The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-01-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, d. c.. !


WASHINGTON, d. c..
Jan. IA, lSS4.5
The air of business prevades the
Capital now, and since the recess the
temper of Congressman seems to be
in the direction of attention of duty.
If professions are any index of in
tentions the present Congress will be
long remembered for its virtues and
its good works. There is talk of
Hobbies and lobbyists, and no doubt
they are here considering the yari
Gus schemes and interests which
need their aid, but the present indi
cations are that they will find hard
picking if their returns depend upon
success. 1t looks like q cold win
ter for the lobbyist who works for a
contingent fec. Concerning tariff
legislation, there is a good deal of
talk about IN alliance between the
Republicans and high tariff Demo-
Gratis to prevent the passage of any
bills; and no doubt there are those
on both sides who would like to see
such an alliance made, but those who
understand the situation know that
there is the same diversity o opinion
among the Republicans on this ques
ton as prevails among the Demo
cratS. A debate would develop this
fact, and for that reason the Repub-
licah leaders are anxious to keep the
subject out of sight at present.
The discussion of probable, and
possible, Presidential candidates is
a leading industry around the hotel
corridors and public loafng places,
and it increases apace as the weeks
bring nearer the nominating conven-
tons. Mr.. Blaine has recently de-
clared very positively that he is not
neutrality-suspicious. begin-to
think he means it. I think he does,
for tt "Plumed knight knows that
Notwithstanding he is the most popu-
lar man in the party, he could not be
elected. The Republicans are really
all at sea in the matter and their
leaders admit that they have no
prominent candidate whom they
could carry through. Edmunds is
considered about their strongest man,
but he is not likely to be nominated,
and he says he would not run if he
was. They are talking of "Bob''
Lincoln, who some think might pull
through on the strength of his ia
theirs name; but there is not much
sentimental politics now a-days,
Young Lincoln is a very clever gen.
tleman, but there is not much Presi,
Dental timber in him, being quite an
ordinary man in all respects. Gen
Logan is really in the field, and is g
stronger man in many respects than
Arthur, but the prevailing opinion is
that neither Of these two could be
elected if nominated. Considering
the Importance of Ohio to the Re
publicans John Sherman has lately
gathered a Few impetus to his old
boom. Some pretend to believe thai
John will make it, but he won't. The
leaders of the party are looking foI
some very rich man who will buy his
way through. That is their only
chance.
Speaking of the lobbyists and thu
methods of securing legislation, re
minds me that there are some quee
things. For instance, year after yea
the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill
has contained a clause preventing
competition in contracts for photo
photographic work to be done for thu
Patent Office. A Mr. Peters, who ha
an establishment for doing that kint
of work here, makes a profit of from
$4,000 to 100000 a year OF worl
done for the Government. Under th'
terms of the law the work must b,
awarded to q Washington bidder
he is as low in his proposals as ar
outside bidder. The way the De
partment of the Interior interprets
this is as follows: They advertise
for proposals. If any foreign estab
lishment is lower than Peters, he i
asked if he will do it at the figures o
the lowest bidder, and he, of course
says he will. The contract is thel
made will him for q certain amour
of work Of q certain kind. For al
other kinds of work and for all worl
of the spec fed kind owe and above
what his contract calls for he charge.
his WI price-result, big profits
He keeps Il yacht, and entertain'
Congressman handsomely, makes ex
pensive presents 10 their wives anG
daughters, and always has friends OIL
the Appropriations Committee o
both Houses. PHoNo.