Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-01-19
,m our regular correspondent
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WASHINGTON LETTER.
MAsnIKaIos D. O.. Jan. Is. 1885

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While Tie business OF Congress ID
progressing sleadlly and quietly the
politicians and go',lps have had
enough 10 occupy their attention 10
discussing probabilities AZ 10 tho next
Cabinet, watching tho progress OF the
various Senatorial contests, and gath
ering In the developments Of the
Chrisliancy scandal, PerhaPs the
chief interest has eentered In Tho Son.
Morship struggles, II IL a noticeable
fact, however. that politicians here
have, as usual, had unbonnded con-
ddenoe In the ultimate triumph OF tho
machines IN New York, Pennsylvania,
and all other States where machines
aud "Bosses' have q healthy exist
ence. The most amusing, Is not the
most surprising result, was the selec
ton OF Conger in Michigan. Conger
may DO man OF some abilily-he
certainly must possess some skill 10
manipulation, but in the House Of
Representatives he has cut most
ridiculous figure. Any one who has
watched Inn from the gallery fer o
single day would never suspect that
such a man could obtain Senatorial
seat, But they rctrigerate hun in that
diguiaed body. 1t is an advantage to
the peace and progress Of the House
that he has been taken out of its de-
liberations.
Concerning the Cabinet there is no
end OF speculation, but the only port
folio that seems to be definitely dis
posed Of is that Of Secretary Of State,
which is assigned to Mr.. Blaine. 1t
is assumed that Conkling personally,
and some Of the other fellows OF the
Grant crowd, will no: like this, and
that they will have to be violently
conciliated before things can mn
smoothly. 1t was asserted with great
confidence, at one time, that Governor
Foster, Of Ohio, would be made either
Secretary of the Interior or Post,
master General. That would be a
good scheme for tho few remaining
male residents Of Ohio. The Presi-
dent has provided for all the big fish
out there by putting them in good
places, and the Secretary of the Treas.
ury has satisfied the intermediate
grade with special agencies and other
berths. Now if the Post Office De.
partment could only take in the small
or fry for clerks and route-agents,
Ohio might struggle along very well.
Senator-elect Malone, of Virginia,
is an object Of great interest, and he is
shrewd enough to enjoy tho situation.
The Republicans are especially sole.
itous concerning Mahone's probable
course in the Senate. and there are
evidences of strenuous efforts to win
him to their side by promises of aid in
the coming struggle in his state. The
National Republican, now edited by
George G. Gorham, a candidate for
Secretary Of the Senate, openly urges
the Republicans OF Virginia to join the
Re adjusters, and in return it is I'm.
derstood Gorham expects Mahones
vote tor the secretaryship. Bnt the
best informed Virginia politicians say
that Malone can not afford to affiliate
with the Republicans and he knows
it: that his power would fail and his
following disappear. A prominent
Virginlan said to your correspondent
to-day: "Mahone could not hold
his,own forces, nor one. third of them,
in line on any ticket for State control
by q fusion with Radical colored vote,
and he knows that perfectly well, be-
cause he saw how they scattered in the
last campaign, when 'reguler Demo-
crazy was held over them ia earnest.
His strength as leader, and all Of
it there can be, must come from his
position as an independent Demo-
crat. Another thing; the negroes
can't vote without paying their poll
tax. This item amounts to 100000,
and the compaigu expense will make
another $4,000, the total to come out
of the Republican party of the North,
as an experiment, and this with the
moral certainty that his own white
Democratic troopswould break if he
hoisted the enemy's flag Yet Ma
hone may vote for Gorham as matter
Ct personal friendship.
During the extreme cold weather Of
the past month much suffering has
existed among the poor Of this city,
where unexpected severity is not so
well provided against as in communi.
ties where it is looked for. And we
l.....a L. - $1,000. L -.~ -