The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-04
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Dec. "a, 1882.


Among the newspapermen consider
able comment is caused by the state
ment that RoCt, the special CORES
pendent of the New York Times in
this city, Is almost daily closeted in
one of the offices of the department of
Justice with Attorney General Brews-
ter, when many of the representatives
OF other journals, including the New
\ ork Herald's men, are frequently
denied interviews 1t is a fact well
known to the country that since the
commencement of the star route
prosecutions the Times has ALWAYS
acted as the special organ of the gov
ernment's attorneys and often Con-
tained news and information pertain
ing to the trials which other
papers could not procure. Why
Brewster should 50 favor one
paper, and why he should
called, when at the very time he was
closeted with Root, cannot be explain
| ed and is not commented very favor
ably by the able pen-slingers of news
papers row. There is scarcely paper
represented here but what is hostile to
the star route men and fully con-
vinced of their guilt, and the attorney
general has no right to procure a pet
correspondent and adopt his single
paper as a vehicle for furnishing so
much valuable information to the
country.
THE SECRET CONDUCT
of this high official has only recently
been discovered and the matter has
not yet been discussed by the press,
but unless a speedy change is made
Brewster and mis- associates in the trial
can expect thorough ventilation. 1t
was noticeable all through the first trial
that as soon as the paper train came
in from New York copies of the Times
would be hastily carried to the city
hall, where they would be inspected
and read with avidity by the govern
ment counsel. To-day at II o'clock
your correspondent called at the de-
partment of justice, and, showing his
card, called for an audience with Mr..
Brewster. The janitor went in but
soon returned, saying that Mr.. Brew
ster was now closeted with Mr.. Root,
of the Times, and could not now see
me. l returned an hour and half
later, and was second time coolly in
formed that the august attorney-gen-
ClCl4 was Will MI. 1lOOI, dIlu MOulll
have to await my time. Occurrences
like this are frequent, and, coupled
with the Snobbery and open partiality
of Brewster, probably has much to do
with the hostile criticism that has
been heaped upon him and his asSoci-
ates lately by heretofore friendly jour
nalists.
THE RECENT DECISION
OF the supreme court of the republic
affirming the constitutionality of the
act prohibiting federal officials from
receiving contributions from other
federal officials or employees, for po-
litical purposes, must be hailed with
appreciation by every lover of his
country. Ever since reconstruction
times the supreme court has been cor
rupt and presided over by many bitter
partiZan politicians, ready at all times
to submit to the party lash. During
the Grant regime it contained several
members but mere mockeries of the
able jurists that furnished us law in
the time of Clay, Calhoun and Web
ster, and the country was prac-
tically without proper su-
preme tribunal. In the last few
years several deaths have occurred
among the members of the supreme
court and their places have been filled,
fortunately, by men selected more for
their ability than for their prominence
in politics. The recent decision giving
the Arlington estate to the Lee family
was a palpable evidence that Justice is
now superior to partisanship. If this
case had been tried five years ago there
is little doubt about what the decision
would have been. Now comes the di-
rect slapat the corrupt practices of the
Republican party. The decision of the
judges was evidently inspired by mo-
tives of patriotism and justice. but
whether it will have the desired effect
and check the thieving practices of the
Jay Hubbell gang is not certain. The
question which is the all important
one, and which contains the kernel of
the whole matter, is not involved in
the law in question, nor has it been
touched by the decision of the supreme
court, and that is, whether congress
has the power 10 prevent those in the
government service from being as
sessed or making contributions for
political purposes, provided the per-
son receiving these assessments or
contributions is not in the govern
ment employ. 1t is not easy to see
how the abuses which it is charged
have grown up under this prac-
tice can be prevented unless
congress have the power to prevent
all officers and employees of the gov
ernment from being assessed by any
body or making contributions to any,
body. The dread of dismissal for fail
ing to comply may be as great when
III 20 ranrna1f from a ortu
ager as when it comes from superior
officer, for it is the party that the Off
Ger or employe fears to offend, in case
the fear exists at all And it is mat
ter of grave doubt whether congress
has the power to forbid contributions
or assessments. 1t may, indeed, justly
demand that the officers of the gov
ernment shall devote their whole time
to their duties and prohibit them from
acting so long as they are in the govern
ment service in the capacity of party
treasurers or collectors; but the
ground taken by Justice Bradley that
congress had no constitutional power
to enact law fOrbidding an employe
of the government to associate him.
self with others for the promotion of
the political opinions which he MAIN
tains or to act as he otherwise sees fit
will strike most people as remarkably
just and uncOntrOvertable.
MARINE.
Reports show that during the year
ending June 80, 1882, there were built
in the United States 666 sailing YES
sells, 502 steam vessels, 68 canal
boats, and 135 barges, making a total
towards our commercial marine
of 1871 vessels. This is q |
much better showing than many
of the croakers about the decline of
the republic on the ocean expected,
and shows that with proper govern
ment fostering our flag would soon
gain its former standing on the high
seas of commerce. How ship build
ing could prosper in this country
thirty years ago and not now has never
been explained in the numerous
speeches in congress.
THE QUESTION OF ADJOURNMENT
for the holidays has caused much
needless discussion in both houses of
congress. The house was eager for
adjournment, but when the Question
reached the senate, the aged solons in
that body appeared deeply inter
ested, and long and learned
- .