Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-03-07
VIM. D. MoMASTER, Editor & Pro'r.
From our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. c., March ., 49,


Congress. The advocates Of protec-
ton for its own sake whipped into the
party traces the low-taritf republicans
in the house and succeeded in putting
through the most extraordinary rule
ever known III legislative or deliber-
ate body-a rule by which the house
might vote to nou-concur in the senate
bill, while it was not allowed to vote
the other way. Undoubtedly q major
ity would have voted for the bill as it
came from the senate had the opportu-
nifty been given, but by the rule cooked
up for that purpose it was sent to a
packed conference committee, and the
result is no revision of the tariff. The
bill reported from this so-called confer
ence is not revision worth talking
about. Judge Kelley and those acting
with him preferred failure to the pas
sage of any bill that affected the prof
its of certain interests they are here to
protect and favor.
The staY.ruute defendants are whist
ling loudly to keep their spirits up, and
bully Ingersoll is pretending to laugh
at the evidence of co-conspirator Rer-
dell. but as matter Of fact they are
losing courage rapidly, in spite of these
vigorous efforts. On Monday it was
reported about town that Dorsey had
skipped" as they say out west, but
this proved to be incorrect. Mr.. In
gersoll is laboring to make it appear
that Rerdell is the only man on trial,
but the latter has admitted his guilt,
and however bad the other defendants
succeed in making him appear it can
not help them. He was their tool and
trusted lieutenant and of course he is
u bad man. or he would not have an
swered their purpose; but he is now
scared into telling the truth about the
whole affair.
The detective scandals that are be-
ing unearthed are about as ugly as
could he imagined. In reading the
revelations which daily appear in the
prints it seems wonderful how anybody
ever escaped burglary and blackmail.
There was Il perfectly organized scheme
Of robbing private residences, and al
though of course there is a chorus of
denial, the detective force appears to
have been as expert in preventing re-
covcry, except on the payment of large
rewards, as the thieves were in taking
what did not belong to them. We
even find that, as in the case of the
Christiancy jewels. the detectives sug-
gested and planned robberies. The
District commissioners are Il good deal
stirred up over it, but so many facts
have come bnt that they seem to have
made up their minds that during their
incumbency the city was not governed
to any appreciable extent. The Presi-
dent has taken his time to find the 9TH
err District commissioner, and is evi.
IDENTIFY doing like one of those old
classic fellows did who went around
with a lantern looking for an honest
man. If the President will turn his
eyes away from his ewn 'grand old
party" he wouldn't find the object Of
his search so difficult. Mr.. Arthur's
extraordinary representation in the
matter of important appointments is
the subject of much unfavorable COM
ment. Whether it arises from cow
ardice and indecision, or from crafty
motives it is equally discreditable.