The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-07-03
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, D. c.. |
June 40 1SS4.(

June 81, 10
The first session of the 4Sth Con-
gress is on its last legs. 1t has done
a great deal of good work, not q lit
tie of vicious legislation, and a con-
siderable that had better been left
undone. Each branch has adopted
several measures of public utility
which cannot be acted upon by tie
other for want of time in some cases,
and want of inclination in others
The repeal of the. PFeepption and
Timber Culture laws by the House,
for instance, will scarcely reach the
Senate in time for action at this ses-
sion, and should itgo V e now its op-
p~onents in the Senate will see that it
has no day in court at the short ses
sion. The Senate has passed the Mex
lean Pension bill, not rs it passed
the House, but with a buncombe
amendment to it, offered by MI. Col
lum, to include soldiers of the. late
war not included in other pension
bills. Of course the House will sit
down on this amendment sayagely,
and the poor Mexican veterans will
have to appeal to some future Con
gress if they would get on the pen
sion-rolls in this life. The land grant
forfeitures to the amount of some
millions of acres may possibly get to
the President for appro,a al, but the
cases of the Northern Pacific and
other of the big guns, are in a state
of dubious uncertainty.
Mr.. Springer's investigating com
nittee has found so much to investi-
gate that it will have no opportunity
of making a report at this session
and if.it does its work thor roughly its
report will be postponed indefinitely,
The Star Route cases alone are alto
gether beyond Mr.. Springer's depth
and exasperate him and his commit
tee beyond all finding out. Taking
the lawyers engaged in these cases
altogether, they form an admirable
specimen group of tlackguards ,anc
blackmailers, such as get hold Of the
big cases in which the Government
plays a part. Here was Bliss receiv
ing $3.50 per day from the Govern
ment to get the Star Reuters conyic
ted, while he was actually under pa
from the other side to get the rasealt
acquitted! The sequel of this portion
of the investigation will be. vitality in
teresting.
Ben Butler has been here for few
days attenying to business and thu
Butler boom at the same time. Wha
his intentions are relative to thu
work in the Chicago Democratic
Convention nobody knows, though
everybody seems to care. That b
has had an interview with John Kel
ly and the Tammany bosses, with
purpose of some sort of raid upol
the Cony ention, there can be n
doubt. Next to the Presidency, But
Ter desires the Governorship of Mas
sachusetts, with which TO pay o.
some old scores. / am inclined t
the belief that he has made satisfae
tory arrangements with the prope
powers to bring about his secon
great desire, in case he should fail i
the first.
The death of General Ward Z
Burnett, which occurred here on MOI
day last, removes another of the oil
soldiers who have performed thei
full share in upbolding the glory {
the Republic. Isremember well whe
| Burnet was made q hero of in Ne
York city upon his return from Me-
leo with his command. 1t was q
ovation participated in by the Who'll
population regardless of party, c
sentiment as to the holiness or III
holiness cf the Mexican war. Bul
nett took not only an active par
, but a leading part in the three gre;
battles that finally brought abouttt
; vanquishment Of the army, and hi
name was included in the vote {
thanks passed by Congress for bray
and brilliant services.
t The Fitz John Porter case is b,
fore the President awaiting action
. Whether Mr.. Arthur signs the bi
reinstating Porter in the army, {
vetos it, it will make no difference i
the amount of persistency with whic
, this old soldier will follow up b
. claim. He has been at it for twent
long years, and if he rs realty guilt
of all that has been charged again:
, him (Which amounts to a simpl
matter of jealousy Of a brother oil
cer) he has suffered ample punisf
ment therefor, and the country wi
not perish if he should be reinstatet
If our tiles against those VIII
fought on the Confederate side M
!, softening to the extent of welcomin
/. them all back with open arms, ho'
much more magnanimous would ou
action be in excusing one of our ow
: officers land admitted to be a ga
r liant one) for so slight an otfease.
!, PHoNo.