South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-03-16
Letter from Washington.
wAsurNeroS. ID. March

WASHINGTON. ID. c., March ~. /,
Mn. HAkPER To those familiar with
Washington lie the political Quiet now
prevailing is something almost marvel
Gus. The always angry and often furi-
uswayes Of political strife have subsid.
Ell as by eDcaan.ment. and we are en-
joying qnietness in tha. direction TO
which this city has been stranger since
the temporary luis of the seemingly
perpetual storm that followed tho adon.
ton o:the various compromise measures
years ago, the latest of the series dating
fbaek more than quarter or a century.
Abe veteran politician looks about him
IN a dazett sort Of = Nay. rs though the
necessity for his occupation had by some
inscrutaois decree Of providence, been
done away. The Senatorial opposition
TO the Cabinet appointments which ere.
ated decided sensation for doy or
Two seems to have gone by default. hard.
~ yest'ge now remaining upon the SUI.
race, although the political gossip assures
every one who will give him hearing.
that snbterranean VOLCANOES are in exis.
tence threatening an eruption at any
moment that will rend existing PARTIES
into fragments. hut aside from the pro
fessional politicians, including the
crowds whi,h always bcsiege the White
House after tho installation Of every
new occupant To urge their own or the
claims to Office OF friends, there il n
feeling oflpleasurc and yratif.
cation at the evidences of good will and
traternal affection between tho sections
rs reflected through their representative
men here. and by the cordial greetings
which arc pouring in by mail and teie.
graph. Let US have lasting peace and
a reunited country arc the feryently ex.
pressed sentiments Of ninety-nine out Of
every one hundred encountered; and
the revival Of business and the re.
Ilease OF all our great national interests
from the incubus that has weighed SO
heavily upon them for the paat three
years are becoming the most absorbing
matters of discussion While the inves.
tisation which Mr.. Alurtagh invited by
his warfare upon the gamblers and their
alleged coufederates. our police officials.
has resulted so disastrousiy to his own
character, the revelations made through
his paper, the National Republican, rela
tive TO the nefarions practices of the
iormer. und the completely Of the latter,
threatens ruin to the harpies Of the fra.
ternity, and o result in a. wholesome
wedding out process OF the INDECENT and
Indifferent officials. SATURDAY. nipht n
formidable raid was made upon one of
the most notorious dens within the Dis.
lrict limits, where, for years the victims
OF the gambling mania have been Aceced
OF their means which should have gone
10 The support of needy families. A
pig hahi OF prisoners spent the balance
oil the night mt the stationlouse. includ.
lug among them the courted man of 40.
ciety. the roue and the vagahond who all
meet upon terms of perfect euuality in
Tie gambling hell. Great preparations
have been nude for the defense rs it is
10 lie made 4 test case. IL convict ion
Is obtained the work TO be hereafter done
VIII have been vastly simplified and the
complete route of this horde Of villains
who Lave been virtually exempt from
disturbance in the past, will be com
paratively easy matter, but should they
escape through the meshes Of the law,
as they evidently hope to do, nothing
short OF revolution in public sentiment
viii dislodge them from their entrench
nents. 1t is strange that men can be
found 10 defend and assist these crea.
lures in eyading the law, who have chill
dren to rear and are interested as citi
zens. in relieving the city of the stigma
OF their presence. Bnt they are to be
haG hy scores, so that they make certain
OF big fees. Akin TO these densin their
demoralizing tendencies are the hun
dretis OF drinking places scattered all,
aoout town, from the Gilded sample
rooms, fitted with the most superb an
pointDents, to the lowest gro9cerics
where The outcasts and most degraded
anil dangerous elements OF our popula-
ZION meet nightly and pour down liquid
IRE while they plot robberies and muir
ders. and every violation Of law known
TO the statutes. With all the advance
lnent the Capital City has made in other
respects, It las virtually stood still in
his from the time OF the formation of
the Government. 1t is understood TO
nc the most profitable business carried
on III the District and is practically nm
restrained. But what shall it profit n
man TO gain the whole world and lose
his own soul" Ofall the vice. poverty.
dcstitution and suffering so prevalent
during the past winter, nine .tenths Of il
may be traced, | verify believe, TO the
two sources named. IL is understood
that the President and Mrs. Hayes are
both stringent observers Of the Sabbath.
a2d consequently yesterday the Presi-
dentinl home was almost wholly desii-
tute OF visitors; and Mrs. Hayes ba.r
rejoiced the Methodist. portion Of our
citizens by the announcement of her
partiality for that denomination.
KNOX.