Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-11-26
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

unless the developments of con-
spiracy in the Police scandal, the
/ Presidents back down in the Ben
ton case, and the unlounded rumOr
/ that he had corrected his blunder
of standing by Attorney General
Garland, may he classed as such.
1t seems the friends of ex-senator
and COngressman-elect Buckalew
got together and appointed him
themselves to succeed Mr.. Garland,
and it was so confidently believed
to be the work of the President
that reputation from the White
/ House of the rumOr, was more OF q
surprise than the announcement of
the Buckalew appointment. As
nearly as can be learned the scheme
was intended as feeler.
The Police scandal is much talked
Of by Members of Congress who are
| in the city, and they generally de-
nounce the Chief of Police, think
| he has attempted an infamous
blackmail, and say if his resigna-
ton is not demanded at once the
matter may come up in Congress
for investigation. Major Walkers
friends want to acquit him Of the
depravity which attaches to the
conduct with which he is charged.
But nine tenths of the people OF
Washington who followed the trial
of Lieutenant Arnold, Che is the
man accused Of letting the scat out
of the bag,") believe that Major
Walker intended the very thing
which he suggested the placing
of Members of Congress under es-
pionage, in order to acquire over
them such illegitimate power as
would compel them to vote as he
bid them.
1t would be very dangerous
to trust Major Walker with the
votes of such congressman as Oc-
casionally INDUCED in the flowing
bowl or stray into certain crooked
paths south of Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. They are very bad cuStOdians
OF the power entrusted to them,
but that is the fault of the people
who send such men here, and on
the whole they are probably quite
as yirtuous as the new Democratic
Chief of Police and the members of
his force. The whole procedure is
dirty scandal, and the question is
not only how the District Commits
sioners can save Mr.. Walker,
but how they can save themselves,
In the case of District Attorney
Benton, whose suspension the
President rescinded, Senator Vest
triumphed. The friends of Mr..
Cleveland have a good deal to say
about the rare courage he has dis
played in correcting a mistake be-
fore the gaze of the world. In truth
the President was anxious to avoid
an issue over the Benton case,
ana he was gwen to understand
that no successor TO Mr. Benton
would be confirmed by the Senate.
He found sufficient ground to sat
isfy himself that it was the part of
prudence to restore this Federal
Official, although his removal had
so delighted the MugwumpS of the
country. The Presidents decision
gives an American citizen the right
of free speech, provided he also re-
stores the Republican Attorney at
Pittsburg, who was suspended
at the same time and for the same
reason.
The Democrats will be at a great |
disadvantage in the FIitieth Con
gress. 1t is true they have main
tanned a reduced majority, but they |
will have large proportion of /
members inexperienced in national /
legislation. The Republican side,
with but few exceptions, will con-
sist Of men more or less trained in
legislation. Nearly one-half Of the |
democrats will be new to the work
on hand, and the embarrassment
Of the party in the event Of par
tisan contest, will be increased by
the loss, among its defeated mem
bers. or some Of It's ablest parlia-
mentarians and debaters. The
Republicans lose some good men
too, but their list Of casualties is
very small as compared with that
Of the Democrats.
1t is an undisputed fact that ex-
perience is as essential to good ser
vice in Congress AZ ability. 1t
passes almost as an axiom among
men Of legislative experience, that
a member cannot learn the rules
and methods of legislation in less
than one term, which is two years.
The supremacy of the South, so
long maintained in ante-bellum
DAYS. is attributed by writer's Of
political history largely to the Gus
tom then prevalent in that section
of continuing their Congressman
from term to term. 1t is cOntinu-
ed service that fits men for real
work in Congress, and the Demo
Gratis will have Just eighty-One raw,
unframed men to blunder and
thwart their plans next year.
TX Secretary Chandler admitted
TO ex Postmaster-General HattOn