The Washington critic., 1886-07-06
WASHINGTON CRITIC
WASHINGTON. JULY 6. 1856.
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

nln. Ie inlgnJ nave got uOICn ar
ferent answers, says the Louisville
Post, If the members of the House and
Senate had been in hearing, for there
are dozen "Joes" in both branches Of
Congress, and most of them are famil-
iarly called by their given names. No.
body thinks of speaking of General
Wheeler of Alabama rs anything but
Joe Wheeler, and Congressman Can.
non of Illinois Is always spoken of rs
Joe, Cannon. In the Senate again,
Hawley and Ex-Governor Brown of
Georgia are always spoken of as Joe
Brown and Joe Hawley, and you would
scarcely be understood If you spoke of
Senator Blackburn as anything but Joe
Blackburn. 1t Is curious how many of
these dignified statesmen become famil
iarly known by not only their given
names, but by nicknames as well. You
never hear Congressman Townshend of
Illinois spoken of in any way except
"Dick Townshend. Indeed this is the
correct salutation when his fellow mem
bers speak to him in person. Congress.
man Cox Of New York was never
spoken of except as Sam Cox, or Sun
set Cox. His fellow members often
addressed him in person as "Sam."
lIiscock of New York, and Reed of
Maine usually addressed each other as
Frank and Tom. You never hear Con.
gresham Phelps spoken of except with
his full name-William Walter Phelps
Congressman Hurd of Ohio was always
spoken of as Frank IIurd, and you
seldom hear Mr.. Hill of the same State
spoken of anything but "BllP' Hill,
while Congressman lie Fevre of that
State is always familiarly known as
Ben, as is Congressman Butterworth
also of Ohio. Indiana's Senators are
always known as Ben Harrison and
Dan Voorhees, and Congressman
Browne of that State is called Tom by
everybody.
~.
When First Assistant Postmaster
General Stevenson was running for
Congress some years ago, as he tells the
story himself, he had arranged to
speak at little town where young
lawyer friend of his resided. The lat
ter, although a stalwart Republican,
was SO warm personal friend of
Mr.. Stevenson that he concluded to
preside at the meeting. While per.
forming this duty farmer expressed
audible surprise at his action. The
lawyer allowed himself to be inter-
rupted half dozen times and then
said: my friends the only excuse for
my action that have to offer is that /
would perform the same service for the
devil IL he was running for Congress-
Although preside at this Democratic
meeting, shall vote the 6. o. p. ticket
every time"
~~x
Cath" In recent Washington let
ter, says Of Mr., Carlisle, there has sell;
dom been Speaker more accomplished
for his particular business. one more
self-contained, grave and dutiful to his
task. He has had no conflict with
anybody on the floor, and on one or
two occasions, when he has had to de-
pose some member from committee
in obedience to party behests. he has
done it without controversy, retaining
his dignity all the while. lie has not
very much personality, though he is
far from being negative or neutral
man. Public life seems to come ma
tural to him, and as parliamentarian
he took the lead while on the floor, his
capacity being to discuss questions
solely with reference to the law,
whether the law of the constitution or
the law of the bar, or common law or
statutes. No person in my time has
hewed closer to the line than Carlisle,
and endeavored, with more success, to
expunge all the private turns of his
temperament in order that he may at
tend to the public business. He is
fairly affable man, without gushing or
losing his balance, and his services to
the Democratic party in the past ten
years have been among the most elfec-
tive portions of its personal work. To
take lead in the House of Representa-
tives is more difficult thing than to
come to success in the Senate.
~
The foreign diplomats at WashiAg-
ton, says Carp in the Cleveland
Leader, are, however, better paid than
our Ministers. The British Minister
occupies one of the biggest houses at
our National Capital, and one which
has more rooms, | venture, than the
lowance for entertaining, and he re-
ceives salary of 100000 year. The
German nation owns house here, and
its Minister gets $4,000 year, The
Japanese Minister receives 100000
yearly, and he is one of the most valu-
able men in the diplomatic circle.
The wealthiest foreign Minister is the
representative of China, who always
goes about in Chinese costume, and
who has the reputation of being great
statesman at home. This mans name
I is Chang Yin lIuan, and his father
was, when he died, one of the richest
men in China. Mr.. IIuan has half
score of almond.cyed Celestials to help
him, and he pays Sl1,OO0 year for
house rent. The Turkish Minister
wears English clothes and red fez cap
when he appears on state occasions.
He is dark haired, dark skinned man,
with Oriental features, He lives much
of the time at New York, and his
salary is $4,000 yearly. Baron de
Struve, the Russian Minister, is put
down as getting $30, 900 yearly. lie is
a very able man, and Senator Blaine
spoke of his wife as being the cleyerest
woman in Washington. One of the
brightests of the chiefs of the foreign
legations is Colonel Emil Frey who is
very popular here. lie was soldier
in the Union army during the late war,
and returned TO his home in Switzer-
land after II was over and now repre-
sents that country here, He wanted to
resign not long ago, but his Govern.
lat,
M. Roustan, the French Minister, gets
$40 nnn a Nnnr lie Il NOW lhn snhinnt