Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-07-29
Washington Notes.

Correspondence of the ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE. !
WASHINGTON, July 29.-Washington has
become what was originally intended it
should be, the political centre of the coun.
try, as New York is the business metropolis,
and while all the paths of trade lead TO the
latter, the political compass points unerripg-
ly to the former. Apart from it's political
significance, Washington mas few of the re.
quisites Of city. It's broad avenues its
beautifully shaded streets, its handsome
parks and circles, AID its magnificent public
buildings and private residences make it e1-
ceediogly attractive to the eye. but it has
no commerce, no manufactures, and, unlike
London or Paris. no resources within itself,
may become the home Of men of learning
where the literati of the country, and the
retired mlllionaires, ambitious of promi
nence, may congregate but again it lacks
the essentials to permit 1t to vie with Euro
pean cties The frequent changes Of ad
ministration relegate TO private life men
who might assist in making it literary cen
ire, but who, NOT being overburdened with
filthy lucre" are, consequently, unable TO
reside hert; ar d the women do not possess
public sentiment they simply attract by
their appearance, and pan6er to the baser
sppettes, and make up in lavish show what
they lack in intellectual requirements. Thus
it is, that since the days OF Mrs. Kate Chase
Sprsgue to the present time, nothing
like the brilliant assemblage of states.
men and politicians, the witty and
yivacious danes, endowed with femin.
inc hearts but masculine minds,
able to grasp the issues of the day, as they
do in the European capitals, have gathered
here, and it is only the "teas," the dinners
TO distinguished guests, or the german"
that draw while the feeble attempts at
literary entertainments flicker for awhile
aad then go out. No, Washington is big
village, the home of the Office holder who is
never noted for anything outside of routine
duty, and who is always satisfied to be as
he ie, and do homage to his superior. The
city is great, big boarding house, Only re-
curing the necessaries of life, poorly served
az that, which, in turn require such supplies
"a are furnished by shops-only small
wares dealt out n small parcels-nothne
on large scale. and everything done in a
miritum, compOSitum style.
Ye. it is here that the politicians do most
ly corgregate; here that the scheming is
done, and the wires pulled; from here that
the edicts are Issued that make or unmRke
the fortunes of men. Aud this leads natu-
rally to matters political, and as sequence
the pext Presidential problem, and who are
to be the candidates. General Harrison,
the incumbent if the present feeling is il :
dicative of the future, will be permitted to
return to mis- home in Indianapolis, where
| he and Mrs Harrison can manage their do
meEtic affairs TO suit their own convenience,
and bring up Baby Mckee in the way the
true Western baby should go; whether to
maui rails, run canal boat, tan leath
err, or keep a CROSS roads grocery,
matters little. 1t is an open secret here that
the government is not run by the admins
tration, but by Dudley, Quay, Carkson &
Co, and the better sort OF republicans, the
men of brains of the party, are Disguised,
and accuse the President of having his poll
tical vision bounded By Icdiana, with only
little hole In the shy, through which New
Eoglapd is visible, while the other parts of
the country are ignored entirely; and there
fol hey think that the services OF man OF
broader views are required, and such man
will be put forward by the republicans. 1t
will not be Mr.. Blaine, for his day has
psssed his bodily health has impaired bis
mental faculties, and he will soon be of the
past. In his time he wns one of the boldest
and most INSCRIPTIONS politicians, leader
whom few desired 10 entagonizs, md whose
ability was acknowledged by ALL but he has
had to sucCumb to nature, his vitality hav-
Ing been overta1ed. and his public career is
at an end. Who the successful competitor
will be, ia not yet vouchsafed. On the
democratic side, ". 9. Whitney, ex
Secretary of the Navy under Mr.. Cleveland,
has the 'bulge' just now, and with his rec.
ord his barrels and those of his brother.iu'
law and father-in-law, backed by the Stand
ard Oil Company, with its untold millions,
he will evidently be in the lead Az New
York's seventy votes in the convention
count heavily, and as between Ben Hill and
s. G. Cleveland there Ia bitter feud, the
chances are that Mr., Whitney will carry
New York, and as goes New York, so goes,
In all probability, the convention. IL
Ia an acknowledged fact that by both par
ties MIR. Whitney ia looked upon as THE
coming man." the republicans acknowledge
ing that he will make strong run, and with
the feeling in their party, amounting almost
to characterization the chances are that the
democrats may again get into power. Mr..
Whitney is also looked upon "a democrat,
with no republican procivities.
Then, as to State poIillos it may not be amlss
to say that eager eyes are watching affairs in
Virginia, and the democrats should not allow
themselves to be lu!led into security or
think they will have an easy victory or gain
the fight without the most strenuous efforts.
Gen. Malone, If the contract with the adj
ministration is carried out, and with the
federal patronage, backed by the money
which will be poured into the State through
several channels, together with the methods
employed by the republican party, will
make a fight the like of which has not been
seen. It will be fight to the finish, and
one or the other party goes under. It's all
right to say there's no doubt the State will
70 democratic; but about the doubt, there is
considerable doubt in the minds of those
who take an impartial view of things. With
debt paying plank in their platform and
protective feature, both (which will take, !"
it wont do for the democracy to use their
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