Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-11-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.
WASHINGTON D. G. Nov. 2, 's8


The Speakership contest is the
chief topic here at present and ! no
tice there is little else written about
blythe correspondents. 1t is of course
enshrouied in uncertainty owing to
rather mixed state Of things, and
issues of some moment are believed
to be involved in the result, yet it is
under no circumstances likely to be
greatly prolonged or to resemble in
any respect the memorable contests
of the past. In the Thirty-fourth
Congress, two months were con-
sumed in electing a Speaker, the
choice falling on N. p. Banks on the
one hunered and thirty -third ballot
and in the thirty sixth Congress, a
struggle quite as protracted resulted
in the election of William Penning-
ton. But these contests were in the
House itself and grew out of the
evenly balanced condition of parties,
while the present struggle is wholly
within one party and is likely to be
settled before Congress convenes.
One feature Of the contest is the
candidacy CT Mr.. Cox, who has ma
ny supporters, all Of whom are like
the candidate himself, innocent of
any attempt at joking in this case.
But it is a fact that Mr. Cox has a
deserved reputation for being funny,
and it is difficult TO associate this
with the idea of dignity; hence there
is an undisguissA fear that, however
able and well deserving he may be,
he would not lend to the position
that appearance Of dignity and
statesmanship now SO important TO
the party. Mr. Cox has parlors a6
Wizards, where he receives his
friends, and there is no better enter
tainer to DO found. HeiSeyer ready
with an illustration and a story; AZ
ways genial and bright, "a fellow Of
infinite JEST" with a fund Of infor-
nation and facility Of quotation
seldom equaled.
The weather is bright and beauti-
full here now and with hundreds of
strangers coming in daily the streets
present an animated appearance.
Pennsylvania avenue is crowded
nearly every afternoon with prom
enaders, and one can see style and
beauty enough in a single walk down
this handsome thoroughfare to de-
light his senses for week at least.
Among the distinguished visitors to
the capital during the last few days
is Governor Butler. / saw him
waddle into the dining room at Will
lard's with a rosebud in his button
hole and looking as fresl as a daisy
He is said to favor Cox for Speaker
The lobby at Wizards begins to as
sumo its old time appearance in thu
evenings now that the house Is Till
ing up with notables. 1t is general
headquarters during all seasons OF
political excitement, partly because
of its location no doubt auu p.rLiy
because it is such Il large fouse afl,l
accommodates SO many prpml6tnt
guests. Wm. II. MorrlsoH, OF Iis-
nois. q strong supporter Of Carlisle
for Speaker, has quarters there aud
it is rather AL interesting sight To
see him backed 40 against onr ~
the large pillars IA the rotunda ana
surrounded by a score ct eager cor
RESPONDENTS boring tor points. Mr..
Morrison is one OF the ablest men IN
Congress and If Carlisle is chosen
Speaker he will likely be chairmat
of the ways and means committee
The event which Is To Open brill
liantly the social season here is the
house warming OF the Metropolitan
Club iii It's handsome new quarters
on the 18th. Thus far there has
been even less sociability than usual
at this season on account Of the eX
tra0rdnary absorption OF such soci-
ely ladies as ale already here IN fur
nishing the new houses into which
80 many of them are entering. 1t Is
rather surprising to see SO many
prominent aud fashionable ladies
attending the auctions of fine furni-
ture and housekeeping goods as one
meets here. In this respect Wash
ington is different from most other
large cities. Women do not lose
caste in the most select social circles
here by attending quietly a morning
auction dressed as ii for marketing,
and bidding with the same noncha
lance with which they would order
a roast Of their butcher. 1t has,
perhaps, its pleasant side in being a
frank, mutual admission that they
do not disdain to study economy.
salaried officers, indeed, whether
in civil or military life, if they live
ON their salaries, are compelled TO do
so and their wives have less pin
money than might be supposed.
There are more nice things i'll the
line of furnishings and bric-a- brack