Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-01-16
VIM. d. McMASTER, Editor & Pro'r.
From our regular corresponden,
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. c., Jan. u,

WASHlNGT UN LETTER.
Washington, d. G., Jan. ~, 's4.
An air of business pervades the Cap
ital now, and since the recess the tenn
per of Congressman seems TO be in the
direction of attention to duty. If pro.
fessions are any index of intentions the
present Congress will be long remem.
bered for its virtues and its good works.
There is talk of lobbies and lobbyists,
and no doubt they are here, consider
ing the various schemes and interests
which need their aid, but the present
indications ARE that they will find hard
picking if their returns depend upon
success. 1t looks like cold winter
for the lobbyist who works for con-
tingent fee. Concerning tariff legisla-
ton, there is good deal of talk about
IN alliance between the Republicans
and high tariff Democrats to prevent
the passage of any bill 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 of opinion among the Repub-
licans on this question as prevails
among the Democrats. A debate
would develop this fact, and for that
reason the Republican leaders are anx-
ious to keep the subject out of sight at
present.
The discussion of probable, and pos
sible, Presidential candidates is lead
ing industry around the hotel corridors
and public loafing places, and it in
creases apace as the weeks tring near
er the nominating conventions. Mr..
Blaine has recently declared very pos
itively that he is not a candidate, and
people begin to think he means it. !
think he does, for the 'Plumed Knight
knows that, Notwithstanding he is the
most popular 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 about "Rob" Lincoln, who
some think might pull through on
the strength of his fathers name but
there is not much sentimental politics
nowadays. Young Lincoln is a very
clever gentleman, but there is not
much presidential timber in him, being
quite an ordinary man in all respects.
General Logan is really in the field,
and is really stronger man in many
respects than Arthur, but the prevail
ing opinion is that neither of these two
could be elected if nominated. Con.
sidering the Importance of Ohio to the
Republicans John Sherman has lately
gathered a new impetus to his old
boom. Some pretend to believe John
will make it, but he won't. The lead.
ers of the party are looking for some
very rich man who will buy his way
through. That is their only chance.
Speaking of lobbyists and the meth
DDS of securing legislation, remind, me
that there are some queer things. For
instance, year after year the Sundry
Civil Appropriation bill has contained
a clause preventing competition in con-
tracts for photo-lithographic work to
be done at the Patent Office. A Mr..
Peters, who has an establishment for
doing that kind Of work here, makes a
profit of from S75, 900 to 100000
year on work done for the Government.
Under the terms of the law the work
must be awarded to Washington bid
der if he is as low in his proposals as
an outside bidder. The way the De-
partment of the Interior interprets this
is as follows: They advertise for pro-
posals. If any foreign establishment
Is lower than Peters, he is asked if he
will do it at the figures of the lowest
bidder, and he, of course, says he
will. The contract is then made with
him for certain amount of work of
certain kind. For all other kinds of
work and for all work of the specified
kind over and above what his contract
calls for he charges his own price-re-
suit, big profits. He keeps yacht,
and entertains Congressman handsome
ly, makes expensive presents to their
wives and daughters, and always has
friends on the Appropriations Com
mittee of both Houses. PHoNo.
A "Franklin county pilgrim" after
having made flying trip to Florida,
gives his impressions in the St. Adams
NJ