Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-12-07
Letters from Washington.
WASHINGTON. d. G.. Dec. >. 1869

ASHlNGlONj IL. u, DeC = IoOJ.
The Worlds Fair in 1871 is in the
mouths of all classes here, high and low
in rank, the rich and the poor. Every
man has an interest in it to the extent of
being willing to almost give his all rather
than not to have it here.
There are certainly good reasons for hav-
ing the next Worlds Fair held in this
country, and better reasons if held in this
country, to hold it at the National Capital.
1t is for the interest of the whole country
to attract to its shores as many people from
foreign countries as possible, and Wash
ington being the capital of the only true
Republican Government in the world
associated with it the most memorable
events of the worlds history-cannot if
held here, but help to attract people not
only from all parts of our own country,
but from those from all other nations who
would not attend if held in either of the
other large cities Of the country.
The labor movement still holds its own
in Washington, though many of the labor
ing men throughout the country have fail
ed for sometime past to resist the encroach-
ment of authorities, and have worked ten
or twelve hours per day instead of eight.
The P. O.. Buildings in New York, altho'
being built by the United States, is let out
by contract, and the contractor may hire his
men as many hours as he likes, and the
government has no control over his actions
further than to see that he complies with
his contract.
Gen. A. NJ. VIM, the President of the
Mechanics State Council of California, is
here to remain during the session of Con-
gress. He is a representative of the labor
movement of California, is enthusiastic in
the determination of making clean job
of whatever they undertake, and has now
opened correspondence with Mr.. Jessup,
President ofthe Mechanics State Assembly
of New York, A. w. Phelps, President of
the House Carpenters, the National Union
and other State organizations of Mechan-
les. These worthless of the country have a
wonderful power when once organized
This power is more apparent here with
congressman than one outside would sup
pose. They now demand that both the
government of the United States and the
State governments to set the example of
not only establishing, but enforcing the
eight hour law for all kinds of labor, pub
lie and private. When the eight hour law
was about to fail in the senate, they
marshaled their forces. though very much
weaker than now, and secured its passage,
every senator from the Pacific States vot-
ing for it. Now, from Maine to California,
the Labor Associations are moving vigor-
ously Two National Conventions, white
and colored, will meet here next week, and
among the speakers for the occasion, the
names of senator Wilson and Gen. Butler
are prominent.
The desire in this city to hold office 70,
the honor of the thing is only equalled by
the desire for the emoluments of the office
Those who cannot get an Office under both
the government and corporation, try anc
content themselves with one in either, bu
it is often the case that one person holds
a government Office, corporation Office
an Office in some building association O
! corporation, and carries on good thriving
t private business in the city besides. o
, course it requires influence and tact +
get those Offices, but they are got and he'll
generally by a class of people who are al
a ways ready, in order to get money and re
: tain rank and power, to subsidize publ
interest and their own consciences, howe'