Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-11-23
WASHINGTON LETTER.
rFrO@ our Regular cOrnssDOndsAf.l

WASHINGTON, D. c.. Nov. II. 1882.
At no time since the Maine election of
1880, when the success OF Hancock
seemed inevitable. has there been such a
feeling Of depression among the Office
holders aud department employees here in
Washington. That time the disaster
they so much dreaded was ayerted by
absolute purchase Of votes in New York
and Indiana. rs Is now confessed, but
to-day theoutlook is SO dismal. aud the
displeasure with the radical party leaders
so general, that all the money they can
raise between now and 1894 would be as
"a daisy in a bulls mouth and they
know it. President Arthur probably
feels more uncomfortable to-day than
any other politician in the United States,
and George NJ. Robeson, of New Jersey,
who lorded it over the House of Repre-
sentatives to such an extent last winter,
is the man whose reveries are next least
TO be envied.. In naval circles the defeat
of ex.Secretary Robson is received with
great satisfaction. because he is held re-
sponsible for the present condition of
our navy. Somebody suggest that Robe
COu IA hOW uuohO q tt4p W EuEOUts Uul
the statute of limitations probably ren.
ders such course unnecessary.
Mr.. Jay Hubbell has folded his tent.
No man connected with the compaign
comes in for a larger share of execration,
and no one except "Steve" French has
less reason to feel proud of his achive.
ments in connection Herewith. 1t
would seem that the astonishing results
accomplished by Hubbell's committee
might have fbeen attained without rob-
bing the Government clerks. Through
out the several departments the question
is asked: What did Hubbell do with
the political assessment On this sub
ject well-informed Treasury official
said he had looked in vain for the cleo
tion of single Congressman due to the
expenditure of the assessments which
were forced from the Government en-
ployes, except in Virginia. He com.
planned that there was no redress or
method of investigation as to the man
ner in which the money was disposed of.
The employees were told that their money
was to be used where it would do the
most good. A great many persons &C.
cuse the Hubbell committee of sqander-
ing the money. 1t is said that coupes
were hired and cigars, lunches and liq.
uors were provided for those employed
by the committee, all of which were
paid for out of the assessment fund. An
effort will be made to have the disburse-
ment of the fund investigated. The
,ombre complexion of the returns on
election night created solemn atmos
ohere about the Hubbell committee
rooms and visitors there were confronted
with large placard bearing the inscrip.
ion: 'No conundrums answered here"
Evidently they "gave it up" early in the
evening. t,.t
The arrangements for the Garfield
Fair are progressing on most
intensive scale and the indications are
hat it will be an event second only to
he Philadelphia Bi-Centennial. Nearly
wo weeks yet intervene bofore the open
ng. 1t was proposed to open with a
,rand Sunday night sacred concert in the
capitol and all the theatre buildings at
nee, but the idea has met with disfavor
.mong the religious portion OF the COM
nunity, and the project may be aban-
loned.
In my perambulations about the Inter-
DE- DeparCmeub Cne OLner udy, met
of Railroads Armstrong,
vho recently returned from tour ''of
Inspection" through the West, over the
Dads subsidized by the government,
aving been absent about three months.
Ie looks sleek and fat, as though s'In-
pecting" agreed with him, and reports
lovely on the Pacific roads,
'hich was rather to be expected, in view
{ the fact that he travelled in special
ar furnished by the Union Pacific-Jay
provided with unlimited
ommissary supplies for the members of
is family and relations comprising the
arty. ran across them at Denver this
and saw the handsome parlor
nd dining car, with its sleeping arrange
rents and cook and porter. 1t looked
good deal as though the commissioner
as on a first.class pleasure trip. Mr..
is very clever gentlemen, and
ay make an honest unbiased report con-
,rning the roads in question, but in
lew OF the fact that these roads have
yindled the government right and left
and that he succeeded in of
ce one French, who was dismissed in
sgrace for connivance with them, he
light have done better than to accept
lch hospitality on his first tour of in.
,ection." PHoNo.