The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-05-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
fFroIi our Regular Correspondent


As the new rules do not contain preVis-
ions for competitive examination for pro-
nations the clerks now in office do moi
regard them with more than passing IN
ferest But speaking of the clerks recalls
the scene about Washington last Wednes-
dav morning The capitol has welcomed
within its gates many distinguished men
of the world seeking honor, pleas lre or
neIf. but it never extended more gener-
Gus reception to any than was accorded
the renowned Phineas T. with his Great
est Show, etc. No man ever received
here such a contribution of filthy lucre in
one day. When the parade came up the
broad streets. 1.-The animals two by two.
the hippopotamus and the kangaroo" the
entire classified departmental service"
forgot the civil service rules. leaving their
desks in haste for more congenial spot
near the curbstone Here could be seen
the messenger rudely jostling the chief of
his division in his eagerness to catch a
glimpse of Jumbo's dirty playmates.
Here was the confidential clerk of sec
rotary roughly pushing aside the boot
black who had dared to come between
him and the octoroon beauty on the
painted wagon. Clerks, male and female
of all sizes and colors, from first to fourth
class, for once stood upon the same foot
ing A CORRESPONDENT strolled into the
treasury department during the passing
of the pageant, but the desolate appear
ance of the place and the dismal sound of
his footballs reYerberating through the
corridors made him think of the illustrious
dead in Westminster Abbey. He with
drew, remarking with -pathos-empty is
the treasury lerky's gone.
/ near rumors of an enterprise that in
breadth and bigness is the largest thing in
this decade. 1t is plan to get out of the
grip of the United States thirteen millions
of dollars with the accumulated interest
for nearly twenty years. When the Hon.
William E. Chandler was Assistant Score
tary of the Treasury he organized the
Cotton Bureau. In it was deposited the
the money received for cotton taken from
private individuals and sold by Govern
ment agents. This monty belongs to
many persons and a few corporations in
the south. 1t was the intention of Mr..
Chase to hold this money in trust for the
person to whom the cotton belonged, but
for some years nobody has been able to
obtain dollar. The largest amount ever
recovered from the Government by any
individual, was 5000, 900, which the es-
tate of Charles Lamar, of Georgia, got by
employing General B. f. Butler and ex-
Attorney General Williams Boutwell,
could not resist the persuasive powers of
these two eminent men, land so he gave up
the amount mentioned. The fee was
$50, 600 to each attorney. The new com
bination with its guns aimed at this fund
has, / hear brains, courage and money
behind it. So perhaps it may win. It
viii play for big stake.
OF course the Fair divorce case excites
interest and comment in Washington,
though we do not assume to know any
thing about the real merits of it. There
is considerable speculation as to the Sen
ators wealth, since it is reported that his |
wife has been allowed four millions and q |
half There seems to be something
in the atmosphere of the ''free, |
unfettered west that plays the |
deuce and all of 1t with the bond |
matrimonial, and induces an alarm
ing laxity in the observance of the sew |
enth commandment Especially has this |
been noticeable in the last three or four /
years, and among what are known as
bonanza statesmen. When the Hon. |
William Sharon came here as a Senator, |
there were many stories told, which could |
not well be put into print. But Sharon
while here comported himself about as
well as the average statesman. The coun-
try has not yet recovered from the specta-
Gle fiamboyant Taboi furnished it, when,
behold, his brother statesman. Fair, occu-
pies its attention. Well, it is the old, old
story, as old as is the history of man.
Even Solomon, with all his wisdom and
xperience-having three hundred wives
did not escape, and why should Fair2
This has been bad year for the righteous
for how many good men have gone
wrOng-and no wonder a wicked man.
with the bank account that Fair possess
es, should get out of the straight and mar
row path. | well remember when society
Was agOg over a wonderful entertainment
the Nevada Senator gave a year or two
ago, that congenial man of the world
said the Wormley dinner was very fine,
but not circumstance to one the honor
able Senator Lad given to some ladies of
the half-WOrld a week or two before in
New York, when Fair turned himself
loose, as 1t were, and astonished that
portion of the population he was enter
tanning at once with his wealth and his
wit! But the little episode now creating
a languid interest IN Nevada will not mat
ter. The honorable Senator will come
back next winter, give elegant dinners,
and doubtless find elegant people of both
ga0ndes to eat them. Society will con-
done his slight falling away, and all win
go well, for money covers a multitude of
sins in Vanity Fair
1t is impossible to drive Congressman
away from Washington with a stick.
Although the thermometer Jumped I'D to
ninety last week, they may still be found
hanging around the Treasury corner on
Fifteenth street, the Ebbitt and Riggs
house rotundas. Wizards hotel is closed.
although its bar-room, where great
schemes have been concocted, is still open
Both Welcker's and Wormleys close this
coming week for the season. But until
August dulness settles down upon this
lively town will Congressman still direct
wandering steps towards Washington
Ben LIE Fevre is here now He wants to be
doVernor OF Ohio. and says seriously that
he thinks the democrats will win even
against John Sherman should he be d |
candidate. Congressman Grape, who has
been here some days, took sick, as they |
say down east, on account of Tewksbury |
somebody asserts, and went out to Provi- |
dence hospital. Senator-elect Cullom of |
Illinois, has been around here trying to
get his friend Littler appointed to the
of fhp Ravanua h,.roa,,