The Republican journal., 1884-12-18
Letter from Washington.
lCOrreSnOndence of the Journal

that much business will be done by the House
except the passage of the appropriation bills
and perhaps few measures reported from two
or three of the leading committees. An adj
journment will be had over the holidays, prob
ably from the ODD inst, to January the 9th,
which will leave but two months for work after
wards
1t is unusually dull in Washington, both in
business and the social circles. The stores and
even telegraph companies complain that there
is very little doing. There is no gay season
here yet. Every one seems to be weighed
down by uncertainty. The Republicans in the
departments know not what to expect from
the administration which is to come in on the
fourth of March next, while the Democrats
seem TO be impressed seriously with the new
responsibilities which they are about to assume
Mr.. Cleveland will stand between two fires
The Independents and some of the more con-
sentative Democrats will urge him to carry
out the programme of the civil service reform
ers and make no removal of Federal officers
before their terms of office expire, while the
hungry element of the Democracy. which is by
no means either small in numbers or lacking in
push and persistence, will want to make clean
sweep of the officeholders at once.
| was informed that southern member Of
Congress wrote to a constituent who was the
three hundred and fifteenth one who has solicit
ed him for place under the government which
he was recently fighting to destroy, that if he
could secure authority to exact one cent toll
w bO I
Bridge from the South after Federal office,
be would make an unprecedentedly large for
tune.
One Mr. Barker has been endeavoring to
rake over the judicial division of the Treasury
Department and was for several days before
the committee on Expenditures in the Depart
ment of Justice known as the Springer Com
mltee, for that purpose, but it is said that
under the searching cross-eXaminaton of Mr..
Milliken, of Maine. he disclosed that there was
no foundation for his charges and it is expect
ed that the report of the committee will com
pletey eXonerate the officers of the Govern
ment. Mr.. Hemphl, Mr.. Miliiken and Mr.
Fyan We're appointed subcommittee to make
this examination. Mr.. Milliken was urged TO
ne Il HltlnDtf Ol tne subcommittee 10 go TO
Cincinnati to investigate the charges against
the deputy malshals and inspectors of elections
there, but declined for the reason that he would
have to neglect the interests of his constituents
to do so.
BY the way, Mr.. MiIliken states that the in
terview reported with him relative to Mr.
Blaine and the late election, etc, never occur
red, in fact. but that what purported to be
such was badly garbled report of something
said in private conversation. and in many res
poets entirely mi>srepresent> his sentiments on
the subjects mentioned.
Mr.. MIliken has presented to the House pc
titons signed by several thousand soldiers
asking the passage of the Mexican Pension
bill with the Senate amendment favoring
Mon soldiers of the late war and their widows,
orphans and dependent parents, and says he
shall do ali be can to get it through the House ,
but the cavalier way in which the Democratic
majority treated it at the last session gives but
little promise of its success The bows in gray
not the boys in blue, are at the front here since
the last election. and the latter will get no
faVorS except 50 far as the former choose to
grant them.
1t Is Il noticeable thing that one seldom hears
Cleveland's name mentioned here; very rarely,
certainly, considering hat he is soon to be the
President. The old leaders of his party seem
to be inclined to ignore him in making up the
programme for the next four years. but wheth-
er they will succeed in taking the rens from
his hands and leaving him to be only the nom
inal director of his own administration re-
mains 10 be seen.
We have had unusually good weather since
Washington are very fine. but others are as
mean can be found in the temperate zone.
American Apples IN England.
An item in the journal of Dec. H. relating to
4 great shipment of apples from Nova Scotia,
quotes report that Nova Scotia apples bring
better prices than American apples because bet
ter packed" This may be true as a general
statement with reference to the past, but
have watched the reports from English markets
this season without seeing any accusations of
the kind, while on the contrary there have been
some very high compliments paid to the quail
ty and packing of the fruit shipped from Bos-
! ton. which up to the beginning of December has
sent much more fruit to Liverpool than any
! other port. take the liberty Of making few
quotations. Green & Mhineray. of Liverpool.
in their circular of Nov. s, say: Boston apples
have generally landed in good condition" Nov
10 the same firm says: with increased llianti-
~ Of fruit this week there has been Il slight de-
cline; the decline being specially noticeable in
New York and Canadian apples" Nov. -, q.
4 w. say: 'Arriyals have been Cd a liberal
scale this week, and with the exception of Bos-
ton apples, prices are lower all around Boston
fruit, owing to color, size of barrels aud good
packing, has been sought after at full prices"
Nov. 18th they report that 1.-THE only apples
that have been sought after are B0ston's which
have been very scarce. owing to only two
steamers being sold this week.
Woodall & Co. of Liverpool teegraphed
under date of Dee. l. AS follows: Receipts
are the heaviest this season, and the demand
has been sufficient to take them without any
material decline. New York and Canadian
fruit show no improvement, the latter being
generally poorer and smaller than those sold
last week, consequently some miserable price $
were accepted, holders seeing no advantage In
storing. Boston Baldwns continue to arrive
in excellent condition; quality and color is the
finest in our experience"
A great deal of the fruit shipped from Boston
was doubtless grown in Maine, and we have
reason to be proud of the praise bestowed upon
it abroad. Probably the packing has been this
season quite honest as that of Canadian
fruit. The English mode of selling is an ex-
ceIent one and fraud is quickly brought TO
grief. If their system could be introduced to
our American markets, it would be greatly to
the advantage of honest fruit growers.
CHAS. G. ATKINS.
Bucksport, Dec. 10, 1884.
I'VE take pleasure in printing the above
communication. Cur object in writing the item
quoted was to warp those intending to export
apples against false packing, which could only
result in IA pecuniary loss to them and loss to
honest shippers and the reputation of American
frut.-Ed. Journal
The movement for the repeal of the lobster
law at the coming session of the Legislature
will meet with opposition, but it may be sue
ce>sful The intent of the present law Is, no
doubt. to prevent the determination of the lob
ster, of which there is great danger The fish