Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-04
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
That Drunk In the Capt. I-GOOdy.
GOOdy Blair WFeeked-Absentee-
ism-FlOFal OffeFlngs-The Demo-
cratic Campaign Committee
Waking Up.

WASHINGTON, August al wrote to you the
other day about debauch in one of the House
committee rooms in which were engaged
Speaker Keifer. Representative Hiscock aud
others. There has been developed further
little episode in connection with that common
drunk. One of the participants, member of
CO.. gress from the West who was so overcome
by emotion and things that he had to be taken
home in carriage, eaacted little scene as he
was being driven away. He had his pistol in
his pocket. As he passed the Naval Monument
OF Peace, at the foot of Capitol Hill, his
ire was aroused, and poking his revolver out
OF the carriage window he fred twice on the
erection Of marble. He failed to hit it. It
was, OF course, what he drank that made him
shoot. 1t is hardly wonder that he should
have fired upon the monument 1t is such an
abortion in art that many sober man has been
tempted to try and demolish it.
A RESURRECTION.
Until Shipherd nailed him, Senator Blair. of
New Hampshire, was prominent in Con-
greSSlonal proceedings, and always prominent
on the temperance question. When he was in
Ine House lt was the same thing In fact
Blair served successive terms in the House.
and finally secured his election to the Senate
simply because of continual and holy harping
on the question OF temperance. He was the
pet OF temperance societies, especially such
societies as were composed of ladies' and made
much capital therefrom. Ever since Shipherd
TOLD now Blair was his attorney that gentleman
mas oeen quiet de has not even figured in the
congressional Record and the temperance
folks and the Sunday schools dropped him
To-day he attempted to come forth from his
oOscurlty. IL was on the same subject which
has made him what he is-temperance Sen
ator Beck, evidently tired of seeing this very
gooo man work out his capital, as
ne mas In the past, made some very
pointed remarks about Blair's past record with
certain innuendoes aSto his righteous connec-
tlon with Shipherd. Blair had not the face to
stand up under the fire. He murmured that IL
senator Beck knew him better he would not
make such remarks. Senator Beck received
congratulations for having silenced fraud and
demagogue. 1t is not likely that Blair will
emerge from his hole for some time.
THE CAUSE OF ABsE STEEIsM.
There is usually great deal of absenteeism
among members Of the House, and for the
past ten days the number of members away
mas been unusually large The question is fire.
quently asked as to what causes this. The an
swer M Is pam 70 those who observe political do
lngs. Congressional nominating conventions
are being held all over the country, and the
member HES him home to look after things
important private business is what calls him
away The fences must be inspected and the
boys" must be fixed 1t is a noticeable fact
that where Congressional conventions have
been held and the present incumbent renomi-
udIou, Ho luVarlADly returns straight to WASH i
ington and beams and smiles when congratulate
Cd On the other hand, however, when he
fails OF denomination he does not come back
az All. he cannot face the condolences of his
IelloW constituents. Those members who fail
OF renominstion could not be made to believe
but that the country will sadly miss them.
Ihe country can perhaps stand it if they can.
FLORAL OFFERINGS.
At the commencement and near the close of
the session it is generally the case that many
boxy .
placed upon their desks in the morning behind |
which they complacently sit the whole day |
long. There are but very few such offerings |
now In fact, bouquet on the desk of Mr. |
Ryan, OF Kansas, yesterday elected unusual |
comment. Ryan and his bald head were the |
lions OF the hour
There was discussion in the reporters gal
lery as TO why there was not the usual deluge |
OF mowers. Ihe solution was furnished in the |
explanation that the Botanical Gardens had |
not had good season, and had produced very |
that the member-free of cost-usuaIly orders |
desk.
SIGN OF ACTIVITY.
The Democratic Congressional Camnai0n
committee, of which General Rosecrans is the |
nominal, and Representative Flower the active
head, is commencing to show signs OF activity |
mr; floWer mas mapped out plan Of work, |
and real operations have commenced.
A good many documents have been selected
for printing and distribution, and some of them |
are ready for the mails. Contributions of |
money have been unusually numerous In |
TACT, Mr. Flower says that he is going to make |
a very lively fight in the fall campaign It is |
to be hoped that he will
Hitherto the fighting of this committee has |
been with the mouth to a very large extent |
One document which will be circulated and |
which will doubtless do good, will be a resume |
or the work Of Congress under Democratic |
rule, and the record of plundering and failure \
70 reheye the taxpayers, which has been made |
oy the Republicans since their return to power |
in the legislative branch PoroMAc.