The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-08-21
Our Washington Letter.
Special to the Democratic Press:
WASHINGTON, Aug. l6, 1884.

,flicer and department clerk have little
care for what the two great conven-
lions resolved in the way of party
principles this year. They feel that
the election is likely to be fought out
On other issues than tariff or protection.
In fact, to the ordinary political mind
as it operates here in Washington, a
party platform is mere collection of
words and phrases with which to OBJ
fusticate the mind of the rural voter.
TIE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES VIEW,
Little does the goveI nmeut employe
care whether protection or free trade
exists, so long as he is able to keep his
place. He has good deal of faith in
the effectiveness of an exposure of
something discreditable in Cleveland's
record to upset the charges against
Mr.. Blaine !; but whether the Chinese
come or go, whether gold stays in the
Treasury or leaves it, or whether the
Government has foreign policy or
not, is to him matter Of little conse.
guence. For this reason, the weak
ness of the Republican platform this
year does not disturb the Republicans
in Washington. 1t might say pre-.
cisely the opposite from what it does
say on every subject and be just as
good platform as it now is in their
eyes. What they are after is to hold
on to their offices. They have pretty
firm belief that if Blaine is elected
they will stay; and they feel that if
Cleveland is elected they will have to
go. 1t is doubtful if there are dozen
men among all the Government work.
ers in Washington who can tell what
the Republican platform requires the
party speakers to proclaim on the
stump this year.
KEIFER AND THE LAW.
1t is said that Mr.. J. Warren Keifer,
the great North American truth
teller,n who has been thoroughly
beaten in his district, is going to open
law office in Washington. That
means, Of course, that he is going to
join the ranks of lobby agents here.
That he would do this might have
been predicted with certainty. All
his associations and sympathies while
a member and Speaker of the House
have been with the men who are try.
ing to bleed the Government. He has
been speeulatOr ia Western enter
prises for many years and is reputed tC
have considerable wealth. or course
he has no law practice at home, if h,
had he would probably stay there an,
attend to it, although the public opin
ion of his district is so hostile to hin
that it probably would be very un
pleasant for him to remain there. Her
he will probably not be without EN-
ployment.
THE APPEARANCE OF BUTLER.
The news Of Gen. Buffers decision
to stand for the Presidency, on til
nominations that have been placed il
his lap by number Of contiding OF
ganizatiOns, creates no surprise il
3 Washington, and what is more, littl
3 or no interest even among the work
ingmen who claimed to be such in tens
4 believers in the man.
1t is the general impression tha
Butler has lost ground by his long de
i lay that can never be recovered, an
:, that he will discover when he doe
finally appear on the field that th
bulk of the workingmen have alread
!. enlisted under other banners. Butler
/. monopolistic record in Congress, ,whe
it Is disclosed to the eAnti-monopolist!
n will have u sickening effect upon tn
t decent members Of that organization
J. assuming that such an organizatio
q exists save in name, and the decor
C members have not already abandone
= it since he was given nomination
- The frequent interviews which hay
g been held by proxy between Butt.
9 and Secretery Chandler are all col
a strued as evidences of his determine
ton to assist the Republicans at IL
expense of the Democratic candidate
and it is not believed that many Den
ocrats will unite with him in disrup
), ing their party in Presidential yea
They realize that he now breaks IL
promise which he made at Chicago
support the nominee of the conventic
to which he was delegate, and
n whose deliberations he participated.
p THE CAMPAIGN IN INDIANA.
Ex Senator Mcdonald of Indian
h speaks freely of the outlook in h
/. State. 1.-THE campaign has not y
t, opened" he said, "but active prep
ratiOns are being made, and it will
/. one of the most closely contest
n. struggles we have ever had. Clev
10 land will carry the State, but we shi
10 have to fight for it. The Democrs
ID throughout the State are in good tri
10 and equal to the emergency"
W L" DO you look for Cleveland's ell
as liOn ?" he was asked.
M I" do, / believe he will surely car
nj the country, but as in Indiana il
a. elsewhere-there will be IL great strl
rs gle,"
at "What effect will Buffers acti
av have"
at will not effect the national ticl
I think. He will be felt in cert!
ee localities only. The fight throught
hs will he between Blaine and Clevelal
H. and neither will he effected by But,
ii, presence In the field. In Indiana
lie Greenback vote will be loss from
o. Republicans, il from either party"
Ia at is feared by some," was sugge
an ed, " that Butler will draw u big "
n from Cleveland in New York.
ed 81 think not. think he will
EN- draw a large vote at all. The fight,
Dt- l have said, will be between Clevela
'ly and Blaine, aud Cleveland will
~ elected.
N. l. 4.