Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-11-07
Washington Letter.
WAsHINGrnN Nov 3. So


coming events big with Importance, begin
to focalize, so to speak, at Washington.
The struggle for the control of the admin
istration in 1884, is to be tremendous
one 1t is TO begin at the opening of the
session of congress on December second,
next, and to continue until new presi
dent takes his seat in the white house,
though by the way, it is not impossible
that Mr.. Arthur will himself resume the
comfortable place. Both parties have
larger tasks before them. The republi
cans realize that their recent defeats call
for stronger organization, and more
ardent devotion, and on the other hand,
he den ocrats are determined to act with
such caution and to work so hard in order
not 10 lose the ground they now hold
but to secure more. Of the two, the
democrats are pushing things most vigor
ously, but the republicans have the
advantage in position. The responsibility
for the acts of the next congress Is a
heavy burden for the democrats to carry.
The republicans hope to see the demo-
cratic donkey again in the arena. They
count on democratic mistakes and blum
ders to come 10 their help. Your cores
pendent is informed that the talk OF
nominating Blaine and Grant for "A presi
Dental ticket is BY no means barren
ideaity. Both gentleman are conceded
to be SO devoted to republican principles
as to be willing to yield their personal
preferences for the success of the ticket.
Some, however, say that it would be
good ticket, if reversed. think it good
thing TO think about. There is no awful
hurry about deciding.
Civil rights is not new PRESTON, by
any means. but it seems that in this free
and enlightened country, and in this age
of advanced ideas, we have not yet
settled all the problems which grow Out
of the first principles of the republic
The proposition of the declaration of
independence that all men were born
free and equal and enjoy the inalenable
right to life, liberty and the pursuit OF
happiness, ETC., which our fourth of July
orators keep fresh in orr memories, seems
to be true with certain notifications.
Tie colored people. the Chinese, the
Indian. and the Mormons. take excep-
tions to cur Interpretation of their rights
The recent decision of the supreme court,
which amounts TO this, that there is no
redress except under the common law for
distinctions excluding colored people
from common privileges. is accepted by
the coored race generally as inimical al
to their interests, and they propose to
hold the republican party responsible for
it. Another Interesting question in civil
rights is revealed this week in the report
Of the Utah commission, which has re-
turned from its cam paign against polyga
nv This commission was authorized BY
con gress under Senator Edmund's bill, to
oversee the elections in Utah, and to
exclude persons having two or more wives
from the right to hold office or to vote.
In this territory, the women vote also bur
are excluded where they are united to
povgamiS. 50 that three or more votes
are lost for each male polygamist. 1t ls
to be hoped that the effect of this law
will be to restrain the young men and
women, the rising generation from prac
tcng the vice. 1t excludes them from
citizenship and office, and it is assumed
that this civil restriction will be enough
to gradually induce them to abandon |
polygamy. The commission report that
$4,000 voters were excluded in the last
election. This would represent about 500
men, who were restrained from voting |
privileges because Of praticing polygamy. |
Not 4 very large mum Der, it must be con
tessed In fact, some people laugh a
he idea, and call this mere rose water
policy which the mormons chuckle over.
But it is 4. least step in the right
direction. 1t is vexng problem,
Surely lis best solution lies in defeating
the idea by peaceable methods rather
than by the loss OF human life, which |
must follow violent means. Senator |
Edmunds is a long headed statesman. 1t
is by no means sure that he has not devils |
ed way to overcome this shameless
system. dropped in at the capitol the
other day and found the work of prepare
ton for the coming congressional session
proceeding rapidly. New furniture and
carpets and additional seats are being put
in place. Once in while new member
drops in and fits himself in one Of the
chairs. He sits there and thinks of the
sensation his speeches will make this
winter. knew congressman once who
tried for seven long months to catch the
speakers eye, and never succeeded
Wait till the new member tries it. He
will find that his dream of holding listen
ing senates spell bound has passed.