Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-11-05
Washington Correspondence.
BUSINESS IN THE CITY-PoLTTIcA-PESsIoS
CLAIM AGESrs-THE CIVIL RIGHT q DECt-
sros-Ex-CONGREssMAN MURCH

WAsHiSGroS, ID. C., Nov. l-t, 1883.
Editors Eennetec journal:
Although '.the melancholy days have come
there is nothing in and around the capital to
indicate them. The trees have indeed faded
some. but are bright with beautiful colors.
The grass in the various parks ia As green and
fresh as in May, and MANI beautiful plants
nre still in bloom in the public and private
gardens. The streets and other thorough
fares are lively with pedestrians, both local
and otherwise, building and other improve
ments are still brisk, and the weather still
favors all outdoor employments and enjoy
ments. The capital continues to march along
on its progressive way. Real estate has an
upward movement. and much money is ex
pended in the erection of substantial buildings
of all kinds Old residents, who have for
years predicted reaction and general shrink
age of values, have of late subsidized with
few growls, not understanding or compre-
bending the advantages constantly accruing
TO the capital in various ways. In all prob
ability. rs long as Washington is the capital
of the nation. and continues to present the
advantages, beauties and climate she
does (and that must be for ages she
will continue to go forward. One thing
the business men of Washington dread,
and that is a change of administration
The city is quite largely indebted for It's
prosperity to the employees of the Govern
ment. Many of them have invested in a
larger or smaller degree in real estate, hav-
A =.
so rs to save expensive rents Some are out
Of debt, but the larger part are paying up by
instalments. of course scmnge of admin
istration would send most of these owners
nut into the cold. and their property into the
market for buyers. This, together with the
losses in regular trade, would make. for
time at least, a bad state of things for the
business community. Consequently, the
year preceding each Presidential election, is
usually q Oppressive one for business and
the coming year will he particularly so in
view of the unusual uncertainty. Since the
Ohio election no one here wishes to- specu.
late much on the result of the November
elections. There may be surprises for either
party, rs the people seem 10 assert their vicws
quite independent of party lines IL is pos
sible to hear of republican success in Mary
land aud New Jersey. where. hitherto. that
party has not expected anything and it might
be possible to hear of defeats of that
party in some of its usual strong
holds. However. good results are ex-
pected in Pennsylvania. Massachusetts, and
probably Virginia. If New York should 90
democratic by majority comparatively
small it would not in any manner dishearten
the republicans. 1t would tend to make them
redouble their energy next year. IL is posi-
sible for that State to surprise the democracy
this year. or the next. Surprises are all the
fashion in politics just now.
The recent action of Pension Commission.
er Dudley and District Attorney Corkhill,
relative to claim agents, if fully adhered to.
will work a revolution in the manner of pro.
ceeding in pension claims. Heretofore. it
has been the endeavor of most all pension.
and other claim agents to get all the eases
possible in their possession before proceeding
in any prosecutions, and. of course. collect
ing a part, if not the whole of the legal. OF
contract fees. In pension cases, particularly,
a careless or dishonest agent is not half so
earnest in prosecuting claim, when h,
knows his fee is already in his pocket Many
individuals of undecided character. have
started in the pension claim business, with
hundred dollars or so, and by judicious al,
vertising, and requesting half the fee
before prosecution of claim, have received
to start them in a good business. few have
used this method with dishonest purposes:
but probably the larger part have used it to
build up an honest avocation. 1t all these
agents are precluded from collecting any por
ton of their fees in advance. il will throw
the business into the hands of the fewer and
Weather agents, who are better and more
reliably known. If the same action should
be extended to all claims, a much greater
revolution in prosecutions and large saving
to claimants would evidently be effected.
The great and sometimes unnecessary DELAYS
IN the settlement OF private CLAIMS agsius,
the government ofssn tend 10 discourage per
sonai prosecution, and the claims are given
over to agents, who in view of the pros
peots OF delay, charge a high percentage for
coilection, or even in the event of a speedier
settiemens 90 represent the cases ~ to lead
me eieanaas to bslisvs their road 70 rsmu.