New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-02-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, Feb. 10, 1881

l AOoOs
| During the week interest in the pre-
'eedings of Congress, and in the con
roversy between the President and
Senate has been partly overshadowed
by the constantly expanding Pan-Elec.
trio exposure. Everywhere in Wash
inglon the telephone is the recurring
.opic of conversation. 1t is heard al
me Capitol, in the Hobbies of the Senate
| md House, in the street cars and
hotels, and in every group where poll
tics or public men are discussed. Every
one is wondering what the President
will do, and what the Attorney General
will do.
! It 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 pity that it should be placed in
such position. And I feel constrain-
ed to say in the language Of Con-
| gresham from Maine. eff the right
eous suffer thus, what then will become
of us poor Republican sinners
The friends of Mr.. Garland hold that
while he is placed in a very embarrass-
ing attitude, he is not at all to blame.
The supposition that Mr.. Garland's
purposes were entirely honest does no,
affect the situation. The pecuniary in
terest Of government officer must
have nothing to do with the public SER
vice with which he is connected, and
the Attorney General has remained.
since he was elected to his high Office,
connected with an enterprise whose in
terests he could further by using his
official position.
Official virtue is urgently needed in
these days when there is a deep seated
suspicion in the public mind that pub
lie affairs are' not honestly managed.
And this affair is peculiarly sickening
when it is rememberedaho the Demo-
cratic party prated, during ,sthe late
Presidential campaign, about old fash
toned public virtue.
The course that Attorney General
Garland will pursue cannot be forecast,
though it seems he, will attempt to
brave public sentiment, a difficult part
! to play where personal reputation is
affected. The opinion is often express
ed 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
Senators are reticent. Should proceed
ings of impeachment be instituted
against Mr.. Garland the Senate would
be called upon to act as jurors, and it
would not be proper for them to pre-
Judge the case.
The House committee which is to in
yestigate the conduct of the telephone
suit has on it five Democrats and only
three Republican members. but the lat
ter are active and determined. Repre-
sentative Mckinley, of Ohio, speaking
of the scope of the investigation that
has been referred to this committee,
said: Nothing can stop House Com
mite when it getssstarted. 1t can go
as deep as it pleases.'
Congress did creditahle weeks
work in a quiet way. There was legis-
lation for land and water. The Senate
voted 5000, 900 for the Nations militia,
and the House passed the old Dingley
shipping bill, after some inland MEM
bers from Indiana, Iowa, Arkansas. and
other states had astonished the floor
and galleries by displaying in debate
their practical acquaintance with nauti-
cal affairs.
After long discussion in which
there were many passages at arms, the
Senate welcomed the coming common
wealth of Dakota to the sisterhood of
States. It was by a strict party vote,
with the exception of Senator Voorhees,,
who voted with the Republicans. 1.-The
| tall sycamore of the Wabash" has a
son in Washington Territory who holds
a prominent Office. AS Washington is
also knocking for admission at the door
of the Union, some one was so uncbari-
table as to hint that Senator VOORHEES,
saw good family politics in this con-
cession to Dakota.
Considerable rhetoric was expended
in the Senate over one man. The Sec
Rotary of the Navy had asked for an as
sistant Secretary of the Navy ut 81, 600
year. Senators Plumb and ingalls,
of Kansas and Van Wyck Of Nebraska
thought he was not necessary. Mr..
Plumb said he would simply be another
official to wear rose in his buttonhole
give receptions, and disport himself t.
foreigners so as to make the Govern
1 ment show" more complete. These
Department chiefs were merely orna
mental. Department work, like thu
brook, event on forever regardless