The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1880-09-18
Our Washington Letter.


Thurman's Contradictory Prognostica-
tions-Politic Assessments -Arkan-
sas and Vermont Elections Edison's
Electric Light, etc.
WASHINGTON. D. e.. Sept 8, 1880.
EDITOR CHIEF:
A friend of Senator Thurman who
lately left him, told your correspond
ent that the Senator refused to ex-
press any opinion as to the prospect
in Ohio this Fall. But last night
letter from the Senator to another
! Washington friend was shown, in
which prophecy Of Democratic VIC
tory in the State in October was made.
While one of the best lawyers in the
country, the Senator is not, and never
can be skillful politician. His opin-
ion about Ohio, whether uofavorable
to the Democracy, as in the case first
mentioned above, or favorable, as ex-
pressed in his letter-is of little ac-
count. There are hundred Demo-
Gratis in Ohio who have more knowl-
edge Of the political machines work
than Thurman has.
Many exaggerated stories are told
of assessments" upon Office holders
here. More classes are probably APP
piled to during this year than ever
before, but that seems to be only fair
if We once concede the propriety of
collecting money from Office holders.
Certain local organizations here, how
ever, have undertaken to collect
money for the good of the Republican
party at large, and that attempt is
properly and generally condemned.
All stories Of removal from position
because of refusal to pay, may safely
be set down as fabrications. There
are dismissals from Office here every
day in the year-sometimes for ineffi-
cheney or inattention to duty, and
sometimes because a particular class
Of work is exhausted, or for other rea-
sons-but there is no we'll authenti-
Gated case of bulldozing" under
this administration.
TbU. rncrlk x~e tho
created but little comment. 1t was
, expected, of course, that the State
would give a huge Democratic ma
jority, and the expectation has been
realized. Nor is there much interest
!, centered III the Vermont election 81
yesterday. The Republicans look fo,
.. a majority of $4,000 aud vote ol
about 5000. The principal feature
Of the Arkansas result is the victory
, Of the debt-paying faction over the
repudiationists. The fight was agaius,
the so-called Fishback amendment
1t was proposed by this to amend
the State constitution SO as to pro.
hlblt the Legislature from making
l. any provision for interest or principal
! of certain State Improvement bonds
}, At the Democratic headquarters in
this city they are exchanging con-
gratulations over the position taken
s by Arkansas.
Zenas F. WILDER, who resigned the
' position Of examiner of interfereuces
in the United States Patent Office tc
!. attend to the patent business of Ed.
u lson, the inventor, is in the city. He
says there is now being put up in the
> woods around Menlo Park numbe,
q of lamps, aud at an early day expert.
] ments will be made which will demon.
strate fully the success of the Ediso,
system Of electric lights. The great
8 difficulty, which is now being over.
: come, ls to get an engine suited for
the purpose. Such engines are now
being built, and when flushed, Mr.
: WILDER says, will be the last link
: necessary to complete in detail the
+ Edison theory. Without such an en-.
giDe, to light Pennsy lvauia avenue
with electricity it would DO necessary
e to lazy sbeatbing Of copper along til.
a entire surface.
Since the deatl, of that eminen,
scholar and soldier, Gen. A. j. Myer
D familiarly known as "Old ProbaLili.
: ties" the weather in this part of THE
e country seems to be running wild
y First we almost melted, with the tl,er.
r mometel up to 100 degrees in the
shade, for nearly two weeks, aud now
the blasts Of winter are around us
e aud overcoats are in great demand
t II Captain Howgate intends to take
1 charge Ut the weather bureau, it j.
1 time he began. Perhaps as there ha,
1 been some opposition to his promo
D ton to the vacancy caused by the
r death of General Myer, he is letting
the weather go at odds aud ends as :
r punishment to his opponents Tha,
n he is III every respect competent Il
fill this vacancy We have no doubt
and it is a matter of regret that any
a opposition should be made to hi,
: prompt promotion. After Captain
/ Howgate there is hut one man wht
i, should be called TO the position, aue
! his name we have not seen mentioned
!. as yet. We refer to Col. Garricl
Mal,ery, who, for some years wa,
: connected with the signal service o
). the army, second in raLk only to Gen
e Myer. Col. Mallery is man Of bigl
a attainments as a scholar, aud is
I most diligent student. He is now aDl
has been for three or four years Ell
a gagged in the study Of the langnag,
a aud habits of the Indian triies. anl