Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-11-30
CAPITAL CHATTER.
Bush for 0giee-Hundreds of Applications Already
FAed-What Reform Means.

- I
Bush for Ogice-Hundreds of Applications Already
filed-What Reform Means.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Nov. 81, 1SS2.-
There II an earnest purpose on the part
Of the Republicans to secure at the COM
ing session of Congress a material re-
duction of revenue taxes. The Ways
and Means Committee, with Judge
Kelley at its head. undertook to accom-
plish this end last session, but the meas
ures brought forward were talked out of
time by the Democrats, and the only bill
that had a chance of success lies smoth-
cred under a load of amendments and
Democratic CAB in the Senate. Yet the
Democrats roared about taxation all
through the late campaign. Judge Kel-
ley's committee are already taking the
matter in hand again, and nothing but
Democratic obstruction can prevent
something being done TO lessen the
weight of taxation at the approaching
session. But the policy Of obstruction
will undoubtedly be adopted by the mi
nority in order to carry the subject over
to a Democratic Congress, and as this
viii be a short session, it viii require
vigorous and determined efforts to pre-
vent the success of their tactics. Judge
Kelley is said to be in favor of abolishing
the entire system Of internal taxes.
But speaking of the coming Democratic
House, it is amusing to notice what a
lively camdaign for the offices Of that
body has already begun a year in adj
vance. A little success crazes the Dem
ocrats. To them the old days come
back, and they look forward TO the time
when the Southern gentlemen can swear
and squirt tobacco juice in the marble
rooms of the Capitol. may be below
the figure, bnt 1t seems TO me there are
q million Democrats who have already
filed caveats for every office in the
House. There are a hundred very good
places in the House, and probably two
hundred others not quite so good, but
the knowledge of a Democratic majority
has put a legion in the field for every
Office. 1t will be a lively scramble when
the time comes, but hardly u foretaste
of what would be seen If ever, by any
possibility, the old fossil party should
get control of the executive branch Of
the government.
According to the reports coming in
there is likely to be an unusual number Of
contested seats in the Congress lately
elected. In a large number of districts
the vote is very close, and the success
full members from these districts reach
the goal of their ambition by 4 very
narrow margin. In many eases these
are Republicans. But the the Bourbons
having a large majority in the House a
happy thought strikes Che unsuccessful
Democratic candidate. From Virginia
alone three contests are threatened, and
present indications are that the list from
the whole country will be something I'M
p~recedented. If the Democratic major
ity remains on its good behaviour these
contests may be settled on their merits,
and in most cases disposed of in short
order, but the chances are that partisan
ship will get the better of discretion,
and that the Bourbon will generally be
seated. But in n respect both parties
are to blame for lie miserable practice
If 50 many contests. The custom
Which prevails IN Congress of paying
all the expenses of the unsuccessful
party to a contest serves to increase the
number of such cases. The contestant
knows that he will not be out of pocket,
owing to the liberality of this custom,
even if he loses his case. Therefore,
having everything to gain and nothing
to lose, he enters upon a contest, where,
perhaps, if he had to bear the burden of
his own expense if successful, he would
not consider his chances worth the ven
ture. 1t has not been long since a defeated
contestant for Il seat IN the House was
voted a liberal allowance for attorneys
fees, and the fact was he appeared as
his W attorney and pocketed.the fee.
1t was said by those who knew him that
his practice at home for five years had
not yielded him as much all told rs that
one fee he obtained for presenting a
weak case to Congress. In the present
Congress a contestant who was seated
got an allowance for expenses, including
attorneys fees, and then went back on
the attorney, who is still unpaid.
Our public spirited citizen, Mr.. w. w.
Corcoran, has perfected his plans for
removing the body of John Howard
Payne, the autor of clone, Sweet
Home,' to Oak Hill Cemetery, in
Georgetown, from Tunis, where he lies
in a neglected grave. Mr.. Corcoran is
said to be wiling to put some money in
a Democratic morning daily to be
started here. He put a good deal in
NV HtUh, winch SolidlSCd ditGI TIC
Tilden campaign. No mar has given
more literally TO his party than Mr..
Corcoran. 1t is said that he gave $780,
600 to the cause in 1876, and he SAYS he
wants TO live until he sees a Democratic
President i%naugurated. The defeat of
that tedious old humbug, Montgomery
Blair, in Maryland, has given the cid
gentleman a pleasant glow Of satisfac-
ton. Members of all parties are regret
ting Mr.. Proctor Knotts coming re-
tircment from the House of Representa-
tiyes. The general public knows him
as the author of the Duluth speech, but
he is one of the busiest workers in the
Congressional hive and, contrary TO the
usual prejudice regarding a humorist,
ne presided in the Speakers chair on
occasions with much dignity.
Here is 4 story that has been revived
about Judge Thurman and Mr.. Conk-
ling-but it is 50 good that it can never
be stale. On one occasion Mr.. Conkling