The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-08-29
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON.
August %. 1877.


August %, 1874
From the action of Names Re
publican Convention, following those
of Iowa and Ohio, it is evident the
Republican party cannot at this time
be held together in opposition to the
present administration, OF in support
Of it. In declining to make issue on
the subject, the quarrel in the party
Is postponed till October 18th when
Congress will meet. The truce is a
hollow one, certainly, but neither
faction seems to have any reasonable
excuse, even if it now has opportuni
ty, for breaking it. The numberIess
Republican "lcaders' who dislike the
Administration, know better than to
force an issue at this time on any Of
the questions now before the people.
But Congress meets two months from
to-day, and the Administrator must
ask Congress for action and various
Rubjects-must in short, ask the aid
OF Congsess in carrying out "a pol
ICY"
The Democratic nominee for Gov
egnor Of Virginia, Colonel Holiday,
has reason to be proud Of the greet
Ing he has received from the press
of the country. His triumphant cleo
ton is of course beyond any shadow
Of doubt. He will have nearly all
the votes. .... . ..,.... ~.
Last winter an investigation was
made by Congress into the transfer
Of the Quartermaster Generals office
in this city from one building to an,
other, it being alleged that the Gov
eminent had to pay higher rent for
the new one than for the old, and
that the removal cost several thou
sand dollars. I don't know much
about the merits of this case, but it
serves as an introduction to sub
ject of great Importance, and which
ought to be thoroughly discussed.
Both the buildings in question are
frail structures, and not re-proof.
The Government records kept in
them, are in constant danger from
fire. For such tenements as these
the Government pays, and has paid
for years, enormous rents, ranging
from ten to twenty-five per cent per
annum on the coat Of the buildings.
Numerous Bureaus of the War, Inte-
rior, Treasury and Post Office De
partmcnts are located in similarly in
secure buildings at equally enormous
rentals. What Congress and the
people should consider is the impoli
cy of paying out money in this way
when the Government can borrow it
ut four per cent, and when labor and
material are so cheap as now. For
what it has paid out rs rents in 8 few
years past, the Government could
construct convenient fire proof build
ings for all its now vagrant Bureaus.
1t would not pay taxes on such i'm
preyements, for it pays none on any
of its property here. In q majority
of cases the buildings now hired by
the Government, are the property Of
or through brokerage bring an in
come to, some pets of Government
officers. An Administration devoted
to reform" and economy" cannot
do better than call the attention of
Congress to this abuse and waste.
Murtagh, of the National Republi-
can, has managed to offend every
body in the last lew years, and has,
it is said, lost patronage to such an
extent that his interest in the paper
is more than balanced by its debts.
Starting a few years ago without a
dollar, he made gallant fight and
at QUE time the Republican was good
property. But it has of late lost
standing among business men, among
politicians, and, indeed, among all
classes.
In recent divorce suit here, the
name Of General Banks was freely
and unpleasantly used. Having
general regard for the General,
though not believing he will be made
Speaker of the House this winter, it
gives me great deal of pleasure to
say that persons who know the par
ties in the case laugh at the idea of
connecting him in any way with it.
MEMO.
Tp