The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-26
DONELSON In HOT WATER.
COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE DOOR.
KEEPER OF THE HOUSE.
A Possibility That He May Be
Forced Out-Refunding the d.
rect Tax-Court OF Claims.
IooRRKsPoSDEScE or Tx APPEAL.l


WASHINGTON, February 22.-One OF
the curious things connected with the
Democratic management OF the House
is the trouble always caused by the
doorkeeper's department. In every
other bIapch Of the House organize
ton everything goes along without
friction, and no cause OF complaint or
criticism is ever discovered. On the
contrary, the administration OF the
doorkeeper has, 1t would seem, inevi-
tably brought trouble, and, in one or
two instances, scandal, which, by our
political opponents, has been used to
the prejudice OF the party. There
must be said TO have been one excep-
tion-Gen. Field OF Virginia, present
superintendent OF Hot Springs reser-
walton, who administered the affairs OF
this department OF the House in such
a manner as to absolutely defy criti-
cism. F.rt came Fltzhugh of Texas,
whose photography was bad and his
executive talent worse; then Polk OF
Missouri, whose unfortunate admins
traitor is readily remembered, and
Jim Wintersmith OF Texas, now dead,
poor fellow, managed in a brief service
to increase the enmity OF men officially
who had for Linn personally the kind
est Of feelings. Now, Col. Donelson
Is in trouble, and may be
pushed to the wall. One OF
the gravest charges againtt
him Is that he has given soft jobs, sim
ecures in other words, TO number OF
Newspaper men, among them Mr.. e.
B. Wade of the Nashville American
and Mr.. Charles +. Kincaid Of the
Louisville Times. II Is limited, too, it
should be added, that the real cause
for the animus shown in some quar-
ters sgaintt Mr.. Doneleon is the as.
serted indiscretion he committed in
being too free with promises to men,
bers, which, unfortunately, he has not
been fully able TO meet. This, Of
course, was during his canvass, when
every member. no doubt, translated
every fair word spoken into pledge
OF official patronage after the election.
At all events there Is more or less dis
satisfaction displayed, aud it will not
be strange to find the employment OF
these newspaper writer's used to the
detriment of the doorkeeper. A close
investigation is to be made OF the
quantity as well as the quality OF labor
they have performed in the service OF
the House. 1t is unfortunate, how
ever, for the doorkeeper that they
were assigned to the document-room
for 1t is notorious, Notwithstanding
the incre ased force, that the work OF
this portion OF the doorkeeper's de-
partment has been inefficient to an
extreme degree, 80 much go as TO pro-
woke the criticism in open SEES.
sion of the House, and from a
Democrat OF prominence, that the
room has three superintendents, who
did nothing, with corps OF able
bodied assistants 10 help them do it.
1t is fact that the files, which these
newspaper men are supposed to keep
in good order, have been in such con.
dition that the members arc obliged
to send to the other end OF the build
ing, TO the Senate dooument-Ioom, 10
get what documents they want. A
good friend OF the doorkeeper would
advise him to unload all useless tim
bers. 1t should be said, though, that
it Is not possible for him to inquire
into the antscedents Of every man APP
pointed, whether industrious or not,
or whether the appointee is willing to
give the House good Eervioe in return
for an appointment. He must OF me-
cessity take a man upon trust or, what
is the same, the recommendation OF q
member, and time alone, which deter
mines all things, will develop whether
he has done wisely or not. Col. Dom
elson is young in Office az yet,
and has had q tremendous pres.
sure for place TO encounter, and moth
ing short OF q miracle could have saved
him from causing displeasure with
members whose demands have been
necessarily refused, but this much ia
certain, in his former position he
proved a satisfactory and popular
officer, and, given time and opportu-
nifty, a like verdict may be obtained
even under his present RESI- disabilities
and difficulties.
Under the present House the State
OF Tennessee is credited with but thir-
teen appointments out of total OF
307.
The COMMITTEE on Claims have under
consideration the measure to reappro-
pirate and apply the amount allowed
in 1877 to pay certain Southern mail
contractors for carrying the mails in
lS59-6l inclusive. AS the int srests OF
the government are fully protected,
there is no doubt OF favorable report
from the committee. To Pay all these
claims VIII require 1915 600.
The Committee on Military Affairs
report in favor of the government con-
slrueting q macadamiEed road to the
National Cemetery at Knoxville. The
necessity for the construction OF this
road grows out Of the fact that the
cemetery lies outside Of the city OF
Knoxville, and in locality where ii
will be many years before the city au-
therities win be able to, or End any
necessity for, improving the roads
now designated as streets, leading to
the cemetery.
A measure is now awaiting consid.
Grafton in the House directing the un-
paid portion OF the direct tax, levied
under the act Of August 5, 1851, be