The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-05-31
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, d. g., May rs, 1881.
Washington, with true Southern concelt, is
usually too much absorbed In her own political
Importance to notice the storms which som,-
times agltate other cities. But now, In the
absence of the Senate and exciting events here,
the contest at Albany Is arousng an interest
quite unusual. The latest news is eagerly
sought after, and the changing features of the
contest are watched and discussed with as
much earnestness as at the seat of action.
Ex-senator Conkling has many friends here
and they espouse his cause with much warmth.
On the cars, In the hotels and on the streets,
Conkling's battle is fought against the sup
porters Of the administration. The rupture Is
thought to be final, and while no one expects
the destruction of the Republican party to fol-
low, IL cannot be denied that this antagonism,
coming In the absence of more important
events, will do much to weaken the party
organization. Mr.. Conkling is one of the
leaders, and he has following large and loyal
to him. 1t is known as the ''stalwart'' or
Grant wing of the party, which at Chicago
was represented by 800 votes, or nearly one
half the entire convention. The latest des-
IeNNNHN'
refuse to enter caucus and be bound by its
decision, and they claim to number more than
sufficient TO defeat the election of Conking
and Platt. The contest over the election of
Senators will be bitter. The Conkling men
will force a caucus, whether the administra-
ton men attend or not. If the last named hold
to their position there is no way to prevent an
interminable deadlock.
The Departments here are developing scandals
at an alarming rate. The "star route" de-
velopments had no sooner ceased to torture the
pubic ear, than the Treasury Department
without warning has put upon the people
another heartless case of official carelessness
or what may turn out fraud. 1t is in the Office
of the Custodian of the Treasury Building.
This officer has the purchasing of furniture,
carpets, etc., used for the convenience of the
! clerks. Government thieves always become
reckless, and this one is no exception to the
class. The Irregularities in his Office became
so notorious that Secretary Window appointed
an investigating Committee 10 look into the
affairs. Reckless extravaganza was at first
noticed, then the purchase of large quantities
of stuff not used in the Office, such as bay rum,
silver ice pitchers, books, ETC.; then 1t came
out that workmen employed to do work for the
custodian had been set to work upon the
private residences of high Treasury officials
and their time charged to the Government |;
then furniture and other household articles
were found to have been charged upon the
books of the office and placed In the houses of
these same high and honorable gentlemen.
One of the sources of fraud was In the selling
of worn out (U. s. articles at auction--private
auctions. Favored clerks at these "auctions"
could buy handsome desks, tables, silver
pitchers, etc., from the liberal custodian for
the small sum of fifty cents. The investiga-
tlon and all its horrid developments are not
yet given to the public, but the above leaked
out More officials heads will drop off soon.
And now the Interior Department shows signs
OF its annual eruption of official flth. 1t Is
said when these Developments come, the rest
will fade into insignilcance.
OLIVE