The Washington critic., 1885-08-07

Naval syudtcatc-Hard Times at
the Capital.
During a period of over fifteen
years of mercantile life in Washington
have never seen such distressing times
as these" said Il dry goods dealer to
Western correspondent. "What cause
DO you attribute to the dull times ?" was
asked. "People in government en-
ploy are frightened out OF their wits,
and are not spending cent that is
not absolutely ne cessary. They believe
that Is the Republicans do--ihat they
are to be removed from their positions,
and they are saving all they can to get
out Of town on" The real estate deal
ers report few sales and depression in
prices. There is a great apprehension
among all government employees. They
fear their time Is near at hand and are
practicing economy.
wv
Secretary Whitney's action in the
Dolphin matter pricked the Roach bub-
bic, says Washington correspondent
OF the Philadelphia News, aud an as
signmcnt was made. This, however,
did not deter the men engaged ia the
scheme Of capturing the Navy Depart.
ment. Roach is incapacitatcd for future
business, but the other men feel that
there is strength In his name. Accord
ingly syndicate has been formed--2o
II Is said, and | have every reason for
accepting it as truthful--composed OF
William Ii. Barnum, William l.. Scott,
and also, it is understood, Abram $.
Hewitt. This rich and powerful com.
bination purposes to purchase all Of
Roach's ship building plant, and in addi-
ton Mr.. Hewitt Is negotiating abroad
for an armor plating plant. Armor
plates cannot be made IN this country,
but the new syndicate propose to build
irOn-clads, cruisers and any other ves-
sells that may be needed for the power
full navy that it IL understood Demo.
cratic administration Is anxious to build.
BY some means they have secured the
postpOnement OF all contracts until
after Congress meets, by which time
they hope to be in the ii, lit and able to
monopollze all the work. Their only
fear is that Secretary Whitney may not
be entirely tractable.
Nv
Applicants for positions In the phila-
deiphia Mint, says the Press of that
city, 60 there with their letters of en-
dorscment, IN pursuance of a plan
agreed upon by the Democatic leaders.
On the strength OF their presence and OF
the Inconvenience it is causing visito RS
who come there during the hours SET
apart for The public, Congressman
Randall On Wednesday last got off Il
grim joke. The Congressman has been
running into the city from his country
place more frequently this week than
any other time since the adjournment
OF Congress. Yesterday he came in
early--shortly after 8 o'clock-and
vent up to Superintendent FOX's room,
where he remained with The latter fol
more than an hour. Mea' me he gre at
army of applicants down stairs had paid
due homage to their eminent patronage
dispenser, and were still holding theil
places when he came down. sthe Cor
gresham came down after his long inter.
view with Superintendent Fox, one vi
the Republican attaches Of the institu
ton accostcd him. "Mr. Randall, =
said he plea'antly, these people," in.
dicating the crowd Of applicants, sane
causing II great deal Of trouble here
You see how they're blocking up the
entrance and pa sages yourself" The
Congressman turned and surveyed his
multitud, of hungry-eycd constituents,
all anxious for the honor Of smile OF
nod of recognition, and then, turning
to his eilOcutor, remarked slowly
"Well, it isn't altogether the thing, but
they'll be further in after awhile, ant
then they'll be out Of your way" lIav
ing launched this jake, The grimness O
which can be best appreciated by thost
Republican employees who are destined
to be superseded, the Congressman de
scended the steps and walked slOwl,
down Chestnut street.
w
General Grant was stopping for {
little while in Chicago on his return
from his trip around the world, ant
while there, as Tie Mail tells The story
was the guest Of his son, Colonel Free
Grant, at The latter's home on Michigan
avenue. Tom Burnside was the cit,
editor of the Telegraph. Bill Gore wa
on the s,afl---a laDk, uncouth, badly
dressed six-footer, who chewed enough
tobacco for the whole following OF BIZ
stable, aud who delighted in violent eX
p!etives While Burnside was debating
the matter in his mind his reflection:
were disturbed by the entrance into TIN
city EDITORS room OF Gore. When in
formed of the trouble Gore burtel
out: "ThaL's nothing. Give me tn,
assignment; III tackle him" He wa
given It, and, putting on an ulster OF |
huge plaid pattern CXcellng in breadth