Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-11-22
WASHINGTON.
MALONE AND HIS "ME TOO'S"
OPPORTUNITIES.
Arthur's Forthcoming Message-Witness
SPencer-Radicsl Straits - "a Pirate
King" - Census and Tariff Reports
Emma Abbott on the Wane.

Emma Abbott on the Wane.
WASHINGTON, November 20.-Mahone and
hiddleberger are the people who are being
guessed about now. The guessing is as to what
course these two gentlemen intend to pursue
in the Senate. The guessing is real. or at
least has all the appearance of being genuine.
Some say that Malone will not act with the
Republicans. and some say that RiddIeberger
will be as much on the fence as even David
Davis was. The professed doubt as to what
these two able statesmen will do arises from
the attempt being agitated by the better class
Of Republicans to secure the throwing over
board OF Malone and his Virginia repudiators.
Rid dleberger has as yet untried Senatorial
spurs. There may be a doubt about his course,
but it cant OF be said to materalize to any great
He may play-as he says he will
the truly independent role. but he is too
closely tied to Malone to break away He may
want 10 desert Malone, but he can hardly have
the courage OF his desires He will follow
any leader" and do as Malone does If the
attempt TO unload Malone should prove sue
cessfuI then he and my Rid leberser" could
turn free lances. But they could not get much
booty. The fact of the whole matter is, that
guessing about what Malone and Riddle
berger will do is idle. They will act
with the Republicans, because the
vote of the Senate is too close TO allow the Re
pu6licans to throw them overheard, nothwith
standing the great desire that exists to give
them the grand bounce.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
President Arthur is busy on his message to
Congress. He will make message that will
nave some interest to it this time. Such is his
position just now that his forthcoming State
paper could not but be looked forward to with
interest. His first message was a bare rehash of
what the government had done during the pre-
ceding year, and was only notable in its omission
IN saying anything about the South. 1t is cur
rently understood that the President has been
chastened as well as whipped, and ike the
other Republican leaders, wants to be very
good. He is, we are confidently told, going to
make a strong plea in his message for civil
service reform The boss machine man urging
civil service reform will certainly be the
crowning effect of November last.
Another thing that the President will handle
In his message will be the question of the pub
lie debt. He will recommend the conversion
of the four per cents. into threes, but at what
rate OF exchange is not known; probably on
the basis proposed by Comptroller Knox, which
has heretofore been explained in these
dispatches Again, it is said that
the President will recommend favorable action
in behalf of Fitz-John Porter, and will touch
on the "unfairness" of elections in the South.
The latter is an old subject, but may be made
to do some paltry service again.
SPENCER
The new star route trial commences on the
4th of December next. Whether it is to prove
as unfruitful as the first trial cannot be
said, IN view of the uncertainties Of Dis
trict OF Columbia Juries. 1t will be re-
membered that ex-carpetbagger George
Spencer is one of the principal wit
nesses for the governmental the government
can get him. He was summoned at the last
trial, but refused to put In an appearance. He
was not for such little thing as this, how
ever, removed from his position as Govern
ment Director OF the Northern Pacific Rail-
road. To-day the Marshal Of this district
issued another summons for the great Spen-
Ger. A special deputy has been designated to
serve it. 1t IS said that this time Mr. spencer
Will noIenS UotenS have 10 come into court. At
any rate he may be assured that he will con-
tinue to hold his present position under the
government.
RALLYIEGIssUE WANTED
1t is amusing to hear the Republicans talk,
and 10 watch their ioundering about They
talk that the old party can be resuscitated if
there was only rallying issue, and they are
hounderiDg around for that issue. The bloody
shirt cry was attempted by some as the slogan
of victory, but they were soon sat down upon.
