The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-09-29
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON CITY.

that at least one woman mas OSSu sue
cessful in a sphere which men have mo-
nopolized for many years, and has,
through her energy and ability, made
for herself and paper a name in the Re
public. My warmest congratulations
are due to the successful fifth anniver-
sary of the NEW NORTHWEST, and
hopes for many happy returns of the
same.
Well, the axe has fallen in the gov
ernment departments, and hundreds of
cIerks-men and women-have been
thrown out of employment at the very
season when the approach of winter
and the scarcity of work and money
will render the suffering 10 the District
of Columbia indescribable. Were this
matter of necessity, and not, as it
really is, political movement, it might
be accepted with patience by those dis
missed; but the fact is simply this
The Democratic House of Representa-
tives, determined to excite the admira-
tion of their rustic constituents and in
vite the sympathy of far-off Republi-
cans, reduced the number of employees
in the public executive departments,
but did not reduce the taxes. A reduc-
ton of S29,OOO,OOO sounds very well in
deed in campaign speeches and country
papers no one stops to reflect upon the
consequences of work delayed and accu-
mulating, and which must be accom-
plished some time or other. They only
see 'Twenty-nine millions saved!' and
they flatter themselves it is saved to
them.
Perhaps when the national banks fail
to have their notes redeemed punctual-
ly; perhaps when claims for redemption
drag wearily through year or two, and
collectors still urge repayment of taxes
paid perhaps when distillers' returns
come too fast to be examined, and an
opportunity is afforded the whisky ring
to hold up its head again and flourish,
then, and only then, will the people
awaken to the true state of the case.
New clerks will have to be appointed,
and new to the work aud official rOu-
tine, it will be some time before they
earn their salaries and bring the accu-
mulated work up to date.
Centennial visitors continue to flock
to Washington, and the numerous parks
and reservations throughout the city
:. present curious and picturesque sigh
at about noontime, when almost every
! shady spot is occupied by party o
travellers partaking of luncheon, crowd
ing round the drinking fountains, anC
throwing crumbs to the little Englist
sparrows. 1t is quite amusing, too, t.
> see the looks of disappointment ant
hear the expressions of disgust from
those who drag YEARLY up to the file
-, room of the Treasury Department ant
discover that there is no means of exi
= by way of the dome. A fat old womal
was heard to say quite angrily: "Pshaw
what was the use of building the thing
if people couldn't get out on it for
. view?" One man left the city bitterl.
regretting that he had "missed seein
= the government clerks march out" |
- is supposed that he had some vague ide
that as four o'clock struck the partin
-, hour, the clerks 'marched out" frOI
IA the various departments to the music
the Marine band.
- Preparations for the unveiling
@. McPhersou's statue are being CON
! pleted. The pedestal in Scott Square
y, built of granite about fifteen feet hig
~ from the base of the first of three broa
~ steps which surround it. Oblong
of shape, it is ornamented by circlet
-, miniature cannon balls carved aboV
:. three feet above the third step. Abov
ba the spaces for inscriptions hang wreatl
n of laurel, and just beneath the platfor
ns upon which the statue will stand, is
re very heavy moulding formed by seri
al of smaller mouldings bound at interva
of by crossed hands, above which stars a
,ot studded, and a fertile imaginatiC
ad might picture of this moulding furlt
hv flag, and the stars those of the re
white and blue.
,ot AS General Sherman has called ii
rv annual meeting of the Society of Il
,r- Army of the Tennessee on the 18th al
bo 10Th of October, doubtless many o
bo comrades will meet around this stat
N. and mingle with tears of regret for the
-, loved commander smiles of hear
in welcome to long absent friends.
on those ladies who will probably ava
IL themselves of this opportunity to Wis
-od with their husbands and fathers t
- Centennial Exhibition and Washingto
,ro we would suggest that, besides the go
~ ernment buildings in this city, the
,oIf are many other objects of genuine int
a. est, among which is the Louise Hor
90, for Old Ladies, established through t
No liberaIity of Mr.. COrcoran, in the mar
90 of his wife and daughter. Here nut
bers of INDECENT ladies are provided fl
,or not only comfortably, but with q
orc gree of elegance seldom found in cha
md liable institutions.
.ou, The Commissioner of Internal Rev
nue. has just made statement from t
books of his office of Mr.. Tilden's