Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-10-26
WASHINGTON, d. c., Oct. 90, 1880

WASHINGTON, ID. u, Oct. 70, 1851.
To the Editor of the Kennebee Journai:-
When your correspondent returned from
his native State, Maine-some weeks ago,
feeling a little streaked at the result, he
found the Hancock market in Washington
bouyant and with an upward tendency. The
old bourbon element had risen to the surface
and was floating about in large masses. The
''Yanks" about here were as they affirmed,
soon to vacate the places which they had so
long occupied, and Northern domination at
the National Capitol would soon be at an end.
So they thought, and so your correspondent
rather feared, taking the result in his own
State as a criterion. But, oh, how changed
the aspect since Ohio and Indiana gave their
verdict. Democracy has entered midway in
to the hole which, in November, will close
upon them and hide them from sight
There is, in this city, hardly hopeful
democrat in all the large phalanx which the
city contains Most Of them give up the
struggle in advance and only desire that the
final and formal ceremonies of the funeral
were now over.
There are, on the other hand, am ong the
republicans, bright, cheerful, hopeful ia ces
on every hand. Almost all are perfectly con-
fident that the verdict has already been rem
dered, although not formally.
Seriously speaking, the election of Han
cock would have had a damaging effect upon
the prospects of the City of w Arlington.
The long continuance in power of the re-
publican party, and its supposed continued
lease upon popular favor, has induced large
numbers of employees to invest their small
savings in property-mostly real estate.
The larger number have bought small
homesteads for their growing families, and
very many have been paving in monthly or
yearly installments for their property. giving,
meantime, deeds of trust. Had the admins
tration changed, or should it now change. a
large proportion would he discharged, (prob-
ably all, and the property thus held by them
would be thrown upon the market at half its
value, causing depressing decline in real
| estate and condition of things from which
the city could not probably recover for many
years.
Add to this fact another that many of the
employees have large families and are more
or less in debt for their daily wants, funeral
expenses, etc, and you will perceive the
havoc which a change would make with the
merchants and business men of Washington.
A real estate dealer here told ME that il
would take Washington ten years to recover
from the real estate panic change of ad-
ministration would make now.
A large furniture dealer here-I believe
the largest-has joined the republican party
and given quite large sum to the campaign
fund, almost purely, think, from personal
motives. He remarked that he would rather
give $1,000 out of his pocket than have the
administration change, because the poor
would be turned loose and much poorer and
more extravant class come in, who would
have to run in debt for years before they
could pay.
One or two Of our largest dry goods deal
ers, always democrats, have also changed in
| tlC souiS lCt taHA anu uiS VI
the old classes in Washington, blind to the
consequences a change would make, talk,
work, and hope for the change.
Were it not for the republican party and
its principles, and adherents. l would rather
like to see the change come which they de.
sire, and let them have surfeit of its results
upon their business interests.
All the republican associations here are
again up and doing. The Maine Associa-
ton, or those comprising it, had a rousing
meeting last Thursday evening, and it was
resolved that the members would see to it
that every Maine man here, who has vote,
should go home in November.
Foa may reckon 1t as sertain that FROM
thirty to forty wore rotes way Be counted for