The Portland daily press., 1882-06-17
Our Wash ngton Letter.
Ladd and the Ger eva Award-What
Reed Did for Bill-More Abou
Ladd-Re. or Republican
"a
WASHINGTON June 10, 1882.

WASHINGTON June 10, 1882.
Some of the Fusion papers of Maine have
lately been forcing "boom" far Representative
Ladd, in way which the lovers of truth must
despise. The stories are varied just enough
to give them interest, but "boiled down,'' they
amount to this. that to Mr.. Ladd belongs the
chief credit for the passage of the Geneva
Award bill. For particulars the story tellers
assert that Mr.. Ladd was busy day and night
in benar of this measure, and that finally he
convinced the House by an eloquent speech in
its favor. The cold facts are that Mr.. Laid
was not known or heard of in committee or
among members as an advocate of the bill
W. ich his constituents were SO much interest,"
ed in, and from the time that Mr.. Reed called
up the bill until its final passage. Mr.. Ladd
was conveniently absent. He never has utter
ed a word on the floor of the House this ses-
sion upon any subject, and his eloquent appeal
is purely imaginary. Furthermore, when the
vote was had on the passage of the bill Ladd
did not vote, and is recorded in the official
journal as ''absent" If Mr.. Ladd has been
instrumental in circulating this romance. the
people of Maine will assess him at his true
value, and it is not necessary to say more. Mr..
Reed of course is entitled to the honor of hav-
ing carried this measure to success, as he is
of having devised way out of the late dead
lock forced upon the House by the Southern
Bourbons. Mr.. Reed is a leader whom all re-
spect, and who-is in the habit of succeeding in
the measures which his judgment leads him to
advocate because his judgment is good and his
ability is equal to sustaining it.
While on this subject of Ladd, lest he may
also try to gain credit with his constituents for
something else foreign to the truth, it should
be stated that he joined the De nocrats and
staid with them throughout the late flibuster-
ing exhibition against the consideration of the
election cases. an this in face of the fact
that had that scheme prevailed, a greenbacker
could also have been deprived of the seat to
which he was fairly elected, and which the
Republicans have given him. The green back
ers of Maine are invited to make note of this
and also of the fact that when that contract be-
gan Murch ran away, and instead of trying to
help seat Greenback friend who had boon
cheated of his election by the Southern DEM
ocrats, he was heard of next at the fusion
gathering at Bangor. If the greenbackers OF
Maine are proud of such representatives, they
are easily satisfied.
The Republicans have been greatly cheered
by news from various parts of the country.
Oregon was an unexpected triumph, for the
Democrats had boasted loudly of their pros
poets in all the Pacific States. The Republi-
can majority is doubled, and the Republicans
gain United States Senator. The California
Republicans say that we may look for similar
result in that State, and that the Republicans
will elect at least four of the six Representa-
tives there. Some of the more sanguine Re-
publicans are also claiming Nevada.
Delaware has reported well in the local cleo
tions, and for the first time its first CITY, Will
mington is in the hands of the Republicans,
who now also hope to carry the State. The
local elections in Virginia also show great lib
eral gains, and the Bourbons are respondent.
1t may be said fairly that the Republicans are
much more hopeful of gains almost every
where than they were few weeks ago.
Had it not been for the democratic system OF
obstruction, Congress would now be ready to
adjourn. AS it is several weeks will be re-
quired for the necessary or important busin ess.
The completion OF the appropriation bills will
require ten days at least Several important
bills for improving the postal laws are on the
calendar, and the bill to amend the internal
revenue law is also likely to take some time
for discussion. A month would be necessary
for the proper deliberation upon the important
measures which have been reported to the
House and the Senate. But it is
likely that the most of them will be postponed
un6il December, and that after the disposition
of the appropriations, several election cases yet
to be reported, Congress will do but little. II
is generally thought that the adjournment will
J. w.B.