Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-11-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From Our Regular CorrespondeRt.)

"AShlhoIOhi ~. ", NOV. l1lui 1ooo.
Ed. NoRTHwEsr;-At present there seems
to be drought of news at the Capital city.
The only topic which seems to agitate the
political waters is the recent defeat of the
Democracy in places where least looked for,
and every old chronic is trying to suggest
some good and sensible excuse for the GER
tainly humiliating result. The most plaus-
able one is APATHY" But what is the cause
of the apathy? Here again the aforesaid
venders of political nostrums come to the
front, and try to force upon you their differ
ent panaceas, ranging from the old chestnut
'boodle," to the popular dislike for the ad-
ministration. The last one is the most prob
able, and it is now almost generally conceed-
ed that it is the true and only cause. The
Democracy throughout the country are be-
coming tired of this humbug ''civil service"
and after having voted the Democratic ticket
for twenty-five years without any show of
success are disgusted, after getting control
of the government, TO see Republicans hold
the most lucrative positions, and to see that
good appointments are not bestowed upon
the party workers, but upon some out-cast
mugwump who never voted the Democratic
ticket until this Presidential election. The
idea that personal interests in political events
is.dishonesty' is all bosh, and if the Demo-
Gratis wish to be successful in the next elec-
ton, that holier than thou idea must be put
in the back ground, or better still-under
ground.
Hon. John S, Barbour, who recently re-
turned from Europe, said in speech last
week that 'The Democrats who carried the
flag of the party in 1884 have not received the
encouragement they deserve, and in fact have
not been recognized by the administration.
When the President puts men
in Office he must not consider personal mo-
tiyes but party motives, and it without fear
or trembling. The mugwump is
having too much influence with the President
and the Democrats too little" Mr.. Barbour
thinks these are few causes for the apathy of
the Democrats.
Mr.. Henry Watterson, editor of the Courier
Journal, is still more pronounced, and says
that: ''The Democratic party must meet the
tariff issue honestly, and substitute for the
humbug of civil service reform the actuality
of clean and efficient administration of the
government upon purely Democratic princi-
PIES" If the President would take the ad-
vice of such men and influence sturdier
party spirit into the administration, it would
be god-send to the Democratic party.
The only appointment of any note for Ohio
was VIM. D. Burnett, of Cincinnati, to the
District Attorneyship for the Southern Dis
trict of Ohio. He was one of twenty-nine
applicants, was highly endorsed by Ex-Gov.
Hoadly, Democratic Congressman, etc. He
is a young man and said to be good Demo-
crat. The position is worth about $1,000 a
year. In regard to appointments,
"The mills of the goods grind slowly,
And they grind exceedingly small"
There has been great deal of talk here re-
Gently about Mrs. Cleveland not going toI
Richmond because Winnie Davis was there.
Shortly after the President returned he held
onelof his regular receptions, in the coarse of
which Richmond lady was presented, who
in shaking hands with him, said she was sor-
ry not to have the pleasure of meeting Mrs.
Cleveland, for next to Winnie Davis there
was no one she would like to see better than
Mrs. Cleveland. The President looked mo-
ment and IN ''far distant" way remarked
that Mrs. Cleveland would undoubtedly be
pleased to see her in the evening at her recep-
ton.
In spite of the issue of the one and two dol
lar certificates there is great deal of silver
dollars in circulation. At present there are
$61, ,453, ,240 out of total coinage of $244,-
767, 1856. 1t has been the endeavor of the
Department to increase the circu-
lation to $65, 900 900, but it is thought it can
not be done in the face of the recent issue of
bills. The net gold holdings of the Treasury,
coin and bullion, is $159, 1865, $40, as compared
with $142,23S $780, on the 1st of November,
1885.
The number of.pensions granted last week
was 1,790. The number of new applications
last week was 771-506 for invalid pensions,
265 for widows; there is an average of AL ap-
plications day for widows. But still with
], ,760 allowed cases in one week, some howler
will say the Democratic party is not with the
soldier. BERK.