The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1886-03-31
Washington Letter.
Washington. March p, 1886

Washington, March Y, 1850
Editor of the Chronicle
With the senate's investigation of the
administration, the house committees
investigation of Pan-Electric stock, and
another investigation of the commits
sioner of pensions In regard to charges
he brought against his predecessor, Dud-
ley, it would seem that the spirit Of in
quiry were raging here now.
On the contrary all ofthese affairs are
dismal farces. No SENSATION have been
evolved from the Telephone business,
and public interest in it is rapidly sub
siding. Hon Casey Young has contradict
ed the imputations against the Attorney
General, and in seeking letters for pub
LEGATION as testimony, out 212, five were
from Mr.. Garland, none which bear on
the subject under investigation.
Gen. Black is well fortified with proof
of his allegations against ex-CommIs-
sioner Dudley's Republican Pension
Machine. He has submittsd cases of
gross irregularity, showing that claims
were advanced and allowed as partisan
rewards, and he has hunureus of al
idavits in reserve.
Asto the Senate's fight for papers, none
but the blindest of partisans can see any
toher outcome of the Republican situa-
ton than surrender. There is asdisire
on the part of most of the Senators who
have followed Mr.. Edmunds' lead to
drop the contest as soon as possible
and to say as little as possible about it.
The debate has involoed so many Sena-
tors in contradictions and inconsistencies
that it has clearly strengthened the
President in his positions 1t has also
served to direct attention to the evils of
secret sessions SO intently that their very
existence is strongly threatened.
The weakest point of the Republican
position is that they have called for this
information to be used in Star Chamber
sessions. If the Senate considered the
Presidents appointedments in the open
session there would be much more excuse
for these attacks upon him for his
secresy.
Senator Edmunds is sorely cut by the
revolt of the Finance Committee, It's
resolve to report the nominations of In
ternal Revenue Collectors referred to it
in spite ofthe caucus, was a square back
down from the republican position. And
the present week is likely to witness
similar action on the part of the Indian
Affairs Committee, and other Committees
which are weary the useless contest.
There was never any genuineness or
cohesion in the movement. and it requir
ed little political keenness to see what
would certainly happen. The obstruc-
tion was a political blunder. and there
was so little interest in it that the pub
lie did not even charge its mind with
the task of keering up with the debate.
The indignation which was pumped up
was false and labored; and there has been
no time when the Republican Senators
in a body have not regretted the course
into which they were dragooned by the
rasping selfishness from Vermont, As sn
experimental issue it has been a dismal
failure. and 1t is only astonishing that
the pretense was kept up as long as it
was.
Much was expected by the majority
Senators from their colleague. Mr.
Spooner, the new Senator from Wiscon-
sin. He occupied the floor part of two
days, but failed utterly to cover himself
with glory. He started out quite braYely
but in winding up he got lost, CROPPED
around for about an hour pointlessly in
search of a suitable finale, repeated him
self half dozen times, and closed quite
tamely.
Senator Colquitt, of Georgia, will be
heard in long speech to-day on the
Democratic side, and Senator Ingalls,, of
Kansas. will follow next in behalf of the
Republicans. He is one of their ablest
man and has carfully prepared speech.