The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1883-12-01
Our Washington Letter.
{ From our Regular corresoonacr,,
November 9th. 1888

Iii0 Niey' anu tlief iHcluue tne major
ity, find great difference in respect
to their occupations, Heretofore, be-
fore the civil service law went into eff
feet, which was last July, representa-
tives have found plenty to do in the
way of soliciting appointments for
their constituents, or in interviewing
public officials in regard to contempla
ted discharges, or prospects for new
places. The amount of correspond
ence and labor lifted from their shout
ders by eliminating office seekers from
their duties is amazing. / met an Ill
Inois Representative yesterday, in fact
L called npon him at his rooms. Last
winter at this time | remember that n
semi-circle Of ladies and gentlemen
sat in the self-same places now occu
pied by vacant chairs. These people
wearing their best clothes, and pain
fully polite, and self-concious in the
presence of the great, were either of
tice holders or office seekers. 1t is a
Illuminating spectacle to see men and
women bowling down before a power
ful politician, and offering hattery and
homage IN exchange for fayors. But
selfish as such laudations are, they
were the meat and drink of many rep
resentatives who would run their legs
off, and carry their demands to the
verge of shamelessness, in order to ac-
commodate their sycophantic constitu-
ents with offices. But my friend from
Illinois, remarking my glance at the
empty chairs, said, eyes, all my dear
friends have deserted me- | worked
for them from early in the morning
to midnight every day, answering
their letters and attending to their de-
mands. | neglected my representa-
tive duties; | became mere Wash
ington business agent for certain peo-
pie in my district; | toiled like q slave
and went back home to be abused like
a pickpocket by some of the very men
who worked for; but now " Othello's
occupations gone" | have so little to
do that | do not know how to put in
my time, and | have to 90 down to the
hotel to find some one to talk to"
Don't you have any more appli-
cants for Officer"
Very few, and when | do | just
drop them a civil service circular and
the correspondence ends. If Congress
Will only shut off the mail contractors
some way, | will be able to do what
am elected for-represent my peo-
in Congress. As it has been here
IRE, | haye found myself the repre-
tative of the few in my district,
who live by politics, or have business
with the Departments"
The Supreme Court room. is the
most interesting place for the intelli-
gent visitor to Washington, at this
time to pass an agreeable hour. Com
ing within the atmosphere of this
Court one feels a sense of its refine
ment and austerity. The doors are
opened upon noiseless hinges: the ex-
IRENE Difference of the attendants is
impressive; conversation is carried on
in a whisper even in the anti-room;
and the whole air surcharged with rev.
erence and law. Upon entering, the
doorkeeper whispers-the question care
you a member of the bar?" and il one is
able to claim this distinction he is adj
mitted into the semi-circle enclosed by
the railing If not he must sit outside
among the laymen where your CORES
pondent had very pleasant seat. The
Supreme Court Room is not only hid
den away in the interior Of the Capitol
building, so that it is difficult to find
but it impresses one as being absurdly
small for its great uses. However it
may be all the better for that though
if the Court is enlarged, as is contem-
plated another chamber or Il series Of
them, must be put into use for their
convenience. 1t would perhaps be
good idea to have the Library build
ing when erected, contain the Supreme
Court Rooms. The Court was sitting
Yesterday wearing the black silk
robes, and looking us if they had been
sitting for 200 years, when there en-
tered at the door tall slender figure,
with stopping shoulders, thin silvery
hair, shrewd face with a sort of set
and wintry smile upon it. His en-
trance was unremarked. To the door
keeper who mumbled the question
''are you member of the bar" he
shook his head negatively and took a
seat in the rear. And vet this man
was at one time one of the most bril-
liant lawyers of this country. Not
only that but one of its first Senators,
but now disbarred from citizenship in
this country which once honored him.
A legal case in which his interests are
involved is now on trial in the Su-
preme Court. But he can only APP
pear as a silent witness.
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