The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-01-23
WASHINGTON LETTER.
[FRoM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON, jan, 10Th, 1884.

WASHINGTON, jan, 10Th, 1884.
During the past week the debates
and acts of Congress have touched a
variety Of subjects. The French Spo-
liation bill, which was first brought up
eighty-three years ago, has passed both
houses, and the Nicarauguan dill which
opens up the widest and gravest posi-
bilities, has been debated. Jefferson
Davis and Tecumseh Sherman have
both revisited the glimpses of the moon,
and the Senate has voted to restore
Ulysses s. Grant to his rank in the
army. There was considerable sur
prise expressed at the fact that Demo
cratic Senators voted With the Repub-
licans to restore Gen. Grant, but more
surprise will be expressed if the Demo.
cratic House shall allow the bill to be-
come law.
Human idolatry never reached a
more beastly depth than in its worship
of Grant. The country does not owe
as much to him as it does to hundreds
of others. But because he has lost his
ill-gotten fortune through stupidity and
fraud, and his wonderful health through
prolonged dissipation, the Senate, a
portion of the press, and a herd of
milionaires dissolve in maudlin pity
over an example of spurious greatness
to which history furnishes no parallel.
There are decided objections against
restoring Gen. Grant to his rank in the
army. The last time he held power rs
president of the United States, he used
it to disperse Southern legislatures aud
to overawe opposition to the fraudu-
lent seizure of the presidency 10y the
conspirators of 1876 The Edmunds
bill proposes to place him only on the
retired list of generals, but the Su-
preme Court has decided that the re-
tired list is as fully part of the Army
Is the active list, and that tine former
may at any time be called into SER
vice.
Suppose there should be another dis
puted election. as in 1876, or like that
which occurred only last November.
How easy and how natural chad an.
other than Arthur been in the White
House) would it have been for Blaine
to summon Grant, as senior general, to
assume command And with his name
and prestige, and the fanatacism of his
idolators, the crime and shame of 1876
might have been repeated. History
never repeats itself, but folly and crime
are perpetual. These dangers may be
treated as trivialties, since they are not
imminent, but it will be the part of
folly to make them even remotely pos
sible by placing Grant again in the
army.
There is a disposition Oh the Demo.
cratic side here in both houses TO do
nothing at this short session except
pass the appropriation bills. The bills
still to be considered are so many that
this postponement TO another Congress
of all legislation will be easy to accom-
plish.
1t is not among the impossibilities
that there may be an extra session, and,
for number of reasons, it need not be
deprecated As it is now, more than a
year intervenes between the election OF
Congressman and the beginning OF
their duties This fact has frequently
been commented upon as opposed to
the spirit of our laws, aud objectiona'
BILE. The election and the service
should be brought nearer together,
either by spring elections, or spring
sessions. There is certainly no reason
why OF two men elected TO coordinate
public trusts at the same time, ont
should enter upon ofiice on the fourth
of March and the other on the first
Monday of the following December.
But apart from the abstract questions
involved, it will scarcely be disputed
by those at all familiar with the worl
now thrust upon Congress, that its or
dinary sessions are of inadequate
length TO enable it to cope with its lie
climate business. 1t is true that mucl
time is now wasted, and that NOR
would be il the sessions were longer
but that does not argue that Congres
should not give itself fair chance Il
do its work.
The Presidents social duties hav
kept him busy during the past week
and are likely to employ his evening
Tor some time to come. He has aban
doned all idea of visiting the New Or
leans Exposition in an official capacit,
and has so informed the board of man
ayers. He expects, however, to max
short visit after the 4th of Marct
aud then, of course he will go as pr
ya,o citizen. lie had hoped to atten
the Exposition during the month O
February, and consequently refraine
from extending his engagements int
that mouth