The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1881-12-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
COngress.-David Davis.
-Lynch.-Pledger
izing. al.-Theatrical.
ETC., ETC., Etc.

w ASHINGTON ~. u, Lee. lU.-Once
more every branch of the government
is substantially in the custody of the
Republican party, state of affairs that
has not existed since the politically dis
astrous elections of 1874. 1t is true
that the majority in Congress is quite
slender, and indeed really exists only
in the popular branch of that body.
The Senate is evenly divided between
the two parties, considering Malone
Republican, which he is to allintents and
purposes, with David Davis, a sort Of
heavy balance weight, regulating both
parties. And the Senator from Illinois
attends to this regulating business very
promptly and efectually, too.
Whenever either party imagines it
has majority of Senators, and can
therefore do as it pleases, the heavy
weight from Bloomington gently sits
down on it, conveying new to the par
| ty sat upon the impression that there is
nothing positively certain in political
calculations. Both Republicans and
Democrats have recently felt the weight
of the avordupois of the independent ell
ement from the Sucker State. The
Democrats in the exuberance of their
| JOY at finding themselves in a majority
at the recent extra session, proceeded
at once to elect Mr.. Bayard, Of Della
ware, presiding officer aud er-oficiO
Vice President of the United States.
Senator Davis, thought that this Dem
ocratic coup de main placed the second
party too far head of the third party,
so when the New York Senators were
admitted he gently called a halt, and
with the aid of Republicans, he elevat-
ed the;third party in the person ofhimself
to the place so lately occupied by the
second party.
r For some time anxious adherents of
the first party have been feasting their
= eyes on the fat places in the organiza-
: ton held by the second party, counting
D the days when change would take
/ place, when, 10 and behold, the great L
' Am of the third party placed "A veto on
e these longing aspirations of parties of
S the first party by declaring himself in
). favor of a status quo policy. thus leav-
| lily bIl6 III biC vi viz
Republicans, the loaves and fishes, with
the Democracy, and the Vice-Presiden-
CIV with the Independents. Verify,
this Independent party is quite indie
n pendent.
n Ex-Congressman Rainey was defeat
re ed for Clerk by more than twO-thirds
e vote in the Republican caucus. While
N this result was predicted and probably
y, expected by majority of people inter
&c ested in political affairs, yet it is an ep-
rs isolde in current politics of a character
n which it will be well for politicians not
~ to repeat hereafter. If Rainey was en-
" titled to the nomination two years ago
n, then he should have had it in the re
ne ne cent caucus. If he was not the proper
ie person then, he should not have beer
er nominated for the place. Whethel
is Justly or unjustly, good many people
er will hold Rairey's defeat snub to thu
ce colored voters by the representatives o
be the party to which they belong. Taft.
he he as political food, is thin diet, and i
ut would be the best policy to dispense
or quite sparingly, for in the end it
" worse than nothing, and often return
ed to plague its dispensers.
If all the plans for Mahoneizing tn
e. Southern States that are mentione
| here in Washington, are carried out a
successfully as in Virginia, it is Difficult
as to see how the Democrats can enter tn
Ike next Presidential struggle with an
ISIS hopes of success. Congressman Jones
tn of Texas, will lead the anti-BOurbo
fight in that state, and he claims t
VS. have fattering prospects OF success
IN Congressman Speer, it is said, will lea
ch in Georgia; and indeed, as Caesar ha
his Brutus, Charles l., his Cromwell
George Ill, his Washington, and VIII
ginia her Malone, and so every Boul
an bon State of the South seems but wait
ng ing for its Nemesis.
lat A few Georgia Democrats are ma
he king strong fight to prevent Presiden
mt Arthur from appointing Hon. W. A
it Pledger, chairman of the Georgia Re
re publican Committee, postmaster a
to Athens in that state. This seem
a ae strange at first glance, but then it mus
mt be remembered that to large exten
p the Democrats controlled the patronag
ne in the South during the Hayes regime
It's Pledger is strongly endorsed by bot
20 Republicans and Democrats, and be
Id ing the representative head of the pan
is ty in his state, it is difficult to see hoy
n: he can fail of appointment.
ui had the pleasure of meeting Hon
10 J. R. Lynch, of the shoestring distric
w Mississippi, at dinner party at Registe
ed Bruces last Sunday. He is enthusias
a. tic and sanguine that Chalmers will no
w prolong the usurpation of his Congress
e ,e ional seat much beyond the first of Jan
en- uary. There is no doubt that Chal
or mers will go, and that quickly, too
or This is the gay season in Washington
lis Literary clubs, art socials, weddings am
n ,a similar ETHEREAL transactions flourish Xix
re the green bay tree in the hot southern
TT cline. theatrical and musical star
"foIlow fast and follow faster" upon eacl
others heels to such an extent that on
is reminded of the announcement of tn
- discovery of new comets and planets du
IS ring the height of our planetary season
I'd Mary Anderson, Fanny Davenport
so Gerster, Patti are samples of what w
90 have had and what is to come
ISL CordS oro ont for tho waddiuu of DIR