The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-11-25
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Nov. ", 1857
There is an earnest purpose on the
part of the Republicans to secure al
the coming session of Congress ma
terial reduction of internal revenue
taxes. The Ways and Means Com
mittee, with Judge Kelley ar its head,
undertook 10 accomplish this end last
session, but the measures brought
forward were talked out of time by
the Democrats, and the only bill that
had any chance of success lies smOth-
cred under load of amendments and
Democratic CAB in the Senate. Yet
the Democrats rOared about taxation
all through the late campaign. Judge
Kelley's committee are already TAX
ing the matter in hand again, and
nothing but Democratic obstruction
can prevent something being done to
lessen the weight of taxation at the
approaching session. But the policy
of obstruction Will undoubtedly be
adopted by the minority in order to
carry the subject over to Democratic
Congress, and as this will be short
session, it will require vigorous and
determined efforts to prevent the sue
cess Of their tactics. Judge Kelley is
said to be in favor of abolishing the
| entire system of internal taxes. But
speaking of the coming Democratic
| House, it is amusing to notice what
a lively campaign for the offices OF
that body has already begun year in
advance. A little success crazes the
Democrats. TO them the old days
are back, and they look forward to
the time when the Southern gentle
men can swear and squirt tobacco
Juice in the marble rooms of the Capt.
tol. l may he below the figure, but
| il seems to me there are million
! Democrats who have already filed
caveats for every Office in the House.
There are a hundred very good places
in the House, and probably two hun
dred Others not quite so good, but the
knowledge ola Democratic majority
has put a legion in the field for every
office. 1t will be IA lively scramble
when the time comes, but hardly a
foretaste of what would be seen if
ever, by any possibility. the old fossil
party should get control of the exc
cutive branch of the government.
According to the reports coming in
there is likely to be an unusual num-
Der of cOntected seats in the Congress
lately elected. In a large number of
districts the vote is very close, and
the successful members from these
districts reach the goal of their ambi-
ton by very narrow margin. In
many cases there are Republicans.
But the Bourhons have a large ma
jority in the House happy thought
strikes the unsuccessful Democratic
candidate. From Virginia alone
three contests are threatened. and
present indications are that the list
from the whole country will be some
thing unprecedented. If the Dem.
OcraIic majority remains on its good
behavior these contests may he set
tied on their merits, and in most
cases disposed of in short order, but
the chances are that partesanship
will get the better of discretion. and
that the Bourbon will generally he
seated. But in one respect both par
ties are to blame for the miserable
practice of so many contests. The
custom which prevails in Congress of
paying all the expenses of the unsuc-
cesSful party to contest serves to i'm
crease the number OfSuch cases. The
contestant knows that he will not be
out of pocket, owing to the liberality
of this custom, even if he loses his
case. Therefore, having everything
to gain and nothing TO lose, he enters
upon a contest, where. perhaps, if he
had to bear the burden of his own eX-
pense if successful. he would not con-
slider his chances worth the venture.
1t has not been very long since de-
feated contestant in the House was
voted liberal allowance for attol-
ney's fees, and the fact was he ap-
peared as his own attorney and peck
eted the fee. 1t was said by those
who knew him that his practice at
home for five years had not yielded
, him as much all told as that one fee
he obtained for presenting a weak
case to Congress. In the present Con.
greSs a contestant who was seated
got an allowance for expenses, in
, Guiding attorneys fees. and then
} went back on the attorney, who is
still unpaid.
Our public spirited citizen, Mr.. w.
w. Corcoran, has perfected his plans
for removing the body of John How.
ard Payne, the author of "Home
J Sweet Home" to Oak Hill Cemetery
in Georgetown, from Tunis, where he
lies in a neglected grave. Mr.. Cor.
coran is said to be willing to put
some money in Democratic morning
daily to be started here. He put a
good deal in the Union, which col.
lapsed after the Tilden campaign
No man has given more liveralIy to
his party than Mr.. Corcoran. 1t is
said that he gave 500. 900 to the
cause in 1876, and he says he wants
to live until he see a Democratic
President inaugurated. The defeat
of that tedious old humbug, Mont
gomery Blair, in Maryland, has Civ
en- the old gentleman pleasant glow
, of satisfaction. Members of all par.
ties are regretting Mr.. Proctor Knott,
coming retirement from the House
: of Representatives. The general pub
lie knows him as the author o
the Duluth speech, but he is one o
the busiest workers in tho ConureS