The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-12-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. 4, 1879.


lovely city commences to emerk. from
its state of cllrysalis. At first two or
three new and brilliant equipages, a
few groups of unaccustomed pedestri-
ans, with here and there well known
face or two of prominent politicians ar
law makers, appear upon its broad and
tree fringed avenue. Then commences
the yearly bustle of arrivals at the
prominent hotels, the approaches to the
national capital begin to be dotted
with groups of three or four coming
and going TO and from its stately mar
BILE collonades; and finally the roar and
hustle of the newly awakened city
seems TO rival the turmoil of London.
Although Washington is yearly adding
TO her permanent inhabitants a large
proportion of all whom the nation de-
lights to honor, still they are scattered
far and wide throughout the length
and breadth of this great union until
the opening of Congress calls them
alike to business and to pleasure.
This year the week preceding the
opening of Congress was rendered UNI
usually lively by the hustle and attrac-
tions of the Garfield Memorial Fair.
The vast rotunda, with the stately old
Hall of Representatives, the various
corridors, the massive and gloomy
crypt, and in fact almost all the availa-
BILE space within the walls of the ma
TONS gorge Gus marble palace, was for
several days alive with moving mass
of Clio wing colors, through which the
winters sun by day and the electric
light at night struck levelled lances of
living rays to light tie scene. The
streets have been full of people, brill
liant uniforms of Templars, shining BIZ
cycles, melodious bands, and the like.
AS display the fair has been a bril-
liant success, but from financial
standpoint the measure of its success
falls far below the expectations OF its
projectors. About $4,000 were cx.
pended in the arrangements, and du-
ring the first days it seemed doubtful
whether even this sum would come
back in receipts. The closing days,
however, were better, though am not
now prepared to say whether there has
been any considerable profit realized.
Many would have given largely and
cheerfully to Garfield Hospital who
gave but little or not at all for monu-
mental purposes. There is moreover a
growing sentiment deep down in the
hearts nf many thinking mon and wo-
men that enough and TO spare has al
ready been done to glorify our second
martyred president, and they point TO
Abraham Lincoln and the unfinished
monument of Washington and wonder
if all the national gratitude and rever-
ence is to cluster round a statesman
whom we know but yesterday.
The Administrations policy, already
forecast, of recommending to Congress
the abolition of almost the whole sys-
tenn of internal tax alton will, if adopt
ed, cause the abolition of some two
thousand offices more or less, the pres
ent occupants of which, like Othello,
will find their occupation gone. This
would cause mighty howl in Israel,
aud many congressman are hnrn "'h"
are pledged to vote against IL, not SO
much, if the truth were known, from
sense of lofty and patriotic dnty, but to
keep some pet retainer n place whose
removal might provoke him to new
ambitions and to personal opposition.
Alrea ly the hum ard preparation fol
the yearly hustle of ccntendine parties
floats druwsiy to the ear. A promi
ncnt Republican, member talking tt
the writer Yesterday remarked that M
Iinconsiderable portion of the grea
struggle for supremacy in 1884 woult
be fought ant, won this winter. Tit
tariff will crrc up again not only fol
discussion, hut for some measure o
absolute settlement. Internal revenue
will have TO be adjusted upon a mucl
smaller basis: important question
concerning the public domain and tn
great railroads are pressing for speed.
ac,inn, while the conflicting interest
of capital and labor, the admission o
new states, the question OF polygamy
and aIhundred others are knocking at,h
doors of Congress for hearing and TO
action. There will be but little roon
for the personal quarrels and bickeI
inps which marked the recent session
We must work hard, all of us.
portly and pleasant faced Senate
OF the Democratic persuasion, Will
walking TO the Garfield Fair tn
/. Their day, dropped for my perst nj
, benefit the following pearls of Bourbo
Thought, which ! Immediately pickle
up and proceeded 10 ruminate upon
, "In every effort" he said, (Which In
| Republicans make to retrieve their ia
lien fortunes by promises of present r.
, lief TO languishing industries, or irol
, oppressive burdens they, will find
, neck and neck with and even befoI
, item in the race. Iiternal revenr
and tariff reform, civil service regul
tons, the Indian question, cheap an
improved water transportations, wit
j., hundred other difficult problems wi
find within the Democratic rani
J, alike their sdvocscy and solution
r while those who always point Il