Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-11-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.



The decline of the power of the
Republican party since the Ohio
election, has been almost visible
here in Washington. There is an
atmosphere about this city which
tells how the politics of the country
stand. The thousands of Office
holders and dependents upon Re-
publican administration show in
their manner, speech, and actions
just how little of faith and hope, and
how much of chagrin and despair,
they have over the political situa-
ton. AT the present time the Re-
publicans admit defeat. There is
no outlook for them. That New
York will 60 Democratic next week
they do not question and that the
future of the party is dark they do
not seek to conceal. What they do
is to vent their disappointment
and disgust in speaking of the Chief
Executive as an idler, trifier, and
dude, and Of their political leaders
as incompetent, greedy for grain,
and "all at sea" as to any party
policy.
In looking over the political sit
uation as it relates to the Republi-
can party it must be admitted that
their case is desperate one. The
Reformers, so called, are in control
and this being the case it is easy to
see the conclusion.
The party has succeeded in the
last several general elections, by
just one policy, namely the use of
money in the elections. How they
came by the vast corruption fund is
well known. The Jewels, and
Dorseys in their day raised sums
aggregating hundreds of thousands
of dollars which were distributed in
the doubtful states with a cunning
hand. The clerks were taxed with
out mercy, and complete organi-
cation of office holders, stretching
from Washington to the four points
of the compass, poured in money
and gave them individual exertIons
to the business Ofcarrying elections.
State Societies existed in the Capt.
tai city and were so domineering
and exacting in requiring political
services from every offi@e holder,
that an Office could not be held
without their sanction.
1t is doubtful if a stronger politi-
cal fortress ever existed than was
the Republican party held together
by the cohesion of plumber and the
cement of saw and plastered all
over with tracts and piOus cant.
A terrible breach was made when
the Civil service reform bill was
passed. This was a Democratic
measure. The Republicans swal-
lowed it as bitter dose, which the
people required them to take. This
bill divorces money from politics.
1t forbids political assessments.
What has been the result. A com
plete disintergatiOn Of the suberb
party despotism which has CONTROL
ed the country for twenty years.
1t lived upon the profits of the Off
ces. When these were diverted
from political uses the Republican
party commenced to crumble away.
The State organizations have been
abandoned, the piteOus appeals of
the committees for funds, are un-
noticed by the clerks. Election az
ter election shows still greater
majority against them; apathy
and anger have succeeded to the
insolence of office, and bitter quar-
rels and jealousies to the harmony
which once prevailed. The era or
stage of personal abuse seems to
have been reached. This is always
resorted to by people when they
fail i'm nefarious schemes. 1t is
sure precursor of rout and ruin.
One blames the other, for want OF
something better to do, and to ex-
cuse himself. The Republican
leaders are now engaged in saying
81 told you so" or you are another
and such like petty insinuations
and abuses. President Arthur be-
ing the responsible head of the par
ty gets the largest share of abuse.
He is now spending the greater part
of each day in the seclusiOn of his
cottage at the Soldiers Home, try
ing to devise some political scheme
which will rescue himself and his
demOralized associates from the
abyss. He will embOdy his plan in
the Presidents Message to be sent TO
Congress when it meets. l think
this message will be the last but one
that Mr.. Arthur or any Republican
President will ever have occasion
a.