Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-10-24
Washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondent. J

Your correspondent was discussing
the results OF the late elections with an
office holder of some prominence yester-
day. The gentleman did not disguise
his disappointment over over the large
democratic majority in Ohio. ITS
no use talking" he said, 1.-THE republi-
can party has got to go, and we might
as we'll make up our minds to get out.
For my part l propose to devote the
rest o: my official existence in saving
money and getting an ark before the
shower comes. 1t will be cold weather
for republican Office holders in 1885,
and intend 10 pick up nice little IN
dependent business in 1884 and retire
as gracefully us can from the az xieties
Of public life."
THAT'S a very sensible conclusion"
l replied. 81 think it is too he con-
tinued. 1.-THE government officials are
discussing these things in earnest
They almost all believe in their hearts
that their days of official existence are
numbered. Consequently, you will
notice that they are beginning to live
close, save money, and look around
for chaHces."
How do you account for the decay
OF the grand old party way?' | in
quired. "Well between you and me
people are dlsgusted with it. l would
not like 10 be quoted as saying it, but
they have good reasons to be. The
whole crowd are in bad odor, from the
President down. Look at him now.
Away all the time junketng. A sort
of Newport dude, man milliner, Society
fuukey. You take my word for it the
White House ls going 10 be the dude
headquarters this winter; ihe Aw ! Aw!
crowd have all been invited to come,
aud they are coming. If there is any
place in this country that is unaneri'
can, and disgracefully given over TO an
exaggerated imitation OF English man.
ners of the upper, which are the worst
classes, it Is Newport. And the Presi-
dent of the United States finds bis
most congenial company 10 this mawk-
ish crowd. Bah! But aside from indi-
vidu ais the party has gone 10 the dogs
anyway. There is the Star Route dis
grace, that hangs around the neck of
the party like a milestone. There is a
whole necklace of such ornaments for
that matter. The Star Route trial
which squandered as much of the peo-
pies money as the thieves stole, Is the
next link. Then there is the Treasury
steals under zero sherman, and the ex-
posure Of official dillnqIencles 10 the
Supervising Architects Office just
brought out. The Pension Office pre-
tending to pay fifty millions year 10
wounded soldiers is rotten thing
Then the land grabs and the salary
grabs, the officials vacations and
junks,ings ind squandering OF public
money all over the land has brought
The party 10 judgment and condemna-
ton. 1t has been supposed that this is
a republican country. But il is now
governed by an aristocracy Of Army
and Navy tfficlals-a rich clique Of 50.
ciety snobs who summer at Newport
aud an official crowd who loll about
public offices, draw large salaries for
dong nothing. and make business oil
show ing their contempt for people who
work. These are the three classes who
rule the republican party, and Arthur
is their prophet aud leader. He is not
a republican. He "a an aristocrat ID
sentiment, and feeble imitation Of
one IN practice. Yes, know that ii
is high treason to talk so. but l am mad
over this Ohio election, and the truth
will come out anyway. l arraign the
republican party for its want of respect
for itself. Office grabbing has got 10
be such a business with 1t. that the
party is torn TO pieces over it,"
Your correspondent was unable TO
weep with him who mOurned on this
occasion. He only told what every
body now acknowledges, that the re-
publican party has oullived its useful
ness aud must 90. But his remarks on
the official corruption OF The times are
~ true that they are worth printing |
He speaks of that which he knows
The Ohio election is looked upon by |
The far-sighted as virtually settling
he question of the next Presidency. A
President will be elected |
sure, aud as Speaker Randall said the
other day, by the eternal we will put
him ill.,"
-------z@S. -
A