Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-02-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. Feb. s. 1886.

w ASHlNGTON. zreD. ., 1850.
During the week interest in the
proceedings Of Congress, and in the
controversy between the President
and Senate has been partly over
by the constantly expand
ing Pan Electric exposure. Every
where in Washington the Telephone
is the recurring topic of converse.
ton. 1t is heard at the Capitol. in
the lobbles of the Senate and House,
in the street cars and hotels. and in
every group where politics or public
men are discussed. Every one is
wondering what the President will
do, and what the Attorney General
will do.
1t is painful to see the Democra-
tic 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 position. And
l feel constrained to say in the Ian.
gnage ola Congressman from Maine,
G If the righteous suffer thus, what
then will become of us poor Repub-
lican sinners"
The friends of Mr.. Garland bold
that while he is placed in a very
embarrassing attitude, he is not at
all to blame. The superstition that
Mr.. Garland's purposes were entirely
honest does not affect the situation.
The pecuniary interest OF Govern
ment officer must have nothing to
do with the public service with
which he is connected, and the
Attorney General has remained,
since he was elected to his high
Office, connected with an enterprise
whose interests he could further by
using his official position.
Official virtue is urgently needed
in these days whep there is a deep
seated suspicion in the public mind
that public affairs are not honestly
managed. And this affair is pecali.
arly sickening when it is remember.
ed how the Democratic party prated,
during the late Presidential cam.
paign, about old fashioned public
virtue.
The course that Attorney General
Garland will pursue cannot be fore
cast, though it seems he will attempt
to brave public sentiment, difficult
part to play where personal reputa
ton 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 Congressmer
express themselves freely about
stock jobbing statesmen, but Senators
are reticent. Should proceedings O.
impeachment he instituted against
Mr.. Garland the Senate would bt
called upon to act as jurors, and il
would not be proper for them to pre-
jugde the case.
The House committee which is tt
investigate the conduct of the Tele
phone suit has on it five Democrats
and only three Republican Men
bers, but the latter are active anG
determined. Representative McKin
ley, of Ohio, speaking of the scope
Of the investigation that had beer
referred to this committee. said
Nothing can stop House Com
mittee when it gets started. 1t car
go AS deep as it pleases."
Congress did creditable weeks
work in a quiet way. There was
legislation for land and water. The
Senate voted 5000, 600 for the
Nations militia, and the House pass
ed the old DIngley shipping bill
after some inland Members from
Indiana, Iowa, Arkansas, and Other
states had astonished the floor and
galleries by displaying in debate
their practical acquaintance with
nautical affairs.
After long discussion in which
there were many passages at arms
the Senate welcomed the coming
commonwealth of Dakota to the
sisterhOod of States. 1t was by a
strict party vote, with the exception
of Senator voorhees,, who voted
with the Republicans. "The tall
sycamore of the Wabash y has a
son in Washington Territory who
holds prominent Office. As Wash.
ington is also knocking for admis.
sion 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 expend.
ed in the Senate over one man. The
Secretary of the Navy had asked
for an assistant Secretary of the
Navy at $4,000 a year. Senators
Plumb and Ingalls, of Kansas and
Van Wyck of Nebraska thought he
WAS NOT npanSSarv Mr. DJuo, h coil