Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-11-30
WASHINGTON LETTER.
wAsHrSoroN Nov. 27, 1881.


prise Of the newspaper men, he hal
determined it shall remain in manu-,
script until delivered to Congress
This is perhaps the only way to thwart
the hungry gang Of newsgatherers, 81
fertile Of cunning expedients and wist
resources, and even this care is yet ar
experiment.
The time of the President from now
until the meeting of Congress will b.
devoted to arranging his cabi.
net. 1t seems pretty GER
tain that ex Senator Howe, who
was prevented by delicate consid-
erations from accepting the position
of Attorney General, (his son-in-law,
Judge Totten, being of counsel for the
defendants in the Star Route cascs),
has been offered the Postmaster GEN
eralship, that Mr.. Frelinghuysen will
be Secretary of State, and Mr.. Lin
coin will remain at the head of the
War Department. Further than this,
the Cabinet seems not to have been
determined on; however, it is we'll
enough to remember that Cabinet
states are liable to changes down to
the very hour Of confirmation.
Members Of Congress are coming in
rapidly, there being new arrivals by
every train. There is no question
about the Republicans organizing the
House. They have LAG straight Re
publicans within one Of a mjority),
with Rev. j. Hyatt Smith, of Brook
yn, Independent Republican; two
Malone Readjusters Of Virginia, and
several Greenback Republican mem
bers to draw from at pleasure. The
contest for the Speakership is spirited.
1t is impossible to predict the
result. Kasson, Hiscock and Kie-
fer are said to have the
largest following, but it would not be
surprising if Dunnell, of Minnesota, or
Robinson, of Massachusetts,, should
yet prove the lightning candidates.
The former is representative West
ern man, the latter the very best type
of the New Englander. The Repub-
licans fully appreciate the necessity Of
putting their wisest leader in the
chair for they have a large and very
strong minority to oppose them. This
consideration gives great insight to the
claims Of Mr.. Kasson, who is a man Of
ability, cunning as fox, courteous as
knight and cold as an iceberg. From
the strength Of the minority Ia both
the Senate and House, it may be very
safely predicted that no radical or par
tisan legislation will be effected du-
ring the present Congress.
But the matter of most absorbing
interest here is the great murder trial
The Criminal Court Of the District
Of Columbia has suddenly become a
national arena and the civilized world
is the audience, witnessing with eager
interest the strangely dramatic scene
here being enacted. The second week
of the trial has Just closed, with Mrs.
Scoville, the prisoners sister, on the
stand in her direct examination, which
will be continued Monday. Tuesday
the prisoner will be placed in the
witness box to tell his story. Imme-
diately afterward the testimony of the
experts will commence, which will
consume more time than
was required in the presentation of
all the other testimony. AL
number Of experts both for the
government and prisoner have |
been summoned These have studied |
.he mental condition Of the prisoner |
'or weeks and some of them for
months, in the light of science and Of
heir experience in detecting, analys-
pg and treating insanity. with view
If helping to solve the question of
Juiteau's moral responsibility in tax |
ng the life of the president There
will doubtless be a war of science, a
flash of expert testimony-some for
md others against the theory of the
defendants insanity. Judge Porter,
IN eminent criminal lawyer Of New
ork, who figured as counsel for
Beecher in the scandal trial, will con
luct the examination Of the experts
ID the part Of the government. Mr.. |
DavidRe, a distinguished member of
his bar, Mr.. Smith assigned by At
orney-General McVeigb, aud Prose-
iuting Attorney COrkhill, make
lp the array of counsel for the
government. The defendant, since
he retirement of Mr.. Robinson from
lis case is represented alone by Mr..
his brother-in law, who has
leither reputation, nor experience as
criminal lawyer. He is not expert
ven in examing witnesses, but he
GEMS frank and candid and very de-
irous that the witness shall tell the
Whole truth in the most Ineligible
yay. In point Of ability, learning,
equation, will, skill of counsel, the
in favor of the govern
nent is overwhelming. The effect of
he trial thus far however has been to
moderate the great indignation and
'rejudice against the prisoner and
,eget an apprehension, if not convic
ion, of his insanity and moral ire
possibility. 1t is said on good au-
hority that at least two ofthe experts
ummoned for the government after
ull investigation have concluded the
prisoner is insane and will remain to,
estify in his behalf.
Society people expect a gay and
brilliant winter.
Senator jackson, of Tennessee, has
a handsome house here and
5 expected soon with his family.
B.