The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-11-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Own Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, d. c., I
Nov. I4th, 1882.

All is quiet along the Potomac.
The political food has rolled by and
it is useless to deny that it was good
deal of a shower. The common salu-
tation among politicians is, in the
language of Bardwell Slote, "Let us
take suthin'." But the feeling among
the Republicans in Washington, after
admitting that the party has met with
great disaster-a regular Bull Run,
as it were-iS that, after all, things
might be great deal worse. With
out stopping to explain away that
which has happened, or to discuss
the why's and wherefores, the busi-
ness in hand is to repair damages and
look to the future. The campaign
of 1884 is two years away, and there
is ample time in which to close up
the ranks, pick our fints and march
to the attack. There is little exulta-
ton among the Democrats here be-
cause they know it is not Democrat
ic victory pure and simple; and the
wisest of them realize the difficulties
of their position. What will they
do with their suddenly acquired
power is the question in every
mouth but nobody expects them to
use it unwisely. Some of the shrewd-
est Democrats regret that their party
obtained a majority Of the next
House, carrying with it obligations
and responsibilities which may, if not
properly met, destroy whatever
chances they might otherwise have
had for success in 1884. Even men
of strong Democratic sympathies
have no confidence in any other re-
suit. In this view of the matter
there is plenty of consolation and
encouragement for Republicans.
There are things remaining for the
present Congress to do of which it
will be time enough to speak here
after. President Arthur has returned
to Washington wearing thoughtful
air, but cheerful and evidently not
crushed. Secretary Folger is daily
at his desk in the Treasury Depart
ment attending to his duties as though
nothing had happened. He will not
resign at present and is more than
likely to serve his term out.
1t seems to be settled that the no.
torious Tom Ochiltree is elected to
Congress from Texas. Tom has been
one of the eccentric characters about
Washington more or less for the last
ten years. He is stout, genial,
sportive sort of customer consort
of the judges and majors about the
hotel lobbies, having no special quail
ihcations for the office of Congress
man, though perhaps as well fitted
for the place as many others who get
there. His faculty of inventing
good-natured yarns is distinguish
ing trait, and in the House he will
tower head and shoulders, like Nor
way pine, above Congressional pigmies
who try to make alittle notoriety by
taking liberties with the truth. There
may be competitors in the field who
have achieved a certain local celebrity
for tampering with the truth, but for
ornamental work, with deep founces
and a double row of futing up the
back, there are experts who regard
Tom Ochiltree, in a national sense,
as the most scientific producer of
romantic fiction of the age. He is
not malicious, ugly and dangerous,
but genial, versatile and amusing-as
much of an American feature as the
cotton gin. While he is in Congress
the standard for Munchausens in that
body will be raised. Another Incl
dent of the Congressional campaign
is the petticoat issue said to be in
volved in young William English''
candidacy in the seventh district o.
Indiana. Mr.. English's wife wa'
formerly an actress, who, because O
her antecedents, had been deniet
recognition in aristocratic society il
indianapolis. This has aroused he
, wrath and made her ambitious o
: going to Washington with the socia
prestige accorded to the wives o