The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-03-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON. ID. c., March IA, 1888

WASHINGTON, ID. T., March ii, 1900
For two weeks past | have noticed
about our streets the familiar form of one
who was once prominent figure In
Washington and in national politics, but
who disappeared from the scene eight
years ago TO reappear now as member
elect of the Forty eighth congress Luke
p. Poland, of Vermont, is the man. His
brown, mahogany cOlored face, set in
lines of the most rigid austerity, is set of
by an encircling ring Of snowy white side
whiskers, which nearly meet under his
chin. His hair is equally white, though
thinner. A stranger looking at him would
say, What a grandly good old man he
must be" and the pious would be inclined
10 iken the rim of white about his face
unto halo. Then his locality the land
of iron-clad virtue, helps Mr.. Poland's
appearance. 1t IS all in the appearance,
however. The old gentleman had a pair
of very wicked black brown eyes, with q
bright star of ardent feeling in the bot
tom of their velvet depths which betray
him. In every sense of the word Grand
pa Poland, as he is sometimes affection
ately called, is what is known in this sad
world as one of the boys. He can sit up
later and drink more champagne without
showing its effects the next day than al
most any man that ever came to Wash
ington. Then, too, he has fondness for
the ladies unsurpassed by any youth in
the land. The grace and dcxterity with
with this old gentleman can chuck pretty
dimple1 girl under the chin and COO to
her in the language OF flowers prove that
his heart is ever green, and for him old
age is but mere name.
IL will be remembered that Dir. Poland
was the chairman of that famous Credit
Mobilier committeeman terrible COM
mittee in the Forty third congress before
whom Oakes Ames appeared with his lit
tie memorandum book which brought
down SO many statesmen What q pro
cession of greatness reduced to humility
and repentance passed III review before
this old man, sitting as their Judge: for
upon the report of that committee depeud-
ed, to some extent, their political future.
1t was before him that Gen Garfield sat
and wept bitter tears as he explained and
shambled over that paltry 1920 paid to
him by Okes Ames as dividened on
stock carried in his name. Il was the
work OF this old gentleman thai retired
Schuyler COlfax to a ding and Deserved
obscurity. / wonder if old Father Kelly
who also shed salt tears before the COM
mlttee, is pleased to have the saintlv-
looking Poland back in the house to re
mind hun OF that unhappy time. And.
Dy the way, there is another member of
the old Credit Mobilier comm ttee
who hus been in town lately
This Is Gen. N p. Banks who came IN
look after his reSppointment AS Uni q |
States marshal. Mr. Banks goes ahout
with the gloomy air of a comfortable we'll
led Ok. In public he uiways carries n
hight oVercoat over the left arm. This is
the trade mark OF every picture of Banks
taken tor the last twenty years lie owes
ms entire success in life to his imposing
presence and to rich, sonorous voice,
for though a man of undoubted respecta-
bility and genial nature he Is not pos
sessed of more than ordinary brains. anG
in all practical business matters il as help
less as child. Like many pretty nice
fellows who get into public life without
the aid of an office or the help of kinC
friends, he would have starved long ago
1t is related of him that when electel
governor of Massachusetts il took tn,
subscriptions of large number of friend
to get him out of pawn on inauguration
day
There is much discussion eoncernin,
the revised" tariff and its probable re
suits. In other words, nobody seems Il
know just how much of revision ha
been made or just what effect it may have
not only upon the interest Involved. bu
upon future legislation. Some well In
formed persons hold that no furthe
efforts will be made in this direction 70
several years, while on the Other han,
the majority of tariff reforniers are of tn
opinion that the subject will be taken nj
by the next congress. The claim of on,