St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1886-04-03
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WAs1ryNcTnN March % 1874

the Administration, the House Com
mittee's investigation of Pan Electric
stock, and another investigation of the
Commissioner of Pensions in regard to
the charges he brought against his pre-
decessor, Dudley, it would seem that
the spirit of inquiry were raging here
BOW.
On the contrary all Of these affairs
are dismal farces. No sensations have
been evolved from the Telephone bust
ness, and public interest in it is rapidly
subsidipg. Hon. Casey Young has
contradicted the imputations against
the Attorney G eneral, and in seeking
letters for publication as testimony, ont
of 912, five were from Mr.. Garland,
none of which bear on the subject I'M
der investigation.
Gen. Black is we'll fortified with
proof Of his allegations against ex-
Commissioner Dudley's Republican
Pension Machine He has submitted
cases of gross irregularity, showing
that claims were advanced and allowed
as partisan rewards, and he has hun
dreds of afiidavits in reserve.
As to the Senatc's fight for papers.
none but the blindest OF partisans can
see any other outcome of the Republi-
can situation than surrender. There
is a desire OH the part OF most of the
Senators who have followed MI. Ed
munds' lead to drop the contest as soon
us possible and to say as little as pos
sblr about it. The debate has involve
so many Senators i'll contradictions ana
Inconsistencies that it has clearly
strengthened the President in his posi-
zion. 1t has also served to direct at
tention to the evils of secret sessions
so intensly that their very existence is
strongly threatened.
The weakest point Of the Republican
position is that they have called tor
this information to be used Ill Star
Ghambe sessions. IL the Senate con
sidered the Presidents appointments
in. 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. Its
resolve to report the nominations OF
Internal Revenue Collectors referred
to it in spite OF the caucus, was square
back down from the republican posi-
ton. And the present week is likely 10
witness similar action on the part of
the Indian Affairs Committee, and
other Committees which are weary OF
the useless contest.
There was never any genuineness OF
cohesion in the movement, and it re-
CURED little political keenness to see
what would certainly happen. The
obstruction was political blunder, and
there was so little interest in it that
the public did not even charge its mind
with the task of keeping up with the
debate. The indignation. which was
pumped up was false and labored, and
there has been no time when the Re-
publican Senators in o body have not
regretted the course into which they
were dragooned by the rasping selfish
ness from Vermont. As an .Speri-
mental issue it has been dismal fail
IRE, and it 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 Wis
consin. He occupied the floor part Of
two days, but failed utterly TO cover
himself with glory. He started out
quite braEely. but in winding up he
got lost, CROPPED around for about an
hour pointlessly in search of a suitable
finale, repeated himself half dozen
times, and closed quite tamely
Senator Colquitt, of Georgia. will he
heard in a long speech today on the
Democratic side, and Senator Ingalls,,
will follow next in behalf OF the Re-
publicans. He is one of their ablest
.asen, and has a carefully prepared
speech. 57y t'@f
The bill to pension the widow of
General Hancock has been before the
House, and was eloquently supported
by Representative Bingham, Of Penn
%plyania. Representative Price. of |
Wisconsin, opposed it. He said the
country had paid General Hancock
brilliant, brave, generous ia all his /
proportions, the sum of $4,000 during
the last twenty years. He helped to
save your country suggested Mr.. Bine
~ "a
thousands as good as he was who
- I....l 70 tho nnnntrl. x1:h0 aro