Smyrna times., 1882-05-10
Letter from Washinuton.
WAsHINGToN. MAY Il 1sS.

WASHINGTON, May Il, 1882.
Congress Is winding up its business. the
days Of political activity are rapidly draw
ing to a close, and Washington is prenar-
ing for the dry, hot, dull Summer months
The period of apathy, however. will ONLY
be temporary. The extra session of next
Winter will practically keep the Capitol
III hot water well on into the Spring.
The story that Senator Salisbury. like
Clnclnnatus, is preparing to return to his
1arm and plough, is very generally credit
ed by many of his most intimate political
friends, as well as by those in his own
state best qualified to know as to the
exact condition of the political thermome-
ter. Mr.. Salisbury now that his career
is closing, may look back with some
reasonable degree of pride, upon the good
whlch he has done by deed or word of
mouth 10 him belongs the undeniable
honor OF Gathering the Dover postoffice.
that local boa constructor which ought to
nave been cut up into seven average sized
serviceable, good looking snakes. instead
OF being bulked up in one tortueus. un-
wielGy monster. Mr.. Salisbury nav also
be allowed to figure as the patron saint of
st. Jones Creek. He has struggled noblv
to invest every turn and corner of that
classic stream with an honorable habita
tlon and name. Should Mr.. Salisbury
be placed upon the shelf, the race for the
vacant place will be hot one. "Brutusu
Nalcott, the present Secretary of State.
wants II. Governor Hall is learnino tho
rudlments of grammar with the same idea
Should however, the Republicans get con-
troll OF the Legislature it will not be easy
to point out his successor.
The recent action Of the Administration
Ill the appointment of the Wilmington
postmaster and the U. S. Marshall. Dlainlv
indicate which way the wind is blowing
Both of the candidates were backed bv the
state Central Committee. There can there
fore be no doubt bat that the State Cen
tral committee will control the State
Federal appointments during Mr., Arthur's
term. Just how the Higgins faction will
take TO the gentle spanking is has received.
remains to be seen.
Mr.. BlaiRe's recent course before the
Peru-Chill Investigating Committee is
viewed in different lights. The StaIwart
organs do not unanimously upbroid him
neither do those of the Democrats The
halt-breed papers praised without stint
The Western papers uphold him. 1t NAV
be said in general way, that aside from
the fact that Mr.. Blaine got unnecessarily
petulant with little Mr.. Belmont.-his
course has been such, and his arguments
such, as to clear from the State Depart-
ment any suspicion of dishonesty and un-
fair dealing.
There has been nothing done in Con-
gress OF interest, locally, to the people of
Delaware
The city was agog the other night with
the story that Belmont had challenged
Blaine to fight duel. Such unfounded
rumors, while they raise the hair on the
no further damage; as political Internal
machines, they are fiat failures. Mr..
Blaine has got no time to waste in fighting
duels, Probably he could not hit a barn
door with pistol were he to try, and
then again he is too shrewd to voluntarily
raise Mr.. Belmont to so much notoriety.
even were he SO disposed. Mr.. Blaine will
fight no duels.