The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-11-08
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Special Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Nov. /, 1854.

Special Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Nov. /, 1881.
The day of preparation is over, the
eve Of battle is here, and the unhappy
denizens of Washington are awaiting
the shock with anxity not less intense
and painful than was felt in Belgium's
capital when the boom OF Bonaparte's
cannon broke in upon their revelry
seventy years ago. The simile will
not serve me further, indeed | am
afraid have stretched it already, for
those who fear that the battle of the
4th inst, may be fraught with hope or
despair to them, are not, nor have
recently been jewellers. They have
lived in a state Of anxiety of varying
intensity since presidential election
four years ago Indeed anxiety is the
normal state of Government
clerk. The poor wretch or wretches
holds a position that is ever the bat
tie field of political parties. They
have no independence, no trades un-
ion. They cannot strike, they lack
that prerogative of all the industrial
guilds not excepting even the bod
carriers who have been on strike in
Washington pretty much all summer.
Civil laws have been enacted for
the protection of the vast army of COY
eminent employees, but they have little
faith in this enacted law, aud great
fear of what may be called the COM
mon law of American politics; ''to the
victor belongs the spoilS."
| will not venture prediction as to
what the result Of the election may be,
indeed it seems almost out of place to
be writing a Washington letter in this
crisis, for, although the result of the
election will be felt here more than
elsewhere, there will be no poll i'll the
district. The Capital of the United
States is disfranchsed. But though
there will be no voting here, thous-
ands Of the citizens of Washington
have gone home to vote in the states
where they formerly lived, and where
they, in some way, still claim politi
cal residence. The streets and all the
Government offices have a Timed out
appearance and both public and pri-
vate business is at a staudstill.
After the election there will be
change. The city will rapidly fill up.
Congress and its encourage of fashion
able people, lobbyists, cranks, and
journalists will fill the aristocratic flats
and hotels of the West End, as well as
the cheap hash houses and rookeries
at the other end.
In any event the coming winter will
be full of excitement for those who
take an interest in the resgestac, great
and small, of the seat of National gov
eminent. A new President will oc-
cupy the White House at the win
tiers close, and new president means
a new cabinet, and general adjust
ment to new order Of things. But,
if perchance the new president should
be a Democrat, the interest and ex-
element will be multiplied and inten
sifed. 1t will be what in Europe
would be called change of dynasty,
a revolution.
Very few of the merchants Of Wash
ington have ordered a full supply of
winters goods; they are waiting for
the verdict of Tuesday. If it should
be Cleyeland there will be a rear
rangement Of all business with a view
to reduce expenses for it is expected
that government employees, upon whom
the trade of the city depends, will at
once begin to economic and to save
money. Many government clerks
have houses here which would be
thrown upon the market, but few of
them are we'll Off and can easily get
along without their official salary.
Political headquarters of both par
ties in this city have been closed.
There are no statesmen left in the city
to-day, and all the Cabinet officers are
away. Secretary Teller of the Inter
Tor Department is in Colorado speak
ing for Mr.. Blaine. Secretary Chandler
is doing his best for the ticket in New
Hampshire. Secretary Lincoln Is
speaking in Illinois, and Attorney
General Brewster is helping in Pen
nrylvania. Ex-Secretary Gresham has
lent his aid in different states, and
Postmaster General Hatton who does
not speak, has assisted with his pen.
The death rate in Washington has
been much greater than usual during
the last six months. There is no cpl
demic, and the mortality has reached
no alarming proportion, but it is sim
ply larger than usual, and larger than