washington Letter.


WASHINGTON, d. c., November 3, 1881.
Mr.; or:-The burden Of appointing read
juster postmaster at Lynchburg, Virginia, which
the senate left upon the president, was accepted,
and the appointment made in such a way as to
show his sympathy with the coalition party in
VIRGINIA POLITICS
Although the election In New York may have
more interest to those who have closely watched
the struggle which has long divided the republic
cans OF that state, yet there are more principles
and really vital issues at stake In the contest be-
yond the Potomac. The readjusters represent
principles similar to those Of the northern repub-
licans. They wish to pay their public debts as
they may be able, and not repudate them. They
demand a free ballot, an honest count, and equal
rights to all. They favor the extension of educa-
tional privileges, and the encouragement of the
Industries which require northern capital. The
weakness OF the party is in Its being a combina-
ton OF elements not wholly harmonious. There
Is the straight-out republican, who hates to swerve
hairs breadth from the party for which he has
suffered from war times until now The colored
element Ia always hard to unite with the white on
terms satisfactory to the latter. The union and
the confederate soldiers are liable to find old sores
opening, while they are joining in the canvass.
The Bourbons are solid to a man. and the result
Of next Tuesdays voting is doubtful. II eloquent
speeches. enthusiastic gatherings and earnest ef-
forts are omens Of success, then the readjusters
will be far in the majority. The course Of the
independent, Malone, will be INDICATED, and a
start made toward organizing party In the south
based, not on preiudices and dead issues, but on
right principles and progressive policies.
PROPOSED LOCAL IMPROVEMENT.
As the identifying OF the national capital Is a
matter Of interest to patriotic citizens, a few
words in explanation Of the resolution proposed
last week in the senate by senior senator, Mr..
Morrill, may be in place. It looked to the imme.
date removal Of the two railroad depots and the
tracks leading to them. There seems to be good
reason why the railroads entering the city from
the east should come in at the same point and
pass through the same section. As tits, one passes
to the north Of the capitol, and the other to the
south OF It, crossing the mall or public park The
former road breaks the grade of the streets for
about two miles Of its course, while the latter
makes free Of streets for laying It's tracks and
unloading its freight. The inconvenience Of hav-
ing two depots is Of small import to the travel
ing public. plan proposed for remedying the
trouble is to have both roads tunnel the high
ground southeast Of the capitol, unite their |
tracks, and elevate them above the principal |
streets until high ground is again reached; then
tunnel this and come out near and cross the |
famous long bridge" over the Potomac The |
proposed change would be costly, but would add |
more to the convenience Of residents and the |
looks OF the city than any other improvement |
which has been suggested, unless 1t be the reca- |
nation Of the flats along the river side.
STAR ROUTE CASES.
The trial which is going on in the criminal
court draws the minister from the study, the
clerk from his desk and the merchant from his
store to listen to the arguments of the ablest men
that are known to the bar OF the district. No
stone will be left unturned when the prosecutors
are such men as Mr.. Bliss. the Rev. Colonel Cook,
and the shrewd but homely Brewster Of Philadel-
phia But the men who oppose them have a rep
utation to which even the greatest display of elo-
qnence, acuteness and learning can add little
lngersoll, Wilson and Sheabarger have ma
tional fame, while Colonel Totten has been too |
busy winning cases to enter public life. OF the
merits of the case, the courts must decide The
by information, instead Of by indict-
ment by grand jury is unusual and this method
has been made the instrument of tyranny In
other times. Yet 1t has not been abolished in
this district, and may be a legal cou rise Of pro-
cedure The sufficiency Of the proof in which the
information is based Is called in questi on. 1t
certainly is to be hoped that the accused parties
will be acquitted, not by shrewd and cunning
practice on the part Of lawyers, but by sho wing
of facts which will set it beyond dispute that
their course has been upright and honorable. 1t
Is no credit to the country to have its high Of
icials proven to be scoundres but II they are, 1t
Is to Its credit that they be punished
AMBROSE.