The Press., 1884-08-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Washington, D. C., Aug 2, 1884.
 Although the administration has never been more completely dissolved for the time being than now, and although many government clerks are away on their months leave, still the machinery of the government continues in motion. A suf- fcient number of officials are left at their posts for routine business, and the city looks quite lively on this the second day of August. The people live out of doors at this seeson, and there is a great deal of driving, bicycling and tricycling on the asphalt thoroughfares of Washington, and great deal of boating on the placid Poto- mac. The denizens of the capital do not find it necessary to fly from it's broad, airy, shaded streets in quest of summer con- forts, as do the residents of less favored towns.
 Speaking of government clerks reminds me that discharged department employees are no small proportion of the thousands that daily throng the avenue. They wan der about the city looking forlorn and wretched, perfectly helpless outside of the department where, perhaps, they have spout the greater part of their lives. As soon as they receive the fatal yellow en- velope, which contains the information that their services are no longer required, they proceed to the room of the disbursing officer, ,and draw whatever pay is due them. Not wishing their fellow clerks to know that they have been dismissed, they fre- quently have it given out they have re- signed to engage in other business. That business, however, is an aimless hopeful dream of re-appointment. Many persons who once held high and responsible gov ernment positions are now engaged in it, with little chance of bettering their condi- tions.
 Soon after his removal he may be seen of afternoons in one of the hotel Hobbies or billiard saloons, faultlessly attired, and if an uninformed friend asks why he is not at his office he will perhaps reply that he IS taking his leave of absence, Should congress happen to be in session, he will become much interested in the debates. and can often be found at the capitol. But as the weeks pass, and all hopes of re- appointment disappear, the silk lined over coat is pawned, and next the watch, and other jewelry. When the suit of clothes begin to look thread-bare, things get des- perate, and something must be done. All remaining energy is called up in an effort to get back into the department. All the old letters of recommendation are brought out again, and the sympathies of the head of the department are appealed to, but all to no purpose. The ex-clerk is driven again to the occupation of aimless street wandering, for he is usually too vain to ac- cept any employment less respectable or remuneratiye than government position. And it cannot be denied that there is fas- cination in the clerical life of Washington. Persons living far removed from the cap- ital often wonder why the office holder is so 10th to leave it, that he will stoop to al- most anything in order to secure further tenure, whether it be four years in the white house, another term in either end of the capitol, or only longer lease of pet ty department clerkship.
 But everyone who visits Washington himself can solve the mystery. He may not be able to define the reason clearly. but he cannot remain long in the city with out experiencing those subtle influences which render it so attractive to residents. There is something very interesting in merely watching the great governmental machine or in inspecting it's component parts. The very air of the capitol, instinct with the official and social life that cen ters about the seat of government of great nation, seems to possess a singular charm that disposes one to finger and en- joy it. eea