The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-10
INTELLIGENCE BY THE MAILS.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 3 1919.

WASHINGTON, Oct 3, 1913.
The Potiticai Atmosphere M. Valker's Ertra
Stcrstary-Mericap Indtmnity-D Distress in the
Treasury Department - Barnbmners Amuse-
meat, &c, Sc.
Have you ever observed the appearance of an
audience at a theatre, Just after the prompter's
Dell has rung, and previous to the rising OF the
curtain ! Not a sound can be heard. Every one
has his eye fixed upon the green rag which shuts
out from their rude gaze the mysteries behind
1t. Well, such Is very much The position of poll
ticians here now One little month only inter-
venes betwixt this and the presidential election.
The agony will then be over, and either Cass or
Taylor will be as good as tenants of the white
mansion, In the meanwhile, specuations as to
the result are all mOOnshlne, and the majority of
the office holders and non-Oflice holders have
ceased to speculate-they now merely hope.
Mr. Secretary Walker has not yet recovered
from his late journey to the North, and continues,
therefore, TO allow Mr.. McYoung to perform his
duties and draw extra pay therefor, so that the
country is now taxed for two secretaries salaries
instead OF one. This to be sure, Is small matter
in these extra" 1ounshIng times.
The am1 unit Of Me xican indemnity which Is to
be paid on the 9th instant Is upwards OF two mil
lions OF dollars, and will be heavy pull upon the
sub-treasury. II IS to be paid at the par value
here, instead of selling drafts the United States
at hfieen or slxteen per cent premium.
Under an act OF Congress, passed In March last,
twelve extra clerks were appointed to the Office OF
the lhlrd auditor; the appropriation for their
vices beng voted only to the close OF the then cur
rent fiscal year, Both of June last They have been
continued on, however, but the poor devils have
not received quad pro quo in the shape OF eagles
and Hall eagles, since June, and they now
rather out at the elbows. Some of them have been
lucky enough to borrow money to support them
and pay their washing bills, for the moderate
premium of five per cent per month, or sixty per
cent. per annum; but, great many haven't seen
piece of money for long time. They have written
TO Walker, over and over again. but to no purpose;
and on Friday, one of the number, barnburner,
went TO the President and laid the case before him.
HistemerIty was rewarded by being instantaneous
ly discharged and he left for foreign parts, New
York, believe, yesterday. 1t is said that some
final disposition will be made tomorrow, OF the
unfortunate twelve, or rather eleven, since the
barnburner has left.
1t may seem strange that the clerks aforesaid
should have written To Mr.. Walker instead of per-
sonally applying to him but this is explained by
the fact that the Secretary invariably hid himself
ard IS only visible to his familiar, Young. Rumor
asserts that he has secret apartment, built in the
chimney of his public Office, after the manner OF
some of the { Id English hou,es, and am Inclined
10 credit the rumor, the great nanclers clothes
always lock If they had been in contact either
with a chimney or Il coal-hole.
Sands's circus which was here yesterday and
the day previous, crowded with the beauty
and fashion OF Washington. Amusements are 80
scarce here now that Congress has adjourned, that
even an organ grinder is hailed with delight