The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1880-07-21
Washington Letter.
from our regular correspondent.

WASHINGTON, July II, 1850.
Never during my experience in Wash
Ington has there been such II cheerful
and confident feeling among the Demo-
Gratis to be met here. And, on the 9TH
er hand, never but once have | seen
such depression and CONSERVATION
among the Radical Office-hOlders. On
the night of the election in 1876, when
Democratic success was apparent from
the dispatches. and the next morning
when il was confirmed, there was a
pretty sick lot of Republicans around
here, but there distress was shOrt-lived,
for when the plan to steal a few States
was indicated by Chambers dispatch
from New York that afternoon, their
spirits went up again. But now the at
tack of mulligrubs has set in very early
and | have yet to find anything to in
dictate possible relapse. The certainty
of HancOck's election seems to be con-
ceded on every hand, either openly or
tacitly. The utter lack of enthusiasm
or unity among the Republicans is even
more evident now than at the outset,
and the mysterious actions of both
Conkling and Cameron tend to increase
the dismay i'm the ranks of the Office
not coming down with their little con-
tributiOns To the campaign fund with
such alacrity rs has distinguished them
on former occasions, and altogether the
outlook is not very rosy on that side.
or course the clerks cannot be blamed
So long as there is no hope of success
why should they throw away any of
their small means? Some of them eX-
pect to want all they have to get out OF
town with.
1t has been telegraphed hence that
General Hancock would resign his po-
sition rs Major General previous to the
publication of his letter of acceptance,
and upon inquiry | find that such a
step is being considered among his ac-
tive friends. The reason assigned for
this proposed course is that, pending
the election, General Hancock, If he re-
manned in the army, would he restrain
ed by the rules and customs governing
army offices. who are supposed to be
men without political preferences. An
other reason is an objection which his
candidacy presents i'm person being
elected to the highest civil office in the
land while still an officer of the regular
army. 1t is also said in explanation
that General Hancock does not wish to
embarrass or in the slightest degree retard
the success Of his party, and rs citizen
he will be wholly free and on an equal
ity with the Republican nominee. Hav-
ing the greatest confidence i'm the sue
cess of the canvass his retirement will,
in his opinion, it is said, he anticipated
only few months. The example of
General Grant, who did not resign UNI
L. -. L..
as President, has no influence with
Gen. Hancock. Besides, it is alleged
that this step will increase the popular
ity of the Democratic candidate and
make success dOubly certain. OF the
wisdom of this reasoning there will be
II difference of opinion l think, and for
my part l see reasons against the resig-
nation.
The new museum building, belonging
to the Smithsonian Institute, is rapidly
approaching completion. OF it | will
take occasion to give some account here
after. But speaking of the Institution
reminds me of a matter that has re-
Gently caused some talk here. In 1919
Congress appropriated $4,000 at the ill.,
stance and request of Professor Henry,
for the report of the scientific results of
thc
nately this sum was left by Congress to
he expended under the direction of the
Navy Department, of Secretary Robe
son, that is to say, and when the money
was required only $1,000 of it could he
found. Secretary Robson was asked
for the rest but no answer could be got
ten out of him though dozen letters
We're written to him officially and no
one knows yet what become of the
missing Sl2,O00. Congress was lately
asked to give $1,000 to complete the
work and to repay advances to the
amount of 81 900 made for the volumes.
Poor Professor Henry was worried in
his last days about this amount, which
was due to photographers, engravers and
other artisans and for which he, though
poor man, held himself personally
bound, and he was finally relieved by
DIR. Emil Bessels, the chief of the scien-
tific corps of the Polar expedition, pay
ing this amount out of his own pocket.
DIR. Bessels is an eminent man of sci
ence, who came to this country ut Pro-
fessor Henry's request and accompanied
| the expedition out of love of science,
and who is now 1900 out of pocket, for
reasons which eX-Secretary Robson
ought to explain if he can. The gov
eminent ought not to owe Il distin-
guished foreign scientist money, especi-
ally when one of its officers has had the
money and gives no account of it.
TO return again to the campaign !:
There is very strong probability that
the Democrats National Committee
will make its headquarters here. Sen
ator Wallace and other active friends of