Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1878-12-21
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Nov. %, Isl;

WASHINGTON, Nov. %, 1878.
No man is more noticeable in Con-
cressiopal halls than Alex. II. Steph-
ems. the veteran statesman OF Geor-
cia. During the last session he was
IN such poor health that lie could
not stand but sat in wheeled chair
IN which servent brought him from
his hotel to the Capitol. He made
several spec ches during the Winter
and while delivering these he was
constantly rolling himself back and
forth in the area in front of the
Speakers desk, gesticulatins and
moving about as freely and as nat
urally as if he were on his feet.
Also, except when speaking, he re-
NAMED in his out-of-doors wraps,
cloak, hat and gloves. His faithful
black servant takes him in his arms
and carries him everywhere without
an effort, as we'll he may, for the
big Drained mans body weighs but
so pounds. When in health he
tipped the scale at bundled audit
not unlikely that his physical lit
tleness has saved his life more than
once, for, being a firm adherent to
the old English and Southern code
of gentlemanly honor" duelling,
ETC., and withal u man of bad tenn
per and excitable, he has repeatedly
challeng d politicians who have i'm
pugned his motive or questioned his
integrity. HerscEell V, johnson, Rem
Hill and other prominent men who
are known to. be adherents to the
dwelling code, have been challenge |
by him and have declined fighting
him, in some cases undoubtedly for
the sole reason of his puny body
and ill health. In 1848 he had
an alteration with Judge Cane, in
his own State, and afterward, when
the two met ut hotel, the Judge
called him traitor. Stephens who
was unarmed, Immediately struck
the Judge across the face with q
small cane, whereupon his opponent
drew dirk-knife and attempted to
stab him. Stephens, though tiny,
was agile and evaded the thrust but
received twenty more OF less serious
wounds in different parts of his body,
and was at last seized by the Judge
and thrown to the floor. Then, fore
ing his head back and holding the
knife aloft the Judge shouted, Now
apologize or I'll cue your throat"
Never! Cut away was the plucky
reply, and as the dirk descended.
Stephens caught it, nearly severing
his hand in the effort, sprang to his
feet and was doubtless saved from
death by the influence of common
friends, just at this juncture. The
scars he received then and there will
go to his grave with him. He re-
fused to appear against the Judge at
his trial and their relations there
after were most amicable. Stephens
has been q great leader in his party,
but younger and fresher men are
needed now.
The recognized ability of Senator
Thurman in the matter of leader
ship is such as to inspire the. en-
tire Democratic party with conf
dence. A man OF sterling worth,
strict integrity and boundless infor-
nation, be is sure to win the trust of
strong men and to become formid-
able antagonist to any who dare op-
pose him.
A man who will be welcomed back
to the Senate by friends and foes
alike, is the Republicans great party
leader, Roscoe Conkling. Although
such AZ he will always have strong
political opponents, yet worthy men
of any party cannot fail to recognize
his exceptional qualities as states
man. and TO respect him accordingly.
Politicians who have the country's
good at heart are glad to see any
party's guiding lines in firm hands,
and to know that the public interest
are being looked to with eyes true
and keen. Such hands and such
eyes has Conkling.
The President and his cabient
sent congratulations to the CONNER
cial Convention in Chicago on the
18th and 18th, which was called to
devise ways to promote better ia
cilities and cheaper rates between
the Atlantic and Pacific. The Con-
vention returned the compliment by
recommending the construction by
Congressional aid of the Texas and
Pacific Railroad and the extention OF
time allowed HE Northern Pacific te
build as iine through. The success,