McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1883-11-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, d. C., Nov. 26, 1888.
The Speakership contest is the chief
topic here at present and notice there
is little else written about by the cor
respondents. 1t is of course enshroud-
ed in uncertainty owing to rather
mixed state of things, and issues of
some moment are believed to be invclv-
cd in the result, yet it is under no cir
cumstances likely to be greatly pro-
longed or to resemble in any respect
the memorable contests Of the past. In
the Thirty-fourth Congress two months
were consumed in electing Speaker,
the choice falling upon n. p Banks on
the one hundred and thirty third ballot
and in the Thirty-sixth Congress u
struggle quite as protracted resulted in
the election of William Pennington.
But these contests were in the House
itself and grew out of the evenly bal
anced 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 of Mr. Cox,
who has many 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 de-
served reputation for being funny, ana
it is difficult to associate this with tho
idea of dignity hence there is an I'M
disguised fear that, however able and
well-deserving he may be, he would not
lend to the position that appearance of
dignity and craftsmanship now so linz
portant to the party. Mr.. Cox has
parlors at Willard s, where he receives
his friends, and there is no better en-
tertaiher to be found. is ever ready
with an illustration and story always
genial and bright, "a fellow Of infinite
jest" with a fund of information and a
facility of quotation seldom equaled.
The weather is bright and beautiful
here now and with hundreds of stran-
gers coming in daily the streets present
an animated appearance. Pennsylvania
avenue is crowded nearly every after
noon with pramenaders, and one can see
style and beauty enough in single
walk down this handsome thoroughfare
to delight his senses for a week at least.
Among the distinguished visitors to the
capital during the last few days is Gov
ernor Butler. | saw him waddle into
the dining room at Wizards with
rosebud in his button-hole and looking
as fresh as daisy. He is said to ia
vor Cox for Speaker The lobby at
Wizards begins to assume it's old time
appearance in the evenings now that
the house is filling up with notables.
1t is general headquarters during all
seasons of political excitement, partly
because of its location no doubt and
partly because it is such large house
and accommodates SO many prominent
guests. VIM. r. Morrison, of Illinois,
a strong supporter of Carlisle for
Speaker, has quarters there and 1t is
rather an interesting sight to see him
backed up against one of the large pill
lars in the rotunda and surrounded by
a score of eager correspondents boring
for points. Mr.. Morrison is one of the
ablest men in Congress and if Carlis
is chosen Speaker he will likely be chair
man of tie ways and means committee
The event which is to open brilliant
ly the social season here is the house
warming of the Metropolitan Club in
its handsome new quarters on the 18th.
Thus far there has been even less socia-
bility than usual at this season on ac-
count of the extraordinary absorption
of such society ladies as are already
here in furnishing the new houses into
which SO many of them are entering
1t is rather surprising to see so many
prominent and fashionable ladies attend
ing the auctions of fine furniture and
housekeeping goods as one meets here.
In this respect Washington Is different
g., -