The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-18
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Jan. s.

AS, at the last session or congress,
the special committee appointed for
the purpose is still engaged days and
weeks in hearing testimony concern
ing the different plans for improving
the Mississippi river. Those wanting
the government to appropriate count
less millions to build an embankment
along the river banks are here in full
force, and are daily at the capitol with
able lobbying counsel to press their
side. But this method of improving
the mighty river seems to be losing
force, on account of the vast outlay
required. while
THE OUTLET SYSTEM
is daily growing in popular
ity, as much ON account
of the small amount of money re-
quired for its feasibility. Capt. Cow
den and a large number of well-known
river men are here to push this way
of fixing the river, and are also daily
at the capitol interviewing members
and senators. For the last few days
the committee has been. engaged in
hearing the testimony of Gen. Com
stock, the questions asked being re-
lated to the original estimates of eX-
penses, to the actual expenditures and
to the probable sum necessary for
completion. The explanation of the
expenditures at Plum Point reach
way stand for all the points gone over,
as they were similar in results.
The estimates for this point in 1850,
when it was determined to begin
work on this embankment plan were
that this reach thirty-eight miles in
length would cost $685. and other
expenses in connection Herewith
S137, 600, making $4,000 for the ini-
tial work and probably as much more
for peamrnent Improvement at that
point. Gen. Comstock said that
$4,000 had already been expended
at Plum Point, and he estimated that
81, 10000 more would be necessary to
complete the work there, which
would make, all told, S3,S50,OOO. To
this he said there would probably
have to be added S1,SO9,OOO to
rivet the banks. The startling
estimates for such small
portion of the great stream by the
embankment system, can give the tax
PAYERS an idea what the river from
Cairo to its mouth would cost. The
sum would certainly reach near $780,
100000.
The late elections have been a great
! blow to the ReadjusterS in the Old
| Dominion, and already we can hear
the mutterings of the approaching
violent
| WAR IN VIRGINIA
between the rival of that short lived
and disreputable party. Many of the
Readjuster leaders have expressed
themselves as thoroughly disguised
with the petty tyranical bossism OF
Billy Malone, and have expressed
their intention to vote with the Dem
ocratic party in congress. Col. Abe
FulkersOn, of the Ninth district, which
is considered ReadjuSter stronghold
has said several times lately that that
party has fulfilled its mission and the
leaders of it would recede into either
of the two great federal parties. Mr.
FulkerSon is now as good Democrat
as formerly, and will take an active
part in the necessary recognition OF
the party in the state. 1t is reported
that Mr.. Paul asked him recently what
course he intended to pursue and thai
he responded he could not be carried
out of the Democratic party. In the
same interview, as learned from hi:
| vs.
following anecdOte and left him tx
make the application A man in his
county caught a coon which three
boys wanted. He told them the ont
should have it who would give hin
the most satisfactory answer to two
questions he would ask them. HI
then asked the first to which party hi
belonged. The boy answered Demo
cratic. "Why?" Because it is the
national party, and is for the creates
good to the greatest number" 1h'
second boy said he was Greenbacker
because he wanted more money. Tit
third said he was Republican, be
cause he wanted that coon; and h
got it. This fitted Johnnie Paul.
case exactly, for he fears that a Demo
cratic congress will GUST him from thu
seat which rightfully belongs to Col
O'Ferral, and the coon he wants il
the judgeship of the western distric
of Virginia. This is why Pau
is such good Republican. 1t is ru
mored in Washington that Mahon,
and Arthur are at variance with eacl
other. The president has recklessl!
appointed several officials in Virgini;
in direct opposition to the wishes o.
the little boss, and it is now expected
that Mosby will be made United
States Judge in that state through tn,
influence of Gen. Grant. Mosby ant
Malone are bitter personal enemies
and the latter has been at the Whit,
House almost every day for week t.
oppose his appointment.
SENATOR MAXEY's SPEECH
: on the presidential succession wa
long and eloquent, and the subjec
, thoroughly handled complete anal
Uses of our early administration
very seldom speaks; he pre-
fers to observe the debates on mat
tiers before the body, and when tn
time for voting comes he is well pre-
pared, having digested the subject il
all it's bearings. Seldom does he sa.
more than a few paragraphs. But Oh
this occasion something of vital i'm
portance to the whole United State
was to be discussed, and Mr.. Make,
delivered an grafton which was list
ened to with quiet attention by the en-
tire body of senators, including Vic
: President Davis. He spoke in gen
eral way, quoting illustriOus men an
recognized works at every step. A
the conclusion of his remarks, MI
= Lapham, of New York, arose and com
, menced a rambling debate on how tn
lieutenant governor Of his great stat
acted during the absence of the gov
ernor, and cited this as a good eS
7 ample for the United States to follow
! Several of the grave senators wer
frequently seen to smile and pune
each other during his discourse, evi
IDENTIFY thinking New York bad eS
ample for Uncle Sam.
; Gen. Grant is in Washington spend
ing his time at Gen. Beale's residence
{ 1t is rumored that he came here TO
. something more than
, A MERE SOCIETY VISIT.
He is supposed to have come at tn
instigation of Conkling to urge Ger
tain appointments and diSmiSsalS. l
, is observed that the general is dali,
visitor at the white house and is in
variably closeted with Arthur. Pre-
vious to his coming to Washington
Conkling was here ostensibly on cour
business, but in fact to give "Chet
advice and to have few half bree
, enemies kicked out of Office in NeN
York and stalwarts installed in thei
place. l.. 3.
Bayland Orphans Home.
BAYLAND ORPHAN, HOME,
II