Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-12-03
CAUCUS SURROUNDINGS.

-
correspondence OF the Alexandria GAZETTE.
WAsHI NGToN, II. c., Dec. ,, lSS3-To
say that Washington now presents a scene
oil hustle aud confusion does nui convey an
idea of the real state Of ail,irs. OF course
the assembling Of Congress always brings
great many strangers here, but it is said by
those familiar with the history of the city,
that there has never been a larger number
than at present. All the hotels arc crowded,
and those having rooms to let have no trou-
bic in finding rcntors. About every other
family here rent rooms many Of them max.
ing one or two "roomers" pay the rent Of
the whole house. Indeed not Il few moi only
expect, but actually do live well and sup
port an establishment in toerablv liue style
oil the rent they eXtort from those who are
compelled 10 take rooms One person can.
AT this season, exist respectfully here by
taking Il room, ut from soto so per month
This Is necessary expenses, with no iuXures,
such as car or hack rides, the theatres, or
any other sort Of the vanities of this life,
thrown in, which is much lower than one
can live ut the cheapest hotel. But TO re-
turn to Congressional matters. Saturday
was IL driving day with the candidates for
the Offices of the House of Representatives.
Every friend of the respective candidates
had an axe which needed grinding badly,
and hence each one worked hard to make
himself us conspicuous as possible. This
hard work" which in many cases did the
candidates more harm than good, had the
effect OF drawing vast crowd to the Capt.
toll, where the democratic caucus was
held Saturday night. The corridors
leading to the hall of the House Of Rep
resentalives were throDged with men from
I'LL sections Of the country anxiously await.
ing the result. When it was announced
that Carlisle, Of Kentucky had been nomi
mated for Speaker over Randall, Of Penn
sylvania,a shout went up that rang through
out the building, and Immediately IL rush
was made for the room Of the Committee
on Appropriations where Mr. Carlisle had
established his headquarters, but entrance
was denied the crowd of eager Office seekers,
and they had to content themselves with
hurrahng for the man whom they, at least
many of them, had denounced but short
| time previous. One batch Of disappointed
ones, however, declared that they could not
stand the id rebel yells.' and quit the
building. A short while after the announce
mcnt of the nomination, Mr.. Blackburn
came out of the caucus, and all wreathed in
| smiles, hurried TO Mr. Carlisle's room. He
was followed by Mr.. Tucker, the one Car
isle mar from Virginia, who, too, appeared
as much elated as Mr.. Black burn. Then
| came Phil. Thompson, Of Kentucky, q
| young man, small Of statue, with a mild,
pleasant countenance. No one would ever
| take him to be the man who was recently
| tried for the killing of Davis in his own
State. Every one in the crowd seemed to
know him, and "Hello Phil" was heard on
all sides, TO which salutation he responded
most graciou5ly. Next came The Commit.
tee-Messrs. Randall and Cox and Gov
ernor Curtin-to announce TO Mr. Carl
| isle his nomination. Mr.. Carlisle soon
appeared leaning on the arms of Mr.
Randall and Governor Curtin, Mr.. Cox
bringing up the rear, apparently the happi
est man OF the distinguished quartette. All
along the way 10 The hall of the House the
party was enthusiastically cheered Mr.
Cox stopped 10 bow To the crowd ,iwhcreupon
Governor Curtin, exclaimed, Come along
Cox" There was not IL smile on RandaIrS
face. Ills features were as iriged as the
north pole, and his mouth was more "dc-
termnedly closed" tha. ever Gen. Hun
ton looked as if he could not conceal his
qualification at the defeat Of the man who
had tried to humiliate him by placing him
| in nnImportantp places on committees because
| he bad opposed him. RaudalI's defeat is at
tributed TO the manner in which he treated
his opponents in his last race for the speak
ership. Mr.. Cox, as will be remembered
was treated very shabby, the clairmanship
and the only one, of the Library Commit
tee, or what is better known rs the bouquet
committee being given him. J. G.. Thompson
wandered about the place like ''lorsaken
hero" looking as if il was impossible for
him to make out why he should be dropped
and Leedom picked up. Gen. Field was as
dignilied after his defeat as before, while
Wintersmith, his successful opponent, went
about shaking hands with evcrybod and
was as merry old King Cole is said to
have been on a certain OCCASION When the
announcement came that Dalton had sccur-
ell the nomination over his competitors the
crowd thinncd out considerably, hut many
Every anxious ones' remained until the
ealy hours of Sunday morning. All agree
that the ticket selected is 4 good one, and
will give general satisfaction. There were
goody many Alexandrians in and about
the hotels last night and to- day all OF whom
are confidently expecting something to
turn up" in their favor. SELAH.
UNION RELIEF.