Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1880-12-04
W1SHINGTOY LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent
Coming Legislative Ertraragance. A Happy
LobBy. Sirty Working Days Before Con-
,-ess The TJ,ojcqI GOrer8glenf Clerk

Coming Legislative Extravaganza. A Happy
Lobby Sirty Working Days Before Con-
gress. The Typical Government Clerk.
Washington, Nov. q, 1880.
In preparation. for the coming Congress
the various heads of Department and chiefs
of Bureau have prepared their several re-
ports. and made estimates of appropriations
for the coming year. These reports ana
estimates strengthen the general belief that
the reign of Democratic economy Is about
over. II the Republican congress Is true to
the antccedents of the party, an era OF le-
gislative extravaganza will begin with their
accession to power in the house. The LOBBY
which has been almost starved to death by
the five wears Of Democratic control, Is I'M
able. even automatically, TO conceal Its
expression of delight at the return OF Its old
allies to power, and it has been remarked
that this third house in our legislative sys-
TEN has Lot appeared so early and so belii-
oerent on the scene of its former cOnquests
since the halcyon days of Grant. There
will be. counting out the Christmas holidays,
not more than sixty working days at best
for this last of Democratic congresses, ana
il Is not likely that any general or miscella-
neous legislation viii be attempted. The
extarvagant demands OF the various heads
of Department for increased appropriations
will be closely scrutinized, and the estimates
cut down Is they well may be. Much OF the
increase demanded is for larger salaries Tor
chief clerks. and others of the clerical force
1t is well known that these gentlemen are
receiving from fifty to one hundred per cent;
more from the Government than they could
possibly get from any private concern; that
their work does not average more than the
writing half dozen letters per day; that
they are required to be present forduty only
from 9 \. NJ. to 3 p. NJ; and that, during
the six hours they are in the elegantly
carpeted parlors called Government offices,
two-thirds of their time is spent reading
newspapers, talking politics, and lighter
gossip. This life has many attractions TO
men who have not the courage and dash for
the more manly walks of life, bat 1t ener-
Yates the body and the mind, emasculates
the manhood, and saps personal lndepend-
ence. Once in four years these soft tlabby-
minded clerks are aroused from their etiem-
mate life to the display of superhuman
energy. The peace of the country Is threat
ened; vile conspiracy is aioot under
Greeley. Tilden. or Hancock to disrupt the
Union. and plumber the Treasury. The
bloody Democrats will not stop to drag the
Goddess of Liberty from her roost on the
Dome Of the Capitol, and steal Washing
tons pantalOons from the glass show case III
the Patent Office. Now our Government
clerk is aroused His eyes glare fire; his
cheek has a whiskey flush of patriotism;-
his voice hurls defiance and warning from
the stump; he contributes; works CRATES ;
votes like a viking, Trojan, Turk, a
Spartan, in short land for climax like a
Republican Office holder-for his place.