News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-02-18
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence the News and Citizen.l
WASHINGTON, D. c.,


ceedings of Congress, and in the con-
troversy between the President and
Senate has been partly overshadowed
by the constantly expanding Pan-Elec-
trio exposure. Everywhere in Wash
ington the telephone is the recurring
topic of conversation. 1t is heard at
the Capitol, in the lobbies of the Sen
ate and House, in the street cars and
hotels, and in every group where pol
itics or public men are discussed.
Every one is wondering what the
President will do, and what the At
torney-General will do.
1t is painful to see the Democratic
party distracted from its great work
of reform by this embarrassing affair.
After twenty-five years of publication
it is a pity that it should be placed in
such a position. And I feel con-
strained to say, in the language of a
Congressman from Maine, eff the
righteous suffer thus, what, then, will
become of us poor Republican sim
pers."
The friends of Mr.. Garland hold
that while he is placed in very en-
barrassing attitude, he is not at all to
blame. The supposition that Mr..
Garland's purposes were entirely hon.
est does not affect the situation. The
pecuniary interest of government
officer must have nothing to do with
the publice service with which he is
connected, and the Attorney-Genera
has remained, since he was elected to
his high office, connected with an en-.
terprise whose interests he could fur
Their by using his official position.
Official virtue is urgently needed in
these days when there is deep seat
ed suspicion in the public mind that
public affairs are not honestly man.
aged. And this affair is peculiarly
sickening when it is remembered how
the Democratic party prated during
the late Presidential campaign, about
old fashioned public virtue.
The course that Attorney General
Garland will pursue cannot be fore
cast, though it seems that he will at
tempt to brave public sentiment, a
difficult part to play where personal
reputation is affected. The opinion
is often expressed here that he must
either get rid of his telephone stock,
or the Department of Justice must
get rid of him. Some Congressman
express themselves freely about stock
jobbing statesmen, but Sena tors are
reticent. Should proceedings of i'm
parchment be instituted against Mr..
Garland the Senate would be called
upon to act as jurors, and it would
not be proper for them to PREJUDICE
the case.
The House committee, which is to
investigate the conduct of the tele-
phone suit has on it five Democrats
and only three Republican members,
but the latter are active and deter
mined. Representative Mckinley, of
Ohio, speaking of the scope of the
investigation that has been referred
to this committee, said: "Nothing
can stop House Committee when it
gets started Tt can go deep as it
pleases."
Congress did a credltable weeks
work in a quiet way. There was leg
islation for land and water. The
Senate voted $500, 900, 900 for the ma
tion's militia, and the House passed
the old Dingley shipping bill, after
some inland members from Indiana,
Iowa, Arkansas, and other States had
the floor and galleries by
in debate their practical
acquaintance with nautical affairs.
After long discussion, in which
there we're many passages at ar ms,
the Senate welcomed the coming COM
monwealth OF Dakota to the sister,
hood of States. 1t was by strict
party vote, with the exception of Sen
ator Voorhees,, who voted with the
Republicans. 1.-THE tall sycamore of
the Wabash" has a son in Washing
ton Territory who holds a prominent
office. AS Washington is also knock
ing for admission at the door of the
Union, some one was so uncharitable
as to hint that Senator Voorhees, saw
good family politics in this concession
to Dakota.
Considerable rhetoric was expended
in the Senate over one man. The
Secretary of the Navy had asked for
an assistant Secretary of the Navy at
81, 900 year. Senators Plumb and
ingalls,, of Kansas, and VanWyck, of
Nebraska, thought that he was not
Mr.. Plumb said he would
simply be another official to wear a
rose in his button-hole, give receptions
and disport himselfto foreigners so as
70 make the government "show" more
complete. These department chiefs
we're merely ornamental. Depart
nent work, like the brook, event on |
forever" regardless of who was Sec
rotary. He thought there was al
ready too much machinery in the gov
eminent departments. Responsible
ty was now so much divided that in
fact, when traced out it could be found
nowhere.
Secretary ingalls, referred with Sc
verify to the course of the Secretary
Of the navy in connection with the
Dolphin, saying it had been sent to
sea time after time in special search of
a cyclone, to show its "structural