The Rock Island Argus., 1883-12-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Nov. 90. 1888.

NASHlNGTON, ID. u, NOV ~. 1888
The speakership contest is al boiling
heat this week At present writing Mr..
Carlisle has decided lead and the result.
so far rs he is concerned wholly depends
upon how many o. his supporters can be
frightened off by the influences being
brought to bear in the interest of Sam
Randall, Upon free vote by the demo
cratic members Carlisle would certainly
be chosen by large majority over Ran
dali, because he Is more popular man
personally and because he more nearly
represents the sentiments and principles
of the democratic party But tremendous
pressure is being exerted by the railway
interest and the manufacturing interests,
or the monopoly branch of them aud in
behalf of what is represented to be the
business interests of the country All
this with the sectional question is having
some effect, but whether it will be en-
tirely successful remains yet to be seen.
Some of the abler and most earnest dem
0crats say it is about time for the party
to cease being frightened by this
ghost of sectionalism. Given true
man, they say, with IL consistent
patriotic record like Carlisle's, and what
does it matter which side of the Ohio
river he comes from? And they hold
too, that it is about time this believing
about the business interests of the coun-
try was stopped. The material interests
of this country do not depend upon the
election of this or that man to the speak
ership or the presidency or any other po-
sition. II is always the monied interests,
the monopolies. the banks, the middle
men and highly protected manufacturers
that are meant when this cry is raised.
But it begins to dawn upon a great many
congressman that there is very large
class known as produces in this country
whose interests are entitled to some re
spect-that the farmers, laborers, me
chanics, doctors, lawyers and professional
men generally. should have some small
share of consideration. If count were
had perhaps they would be found almost
as numerous as the millionaires, even if
not so loud or influential. This contest
will be pretty fair test of how many
democratic congressman can be found to
stand squarely up to their convictions.
The annual report of the Attorney Gen
eral lately submitted contains some very
excellent recommendations in the way of
Improvement upon the present modes of
procedure in the courts of the district.
The Star route trial, which ended in
smoke after seven months of wraugling
among the lawyers, could have been dis
posed of in any other court in Christen-
dom in as many weeks, and the trivial
technicalities which might be ruled in by
the Judge in furtherence CT Justice, in any
State court, were elaborated upon at this
trial for weeks at time The Attorney
General properly calls the attention of
Congress to these defects in our criminal
Jurisprudence and strongly urges the ap-
pllcation of the proper remedies. Coup
led with these recommendations is anoth-
er, suggesting change in the mode of
juries, the practice under which
here, virtually allows criminal defendant
to select jury panel, who though they
may be his. peers, are only so in the CON-
mission of crime. 1t is q little singular
that the courts here should be compelled
TO lag century or more behind those of
the courts in every State in the Union,
for it is a fact that they are governed by
statutes that were among the first enacted
by Congress in continental times.
When the drawing for seats in the
house of representatives takes place next
week, vast amount of indignation will
be oceasioned among the members who
do not draw lucky numbers, by the crowd
cd arrangements of the desks. III some
of the middle rows the seats are arranged
by seven. and the rows are so close to-