The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1882-06-14
Washington Letter.
lFrom our Regular Correspondent.l

gether likely that by midsummer
we shall reach the end of this dis
graceful subject which has occu-
pied so much attention for more
than year past. If the whole
crowd of peculators could go up
in a cloud with Guiteau on the
Both instant it would be great
relief. do not predict, exactly,
that the accused will be convicted,
though convinced that they ought
10 be, but there is an even chance
that Justice will be done. The
crooked and devious WAYS of the
laws proceedings, the expedients
OF counsel, and the uncertainty of
iuries always render a case of
this character of doubtful issue.
When the first expos Tres were
made of the frauds of this ring
they secuted the idea of ever be-
ing punished. With am ications
reaching into every br; nci of So
cial, official and political life, they
undoubtedly constituted the most
formidable band Of organized rob
bers that ever existed. They
openly boasted that no Republi-
can administration would dare 10
prosecute them, and that any pro-
ceedings against them would be a
mere sham, not intended 10 con-
vict. They had no doubt, appsr-
entity, that by their money and in
fluence they could stiHe any inquiry
into their villainies: and to this
end they entered into wholesale
purchases of Washington news
papers, expecting in this way to
mould nnblic opinion in the com
niinily from which t!... Jurors were
to BE drawn TO try their cases
should they ever be brought &c
trial. Ia the same line they en.
gagged a formidable array al lead
ing lawyers Of the country for
their defense. In short. they fully
expected that by a free use Of The
money they had stolen from the
government they could bribe the
press, corrupt public opinion, pur.
chase judges and juries, and BAT
fe all attempts TO bring them tc
justice. Bnt they made n mistake
in their low estimate Of pnbiic
morality. To their great surprise
and discomforture \ Republican
administration has gone right along
with the preparation of evidence
and indictments against them, and
the loudest demands for their pun
ishment has come from the Repub-
hcan newspapers Of the country.
So political favor is not going to
save them, and the blackguard-
isms of their purchased prints does
not help them, and they just be-
gin to realize, apparently, that the
penitentiary is staring them in the
face.
When the election eases IN the
House are settled NC NAV look
for a rapid dispatch of Congress
sional business up to the close of
the season, which in all probsbili-
ty will end about the lst OF July.
1t is not likely that much more
will be done than to pass the re-
remaining appropriation bills.
Congress can dispose OF large
amount of business IN a week
when it really settles down to
hard work, which it doubtless will
be inclined to do now. II is only
political questions that lead to
controversy and waste of time
The Democrats are a little out of
humor, it is true, but members of
both parties are anxious to get
away, and all hope to do so about
the time that Guiteau takes his
aerial trip by the aid OF rope.
None of the Congressman, how
ever, expect to require the assist
ance of hempeu locomotion. No
body but Robson, the speaker,
and 8 few other leaders know why
certain appropriation bills like the
Naval bill and two or three Others
have been SO held back. The
new fiscal year, which all these
appropriations are to cover, be-
gins on the 1st Of July. The law