Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-05
A1exattdris 6asettf,
TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 5, 1883
MEN WHO PROFIT BY WAR.

MEN WHO PROFIT BY WAR.
A dispatch from Washington says:
ITO hear these fellow talk, you'd think
war was coming in fourteen minutes !"
republican statesman in the cont
ence of President Mckinley nodded to-
ward group in the Riggs House Sun
day afternoon and uttered this remark in
snappy tones. The group was made
up of industrious and energetic citizens
who are here TO sell Uncle Sam any
thing from ship to a gimlet. For a
number of weeks Washington has bsen
besieged by these people. They are ar
irving by every rain. 1t is believed
that the week at hand is to be the most
exciting one in Washington in thirty
years. The enterprising citizens with
things to sell to the government tumble
over each other in the corridors of the
hotels. They jostle statesmen at the
Arlington, Shoreham, Chamberln's
and Wizards, and infest the Navy and
War Departments. Contractors, camp
followers, and suffers are every where.
In numbers they are like brigadier-
generals after the war. The capital OF
some is represented by hundred-dol-
lar bill Behind others there are mil
lions. Up to date only The hotels have
b,en benefited. All landlords are
serene and placid. They look
comfortable. There isn't g furrowed
brow in the lot. The enterprising and
industrious citizens with ships and coal
mines and pork to sell to the govern
ment are expec.aut. At times they
are anxious. This is when a piece
wave is over Washington. This is in-
variably followed by wer wave, aud
then the enterprising and industrious
ones are almost as calm and whole-
some-looking as the landlords. Not
quite, of course, but pretty nearly so.
The landlords are sure winers now.
The other fellows are still bothered by
hopes. 1t is all very intert sing to
those not familiar with the excellent
rules of commerce and trade.
One group of energetic citizens is al
most violently assertive that, should
occasion require. it can contract to FUR
nish our army and navy with the
meatiest and latest pork ever slaugh-
tered Another group, while perhaps
not so violent, is nevertheless equally
positive in its assertions that, in the
event Of q brush with the Dons, it can
provide the government with the
sturdiest -four, cornmeal, and oats ever
milled or grown. So it goes on
all day long from early morning
to far into the night. Incidentally
more or less grog is drunk. Sometimes
it is hot apple toddy, at others it is cold
apple toddy. Some of the gentlemen
who are here to aid the government, in
the event of war, prefer gin sings, ard
not few are partial TO brady smashes.
There is a sort of patriotism, though,
among the majority, and they stick 10
good old American rye. II may not be
embarrassing to give in detail few OF
the commodities and products, other
than ships and coal mines and pro-
visions and gimlets, the energetic citi-
Zens would like to sell to the govern
ment should hosulities break out. Here
they are: Boots and shoes, anchors,
avis, shoestrings, horses, mules, wag-
ons and wagon wheels, tents, knives
and forks, spoons, kettles, stoves, lam
terms. tin cups and cans, blankets, fan
mel, liniments, soap, cloth for naval
and military uniforms, revolvers,
alcohol, coffee, condensed milk,
bareback, rope aud twine, shovels,
picks and axes And not few folks
are here who have for sale projectiles,
torpedoes aud arms ard ammunition Of
the most destructive and deadly charac-
ter. On week days the Senate and
House, restaurants are lhroDged with
the representatives of manufacturers
and other business men of all degrees
and station, foreign and home bred.
They represent, more than anything
else, the tireless energy incident to
business competition and the almost
limitless resources of the United States.