The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-12-23
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASH y CsTON, Dec. 10, 1882.

SIIINGTON, Dec. 10, 1857.
The unparalleled manner in which a
Republican Congress has SO assiduously
applied itself to real work is refreshing
to the country at large, which has SO
often suffered by reason Of dilatory pro-
ceedings in Congress. But the activity
now SO apparent along the entire Re-
publican ranks is readily accounted for.
The party has laid dormant in the en-
joyment of its spoils too long. 1t was
awakened with a shock by the great
political storm of November last, and
now seeks by rcdublcd energy to re-
gain its lost prestige. But it is a cold
day for the old party of moral ideas.
Vigorous Star Route prosecution, and
| alledged civil service reform measures
are palntable to the country, but they
will not avert the result in 1881, when
the political tornado will far surpass
that of November, when the Republi
can bark will founder, when the fall
outrage of 1876 will be avenged.
CIVIL. SERVICE REFORM.
The general opinion among promi-
mont Congressman is that all the
pending civil service reform measures
are humbugs. The bill of Mr.. Pendle-
ton is meeting with much opposition.
AsAAs ASAo" - Va >4SoaSA against
the measure in the Senate Thursday,
and plainly warned the Democrats that
they would handica p themselves in the
next presidential campaign by assisting
in the enactment Of law like that
proposed. He said the Dem ocrats
would not, under such a law, be able to
dispose of the Offices after winning the
presidency. On Saturday, Senator
Voorhees, lent his aid in an able speech
| against the measure, and other promi-
nent Senators arc preparing clabo.
rate speeches in opposition to the bill.
1t is safe to predict ultimate defeat of
! the measure.
| The Post Office appropriation bill
was up in the House Saturday, and the
clause relating toa
REDUCTION or LETTER POSTAGE
to two cents was discussed. The csti-
mate of the maximum loss for The first
fiscal year by the reduction is $lO,274,
S35. But it is believed this loss will
be made up to some extent by the
increase of postal business that will re-
suit from the reduction. Docs Congress
think the population will mail more
letters because the rate is two cents
instead of three!
TIE SECOND STAR ROUTE TRIAL
is now fairly under way, with jury of
marvellous ignorance. Bliss finished
The opening address for the Govern
ment last Saturday, and to-day Mr..
Chandler, Brady's counsel, opened for
tho defense. Mr.. McSweeny is not
retained in this trial. 1t is matter of
comment here that none Of the defen-
dents are seen in the court room, eX-
cept Miner and Itevdell. AT the last
trial, it will he remembered Brady and
Dorsey were in constant attendance.
Political prophets are thus early
around with their predictions on the
speakership problem, and declare Ran
dali the coming man. Representative
Black burn told me some days ago that
| that he is in the race for speaker of the
next House, notwithstanding Mr.. Car
isles candidacy, and that he intends
to stick through.
1t turns out now that the Presidents
| recent dinner to his old friend Ben
Butler of spoon fame, was intended to
be quite su6 rosa. But it went the
rounds of the press. Then the usually
bland Chester "A. waXed exceeding
wrath, sWor and threatened. But the
power of the press prevailed.