The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-05-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, d. c.,
Nav ia 1881.

bidy 10, 1OOI'
What is most ridiculous seems
most fitting to Republican action just
now, and the designations of Sena-
tors Conkling and Platt does not
strike one who has watched the
course of Republican Senators for
two months past as in any respect
strange. Their re election or their
defeat would not surprise me. Their
party has been kept alive for years
upon the actual payment of money
for votes, the exchange of offices for
influence, and an absurd affectation
of superior virtues. Senator Conk-
ling has seen his State, with an hon.
est majority of $4,000 for Hancock,
throw its electoral vote for Garfield,
and he knows the influences which
brought that result about, and he
thinks he is as much the master OF
affairs now as when he traded with
his honest Democratic friends in
New York city six months ago. He
is clearly mistaken. He can ruin the
Republican party in the State ofNew
York and in the country, but at the
beginning of an Administration, and
against that administration he can.
not control the party. In his pres
ent strange fight with Garfield and
Blaine he unquestionably has the
sympathy, Notwithstanding his per
sonal unpopularity-of nearly every
Republican Senator. He will gel
the votes of only three or four on the
Robertson nomination, however. Il
is patronage that will beat him, as il
was simply patronage that caused
the final trouble after Garfield's in.
auguration. Of the final result of the
quarrel there is of course no certain
ty. An administration is strongest
with its party the first year-strong.
er in the second than in the third
and weakest in the fourth. unless
there is a chance that the President
shall be reelected. This trouble with
Conkling whatever it's effect may be
on his own future, makes a re-elec
ton of Garfield impossible. The
frivilous and unworthy subject of the
disagreement-the mere application
of spoils TO politics, are getting to bt
fatal to the Republican party, also q:
well to the party's chief.
The senate will adjourn to morrow
or next day, first confirming Robert
son and rejecting Chandler. 1 have
in aprevious letter discussed Chand
ler's chances Of confirmation, and hi:
fitness for the position of Solicito
General. While nothing seemed tt
be clearer than the duty of Demo
cratic Senators to vote against con
firmation in the case, I'm told tina
there were two or more of them VIII,
had agreed to abstain from so doing
The resignation of the New Yorl
Senators makes confirmation impos
sible. During the last session o
Congress almost every citizen of tn,
District asked that some plan be de
vised for the Improvement of tn
riven front of the city. Two fact
were alleged, viz: That the harbo
was being rapidly destroyed and tina
the health of the District people
Congressman and visitors was il
peril. Owing to local disputes as t.
methods, nothing was done. Th
illness Of Mrs. Garfield again call
attention to the fact, despite wha
her physicians say, almost every on
believes her sickness wholly or part
ally due to the malaria which is fas
giving Washington a bad reputation
among cities. A Senate committe
has lately enquired into the subjec
thoroughly, and will make an oficia
report on the 4th of March, whe
!, Mrs. Hancock or some other equal
worthy wife of a Democratic Pres
dent shall become the first lady {
the land. Dem.