The Russellville Democrat., 1881-11-24
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON D. C., Nov, 21, 1881.

W ASHINGTON U. O., NOV. Zl, 1ool. Editors Russellville Democrat:
 The Capital ;s quiet at present but it is the calm before the storm, for in a few days we shall have life enough. The great National circus opens in it's winter quarters before many days. Some of the advance guard are already arriving. Con- gressman Kiefer, of Ohio. has taken first floor rooms at the Ebbitt and is starting In with his Speakership can vass. Kicfer, and Hiscock of New York, held conference in new York city some days ago and, it is under stood, made some sort of a combina- tion to beat the other fellows. They both have strength and may be able to win in that way. It is stated that the programme between them is to settle down on Kiefer at last and give MT. Hiscock the selection of the clerk, he having a candidate in the person of an ex-member of tue New York legislature. The is great anxiety on the part of the Republi cans to beat the colored candidate, Rainey of South Carolina, who was their nominee for clerk two years ago, when he had no chance of cleo. tion. Now that the nominee will be elected there is pretty general de- sire to beat the "nigger," though by usage he is entitled to the nomina- tion. So much for Republican con. s:stency.
 Cabinet gossip is rife again and it is pretty generally believed that the President has got his slate all fixed. I won't betray confidence by making premature announcement of the names. Secretary Lincoln will re- tire I think, and Illinois will retain her position in the official family by the appointment of Emory Storrs as Attorney-General. The great states man, Billy the-Kid," Malone, has swollen to such proportions since his success in Virginia that he centem- plates spreading himself over the whole country. They say he is to go into the Cabinet. Grants old friend, ex-senator Chaffee, of Color ado, is believed to be the coming Secretary of the Interior. The Guiteau trial attracts crowds of peo- pie daily, and the assassins' conduct excites much comment. Many have lately come to the conclusion that he is crazy and others believe his course to be premeditated for the purpose of creating just that opinion. The discovery of his accomplice and the existence ot a conspiracy created quite sensation, Apropos of this came the explanation that the unpleasantness between Mac Veagh and the President was caused by the lattcr's knowledge that the Attorney General expended nearly all his contingent fund in looking for evidence ofa conspiracy which he believed existed.
 Our city of broad avenues, beauti- ful parks and fine buildings has made rapid strides in improvement this season. The Capital grounds are developing into the handsemest spot on earth, while others of the public buildings and grounds are being constantly added to and beau tified. But the greatest advance ment this year has been through in- dividual enterprise. An astonish- ing number of fine new residences and business structures have been erected. The new house built by Secretary Blaine IS not quite finish cd, but when entirely completed will be one of the handsomest residences in the city, Its cost is something less than $50,000 and the furnishing will be about $25, ,000 more. Justice Stanley Matthews has erected a fine new residence costing $26,000, and Senator Pendleten of Ohio one at an expense of S20,000, Congressman and ex-Secretary Robeson of New Jersey has also an elegant house nearly completed which has cost over $30.000; ex- Secretary Windom and Senator Van Vyck of Minnesota are each erecting fine houses costing $25,000 and ..S20,000. PnoSo.