Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-11-28
From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Nov. q, 'S3.


not choose Cox for speaker" said a well
informed republican politician to your
correspondent. "He is the best man they
have by long odds, and yet there is no
doubt, inclination to give him the 60 by,
for others who are not only less brilliant
but are not rs safe in a party emergency
as Cox is"
"How do you account for it," asked.
"Oh | suppose its the effect of being too
funny; that is Coxs misfortune, for like
all witty men. he suffers from being
considered a mere humorist. The fact is
Cox carries his propensiies to outrageous
length; he turns everything to ridicule.
His wit is always brilliant, but in airing it
on every occasion he gets the reputation
of being u mere triler, something of a
clown in fact. People do not like to
trust such men with their first interests.
In all communities there are solid, quiet
sort of men, whom we naturally pick out
for our trustees, and chairmen, our treas
urers, and bank presidents, and very often
get deceived, but such men as Cox are
handicapped by their own talents. People
are afraid and jealous Of them. They
shine too much"
"Why do you think Cox would make
the best spe;ke
"Because he is their best leader. He
has been in congress twenty five years,
during the most eventful legislative
period of this gov ernment. His training
in this school has made him the best
parliamentarian in his party; he knows
the rules thoroughly, and is equal to all
emel gencles of legislation. Then he is a
brilliant man anyway. lie is an alert
politician and a master of expedients; he
is a keen hand at averting disaster; but
his knowledge of just how to handle his
party is his most valuable characteristic,
after all. He runs it on the good natured
plan. He does not antagonize needlessly.
He ridicules his opponents rem0rseessly;
he picks out the weak point in their
armot, and throws his dart with unerring
skill do not know that all this makes
him . great man. But his party is not II
great party. 1t does no. exist by its
purity or worth. but because it is old and
ough. 1t is a party of defense ar sortie.
not of aggressive warfare. Being such a
party Cox is just the man to leaci it. l
wonder that the democrats do not see this.
But their inspiration for blindness and
laundering is proverblal.'
Finding hat the taker had OPT Mons,
,sked him what he thought of R ,adall.
" A much uverTtt-i m IN h. repl'-s
Like Cox in some respects, polite; ale
means to an emf with him. But be j.
-'olld and stupid; and yielding VIII ere h.
should be firm. He is so leased ty tn
presidential bee that he hurries into prin
o catch the peoples favor on every occ l.
sion. His intrIgues with the pubic arr
continuous. And yet be shifts so often
that no man knows where he stands.
wonder that the democratic party ever
furgave him for his easy compliance with
he purposes Of the electoral commission
If Ilden has forgotten it and supports
aim, then the old man has certainly come
to his dotage.' The speaker CONTINUING
said: 81 know these men thoroughly, and
well. and think | have their measure.
ments down pretty fine. Now Carlisle is
Il man above his party. He comes from
Covington, Ky, across the river he would
have been an excellent republican to-day.
But his locality made him democr at.
He is for live issues, aegressively active ly.
and because he is am bilious to Undue his
party with some modern spirit. AS IA NJ an
Dt intellect he is far above his com petite'rs.
He is popular among those who are for
tariff reform, but he is losing grou nd
because OF the race issue which has be en-
raised. The democratic party suffers from
its hypocrases; it IL always afraid of
being found out; it is continually trim
ming its sails; Il month ago Carlisle
would have been elected; to day the dem.
Ocrats are cringing to public opinion
They will abandon aggression under Car
Isle, ard content themselves with trim
ming under -"
The National Grange has been in session
in Washington City during the week, but
after the members had come together and
the meeting was organized, II motion to
exclude press representatives was made
and carried. Several reporters thereupon
gathered up their notes and vanished.
The papers have been ridicuing this mys
FERROUS action on the part Of the agricul
turists, but the curiosity of your CORE,
spondent being aroused Il delegate to the
convention was hunted up and became an
easy prey TO his pursuer. The substance
of the mysterious proceedings of the
grange may be briefly stated. 1t has been
to maintain lobby at Wash.
lngton this winter, in order 10 influence
in way favorable to agricultural
legislation. AT tho late convention for
contagious diseases among
cattle the sense Of the meeting showed
chat congressman must be made to feel
tina, he farmers demand that all restric.
tons ON cur cattle exports should BE-
removed, and that the only way to obtain
that end is for the government to give
clear bill Of health upon all cattle for
export. The lobby will represent the
farmers in this and other interests and
will be made to understand
That +: they want the farmers votes here
after hey viii have TO favor their Interests
in cong, csS.
The iUbbies arc gathering in 70 ce, The
present occasion Is very usrul tor their
purposes rs lhey have more opportunity
o sec and talk with members of cougrps>
than they vii, hare later, wien the
o. The session iemand attention
But thtIr tifJr,s are Uacticuariy 'av0ted
JUS now to making wha they cat on of
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