Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-12-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. Z, 1881

I
Last week | saw such large quantity o
very fine cabbages in the market, that Il
surprised me. Upon inquiry, was in
formed that they were from Holland. They
come shorn OF all loose leaves, or stalks
and are very light colored. The best sell
at i0c. each. 1t is new article OF com.
merce. one vessel arrived last week in
Baltimore with 27,OOO, aud another with
S,0O0-so we see 1t stated.
President Arthur is the fourth Vice
President who has succeeded to the Presi-
dency through the death OF his predecessor.
None of the others have been any credit to
| presidential Vice Presidents. The old
Whig party elected John Tyler, who. was
supposed to be an "anvailibility" cand-
date, but his course as President met the
opposition OF the entire party which elected
him and he was compelled to look TO those
who opposed his election for support.
Then came Fillmore, who was placed upon
the ticket on account OF his well known
pro>layery views, and was opposed by the
best men amongst the leaders of that
grand old party. Few will fail to recall
the fortunes which followed the placing
OF Andrew Johnson upon the Republican
ticket OF lS6i. Unlike the others, Gen.
Arthur is in full fellowship with the best
spirits of the party which elevated him 10
his present position. He comes 20 the
Presidency 10 lnd Cabinet selected with
view OF Ignoring the wing OF the party 10
which he has always been allied, and but
one member OF II can bc said TO be in har-
mony with him, and the affiliations OF that
one may be said 10 be passive rather than
active, and IL will De very strange IL he
should not select very near an entire new
Cabinet. Those who expect OF Gen. Ar
thur that he viii seek 10 follow any man,
will in the end Ind themselves mistaken.
| he is anything he Is sell-reliant, without
ohstiuacy; has mingled much with men,
and is reacy reader OF character. With
him, opinion is reality. He does not lack
the courage 10 live up TO his convictions.
The reports OF the several Secretaries
aud heads OF Bureaus are being completed.
They will, In the main, be OF more than
usual interest; some will be OF great
length.
During the past week, three days
were consumed 10y the Cour; in listening TO
arguments in the Star Route cases. aud
they are likely TO occupy the most OF this
week. The arguments are on the motion
OF counsel for defendants 10 dismiss the
bill. otirformatIou illCd by the prosecution.
II seems ,ha, District Attorney Corhhin
was unwilling 10 present Indictments cx-
copt on evidence which, unexplained,
would convict the parties indicted OF the
crime charged yet, Tor some unexplained
reason, he adjourned the Grand Jury in
September for three weeks, or until oct.
3Td While if there was any crime com
mitted. the Statute OF Limitation would
prevent any prosecution unless commenced
prior 10 October 2ud. The Grand Jury
had been in session fully three months OF
the time after those engaged in the prose
cution had promised the country such Won
dcrlul developments, yet no ofiOrt was
made 10 indlct those charged with the col
spirsCy, but on Sept. 10Th the prosecution
sought 10 lie an information against the
e1peditors. In this information there was
nothing but what General Brady had laid
before Congress nearly TWO years ago, aud
on IL Congress appropriated money 10 con
tinue the service. There may have been
some money wasted is not improbable
that there was; yet it appears that every
form OF law was observed, aud 1t is ex-
,remely doubtful II any conviction will be
had, even II the cases come TO trial.
The building enterprises Of the past year
have been very extensive, and OF the most
expensive kind. Real estate has been very
qaiet except in what is known as the
northwestern portion OF the city, where
there has been 3 genuine boom. Property
which 4 year ago sold at GOc. to zoe per
foot is now held at sl.7j TO s2 90. Secre
tary Blaine Is building $50 900 residence
al the corner of 20th and " p" Streets, y.
W, which it was expected he would occu-
py in the early winter, but reports now
say that work has been so delayed upon 1t
that he will not move in until the season i
well spent. Every year brings many OF
the wealthy OF the country 10 the city for
winter residence. At last the city has an
aristocratic neighbOrhOod. Churches are
seeking uptown localities, and much mon
ey is being invested in that part OF the
city west OF 9TH Street and north OF II y
Street The Stone Estate, situated on the
heights north OF the city and east of lith
Street has been purchased and surveyed
into building lots by company presided
over by ex Secretary Sherman, and is now
being improved by residences less expen-
sive, however, than those above mention
ed. In the nearly seventeen years OF my
residence here l have never seen such a
call for houses. Rents have advanced,
and houses renting from SIS to $40 per
month, that are being built, are rented in
in most instances long before the walls
are up. Many houses OF this class have
been built during the past year, yet there is
scarcely Rent to be seen in the entire