The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-12-19
coRREsPONDENcE.
FROM PEnnsYlvAHIA-

I'VE do not hold ourselves responsible for any opn-
ion expressed Sy our corresponceDss
FROM PEnhSYlvAMIA-
PHILApELPHrA Dec. IA, 1868.
To the Editor Of the woKksexAx's ADyecArx.
Old hoary headed winter who has 50 long
been knocking at the door, has at last step
ped IN, aud great is the rejoicing thereat
among the lovers Of cold weather sports
The mercury has not yet gotten down 10
zero with Us, but it has reached a point at
which the want of comfortable clothing IL
Enthusiastically felt. Not 10 welcome IN his
visit to the homes OF the poor, where from
experience Of the bitter kind the inmates
know that his annual coming brings with IL
an increase Of want and decrea.e Of supply.
The want Of sufficient money to properly
transact he business Of the country is mAA-
ing itself more seriously felt 10 this section
than ever before, and hundr sds are { lily
being thrown out Of employment without
having been able during the summer, at the
miserable rates Of wages paid, to lay away
dollar. The complaint Of an almost total
cessation Of traffic is universal. The ap-
proach Of Christmas even, does not seem to
have ils usual stimulating SECT, and ] fear
Santa Claus will not be heavily laden with
gifts for the little ones Of the poor. The
dress aud family circles OF our theatres are
AZ reliable an index Of the plentitude or scar
city Of money among the poor as ~iancw Of
When money is plenty, these parts Of our
public places Of amusement are crowded to
repletion, when scarce they are compare
lively empty. Immediately preceding and
during the christmas holidays, our theatres
usually report heavy receipts, but this year
il reYsires extraordinary attraction to com.
fortably tillthem- For example, Ars. Bow
ers asd her last venture in the matrimonial
line, usually prove drawing cards. but an err
gagement they are now fulfilling at the Wal
out street Theatre has been, pecuniarily, a
total failure, TO judge by the slim audiences
that have congregated 70 witness her admir-
able delineations.
This winter bids fair 70 prove unusually
severe, and now that that body Of law-mhd-
dlers, known a. Congress, II again in ses.
sin,o every prospect Of i'm provement until
spring withsits welcome, revigorating influ-
ence arrives, Is either totally destroyed or
rendered very uncertain. The lobbyites
have again got their fingers in the fns nciaI
PIE, and an unsavory and iBdgestibls mess
they will no doubt make Of IT, Their silly
sophistries which they 80 laboriously strive
60 construe and make appear rs wisdom em-
anatiDg cur atives, are accepted by The unin-
formed or imprudent without thought, aud
BY that class OF incurables who are chronic
ally afflicted with political pr j,iiices, very
much as lawyer supports client whom he
knows 70 be in the wrong. Their efforts
Just now seem TO be directed to deferrlng all
poeitive lvgislaiion upon the financial ques-
ton uatd Johnson's regime terminates.
This body Of bravados stand in mortal dread
Of Andy's veto, knowing as they do that be
does not scruple to use every privilege with
which the constitution vests him, and that
be is at least half way upon the labor plat
form. GRAFT, it ia believed, because Of his
tsciturnity, which is accepted BY the gold
supporters as evidence OF his unwillingness
to commit himself until he ascertains what
he can maxi pay the BEST will not make
himself an obstacle in the way OF any legis-
lation they may think 1t advantageous to
enact. But we have no reason TO fear Gen.
Grant he certainly has proven himself Q
Of no ordinary ability, be never
put himself In an equivocal position by ex-
precision, we have no evidence that he ever
dishonored trust reposed 10 him, and many
believe that bis II coming viii inaugurate o
more equitable systeraof execution Of the
laws.
The contest for the seat in the United
States $ nate made vacant by the expiration
of Buckalew's term, continues TO wax warm
er, and new names are continually being
added to the Inst OF aspirants. j. Edgar
Thompson, the vicc-presidrnt Of the Penn
sylvania railroad, and big gun In railroad
circles generally, occupies prominent posi-
ton on the list, and it is claimed for hlm by
his numerous supporters that no more suit
able man has been named. He wields
powerful influence, principally because Of
the enormity of his interest In the various
railroads In different sections Nr. Thom2-
son, as far Is can understand, 10 thorough
business man, hes not ~ yet any black
patches upon his reputation that have been
given 10 the public, and is withal an urbsne
and polished gentleman. Bot the question
arises, h It iato for the people 70 entTDsf the
making Of their laws 70 one 10 largely inter
ested IN monopoly OF course the news
Taper press will, without exception, eoncsde
!. has biz action If selected, win Be dictated
solely BY desire 70 subserve the best i'm
teressa q has oonstituents, bscsnse hey are
handsomely paid % say nothing derogasory
Of men whose money vest them With 20
great power for evil Or good as they may
dsctafe, but the people, or az least that lew
Of than. rho SO and dread the dangerous
drift on such selection, had rather that MIR.
Buckalsw's successor be sslecsed from some
humber and less integesied- walk Of life.
Mr.. Thompson, II be II 50 Disposed, can
comrnaad saGicisnt money 70 purchase his
election, md shis course viii NO doubt be
adopisd unlsss . gentleman "a more agres-
abIs b re legislature can b more che1ply
Guhssdixsd. The BnDsidAzing of in1asntial
Legislative tfs1<, On the contrary every pnr-
eba<abls n.a y bought W innsdintsly ~
glssr tvsdencs VI d1spcsition V b ncisy.
L. nm of asseaEs intsIIiGencs, q medi-
oers virtue, Who poessoses The happy knack
y illnsirnnns = neEsp1or, whoss tongue 10
civ y ~ psppory ~ fhe will 81 Ia cwnsr,
ma ~ hi@ peIfnle within ons of onr lexiaia
~ k>lIa ~ ~ inn>j3otely becomes =
cpnno1ily " " sp<sui.zed win, Tat
Et16ol6t -, cltQue q finrs whiua hap
lens q - + - nrnsndsncy, a. whica
1honqpe ~ heVe = G. dlsroppl 80 GreAtest