The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-12-22
FROM WASHINGTON
Special to the CARBON ADVOCATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Is, 1888.
DRAWING SEATS.

Special to the CARBON ADVOCATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Is, 1888.
DRAWING SEATS.
The last week has been devoted by
both branches of Congress in preparatory
steps of organization, and the minor de-
tails that are necessity and part of the
machinery" of legislative bodies. In
the House, the most interesting spectacle
of the week was the allotment of seats 10
the members. 1t resembled the drawing
of lottery company, the location of n
members seat being regulated entirely
by "chance." There we're 376 numbers
containing as many consecutive members
placed in a box, from which blind
folded page drew them one Ht time. n
clerk on his right calling off the number
and clerk on the left announcing the
name of the Congressman whose number
corresponds on the roll. Each member
was then privileged 10 step inside the
floor of the House, proper, and select
seat among the vacant ones, of his own
choosing. Many amusing incidents oe-
cured during the drawing aud often the
Hall would reverberate with peals of
mirth and laughter.
MIR. RANDAIL's SEAT.
AS an illustration of tine esteem 10
which Mr.. Randall is held by his fellow
members, when the seats were drawn at
the Forty seventh Congress-, the first
name called was that of General Joe
VIII .eler, giving him iirst choice. HAY,
ing learned Mr.. Randalls preference for
seat, re took that one in order to Sc
cure it for his distinguished colleague,
slrrendoring it TO him when it came bis
choice. Tuesday, Mr.. Duncan, new
member, and having no knowledge Of
the above occurrence, was the FIRST one
called and repeated the same thing, u.s.
ing his advantage to secure q good seat
for Mr.. Randall at the risk of getting
poor one himself. Fortunately however,
he secured seat in the close vicinity of
his choice for Mr.. Randall. MIR. Cox's
name was the second called and he se-
lected a seat near the centre of the Hall.
Ex.Speaker Keifer was compelled to take
"back seat" on the outer cirle of the
Republican side,
THE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
are just now the engrossing topic.
There are six committees that are con-
sidered the leading and most important
ones among an aggregate of FIFTY-sEvEN.
OF this six, and all, the Ways and Means
is recognized as the greatest in powers
and prestige; the chairmanship of this is
then the objective point of much COM
petition, but, as indicated in my last,
Mr. Morrison of Illinois, will receive this
plum. Next in importance is the Com
mittee of Appropriations, of which either
Mr.. Randall or Blackburn will be ap-
pointed chairman, the friends of the lat
ter claiming that Speaker Carlisle will
not ignore his claim to the position.
Mr.. Cox will be chairman of the Foreign
Relations Committee, Mr.. Converse of
the Judiciary, Mr.. Hewitt OF Naval AZ
fairs, and Mr., Buckner OF Banking and
Currency. With the chairmanships of
only fiity-seven committees (and many
of them uhimportant ones) at the Speak
er's disposal for distribution TO l78
Democratic memb, rs, il can be surmised
that he has a task unenviabls, in an ef-
fort to please so vast q number. The
Committee OF Elections will be Rnnounc.
ed in few days,as important references
have been made to them in contested
election cases, but the remainder will
not be promulgated until just previous
to the holiday recess,
THE MINOR OFFICES OF THE HOUSE
under the Clerk, Sergesnt-at-Arms and
Doorkeeper, are now the objects of a
great scramble by an army OF the lesser
political lights from all parts of the
United States. There are seventy-eight
positions under the above principal Of
ficers, and there are no less than two
hundred and ten applicants on the
ground, endeayoring to secure these
leavings. The appointing powers of
these positions are moving very slowly,
howeyer, aud the complete re-organizl.
tion of the House will not have been ac.
eompIished until the holiday adjourn.
meut.
GUIrEAU's SPIRITUAL ADVISER.
Rev. DIR. Hicks has met with "A defeat
IN his libel suit against the Evening Star
Of this city. 1t will be RENE mhrred thai
shortly alter tue removal Of Ouilenn',
body irom the jail, the above JOURNAL
published statement that 1t had been
reported ttat Dactor Hicks was demand.
ing 81 600 fer th" bones Of the murderer.
The reverend gentleman rushed into
eonrt with suit for $40 600 damages,
aud the judge has just dismissed it on
the ground that the said publication did
not contain n libel us Rev. Hicks clear
ly bad the right TO d, mand any sum for
the body which Guiteau bequealhed TO
him previous to his execution. The I
Doctor nov has the plsassss Of setting