The National tribune., 1885-09-17
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOiDgS at The Ma
tiOnal Capital.
THE REsssEaBLrSG OF CONGRESS.

grfSs meets, DuG a great ucai VI hVtn ID
already being done in anticipation of its COM
ing together Being the beginning of new
Congress. OF course, il has TO elect new oifcerS
throughout and for these a very lively scram-
BILE is taking place For the first time in many
wears however, there VIII probably be no hight
over the Speakership, rs Mr.. Randall has re-
tired from competition with Mr. Carlisle, who
will therefore have "a walk-over probably be-
ing named without opposition by the caucus,
and elected unanimously by the Democratic
majority. The Republicans viii probably put
up some man rs matter of form with reference
to his being their leader now and the probable
Speaker when they recover their ascendancy in
the House two years hence. The choice for this
honor lies among cx-Gov. Long, of MaSsachu-
sets; Hon. T. b. Reed, OF Maine, and Mr..
Hiscock, of New York all of whom have attained
TO high positions among their colleagues dur
ing their long service in the House. After the
Speaker the next Office in Importance IS the
Clerk. This is now held by Gen. John b.
Clark, of Missouri, who, when he was elected
two years ago was an exceedingly popular nan,
but who is said to have alienated very large
number of his friends by his manner towards
them since he came into power, and these are
looking about for q candidate TO pit against
him. Possibly this Will be ex-Congressman Post,
of PENNSYLVANIA. Next comes the Sergcant-at-
Arms who during the iSth Congress was Jno.
J.. Leedonl, of Ohio. Mr.. Leedom wss very I'M
fortunate in making enemies, and even his own
Congressional delegation became hostile 20 him.
1t is said that he has conciliatcd some of these,
and is making very fair canvass The oppo-
stiOn to him is net concentrated as yet on any
one candidate The Doorkeeper of the 4Sth
Congress was Jas. G. Winterslnith, WHO died.
His place is sought for by a number of caDdi-
dates, with Eugene Higgins, the appointment
Clerk of the Treasury Department; Gen. NJ.
B. Field, and Mr.. Donelson, of Tennessee, IN
the lead 1t is felt that Higgins. if he really
plo hoe ba bul IN ret
tors, and he probably does desire it, for he has
almost said SO.
DEATH OF EMORY A. sToREs
The fast diminishing ranks of American
orators has received very sad depletion III
the death, at the age of 80, of the brilliant and
erratic Emory A. Storrs, OF Chicago, who was,
perhaps, only second to Ingcrson in the fasci-
nation and persuaslveness OF his oratery. lie
was an unprepoSSessng man TO look at, and he
always spoke as if it was anguish for him to
say anything, but his words were golden, and
the longest speech he ever made never seemed
long enough to those who heard him. He had
many Of the failings of the old-time public
men, and his responsibility in money matters
was notorious, though he had an income OF 1rom
5000 to 100000 year. it would have been
difficult fer him to have got credit for days
provisions for his family anywhere In Chicago
unless the shopkeeper chose to consider it an
absolute gift. His fees were something enor-
NOUS, and he rather prided himself on the sums
which he wrung from the criminals who were
solicitous of having his talents arrayed in their
defense. He used TO tell, with u good deal of
enjoyment. of how q brace of scoundrels who
had been running a particularly mean and
flagitious swindle on the Northwestern farmers.
but who were finally brought to justice, and
called on him TO defend them. He accepted
the retainer, but announced that he should
have TO have $4,000 down IL advance. They
protested aud said that they had employed
the most eminent counsel in the country pre-
viously in similar cases fer more than $, 600.
Storrs replied calmly: II know that. and 1
know the service is not worth but S5,o00 but
] must have $1,000 more for the unpleasant
ness of associating with such cattle as you are"
Storrs was an effective campaign orator, and
his speeches on the Republican side were gems
in their way. He was strongly pressed for At
torney-GeEcral in Garfelds Cabinet, but his
irregularities were considered as more than
Offset OF his brillianey of talent, and the place
was given 10 the much duller but much more
respectable Wayne McYcagll.
An incident that had humorous aspect took
place il connection with the visit of Chief
Justice COleridge to this country two or three
years ago. When that head of the British Ju-
dietary came to Chicago he was rendered a ban
quet by the Chicago Bar Association, and as
Storrs was ont Of the graces of that organiza-
ton, he did not receive an invitation, while
every other lawyer of any standing in the city
did. This cut was particularly marked, be-
cause Storrss talent as an after-dinner speaker
brought him into requiSition at every occasion
of that kind. In revenge Storrs rendered the
Chief Justice a dinner on his own account,
which far outshope the banquet furnished by
the Bar Association, and which was attended
by every lawyer of note in the city except the
Committee Oh Invitations of the Bar Associa-
ton. These were not without their revenge
however, for just as the guests were sitting
down TO the repast the Sheriff. who did not
love Storrs, appeared with al execution on the
dinner gotten up by some of Storrs's numerous
creditors. 1t looked exceedingly unpleasant
for little while, but Storrs had with him
friend and admirer,-Allerton, the cattle King
whose pure was ever open to him, and who
satisfied the execution and let the banquet go
on. Never III his life did Storrs appear more
happy or witty than he did on this occasion
His death was quite unexpected, and was pos
sibly brought about by his inordinate con-
sumption of tobacco.
PLEASANT LITTLE ROMANCE.
A pleasant little romance is reported out of
that dusty embryo OF the "Guids and auillcs" !"
of the law-the Department OF Justice The
story runs that when Attorney General Brew
ster retired he told his successor he had but one
favor 70 ask of him, and that was that certain
lady be retained in her position rs clerk. He
said that in his youth he bad been very much
in love with her as girl, but she, however
seemed repelled by his terribly disfgured face,
aud finally refused him definitely. She after
wards married, and he heard nothing of her
until after his appointment as Attorney-Gen-
eral, when he received q letter from her con-
gratulating him. A correspondence ensued, in
which it was developed that she was widow
with but small means. Mr.. Brewster imme-
diately offered her place in the Department,
which Attorney General Garland assured him
she should retain SO long as he remained in
Office.
THE PRESIDENTS MOVEMENTS.
The President slipped back into Washington
last week IN the qaietest manner, without any
heralGng OF lis approach, aud set to work as
any business man would after returning from
well-earned and wcll-enjeyed vacation. He
has gained much in public estimation by the
simple hearty, joyous way in which he took
his rest itaids in the belief in his genuneness
and sincerity. 1t is to the credit of the Demo-
cratic party also that he found so few office
seekers eagerly awaiting his return. 1t was ex-
pectcd that hc would be assailed by a mob but
such was not the case, and there were even
fewer here than when he went away.
COMMISSIONER THoNAN's HOUSE.
The eneniics of Civil Service Reform, of which
the country is full, had little season of reioic-
ing last week over the discovery that Judge
Thoman, of the Civil Service Reform Commis-
sion. had purchased house in this city for
$4,000. and paid for the same with the fraudu.
lent indiana bonds. Unfortunately this is
true. The Judge was bitten with those bonds
as hundreds of other Deople were and no ma n