The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-07-15

Inc recent ulbcuSSlOn Oh poiluchi ~"
sessments in both houses Of Congress
has excited general attention and, taken
in connection with the Hubbell-C Curtis
controversy over the assessment circulars
will haven depressing effect on the g.
nancial scheme Of the Congressional COM
mittee. Political assessments. or assess
ment of Federal Office holders for politi-
cal purposes, will probably never become
a national issue from the fact that il has
been the custom OF both political parties
TO levy tribute of this nature. But this
fact cannot disguise the evil effects Of
the system. 1t il the essential idea of
the spoils system that the offices should
be made to support the party. There
are clerks here to-day who are still pay
ing ten per cent q month on what they
borrowed to pay their campaign assoss-
ment--I mean voluntary contribution
and these now look with dismay on the
prospect Of the renewed levles. 1 have
seen clerks pay over the ''volur tary con-
tribution" with tears in their yes, know.
ing that it deprived their children of
clothes for school or that it compelled
them to violate their honor.
The one public measure of importance
which has passed the House OF Represen-
tatives displays the incapacity of the
present Congress even more distinctly
than what it has left undone. The revis-
ion of the tariff having been put off, the
House undertook to revise the internal
revenue laws in order to relieve the coun-
try from needless taxation. After mud
ding over the subject for half year
what is the result2 The removal of few
petty stamp taxes on patent medicines,
prrlumery and the like, to which nobody
objects and which costs nothing to col
lect aud the reduction of the tax on Gig
arettes, which ought to be taxed out OF
existence. That is the sum of reform.
The whole costly machinery of the in
ternal revenue service remains.
The House of Representatives was yes
terday again the scene of an encounter
of words, in which Messrs. Robeson, of
New Jersey, and Wbitthorne. of Ten
nessee, were the principals, and in which
the amenities of debate were grossly vio-
lated. Mr.. Robson, in closing the de-
bate on the naval appropriation bill not
content with general defense of his ad-
ministration of the Navy Department,
without mentioning any names, referred
in bitterest terms to Mr.. Whitthorne,
whom he accused of purloining the pub
lie school funds of his State, and with
bringing his brother from his Tennessee
home to take contract under an admin
istration to which he was politically in
imical. Goaded by the severity of Mr..
Robeson's language, Mr.. Whitthorne
seems to have lost his temper, for he
quickly pronounced Mr.. Robeson's
charge "a lie, whoever tells or whoever
repeats it." and concluded by branding
on the forehead OF. MIR. Robson the words
'ialsehood and perjury" At this point
the matter was dropped, the participants
having exhausted their abuse.
MY letter giving the items of expenses
of the Congressional spree to Yorktown
has made some of the Congressman rath-
er sensitive. There is probability how
ever, that we shall finally know about
the disgraceful matter attending Gar.
fields funeral. The more these things
are exposed the better will be the chance
of preventing any more such exhibitions.
Upon the reassembling of the Criminal
Court this morning to continue the star
route trials, Judge Wylie remarked that
he saw the case had been going on in the
newspapers since the adjournment of the
court. II don't know what progress
the newspapers have made" he contin-
ued' may be they have found verdict. "
Mr.. Merrick to-day authorized a denial
of the rumor of disagreement among
the counsel for the government in the
star-route cases, growing out of the al.
legged suppression by Mr.. Bliss of certain
newly-discovered evidence of the most
important character. At Ia conference OF
government counsel this morning it was
agreed that the grand jury should be i'm.
mediately reconvened and another set oi
indictments framed.
DR.. Lambs official report of the autop-
sy made uPon the body of Guiteau i'm.
mediately after his execution is published
to-day. 1t is the opinion of the learned
editor of the medical journal, to which
the report was first transmitted for pub.
hcation, tbat.it presents nothing to indi.
cate that the assassin was of unsoun q
mind. AUGUST.