Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-12-19
For the Oxford Democrat.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. IL.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. IL.
Mr.. Editor:
Having taken long rest, viii now try
TO gather few thoughts for the readers
OF the DKMoCRAT. We have had about the
finest weather during the past autumn that
one could desire; scarcely any unpleasant
weather, no long storms, and yet sufficient
rain to keep the earth in flne trim for farm
ing purposes. No frost of any account
until within the last two OF three weeks.
The markets have been well supplied with
all kinds Of vegetables, which are to be
had at reasonable prices. Tomatoes, green
corn, string beans, etc, have been in good
supply until within two weeks past, The
first named are still on sale.
Thanks to the euterprising meat dealers
OF Chicago, we are getting cheap meats,
at last. Beef and mutton, good rossts,
are now selling at from l2c. to l5c. per III.
In thirty days they reduced the prices from
s5c. TO soc. TO the above mentioned rates.
The price for potatoes has been quite rea-
sonsble-the outside figures for the past
two months have been soc. per bushel.
Sweet potatoes are selling at still lower
rateS,-say Coo. per bushel.
The election news was received here
with mingled feelings by some. by many
with eXultatios, by others with gloomy
forebOdinsS; but as the Official figures are
given out, much better feeling Is observ-
able among Republicans, as in no case
was there full vote polled. In NewYork
Cleveland's vote is essentially the same as
/ Hsncock's in 1850. Fully 200, 600 voters
failed to 90 to the polls in that State alone.
The same state of affairs existed in Penn
| sylyania and other States. Where the
party was organized and conducted the
campaign free from distracting questions,
they won splendid victories, as in y. II.
and Illinois
/ II the Republicans shall now GO 20 work
/ with q determination 20 heal all differences,
and 10 meet the contest OF 1854 with closed
ranks, united aud determined front, and
there will be a glorious victory In waiting
! FOR them, and the banner that now trails
in the dust Shsll sgain hoat aloft. Our
statesmen must set about the work, and
a.! strifeS and chickering's be silenced at
once. have great confidence in the
President. His has been, In the main, a
i1d.ciuus administration. While he has
disappointed some by not removing from
Office those Who were placed in posi-
ton by bis predecessor and filing the
places thus vacated by bis personal friends,
BE- has m.rtej the good opinions OF think
ius men % the emineutly conservative
course he has pursued In relation - those
Who were DESTROYS OF being known As Gar
cid Republicans.
There are many prominent men gather
ius here, aud political work for the Presi-
dental campaign o; lS>i will in measure
be blocked out; aud il is certainly desir-
able that it shall be SO arranged that the
bitterness tina, characterized and disgraced
the preliminary campaign Of 1850 shall be
avoided
The National Republican has changed
hands, having passed to the control of
First Assistant Postmaster Gen. Hatton,
whose career has been one of signal sue
cess. He Is now in the prime Of life, and
for one Of his years has seen much of the
world. lie was very young when the re-
. -. N ~ entered
the service OF his country in an Ohio resi-
ment. serving through the war and distin-
gujshin. himself by his bravery. He sub
sagueutly settled 10 Burlington, Ia, where
D.. became the publisher OF the Burlington
Hicksys. Under his management, 1t at
once took high rank and has become IA
mihar visitor to nearly every hamlet OF
our land. With honesty OF purpose, and
mind that graSpS the situation, with
ready humor, and a determination that
meets opposition only 20 conquer, we trust
TO see the National RspuJlic0U under his
management take rank among the ablest
and most influential papers of the coun-
try thus meeting want that has been
long and universally felt at the Capital.
There seems 70 be probability that
great effort will be made the present ses-
SION OF Congress, yet there are evidences
that great difference OF opinion exists as
to the practicabllity Of any great reduction
/ OF taxes. Some advocate the doing away
with the entire Internal Revenue system;
others urge the removal OF all such taxes
e.cept those on whiskey aud tobacco.
What is most to be feared is that the SEN
timeut Of the people as expressed III the
/ late elections will be mistaken as in favor
I OF free trade, and il anything is done, in so
short a session, that too much will be,
and a panic will be the result. Hasty le-
/ gislation is at all times dangerous, and
this case would prove to be particularly so,
The members of Congress have come to-
gether much exercised on the question OF
civil service reform. Much is already be-
/ inc said. Mr.. Kasson seems TO have Sc
cured the lead on this; yet there are others
who very much desire to make record on
the subject; but Mr.. X. has introduced
bill masking radical changes. There are de-
ye!oping so many plans it seems quite
probable that, while bill OF some kind
will be passed, nothing practicable will be
accomplished.
General Grants change OF views on the
case OF FitzJohn Porter is very much COM