Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-11-21
from our regular correspondent.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, d. c., Nov. II, '83.

Washington, d. c., Nov. II, 's3.
1t would not be worth while for me
to sit down and tell you who is going
70 be elected Speaker, for it might Of
fend some friends of other candidates
whose opinions did not agree with
mine and, then, too, l might make a
mistake and thus weaken your conf
dence in my political judgment. All
the same, / think l could name the
man. The contest is assuming shape
now and as the members come in it is
possible to obtain something more than
vague idea. One cause for congrat-
ulation is that the canvass has been,
thus far, wholly free from personalities,
and also that whichever candidate is
chosen, good, safe man will occupy
the Speakers chair. There is no sus-
picion of jobbcry attaching to the name
of either Mr.. Carlisle, Mr.. Randall or
Mr.. Cox. And further, if Mr.. Carl
isle is chosen there will be no hasty
and injudicious action concerning the
tariff, as many have been led to be-
lieve. He is an able, cool and prudent
man. Both he and Mr.. Cox are tariff
reformers, in harmony with the great
majority of the party, but they are not
in favor of any reckless tinkering at
this or any other time. Nor are they
out and out free-traders as some sup
pose. The friends of Mr.. Cox are
more in earnest than has been generally
supposed, and there are not few who
would like to see this good humored,
but staunch and able veteran called to
the high position of Speaker. 1t is
certain, however, that his following at
present is less than that of either of the
other leading candidates. An anxious
group of aspirants for the other posi-.
tions under the House are already here,
but to them the situation is particular
ly unsettled and agonizing, because
their prospects of success are more or
less continued upon the result of the
Speakership fight. Their efforts must
be made now or before the Speakership
contest is ended, or else they will have
no chance when the time comes to
elect to hunt up their friends and see
that they are kept in the right way.
Congressman and others are always
endeavoring to have some lady friend
appointed in government printing Off
ces. When Mr.. Rounds was first APP
pointed Government Printer, being q
new man, and rather good-natured
withal, he was piled vigorously with
these applications. For some months
Rounds knew no rest from this kind of
worry. One day prominent corre-
spondent went to him and asked for
some information. Rounds at first
declined to give it. Then when the
correspondent said he was going to the
committee on printing to secure the
desired permission Rounds hesitated.
Then he said: swat until tomorrow
and perhaps | can accommodate you
without that trouble" Late the next
night Round wac seated in armchair
upon the cool Ebbitt house corner at
Fourteenth and f streets, gasping for
breath of the breeze up from the Po-
tomac. The correspondent, who was
going home, saw Mr.. Rounds and 60
ing up to him he said: "How about
that little matter of which 1 spoke to
you Yesterday" Mr.. Rounds stared
teebly at the questioner as he said
"l'll try and get your lady friend APP
pointed as soon as l can" ''But
have no lady friend. l don't want any
appointment. Mr.. Rounds at this
jumped from his chair, seized the cor
respondent by the hand and walked
him out into the full light of the gas
lamp on the corner as he said: 81
want to take good look at man who
lives in Washington and who hasn't
young lady friend whom he wants ap-
pointed in the Government Printing
Office" PuoNo.