The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-03-04


WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb. 81, 1882.
SO placid has been the political sea since
the beginning OF President Arthur's admins
tration that those journalists who thrive or
sensation have been sorely put to their wits to
raise artificial tempests, and hatch dreadful
plots from hot lmaginatiOns. The success Of
the Malone movement in Virginia, and the
consequent encouragement it has given to pc
litical 'readjusters" in other states, has, it il
said, infected prominent political leaders o.
both parties here, who hope for nothing less
than to carry the next presidential election
through coalition of Blame Republicans ant
what are called progressive Democrats The
play, according to imaginative journalists, is
to widen, as far as possible, the breach that
has been made between Arthur and Mr.. Blaine
and to keep the latter in the foreground as the
leader of the active and militant element OF
American politics. Mr.. Blaine, 1t is argued
will draw from the Republican party the hos,
that championed him in 1876 and 1890, which,
with New York and the Solid South, is count
ed upon to carry him to the White House.
The combination contemplates Democrat on
the ticket as Vlce-Presdent, who, If necessary,
will be Senator Voorhees,. 1t Is, of course, al.
together premature to discuss the presidential
election of 1884 now, and give you this only
as piece of sensational gossip; but we have
seen so many political surprises in the last fiji.
teen years that those interested in the future
no longer confine their speculatlons to the
probable, but also to the possible or, may be,
TO the impossible, than which, Hugo says,
nothing Is more imminent"
What is here called the fashionable season
will terminate on the 22d inst, which Is the
beginning of Lent. Washington society," IN
its higher circles, is largely composed Of army
and navy people, who belong almost exclu-
sively to the Catholic or Episcopal churches
These denominations are very scrupulous in
their observance of Lent, and through militia,
ry and naval society," they set the fashions for
all the innumerable inferior grades. With the
commencement of Lent the round of recep-
tons and dances will cease, and society will
take itself to church fairs and entertainments
which have an avowed religious objective.
But, as is well known, the real objective of So
ciety Is marriage or Irritation, and church fairs
will be successful, for the reason that they pro
mote the association that facilitates these ends
almost as balls. To see and be seen is the
real object of youth, and it is difficult to tell
except by ocular analysis, where youth ends
and old age begins IN Washington. You can
form no opinion from data of life and action.
The grand jury has at last voted in favor OF
presenting all persons whose names have been
prominent IN connection with the Star Route
cases, and the attorneys are at work framing
indictments upon the evidence presented The
names Of Brady, Ex-senator Dorsey, his broth
er, and brother-in.law, are among those tina,
have been presented, but the list comprises q
dozen more. They will be tried before Judge
Cox, the same who was the judge in the re
cent Gulteau trial.