The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-12-10
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent. I

A better feeling prevails in WASH
ingtSn at this Tina than has been
known at the opening of any session
of Congress for several years. 1t is
manifested everywhere. The Re-
publican party, which carried the
country through the trials of civil
war, and which is credited with all
heachievements and all the advance.
ment of the past twenty years, re-
turns to full control of all branches Of
the Government, and there is re-
newed security for the present and
frightening promise for the future.
The Democratic party during its brief
control of Congress accomplished
nothing but the embarrassment of
the public service-never rose in its
policy above cutting down the salar-
les Of few poor clerks. Neither real
economy nor public good of any sort
was secured by the pecksniffian policy
of Sam Randall and his followers.
1t simply stopped some of the wheels
of Government for time, and caused
deficiencies which lad to be voted at
last. TIE Democratic party is too
slow the ideas of its leaders too mar
row. They are not in accord with
the age.
Washington can especially appre-
ciate the difference between Repub-
lican and Democratic policy. Under
Republican auspices the Capital was
transformed from mud-hole to a
beautiful city. with clean, smooth
streets and handsome buildings. I'm
prOvementss prang upon every hand.
and encouraged by Government &C
tivity private citizens added their
efforts until to-day the Nation. has
abundant reason to look with pride
upon its Capital. The money expen-
ded by the Government in erecting
buildings and improving its proper
ty was not extravaganza on the part
of a Nation rejoicing in such pros
perity and growth as ours, and pos
sessing more revenue than it needs.
But while the Democrats controlled
Congress not dollar was forthcom-
ing for any such purpose. The Gov
eminent business might he transacted
in dingy, dirty old buildings, and its
records and archives be kept between
rIckety, unsafe walls for all Sam
Randall or any other modern Dem
ocrat cared, if they could only hum
bug the people with the idea that the
public money was being saved. Not
even an appropriation OF few thous.
and of dollars to reclaim the malarial
marshes south of the White House
could be extorted. though the health
of our city rested upon it, and the
marshes werea bye-word and stencil
in the nostrils of the whole country.
Who is to be Public Printer seems
to be subject of only less interest
here than was the question of the
Speakership of the House or the
leader on the floor. The matter con-
Germs thousands in Washington. /
have it secondhand from the Presi-
dent that the change will be made in
Public Printer as soon as the new
Cabinet is sent in on the organization
of Congress. There is a very general
feeling that il will be good radiance
to get Deirees out, although he pre-
tends to say that he had assurance
from President Garfield that, if he
wished to stay, mo power could get
him out" The old public functionary
makes himself numerous" about
the hotels where the crowds are,
and his tall, rather, bending
Storm" and white head" bob up
serenely. His general "make up"
though, is that of one on whom poll
tics had "soured." and there has
been a great deal of criticism of his
conduct in the establishment. Sterl-
ing p. Rounds, that prince of good
fellows, of the Chicago printers
warehouse, and the longtime pub
Usher of that gem of the art preser
tative. Grounds Printers Cabinet"
and Capt. Oyster, youthful soldier
ofthe Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry.
are the live candidates for the place
of Public Printer, with Mr.. Turner
Michigan publisher. also in the
field. Col. Dudley does not like to
be interviewed about his change from
the Pension to the Patent Office, but
it is said to be down on the slate that
Gen. Jesse H. Moore, of Illinois, is
to return from South America to 60
to the Pension Bureau; and what
Col. Dudley wants, whether he goes
to preside over the Patent Office or
not, is to follow in the footsteps of
Porter, and graduate from Washing
ton into the Gubernatorial chair of
Indiana.
JUNIUS.