Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-11-30
Our Washington Letter.

Our Washington Letter.
WARRINGTON, d. G., November 20, 1881.
Mr.. Editor II had hoped to visit some OF th,
old battlefelds which lie to the south Of us, an,
to tell how they look In those days Of peace, bu
the weather compelled more formal celebra
| ton Of
THANKSGIVING.
The usual turkey made its appearance and dis
| appearance, but was not greeted with M much
cordiality as in many farmhouse in the shadow
OF the Vermont hills. The day Is here, rs else
where, improved by the pastors in talking Of DO
litical and popular issues. Two Of these which
affect the people Of the district are temperance
and voting. The grievance complained Of by the
friends Of temperance Is that licenses are obtained
by fraud or by the connivance Of officers and the
aid Of Christian men. Complaint is also made
because the government does not assert Its rights
with regard to licenses granted to persons having
saloons adjoining government property, az II
might do; for saloons cannot be opened without
petition from large part Of the property own
ers in the vicinity. The government might insist
on being considered a property owner, then re-
fuse to petition for licenses, and thus diminish
their number. Nobody can vote in Washington.
The objections which the colonists made to taxa.
ton without representation are In full force here
The national government does not seem to be
stingy or unjust In making appropriations or
levying taxes, but the expenditure Of public
moneys is not always what 1t would be IL the
citizens could have their wills. SO there IL occa-
sional grumbling, and a demand for increased
liberties such are due the citizens Of a republic
The members Of the coming
CONGRESS
are beginning to struggle in but there are not yet
enough here to make any stir in political circles
One hears considerable talk about the speaker
ship There are a multitude OF candidates. many
OF them from the west. This improves the
chances for some eastern man, as IL will not be
easy to unite upon one Of so many candidates as
1t will be 10 elect dark horse" Kasson Of
Iowa, Dunnell OF Minnesota, and Hscock Of New
York are discussed. The cabinet appointments
would give food for speculation II the president
would only forget himself for moment but
without any help from him, few guesses can be
made that are Of any value.
MARKING THE PENSION CLERKS
From time to time efforts are made to increase
the efficiency Of the clerical force In government
offices. One OF these movements was recently
made by the commissioner Of pensions The
chiefs Of divisions were required to notice and
report the punctualty habits, accuracy and rapid
ity Of the various clerks. The substance Of their
report was given to each individual on card,
where each item was marked on a scale from one
to six, six being perfect. Some were surprised to
find their standing quite low, especially in the
matter Of habits. Whether this system will
prove to be satisfactory is doubtful, as Partially
and the different dispositions Of chiefs will make
the marking anything but uniform.
THE WHITE HOUSE
The work Of carpenters and painters upon the
White House is nearly DONE and the president Is
expected to move in next Tuesday. Though
everything was torn up and out OF order, yet a
general idea Of the improvements being made
could be gained by a visit, and the room where
the president suffered so long could be seen. So
went over the portions OF the house which were
open to visitors, and learned much more OF the
home Of the presidents than had known before
Outside 1t Is cheerless and forbiddng though in
pleasant grounds. Inside 1t has much elegance,
but not the homelikeness of modern houses.
There is something lacking, which is not absent
tress. The lower floor is richly furnished, bat
has not the advantages Of view which the upper
story has. On the east side Of this floor are the
offices and the cabinet room where the presidents
chair awaits the newcomer. On the west side
are the family rooms. The one occupied az a
sick room is on the south side; and the fine view
Of the smooth park and the Potomac beyond
helped the sufferer to forget his pain. Directly
ACROSS the hall is the room chosen by President
Arthur for his private chamber. 1t Is being
newly painted, papered and furnished, and the
prevailing tint Is light green. Many Of the old
replaces are being fitted up for wood fires, and
he cheerful and healthy back log will be burning
n nearly all the rooms during the coming winter.
The elevator, which was commenced for the ben
fit OF Grandma Garfield, Is being completed.
The usher by whose courtesy | was shown
'ver the house has history worthy Of being
old. He was one Of Lincoln's old friends. Like
hat great man he was reared amid hardshps, and |
ret he has kept warm and sunny heart. During |
he twenty years he has been at his post, he has |
,een Christian worker, and many a man now |
prominent in religious and temperance work owes |
lis reformation to the blunt tenderness and |
lonely Christianity OF the man. He occasionally |
ellis Of scenes which he has Witnessed and the |
ears came into his eyes the other day when he |
aid, was on duty, and shook hands with Mr.. |
lincoln and said goodbye when he went out the |
vas the same" AMBROSE.