The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-10-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular Correspondent,

II
WAsHINGToN, October 20;h--The
anxiety in relation TO political mat
tells has been greatly increased, l had
almost said aggravated, since the result
and logic of the October elections have
become known. Before these elections,
the government clerks spoke of the result
in that confident staggering way that is
characteristic of those who have enjoyed
long immunity. Now half dazed, frantic,
or despairing, they are brought face to
face with what big chief General Butler
has called the extremely probable cleo
ton OF Governor Tilden." Yesterday |
met clerk with whom l am on very
friendly terms, and bsnteringly told him
that Governor Tilden was sure OF
election. He became intensely excited,
and said; swell he may be, he may be,
but, if he should be, he will never be al
lowed TO take his seat, the people CT the
North will never allow him. l myself
will shoulder a musket first" / men
ton this rs an illustration of the madness
with which Blaine, Boutwell,, and Nor
ton have inocculated their followers.
There has been new assessment of all
government employees ordered. The
hundreds Of thousands spent upon the
October States were not enough TO pur-
chase them, and now, since Mr.. Chandler
has not been able to buy d State, he will
attempt the folly of the purchase of a
nation. 1t Is the desperation OF gam
bier who feels that he is playing losing
game. 1t was told to-day by clerk
whose salary is 81, 600, that he had been
assessed $50. The clerks with salary OF
l,200 are required to pay $50. The sal
aries range from 5000 to 5000, and sup
posing S25 TO be the average assessment,
the campaign fund that 100000, office
holders would yield would be S2,5OO,O6O
Most of this money has doubtless been
spent in Colorado, Ohio, Indiana and
West Virginia. Hence the necessity for
an extra assessment, which the poor
clerks will submit TO with desperate
cheerfulness, which these lear the loss Of
office can feel.
Among the many significant political
straws in the air ~ present. is an etiOr
on the part of Mr.. Morrill,, Secretary {
the Treasury to secure his return to tbs
Senate. MIR. Nj, it is thought has no Ion
ger hope of retaining u cabinet position,
and hence desires to get back into his
easy old shoes now worn by Mr.. Blaine,
who, it will be remember was elected
to fill an unexpired term. One of the
surprises OF the future may be the ellmI-
nation of Mr.. Blaine from national poll
h,sn n a
where he can condole with widow Butler.
The armed effort of the Republican
party to perpetuate its power IN South
Carolina has created Il profound sensa
ton here, outside of official circles. The
army has been sent oStensibly to lnsurea
fair vote, but Gov. Chamberlain who de-
manded troops, expects to profit by their
presence, for he is n candidate for re-
election. Patterson the carpet-bag sena-
tor who seconded Chamberlain's request.
cannot be returned to the senate II his
party loses its hold on the State. Attor
ney Gen. Taft, who drew up the procla-
nation, has himself taken al active par.
n this canvass and has h personal and
political interest in the result. The
United S.ates District Attorney who will
superintend the distribution and opera
ton of troops, is a partisan who Will lose
his place If Hayes is not elected. The
army in South Carolina cannot be re-
garded as a mere minister OF law. The
blacks know it has been sent there by
Republican allies IN Washington. And
the whites know it has been sent TO as
sist in their defeat. 1t will make arrests
tor intimidation" by the Democrats,
who, the Republicans say are in minor
itv OF 10000! Intimidation Is an offence
which cannot be defined. but which
places every man at the mercy OF his I'M
principled enemy, since when a person
saws he has been intimidsted in reference
to his vote, he cannot be proved pur-
iurer without knowing the state OF his
mind and liver, and how much it takes
to brighten him. But 1t is significant Of
the state of affairs in South Carolina that
the first arrest that will be made are those
of the intimdators and asssssins At Cain
hoy. y. n. .