Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-05-10
nEN AND THINGS AT WASHINGTON.


1t is difficult to realize what mighty changes have tax
place since that time. The South has resumed her
former place in the Unon but her loss of prestige and
power is becoming daily more and more evident Be-
fore the she omnipotent in the national coun
cils the nomination of presidential candidates, in fill
Ing the diplomatic corps with foreign ministers, the
army and navy with military and naval officers. and
the cabinets with men who either from her own
section or who sympathzed with her in all matters of
public policy. Not only this, she held undisputed
sway in both houses of Congress- and national legisla
ton framed in accordance with her wishes. To
day she occupies position of comparative nsgnif-
cance and each year passes the once unlimited
power possessed by her gradually recedes further into
the distance. The North and West have made gigan.
tic strides wealth and population, while the South,
until comparatively recent period, has been at a
stand still. She sends many pure and able men to
Congress, but their influence is scarcely felt in that
body. They intensely theoretical the repre-
sentatives from the North and West practical and
thus they swept aside by the great tide reflected
by the growing commerce of the the country.
The death of Senator Beck, following so closely
upon that of Mr.. Randall, removes two OF the strong
est men from the Democratic side in both the Senate
aad House. otonly this, but it reminds us of the
fact that new generation is treadng with remorseless
la quarter of a century ago. New everywhere
pushing to the front, and within short time mum.
Der of the leaders the Republican side who have
long figured prominently in public affairs, must natur
ally give place 20 younger men. This applies more
particularly to Senators Merrill Sherman and others
in the Senate while in the House it will be observed
that already new generation has supplanted those
who led the Republican side twenty years ago
AS predicted weeks ago, the contemplated
silver legislation has already been reflected by mark
ed rise in breadStufs Wheat has risen twenty cents
per bushel and there is every reason to believe that
it will soon above one dollar in price This is due
10 measure to the fact that much OF the wheat
grown the last year injured by the wet weather,
and that the crop in European countries far
below the average but the main factor is the probable
action OF Congress in regard to silver followed, it
will be- by large increase in the currency 1t is fair
to say that this will stimulate all branches of trade and
industry, and go far to relieve the depression which
has prevailed for some years past. The only danger
to be apprehended arises from the fact that unproduc
tive real estate has in many localities advanced out of
all proportion to its value. Already recession of this
tide is becoming apparent, in of the Western
cities the papers filled with notices of forced
sales. 1t is fortunate that the wild initiation in values
is confined 20 exceptional localities that the culmi
spread disaster.
Although Congress has acted with commendable
promptness in legisating against trusts and combna
tions these institutions to flourish as uxuriantly
as ever, and rapidly extending their operations
into new fields hitherto unoccupied 1t would seem
almost impossible to circumvent people who make it
business to live upon the efforts of Others and the
luton of this vexed question looks as distant as ever
The fact that the farmers beginning to take
active interest in politics than before is hopeful
sign and promises TO bear good fruit. Legislation has
been too long RENTED to the professional politician
and when this class gets reegated to tie it will
be bright day for the country. Those who fear that
the farmers may break party lines should find great
consolation in the fact that man who owns and cult
Yates the soil is apt to legslae carefully and econom
caly whatever his political predictions, and that
public affairs not likely to suffer at the hands of
those most largely interested in good government
The debate on the tariff opened this week in the
House and that the silver question will open in the
! Senate next week. These are two interesting ques.
tionS and if the discussions took place earlier in the
session many persons ould doubtless be drawn here
as listeners, but no to remain indoors
less compelled to do SO during fine spring weather,
and consequently the galleries will have to depend
upon the regular stagers many of whom are colored
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they learn from personal experience, what dull and
unnerestns place the House Senate is unless upon
some particular occasion So much time is spent in
calling the roll that the average woman soon
wearies and seeks relief in the open air and the out
side world, where, unlike the average Congressman,
the aim seems to be something more than the mere
effort to kill time
Arrangements have been completed for the erection
of colossal statue of General Sheridan upon small
reservation bordering Pennsylvania avenue near
Fourteenth street. Sheridan will always remain
conspicuous figure in the history of the country, and
his tame destined to grow the history of the civil
war is studied by the dispassonate student of history.
1t has been popular in sections of the South to
stgmatize Sheridan for brutal conduct in connection
with his campaign in the valley OF Virginia, but time
will vindcae him if any vndicaton is necessary. He
was a soldier pure and simple and he obeyed orders
regardless OF the motives which prompted them the
consequences which resulted from their execution. No
other soldier, Grant himself rose to such high
distinction solely from merit, and the brilancy OF his
achievements will always be cherished with pride by
the American soldier. The theatre of his operations
were necessarily circumscrbed, and he had not the
arena upon which to exhibit the qualities which
characterised Frederick Napoleon, but it is ad
mitted by military critics, both at home and abroad,
that he possessed military genus of the highest order
and had opportunity offered would have taken high
rank with the worlds greatest commanders