The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-10-03
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Sept. 90, 1874

LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Sept. 90, 1874.
DEAR WHIG:-Aside from the usual
comments upon the Southern question, the
future government of the District, and the
Fall elections, there is nothing of vast
importance to agitate the public press, or
claim the particular attention Of the resi-
dents at the Capital, further than the
announcement, during the past week, of
the fact that the contract for the printing
of the revenue stamps of the Government
for the remainder of the fiscal year 1875,
had been awarded the bank note companies
of New York, thus taking the work from
the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in
this city. From the fact that the Govern
ment has been at considerable expense to
set up in this bureau the most perfect
establishment of its kind in the world, and
that the work has in all cases been done
cheaply and we'll, and the number of years
the bureau has been in existence has rem
dered perfect all its arrangements for econ
omy and skiliful working, the change is
looked upon as unwise, and is freely COM
mented upon by the press and the public
generally as an extraordinary action on the
part of the officials making the award.
But the most noticeable and reprehensi
BILE feature of this award, is in its conse-
quences of causing the dismissal, at the
beginning of Winter, of over three hun
dred employees, mostly women, without
the prospect of obtaining employment else
where. 1t is said that the award of this
contract was made during the absence of
the Secretary, and the Commissioner of
Internal Revenue. If this be so, from the
earnest protest entered by the press and
public, that the contract will be cancelled
and the work restored to where it can best
be performed, to the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing.
DEPARTMENTAL.
From general observation, and casual
interview with our "Precious Jewell" l
take great pleasure in stating that he is an
amiable, courteous and pleasant gentleman,
and will be careful as to treading Oh any
body's toes that do not deserve it. But
while this is true, it is noticeable fact
that he has marked traits of character
which correspond to an active business
life, and which recognize to the fullest
extent the rules and axioms by which loss
is avoided and success is attained in this
direction. That he will bring these to
bear-ss far as they may be adapted to
Departmental affairs-is not improbable;
indeed it may be anticipate; for as bust
ness man he is a success; therefore entire
sameness, or the continuance of any form
of routine or custom, simply because it
has been SO heretofore, is not looked for.
The future of our postal system is looked
grown from the small beginning of Frank
Inns ledger-which was about equal in size
to an ordinary mechanics account book
to the immense institution whose magnitude
now, all know. Other improvements and
reforms are yet to come. Postal telegraph
and postal savings banks-will not be given
up. In this respect Mr.. Jewell will not be
slow. And there is no doubt that all rea-
sonable expectations will be filled, and that
his general course will merit the approba-
ton of the country.
FASHION AND POVERTY.
The Autumnal month has brought to
their homes many citizens who have been
sojeurning at the seaside and Summer re-
sorts, and the lady portion of them are
now discussing all that is new and novel in
dress and personal adornment, and are
on the qui uiUe to ascertain what the styles
are to be, and to revel in the attractions of
laces, flowers, feathers, silks, satins, &C.,
fashionable season, the indications of which
are already clear that it will be one of
unusual brilliancy. And the indications
are also too clear, that the coming Winter
will be one of unusual severity to the thou
sands of poor in this city who are out of
employment.
PREPARING FOR COLD WEATHER.
The cool nights and mornings admonish
US of the rapid approach of cold weather,
and the necessity of preparing for the same.
Hence there are numerous weddings in
prospect; and the public taste will be nau-
seated with all sorts of sickly displays of
senseless people. How few of these exhi-
billions are even the forerunner of domes-
tic happiness, but how many, on the other
hand, end in grief and disappointment.
POLITICAL.
There is every prospect of lots of roost-
ers being in the Forty third Congress, judg-
ing by the number of Coxes that have
been nominated. There is the irrepressi
BILE Sunset Cox, of New York; St. Julien
Cox, of Minnesota; Jonathan D. Cox, of
Indiana; and John r. Cox, of Maryland.
The two first are Democrats, and the last
two are Republicans. The question is
whether they will crow at sunrise or at
sunset of election day. OBSERVER.
The Wretched Condition Of the South.
An exchange remarks that the anarchy,