The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-11-11

Washington letter.
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON y. ca
| Nov Oth 1890 (

Washington, 1t VIII be necessary to
go back to the year 1874 to find any
thing comparable in interest to tae
upheaval in Congressional districts in
many OF states this year The control
of the iiltieth Congress should have
been secured by the party opposed to
the administration, according to the
law Of political forces, and following
the almost unbroken line Of precedent
in our political history But the fact
is that the Democrats in spite Of losses
sufficient to have given the Republi-
cans the majority, have yet made
gains in such unlocked for places, as
to retain control of the House.
The orderly and peaceful manner
too in which the elections were con-
Quoted in the Southern States, with
here and there Republican gains in
Congressman in that section, ought to
bury forever the last tattering rem
nant OF the bloody shirt Not single
complaint OF intimidation or violence
has come from any district and Mes
srs. Blaine's and Sherman's occupa-
ton is consequently gone.
Politicians here are still talking
about the result of the elections, and
it is interesting to hear their various
comments. They all agree that poll
tics are uncertain. Some attribute
Democratic losses to the fact that
Democrats have not enough offices UNI
der the Administration, while others
hold that it they had gotten fewer Of
fees they would have elected more
Cogressmen. This last idea is upon
the ground that it is impossible to dis
pense patronage to the satisfaction of
everybody. The only way to be with
out enemies is to be without power.
The men who has no favors to give
makes no enemies but he cannot be-
stow patronage on the few without
making enemies OF the many who ex-
pect and are disappointed.
Another common explanation OF
the apathy among Democratic voters
is that they thought they had SO sure
a thing of it that they abstained from
voting. The latter is Speaker Car
isles opinion with regard to his own
case, He says lie has frequently warn
ed his constituents that they would
waken up some fine mroping and
find some one else elected to Congress
in his place all on account Of theil
staying away from the polls They
seem to think" he added, "that am
sure TO be elected whether anybody
votes for me or not" 1t must be graf.
flying to the Speaker to know OF the
sentiments expressed by Republicans
as well us Democrats when it was be-
lieve1 that he had been defeated
Even ultra Republicans here acknowl
edged that his loss to Congress would
be a national calamity. He is such 6
broad, high-minded statesman that hi.
political enemies cannot fail to respect
and revere him as an exemplar. While
he is a straight out, consistent party
man, he deals honestly and fairly with
his opponents and all they have ever
dared to charge against him was the
crime OF being Democrat
Although speaker for tbs fiftieth
Congress will not be chosen for more
than year, the CANVASS for it will nc
lively begin at the approaching session
and consequently it is subject Of i'm.
mediate interest. As the Democrats
will have a sale working majority in
that Congress ii is certain Tom Reed
the Republican leader from Maine
will not name its committees as was
predicted before the official counts
came in.
Amid their losses the friends O.
Free Trade" take some consolidation
from the fact that one OF the most EN-
inent of:all The revenue reformers ha,
received an endorsement at the hands
OF tie people OF New York of which
any man has reason to feel proud. i
is to be regretted that such man al
Abram s. Hewitt should be lost to tht
House of Representatives. He was es
pecially distinguished for his clear anC
| practical views and for bis readiness
to accept reasonable concessions from
opponents.
Mr.. Hewitt will not resign his sea
in Congress until some time in Jan.
and he hopes even before that time t.
accomplish something towards mucl
needed legislation. The result Of tht
election in New York, he says, impos
es upon the Democratic party to tall
up the subject Of larbor grievances
and inaugurate such reforms as vii
relieve the working people Of the I'm
just burdens that result from reduc
ton in their earnings He proposes
to do all he can to bring about al
amelioration oftheseevils, before he re-
signs. 1t isa large contract for hin
10 nndnrtaka In q little less than ,