Then several other panaceas were offered, but
nothing that filed the want that is felt could be
decided on. The only thing that approaches
anything like general understanding among
their readers is the good boy" doctrine. This
is not calculated to bring out much enthusiasm
and cannot be said TO be very popular But iG
is all they have. They have no man upon
whom they can unite, and no platform upon
which they can stand. The Democrats under
the circumstances, are perfectly justified in in
dulging in a complacent and permanent broad
smile.
wATTERsoN AT POKER
A good story on Henry Watterson of the
Louisville Courier Journal is told by a gentle
man from New York Watterson was in New
York a short time ago, and drifted with friend
into the Lotus Club Charlie Backus. of negro
minstrel fame, was seated with a friend at one
of the tables waiting to organize game of
poker. Watterson was introduced, and the
five sat down for a quiet game OF draw.
Backus did not catch Watterson's name when
the introduction was made. The cards were
dealt. Watterson scanned his hand with
that one eye of his. and in that
peculiar near-sighted manner which is dis
tinctive Of his other eye. He sang as
he looked over his cards, the first bar of II am
Pirate King" The question was asked how
many cards each player wanted sang Wat
terson: Il am Pirate King and then asked
for three cards. The betting commenced Be-
fore making a bet Watterson would sing, I
am Pirate King" making such remarks as
THAT is the prettiest songI ever heard" or
sullivan never wrote anything prettier than
that" The pot soon amounted to 500. Ali
drew out but Watterson and Backus. When
there was $40 on the table Backus called Wat
terson. Watterson hummed, Il am Pirate
King" and showed up full hand. Backus
only had a straight. He looked at Waiter
son a moment and then said: L
know now that you are Pirate King
What in the devil is your real namef" He was
again introduced .and Watterson, as he scoopsd
in the money, sang Il am Pirate King" and
ordered bottle Of wine.
A MISTAKE.
The place on New York avenue occupied last
winter by John Chamberlin's restaurant is this
winter the headquarters OF the Young Mems
Christian Association. Chamberlin's mas long
been a resort for members of Congress. There
walked into his former headquarters yesterday
Western member OF the House. He did not
know Of the change which has taken place
He sat down at a table without
taking particular notice of the
surroundings. He raped sharply for a waiter.
young man came to him in few minutes
ana inquired what he wanted Il want" he
said, my favorite bottle I'll ed again with old
Monongahela, and will take a little straight
now" The young man caught on, and in
formed the stabesman that the place was no
longer restaurant but was devoted to en-
tirely different purposes. The Congressman
left IN complete confusion, and, as he walked
away. turned around frequently to take a look
at the place. He could hardly believe that
his fayorite drinking resort had been turned to
such uses as those Of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association.
CAPTAIN HOPKINS CASE.
The court martial of Captain Alfred Hop
kins. U. 8. n, for deserting his post as Com
mandant or the Navy Yard at Pensacola dur
ing the epidemic there is in progress at the
Navy Yard in this city. The trial has Just got
ten well under way, and as yet no important
testimony has been taken. It is more than
acquitted. Such is the general opinion of
naval officers, especially of those who have
been made acquainted with the defense which
the officer on trial will present to the court.
THE CENSUS AND TARIFF REPORTS
The government printing office is hard at
work night ana day to complete two reports
so that they may be sent To Congress the
first week in December. One of these reports
is the able outcome of the Tariff Commission,
which will make very bulky vol me- 1t will
be ready in time to be dissected before the
holiday recess. The other report is Of more
Importance. 1t is the compendium of the last
census. The demand for this document is very
great and impatient. Daily hundreds Of apph:
cations fer it are received at the Census once.
A Sc Efficient number of copies will be printed to
supply the demand In order to get 1t ready at
as early day as possible the Census Bureau
employees work not only nights and days during
the week but Sundays and sunday nights.
EMMA ABBOTT IN OPERA.
It is evident that Emma Abbott is losing
much of her grip on the public She is not re
garded now as anything like the great singer
as she was held to be two short years ago She
has just finished a two weeks engagement
here. She was accompanied by a very poor
troupe, and did not do what might be called a
big business She used to sing two weeks
whenever she came to Washington and had
Gro ded houses every night. Her last week
hare was very II at,