Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-07-27
Washington Correspondence.

WASHINGTON, d. c. July 20, 1869.
Dull Times in Washington-Virgini Election
and Congressional Nominee ofthe 4th District
Clerks Discharged-Captured and Abandoned
Property-Msssspp
Everybody in Washington complains of
hard times, scarcity of employment, low
wages and high prices with very little mon
ey floating about.
Government clerks have the easiest times
of any one else, at least so outsiders think,
while in truth the poor fellows are not sure
of their bread from one month to another
Office seekers who have been crowding
each other almost into the Potomac these
few months past are becoming a little few
er now since Grant is about to 90 away for
a vacation. He ought to take the same
precaution that Commissioner Delano has
done, not let any person know where he
was going. He will surely be followed if
he does not by a host OF patriotic gentle
men anxious of course to "serve their cOun-
try for their country's good"
One reason hard times are felt more Sc
verely here than in most places is that there
are but few manufactures OF business en-
terprises, and the legal rates of interest so
low that those who have money invest it in
Government Bonds.
Had the substitute, reported by Senator
Vickers last session, to a bill to amend the
usury law in the District of Columbia been
acted upon favorably, times mightnot have
been quite so dull. 1t would not have
charged the rate of interest, which is six
per cent. only in special contracts, and
then not to exceed eight per cent.
The statutes of the different States, reg
ulating the interest on money loaned, has
been considered safeguard to the poor.
Usury or not usury-the laws in the diff
ferent States efTecting the same, to the con-
trary Notwithstanding when money is
scarce, and in consequence the need of 1t is
great, there are numerous ways by which
those who have money to loan and are dis
posed to receive usury, are able to over
ride the law. For instance, you are al
lowed to buy a note at whatever discount
you and the seller agree upon. If it is well
understood that the most needy, yet the
less able, are the most anxious to make
notes over to a confident to sell for them at
a discount to their immediate pecuniary
necessities. In fact the man who wishes to
save his property from being sold by the
sheriff is compelled to fly to a heartless
money broker for accommodations. The
law abiding man feels that he cannot afford
to loan money at the legal rate of interest
when Uncle Sam, from whom he needs nc
collateral, will pay him more.
Beggars are getting to be very numerous
and are really something of a nuisance
especially as one doesn't know whether he
is giving to a worthy object or not A lit
tie Confidence man" the other day had &
sad story to tell visitor at the Metropolis
! tan, "father dead, mother sick, children al
at home starving-a penny, sir, if you
please to buy loaf of bread" Instead o
penny the kind hearted man bestowed {
ten cent scrip, and he then thought ht
, would satisfy himself by following the boy
and learn if he meant to comfort thestarv
| ing family. He saw him stop at peanu
r stand and change his dime to pennies, anC
: then turning round to group of ragged
| urchins, pitching pennies, was interrogateC
/. by them, "where did you raise the wind
, johnny" He replied, Gust fell upon
f greeny at the Metropolitan; now boys II
f pitch pennies with you all day"
: One lady, a native of Virginia, formerl.
e wealthy, and the owner of slaves, is nov
|, making shirts at twenty five cents each
g and calico dresses at fifty cents. She
y mentioned as only one of a large numbe
1 in this city.
r The election in Virginia has been tn
e general topic of conversation here for tn
Il last six weeks. The agony is now over
: the result is known every where, and judg
ing from the appearance and general goo
o feeling at the capital among all parties, tn
o country is satisfied. The politicians o
e both parties from Washington, who hay
e returned from the field of contest wher
s they have been rendering service to thei
:, Virginia neighbors, shake hands and sa,
= "all is well" The most sanguine Wake
" men did not dare to hope for the majorit
is they have received, and as Late as Monda
IS last, ! heard bets offered two to one againl
II Walker, and found no takers