Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-11-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Nov. IS, 1Sc

concerning the new SdUlHc1 anu eAO
organization of the next Congress
take precedence now in this city of
political gossip. Even the approach
ing session of Congress, nearer
event. elicits less interest at this
time. We have had quite number
of prominent politicians here during
the last week, and the curiosity to
learn what they are driving at, and
to obtain their views, is all-absorb-
ing. We could not live if it were
not for this sort of thing. There is
not a little anxiety to settle the
question as to the influence likely to
prevail in making up the new adj
ministration - whether Senator
Conkling and his associates in the
Grant canvass will have the post of
honor or not. l could not begin to
give you all the estates" that have
been reported, nor would it be of es-
pecial value, for it is more than
probable that no one but General
Garfield himself has any very definite
and authoritive ideas on the subject.
Some of the prophets place Senator
Don Cameron in the War Office, and
General Logan or ex-senator Hitch
cock in charge of the Interior De-
partment, with Postmaster James,
of New York, as Postmaster Gener-
al. Emery Storrs, of Chicago, is
mentioned as a possible Attorney
General, and Chairman Jewell is as.
signed a foreign mission, since his
withdrawal from the Senatorial race
in Connecticut in favor of Hawley.
AS to the organization of the next
House Of Representatives, there is
really more opportunity for the ex-
ercise of ones judgment. 1t is
safe prediction that Secretary Nc
Pherson, the former Clerk, will go
back to the position from which the
Democrats retired him in 1874. He
was competent and popular officer,
and by reason of his position as sec
rotary of the Congressional Cam
paign COMMITTEES, has the inside
track over any competitor in the
canvass. The only thing likely to
defeat him would be an unfortunate
combination on the Speakership. Mr..
Kasson is said to be Mcpherson
candidate for Speaker, and should
Mr.. Frye be elected Senator from
Maine, he would be out of the way
and Kasson's chances good. Yet
there are two or three contingencies
that may upset this arrangement,
and if Mcpherson has formed an al
lance with KasSon, as reported, it
might be disastrous. AT present,
however, the outlook is that such a
combination would sweep the deck.
Both Judge Kelley and Mr.. Conger
are mentioned as candidates for the
SpeakerShip. The former is denom-
mated the "Father of the House,"
having served eleven consecutive
terms-twenty-two years-and the
latter is understood to have a good
chance for the Michigan Senator
ship. George G: Gorham expects to
be returned to his old position as
Secretary of the Senate, if the Re-
pubiicans can control that body af-
ter March 4th, but that now seems
hardly probable, unless Malone, of
Virginia, votes with the Republi-
cans. Malone was here few days
ago and had interviews with promi-
nent officials, but no one other than
himself knows how he will act.
Judge Davis is also rather uncer-
tain Democrat, and all things con-
eidered, the next Senate is awfully
mixed. Possibly Kellogg, of Louis
lana, may be turned out this winter
and Democrat seated.
The report that General Sherman
will shortly be placed on the retired
list is true, Notwithstanding the au-
thorized statement from the War
Department to the contrary. The
announced intentions of the Presi-
dent have nothing to do with it.
The General does not, in the event
that he carries his expressed purpose
into effect, intend to ask to be retir-
ed until next April, when President
Hayes will be merely Mr.. Hayes, and
when the present authoritative voice
of the War Department will be that
of an humble citizen. General Sher-
man has the right, having served in
the army thirty years, to ask to be
retired, and it is understood that he
prefers life in st. Louis with his
grandchildren and a retired officers
pay, to the mere honor of being a
subordinate to the next Secretary
of War in Washington, which he
mill ba un6ar tho ranuIo fiOpc Of tba