West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-03-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular Correspondent.l
WAS H1NGroN, March 4. 1880


politicians OF all shades, and its ell
feet has been to leave better feel
ing among Democrats than has exiet.
Ell since the last presidential cleo
ton. A large number of represen-
tdtives OF the party were present
from various localities AMI the ev-
idences OF spirit and determination
prevailing among them had an ex-
hllsrating effect upon Democratic
Congr essmen and others here. The
lively degree of interest manif,sted
IN locatir 6 the Convention is OF it
self an indication oil spirit of hope.
fulness, and the expressions OF the
various delegates betokeu positive
confidence IN the success Of the par
~. The expressions were not Wild
assertions, based upon the genera!
idea that the party must win be-
cause It ought to" but the leading
democrats took practical view 0!
the situation GlG agreed universally
that they would win if wise action
1nd counsels prevailed Whatever
may be SAID about the significance
OF the selection Of place for holding
the convention, it certainly has none
~ relation TO candilates. Tue in
terests OF no candidate was consult
ed and none of the candidates took
a position in favor OF any particular
place.
But while this is the Democratic
situation, things among the Repub-
ic"os are getting petty badly
mixed. Mr., Cookhng's New York
Convention has done,the work map
ped out for it, and now the strikers
wait for John Logan TO bring Lii
nois TO the scratch. There is no dis
gu:slag the fact that a feeling OF
alarm is taking possession Of a por-
ton of the Republican panty. A
candid Republican Office holder, who
Is for Sherman first and Blaine next,
said to me lis morning; al AN
afraid we are going 20 be wrecked. :"
The situation OF the party is certain.
ly desperate. Tue Senatorial Syn
dlcate that is running Grant rough
shed over the heads of the people,
are determined upon two things -
to beat Blnine ct all hazzard,. and
o secure man who will obey them
| 1t matters not from their standpoint
whether Grant can poll the largest
vote o. not. They know him to be
a nan who ca-e0 noting for any
methods but his own, and to recog-
nize 10 restraints. They know that
at the critical moment he will, if
necessary, declare himself elected
regardless Of the vote, and proceed
TO seize the reins of government
This Is act mere bunEum. Let any
man hear the talk l have heard
among the advocates Of Grant hight
here in Wasbingto and come to any
other conclusion if he can, The
candidacy o! Grant means rupubli-
can rule oy fair means or foul. The
lesson taught by eli these signs is
that the approaching contest will be
q ho, Que.
Just a!tcr my last letter was sent
the news came that poor old Brumidi
the Italian fresco painter, who has
been painting frescoes 10 the Capitol
was dead. Every visitor who has
Teen through the building for mary
years, has seen the old man az work
aud inspected the results of his la.
bore. No change OF administration:
no change Of library committee IN
Congress or in the Office of architect
Of the. Capital ever aiF, ctsd Brumidr.
lie was subject to no authori,y. and
ss nobody knew exactly how he
came there, so nobody ever thought
Of interfering with the work carried
on behind bic perpetual scafoldiug
Tie began 10 the Committee room Of
the House Committee on A 1ricullure
under sort Of lnicfued engage
meut anil has been at it ever since.
Wherever there was a blank wall
there BrumIli set uP his sosGoIdug
T Ia tbs rotunis, in the corridors, in
the committee rooms, in lhe celIers.
be and his workmsu were continually
engaged The dark passages in The
basement be covered with most
elaborate asra lDd fauna Birds.
beasts and d4hss, cupjIs. goIdsaes
and distinguished Senators we're all
alike auhjacis for Bfumdis brush
Tie " the author Of that eztraor
dirary composifiJn Which exctes
the wonder Of The rural mind IT, the
dome Of tbs Ca3Ito. and for lone
time ba(gra hIaIa.tI l