The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-01-12
Washington Letter.
ON our Regular Correspondent,


| WASHINGTON, Jan. ), 1884.
Literally the New Year opened under a
cloud IN Washington. The pitiless storm
tested the gal:an,ry Of gentlemen, and
a surprisingly large number of calls were
made considering the iuclemency of the
weather The social observance Of the
day IN the Capital has an official basis ,ha,
tends to give 1t permanency, although the
custom Is said to be losing its hold else.
where. The annual levec at the White
House was all that could have been wished
The other official receptions were success
full IN display and In attendance, and many
private receptions were well attended
Locally, Washington cannot complain Of
the year just ended. Trade has been good,
and the city has prospered. The health
statistics are encouraging, and should sill
| ence talk about malaria. Building has
continued to II remarkable degree, and the
steady demand tor houses shows that the
increase of accommodation has no, been
speculative. The value of land has also
firmly increased. The District govern
ment has given fair satisfaction, and the
city Is growing more popular yearly with
Congress Speaking Of the District gov
manshlp OF the District of Columbia
committee 10 "A representative from dis
trio. near Washington. In the late com
miltee appointments the place WAS assign
ed Hon John :. Barbour Of AleNantria,
| Va. Citizens are encourage! that q map Of
broad and liberal views, as we'll as one
perfectly familiar With the necessities OF,
The District, is TO have charge Of The leg.
! islatlon pertaining TO It's welfare.
The Treasury cheetlully opened The New
| Year with table showing 81 debt rcduc-
tiNn during 1888 ot one hundred and ten
millions of dollars; and this IN spite Of the
tax Iegis!a,ion OF the last Congress
which III the lirsI SIX months operation of
the new law, has cut down the revenues
twenty eight millions ot dollars. The re
duction IN the debt for December was
twelve millions.
After al interval o.. two weeks Congress
reasSembled Monday, and The rca! work Of
the session has now 5eguu. Among the
business awaiting the House are several IN.
teres,ing Investigations to be made at an
early date. Onc is the charge made by
| Republican newspapers OF reputation and
good standing in the party, that n member
of the Supreme Bench OF the United States
was appointed 10 his position to carry out
the conditions OF bargain made between
President then in the chair, and unknown
New York capitalists. The reputation of
the Supreme bench is at stake rs long as
this charge stands gnrefuted, or until 1t Is
proven false by committee of Congress.
For this reason member Of the House, who
halls from the same state as the accused
Judge, told me he intended soon To offer a
resolution calling for a thorough investi-
CATION of the charge by \ committee 10 be
selected from the ablest members of both
parties in the present House. Another
matter to be investigated is the manner in
which the Office of the Attorney General
has been conducted with reference TO the
political indictments In South Carolina,
Mississippi, and Louisiana. Grave mis-
conduct In office lie charged against The At.
torney General in the management Of the
prosecution of these cases. The members
from these States are all IN favor Of an in
! Quiry that will show tbe country iusi how