Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-01-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
lFrom or Rs5Eiar COrrepOndeHtl
WAsHTSGToS, d. c., Jan. %. 1881.

WAsHTsGToN, D. c., Jan. 2s. 1881.
The scheming Robeson is finding out
that his attempt to not only usurp the
leadership Of the republican side Of the
House, but to boss the whole concern,
was much bigger jobthan he anticipa.
ted. That Robson started out with Just
these objects in view there is now little
doubt. 1t was largely by his adroit man.
agement that the least experienced and
poorest qualified Of all the candidates Sc
cured the Speakership; and after Kiefer
was elected he again had Robeson's val
liable assistance in fixing up the COM
mittees. There can be no question that
in this last work the notorious navy Job.
Der had his own way, and that he paid
all the pledges made for the Speaker in
the canvass and all his own grudges be.
sides. Not only were many able and
experienced men assigned to unimport-
ant committees, but the most important
ones-those that control the greatest
disbursements of money-were found to
contain the names of men chiefly motor
ious in previous congresses for their addic
ton to jobbing; while on the Appropria-
ton committee, the Naval committee,
the committee on Rules and Expendi-
lures, the Naval Department. the rotund
mariner himself appeared as evidence
that he had not neglected his own oppor-
tunities.
OF the widespread dissatisfaction that
followed, and which time seems only to
intensity, enough has already been writ
ten, The attempt of Mr.. Robson and
ghe Speaker to smooth things over by
adding from three to five members to
some of the committees in the hope thus
to placate gentlemen previously sighted
raised storm more disastrous than the
schemers could have contemplated. The
House will not consent to any such
patchwork. AS Mr.. Kasson said in his
excellent speech on the subject, large
committees would be disadvantage
rather than an aid. Mr.. Speaker and
his lieutenant must stand by their work
and take the consequences, one of which
will, as indicated last week, be change
in the manner of selecting the commit
tees hereafter. To show how disinter.
ested Mr.. Robson is: His proposed
change in the committees increases the
membership of all the important ones
except the Naval committee, which he
has got ''put up" to suit himself and his
schemes in connection with ''new ma
W." The indications are that Robeson
has over-reacbed himself, and | want &c
take back what | said some time age
about him being the ablest man on the
Republican side of the House. I should
have said he was the 'smartest.' Smart
ness is not ability in its broad sense.
The great DIR. Newman, who was high
priest and father confessor of the State
church during the reign of Ulysses the
| l, and who took tour OF Europe at gov
ernment expense under the thin pretext
of being diplomatic agent has faller
from grace and left the Methodist church
He has gone over, soul and body, to the
Congregationalists, and General Grant
| they say, has.gone with him. The Meth
odists of Washington, where the DIR. wa'
regarded almost God among them, arr
very much chagrined and incensed a
his action. 1t is said that prior to taking
| this step DR.. Newman indicated i'll pri
vate and confidential way to his ole
church here, the Metropolitan, that
that body would dissolve its connection
with the Methodist Conference and be
come an independent M. E. church ant
call him to the pastorate he would per
sonally undertake to pay off the debt ol
$40, 900 hanging over them and return
here. The proposition was not accepted
and having become convinced that hi
claims for advancement to a bishop
robes would continue to he overlooked
the learned servant of God and mammol
decided upon the step he has since Ca
ken.
A good story is told of the stout, gooG
natured and wealthy Democratic sena
tor from Nevada. The bonanza Senate
recently called upon widow who reside
on the Pacific coast and who has brigh
little girl five or six years of age. Sens
tor Fair during his visit, got on sue
friendly terms with this young Miss tina
she insisted upon showing him her dol
1t was very common rag doll, but tn
little girl of course, thought tia beauty
and the Senator left without being awar
that the rag doll was in his coat pocke
where the child had put it. He disco,
cred it the next day, however, and II
stead of returning it to the juvenile owl
er, sent her box containing a numbt
of very handsome dolls. Upon his ne1
visit to the house of course the little gi
and her mother thanked him for h
present. 1t chanced that there were se'
eral persons in the parlor on this occa
ion. Looking into the Senator's face Il
child said: my Mamma said you cou
have sent her a thousand dollars instea
of those dolls and never missed it; you'll
80 rich"
The anxiety that Is shown to hurl
through the bill to retire Justice Hunt
the Supreme court-a very proper mea
t ure, under the circumstances-has r
vived. the report that Secretary Folger
f, to be appointed to the Supreme Benz
, and his place at the head of the Treasul
filled by Mr.. Conkling. I can not 81
that this is true, but some such plan m;
account for the delay in making certa
!. other appointments. PHoNo.