The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1879-12-09
HE SOUTH KERfUGkiAa.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 1879.


Fhis, and the absence Of the custom
airy bntton-holing campaign fo
officers ofthe House. has rendered il
exceedingly dull here up pthe very
opening. OF Congress. Among the
lew here during tho past week there
has been good deal of talk about The
proposition, started by somebody, tc
make General Grant captain genera
of the Army for life, with a modes
salary of $4,000 per year. Some o
his friends think that this or to place
him on the retired list at the same
figure, would be a fine thing to no
and they have even talked of sus
nrhding the rules to pass bill t
that effect the first week of the SOS,
sion. But l notice the ex Govern
meat Printer (llpp aud a few of Thu
old Office h ,ldc's unlcr Grants ad
minislralion don't cotton TO Thu
pro POSITION worth cent. They ar,
the ones who organized tho third
term boom, and they want the" ol,
man." as they used TO call him, TO
President in order that they may &c
another chance TO feather their owl
nests.
In this connection / may refer Il
The talk abont Grant boom in thu
orth. lnterviewswith all the lead
Ing Southern Congressman who have
so far arrived, including Alexander
Stephens, Gen. IIunton, Randall
Gibson, and many others, develop tn,
TACT that there is nothing in it. ]
have talked with twenty influential
Southern Democrats, all of whom
say that noti'a man of any influence
in the party is committed TO or in
favor OF such movement. at
amounts to nothing" said Gen. Glib
son. "and any good candidate the
Democrat may nominate will carry
I'll the States that voted for Tilden IN
1875" But the agitation concerning
Grant sentiment in the South has
had one very visible effect. 1t has
slckened the stalwart Radicals, who
advocate Grant as "strong man." a
regular "rebel hater" as it were.
They started the talk Of Southern
strength for Grant merely 10 aid them
IN working the boom, but ii went so
fr,'apparently. and Grant expressed
Linn selfso practically that til ely really
Logan TO doubt whether he was the
man they wanted after all. 1t is the
offices and the power these men
want, now and for all time. They
want 10 array solid North against q
solid South, and makes the campaign
one of hate and bitterness, Auy-
thing that mtcrferes with this pro-
grammc knocks all their calculations
into pie. If Grant makes a few more
utterances like his words TO the
Army Of the Tennessee, lie will soon
case to be heir man and his chances
or third term won't be worth q
nsh
It's difficult to indicate the bus =
II ,ss that W chiefly occupy Congress
aside from the appropriations and
routine legislation, There appears to
be a very general sentiment in favor
OF q working session and an early ad-
journment. Six months has been
fixed by some members as the limit
Of time, but | predict that it will be
seven at least. The calendars of both
houses, containing the business
brought over from the extra sessions
have been prepared, but they contain
few important bills. l do not think
there will be any prolonged contest
between Congress and the President
over tho measures brought out at the
extra session. The Democrats then
accomplished all they can secure
against an adverse Executive, and il
Is generally admitted that further dis
,ussion or agitation would be q waste |
'f time. The question of tariff rcvis-
on has been extensively discussed,
md the indications are that Congress
nay undertake it. There is nothing
sectional in the question and some
'etorms are highly important. Yet
.i'cre Is every reason TO expect hard
light whenever the subject is taken
up. There are some interests tina,
Will oppose and change to the bitter
md, aud with all the usual appliances
or influencing legislation. Another
important measure likely to be agi.
'ated is proposed bill TO regulate
ne electoral count, though it is
doubtful if it results in ANYTHING
more than talk. There are plenty of
congressman who express themselves
n favor of change in the manner OF
leciing n President and q Vice Pres.
dent-a change enabling the citizen
o vote directly for these officers-but
hat is hardly practicable at this time.
Nor is it likely that any departure
will be made from the established
method of counting the vote by Con-
Iress, though doubtless the Repub!i.
ans will come forward with some
'evico through which they would
lope to trick the Democrats agaiu.
The grand ball in honor of the
Army Of the Cumberland last week
gas a brilliant affair, and only es-
apcd notice in my letter because l
lad already written TOO much before
'eaching it. But the picture given BY
hat enterprising journal, the Graphic
'Scites laugh oven now. A large
ent was erected for the exercise con-
lected with the reunion, including
no ball, but strong wind felled Il
o the groud, andsthe fantastic exer.
Use was held in the Capitol. 1t was
he first ball ever given in that build
ny and the new electric light flashed
orth its brilliant rays until they met
he glare of calcium from the Treas
Try building, making Pennsylvania
venue as light as day, almost. But
he Joke of the thing is that the
Iraphic Artist was so previous that
&c located the scene in Tie tent lie
ives the picturosquely draped tent
ole the stretch OF the canvass above
nd tho gay groups within. This is
crtainly q triumph of the ideal art
Dr., with the few triflling exceptions
nat will be understood from the fore
DING, the pictureis perfect. 1t was
OF the artists fault that while the
oil went on in The Capitol his mag
ificent tent with q mass of limp and !
clpless canvass.
In obedience of Mr. Hayes sugges-
on Thanksgiving day appears to
I'VE been well observed. There
ere many things to be thankful for
lis year, not the least of which is the {
ct that, We have but one more year
Hayes. The day is always relig-
usly kept here, as are all HOLIDAYS, {