The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-05-29
Our Washington Letter.
Special to the Democratic Press:
WASHINGTON, May "a, 1SS

FEET OF THE PANIC Upon CERTAIN
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATEs-THE
TREND OF PUBLIC OPINION.
There has been considerable change
in the Presidential situation during
the last week. At least the drift of
the gossip is different. Gifted politi-
clans who feel in their bones ominous
changes i'll the political atmosphere,
think they scent a decline in the
Blaine boom. 1t would puzzle any of
them to define wherein the decline
lies, but even the friends of Blaine are
not as confident and buoyant as they
were. Hale. of Maine, who is an out
and-Out supporter of Arthur, it is said
has secured the support of his Senate
rial associate, Frye. The Blaine peo-
pie all along claimed that Frye could
be had if he were needed, but Blaine,
true to his policy of asking no one to
support him, could not afford to coax
Frye out of his sulks over Blain's so
long keeping him on the ragged edge
of despair during the Winter Garfield
was making up his Cabinet. Frye is
at present nominally for Arthur. He
thinks Arthur more apt to carry New
York than Blaine.
There is, all impression among the
politicians that Arthur is gaining
ground again. Some of the Republi-
cans, in discussing methods for carry
ing New York, say it is much more
important to know who can make a
good trade with John Kelly than it is
to have candidate supported by all
the Republican leaders in that State.
Arthur is making some headway with
politicians who believe in manipula-
ton on account of his alleged good
understanding with John Kelly. ..a
The call for meeting of solid busi-
ness men in New York for the indorse-
ment of Arthur's Administration, is
regarded here as weak political de-
vice. People do not take kindly to
anything savoring of dictation from
so-called moneyed men. Where a
meeting is called of business men only,
where capitalists alone are expected,
the result is always unfavorable upon
the general public. A better way
would be for the business men to gath
er in all classes at their meeting, if
they wish to accomplish anything. 1t
is noted here as significant fact that
large number of the signers of the
call are importers who enjoyed special
privileges under Arthur when he was
Collector of the Port. ,.-.t.s .. s..-
The Wall street furry has made the
Republican nomination less desirable
than it was. Before this panic the Re-
publican nomination was considered
equivalent to a walk-over. Now the
panic calls attention to the speculative
mania of the period, and politicians
realize, the fact that real hard :imes
will awaken people to the demand fol
a change of administration, particular
Iy if the Democrats come out with {
savage platform demanding the cut
ting down of taxes. ...t .s. ,...
There is great demand for tickets
to witness the proceedings of the Jun'
Convention at Chicago. Delegates arr
to have five daily tickets given then
for their, friends. Offers of as high a
$40 each have been made for these tick
ets. 1t is said the Southern member
expect to clear their expenses from
these tickets. Is .....--.. ..f - a.....f..
sGR. CHAFFEE ALMOST PENNTLEss. q
a friend of Senator Chaflee, who j
in Washington, said that Chaffee VIA
one of the greatest sufferers by tn
failure of Grant & Ward. He had los
every cent of his available resources
Last year he considered himself wortl
| So 600, 600, of which $1,000, 600 were il
Colorado properties, which have sine
greatly deprecated, and are no
now marketable.
At the time of the marriage of hi
daughter with Buck Grant he haC
81, 900, 900 in cash securities. Wher
his daughter was married he gave he
S4OO, 600 in bonds. These were all pu
into the firm of Grant & Ward, anC
every dollar of them is lost. Chaffet
himself in street speculation during
the past year lost 100000. A month
or six weeks ago he had half a million
in cash securities. Just before he made
his last visit to the West he took thi:
money and gave it to his son-in. law tC
keep for him during his absence. /
was not an investment, nor was it fo
the purpose of securing any invest
ments. 1t was simply deposited with
young Grant as trust, during brie
abser ce of the ex-senator. This mon
ey in some way reached the hands O
Ward and was lost. d.. -.f- a4.a.
Chaffee is practically penniless, anC
This friend of Chafee says that it is by
no means believed that Ward coule
have lost the large sums charged up t,
this failure. He believes that $4,000,
600 would cover the legitimate losse
of the firm, and hints directly at very
scandalous developments which will
result in rigid id.investigation of wha
Ward has done with the money.
KELLOGG, MUCH CONCERNED. ..
Congressman William Pitt kellogg,
appears 20 be greatly concerned abou
the revelations that Mr.. John A. .Walsl
has been making before the Syringe
Investigating Committee. In an in
terview published he says that Walsl
is partial lunatic, and that strain o
insanity runs through his family whicl
the committee can discOverif they will
} only be further diverted from the sub
ject they daily meet to consider. MI
Kellogg says that already member O
Congress who listened to Mr.. WaIsl
has told him that the witness was q
unsound mind, and would be in tn
lunatic asylum within year.
Mr.. Wash, when asked what reply