South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-11-17
Letter from Washington,

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I 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 OH &c
holders and department employees here
in Washington. That time the dis
aster they SO much dreaded was aver.
ted BY absolute purchase of votes in
New York and Indiana, ,sl,s is now
confessed, but to-day tho outlook is SO
dismal. and the displeasure with the
radical party leaders so general, that
all the money they can raise between
now and 1884 would be "a "a daisy in
bills 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 Re-
personalities to such an extent last
Writer, Is the man whose reveries are
next least to be envied. In naval
circles the defeat of ex- Secretary Rob
eson Ia received with great satisfac-
ton, because he is held responsible
Tor the present condition of our navy.
Somebody suggests that Robson will
now make u trip TO Europe. but the
statute OF limitations probably renders
such course unnecessary.
Mr.. Jay Hubbell has fold ed his
tent. No man connected with the
campaign comes in for larger share
OF execration, and no one except
Steve French has less reason to feel
proud of his achievements in connec-
ton Herewith. 1t would seem that
the astonishing results accomplished
by Hubbells committee might have
been attained without robbing the
Government clerks. Throughout the
several departments the question is
asked; What did Hubbell do with
the political assessment On this
subject well Informed Treasury Off.
cial said he had looked in vain for the
election OF a single Congressman due
to the expenditure of the assessments
which were forced from the Govern.
ment employees, except in Virginia.
lie complained that there was no re-
dress or method of investigation as to
the manner in which the money was
disposed OF. The employees were told
that their money was to be used where
1t would do the most good. a grca,
many persons accuse the Hubbell
committee of sqaaudering the money.
1t Is said that coupes were hired and
cigars, lunches and liquors were pro-
vided for those employ ed by the com
mittee, 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
sombre complexion of the returns on
election night created solemn at
mosphere about the IIubbell commit.
tee rooms, and visitors there were con.
ironted with large placard bearing
the inscription NO condunrums
answered here Evidently they
gave it up early in the evening.
The arrangements for the Garfield
Monument Fair are progressing on
most extensive scale and the indica-
tons are that it will be an event Sc
cond only to the Philadelphia Ri.
Centennial. Nearly two weeks yet
intervene before the opening. 1t was
proposed to open with q grand Sun.
day night sacred concert in the Capt..
tol and all the theatre buildings at
once, but the idea has met with dis.
favor among the religious portion of
the community, and the project may
be abandoned. An official of the
Treasury Department, in speaking of
the funds now being raised to build II
Garfield memorial hospital aud Gar
field memorial monument, said re.
Gently: There are monument rais-
ers, and monument raisers,
and while l have nothing to say a.
gainst the gentleman who have the
various Garfield projects in hand. ]
can aid will tell little history that
has some interest in that connection.
There was some years ago q move
ment to erect Lincoln memorial
monumentin this city. Subscriptions
were asked and freely given. There
were fails given and other means used
to gather the money. | never knew
exactly how large the fund got to be,
but twas variously estimated ut from
fifteen to twenty thousand dollars
After a while the ardor OF those pro-
minent i'll the movement cooled down,
and it was not very long before the
whole thing passed out of mind. ne.
yer knew much of the details, but
know there has never been any me-
mortal monument erected yet. What
became of the money, you ask? Oh,
| don't know. 1t was everybody's
business to look after it, and the re-
suit was that no one looked after it,.
The money sbrunk. There were va,
rious expenses advertising, think,
was what they called it-but the mo-