The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1883-03-09
WASHINGTON lErrER.


revenue only. ITO Will nave learned /
that everything except air, water, and
a few articles of food are taxed by
the tariff for the alleged protection OF
American labor. But j am trenching
on forbidden ground, smuggling 10
my own opinions, when the Editor
has told me to confne myself to
news, and reminded me that he has
through high protective tariff a ms
uopoly OF opinions. This question
has split parties on entirely new lines
of cleavage and has done more 10
obllterate Mason's and Dlxoh's dlvi.
sion, In Congress ut least, than any
question that has arisen since the
war. Il Is both novel and edifying
to Kansas and Massachusetts 10 stand
apart like two lovers divided, or to
SEQ Morgan OF Alabama and Davis OF
West Va, Democrats both, become
personal, angry, hot, over bItuminous
coal.
The Star Route trial IL drawing TO
close, and the conviction Of the late
Chairman OF the Republican NATIONAL
Committee, Dorsey, Is not doubted,
nor Is IL doubted that he will have
the company In prison OF his cocoon.
spiralor, that other Republican pillar
OF strength, Brady. Yesterday Rer-
dell, one Of tho consplrators on trial,
Withdrew his plea Of net guilty and
plead guilty instead, and, afterwards,
appeared on the witness stand and
gave damning evidence against the
accused.
With Jay Hubbell charged by his
own associates with bribery In Mich.
igAn with all the methods OF
the party condemned by tho election
In November with the states prison
yawnlng for him who was compII-
mented by President Arthur with
furnishing the soap that elected Gar.
held-the party that has 80 long
claimed oil the purity, piety and pa.
triotism OF the country, Is in a hu-
INFLATED and most dIsgraceful
attitude.
The truth Is apparent 10 all who
look below the surface that but little
Is left Of the Republican party save
the lobby. II no longer represents a
great cause, IL has not q breath Of IL
old enthusiasm, II exists through the
support, and for the support of mo.
nopolists and rings and Office holders
who, IL Is known, are now here In q
more powerful, aggressive, and i'm.
pudent lobby than has ever before
appeared in the Capitol OF the United
States. Many OF these lobbyists
have the privilege ofthe Senate floor
as alleged secretaries Of Senators, and
so gross has tina abuse become that a
resolution has been proposed In the
Senate ordering that no person shall
be admitted 10 the floor as private
secretary by Senator until the Sen
ator appointing him shall certify Ia
writing to the sergeant-at.arms that
nc Is actually employed for the per.
formance OF the duties OF such
secretary and Is engaged In tho per-
formance Of the same.
The report that Senator Ferry Is
certain OF defeat ia the Michigan
legislature causes no regret In Wash
ington, except perhaps among those
who hold government Office through
his influence. The long bearded
clerical looking old bachelor had few
friends even In his own party he
was without any ability except that
for concealing his lack OF II, by silence
and an expression of awful gravity.
Il Representative Beltzhoover, who
has favored the transfer OF the Wealth.
er Bureau to the Interior Department,
published In the Congressional Rec
ord, accompanying his speech on the
subject, a number Of letters which
indicate that the officers Of the Sig.
nal Corps under General Hazeu
undertook, last winter, a systematic
scheme OF lobbying and of organizing
. demonstrations of public sentiment
J In support of a bill called "The
Majors" and Captains Bill" which
provided for the addition of three
majors, twelve captains, and twelve
: lieutenants to the Signal Corps, fol
the regulation of appointments ant
promotions, and for other details
tending to consolidate the Corps anc
establish 1t on permanent founda
tion in connection with the Army
General Hazen has made some very
! unsatisfactory explanations, and ha
: now placed himself In a very awkart
: Situation by asking for a COMPRESSION
al investigation which the Secretar.
= of War has rather tsrtly told him Il
|, not the kind of Investigation tha
! will meet his case.
The Republican caucus on thes tari
awhile since develoned tho fart claorI