Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-11-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.

ing congratulations on the result OF
the recent elections. On Friday last
he shook hands with over two hum
dred persons who called to congratu-
late him. lie looks supremacy hap
Ply, and is now ready to meet all re-
monstances from Members and SEN
alters against his policy.by referring |
to the result of the elections in New |
York and Virginia as vindication
of it.
The members of the Cabinet and
Assistant Secretaries in the city re-
ceived the returns at their respective
Departments, where they had special
wires. Great crowds gathered at the
newspaper Offices TO read the returns
as thrown on transparencies, and the
excitement run high till early in the
morning. Such excitement has not
been known foryears. The friends
of both parties were confident that
the last returns would show victory
for their party. The Democrats are
jubilant and the Republicans not dis
couraged. 1t is amusing to hear the
reasons assigned by each party for
the result. The Republicans contend
that they are ahead in New York be-
cause they have carried the legisla-
ture by an increased majority, which
insures the return of Republican
Senator, and that the election of the
Democratic State ticket is only an APP
proval of the Presidents course on
the civil service policy inaugurated
by the Republicans; that it is All en-
dorsement of the President rather
than preference for Hill or the
Democratic party. On the other
hand, the Democrats hold that it
shows the strength of their party in
dependent of Federal interference
and promise of office as reward
and that the principles of Democracy
are deeply rooted in the hearts of the
people. 1t is an interesting and ami
mated scene that you witness on en-
tering any one of the three hotels
where the politicians from all parts of
the country meet and discuss the re-
suits on the above and other modes of
reasoning. The National, Metropoli-
tan, and Wizards constitute the Wall
street of politics in Washington,
What scenes And there is not po-
litican in the country who has ever
visited the Capital who cannot at the
mere mention of any one of these
three names call to mind some ex-
citing scene or discussion that hap
pened while he was there.
Now that the fail elections are
over, Washington is beginning to put
on its Congressional garb, as usual
at this time of the year. Represen-
tatives are coming in to select ac-
commodations for the winter and
discuss the political outlook in their
respective States and the government
patronage to be bestowed. Another
subject in which they are all interest
ed is the formation of the Commit
tees. A members influence in getting
appropriations for Government work
in his State or district is in proper
ton to the importance of the conf
mittee on which he may be appoint
ed and the place which he holds on
his committee. When member finds
that his prospects of being appointed
OH desired committee are not as
flattering as those ofsome other mem
Der lie at once proceeds to give his
support to the member he thinks
stands the best chance of appoint
ment so as to have his ear and sup
port for the measure which he in
tends to push before the committee.
The chairmen of the three most i'm
portant committees-the Ways and
Means, the Appropriation, and the
River and Harbor-wield a powerful
influence in the legislation Of the
House. 1t seems to be conceded
that Morrison will be the chair
man of the first named committee,
and Randall of the second. Willis,
of Kentucky, was chairman of the
River and Harbor Committee last
session, and as he and Carlisle-the
coming Speaker-are from the same
State, and warm friends, it is probable
that he will be appointed again this
session. Morrison is already here to
stay. lie is very reticent as yet on
the tariff question, but when spoken
to on the subject intimates that the
bill which will be submitted will be
carried through without fail.
But comparatively few of the many
letters directed to the heads Of tie
several departments are ever seen by
those august personages. The letters
are usually opened by an employe
detailed for that purpose, and those
Of personal nature inspected by the
Chief Clerk of the Department, who
makes such disposition of them as to
him seems proper. If letter is
found to be of a strictly personal
nature or of unusual importance it is
referred to the head of the depart
ment for his personal consideration.
Some of the many Office seekers have
gotten wind of the fact and being
determined not to be outwitted, have
resorted to the shrewd practice of
affixing special delivery stamp to
the envelope containing their petit
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