The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-02-28
RANDOM NOTES.

l saw ex-senator Hamilton, of Maryland on Tues
day last on the oor of the Senate, and readily
jectured that he was on hand for the purpose of
blocking the confirmation Of the wly.appointed
Baltimore officials. The ex-senator hates German
as the devil does holy water, only little more. He
ia looking less Jolly and more careworn than he did
when he enjoyed his Senatorial "ease with dignity,
but time has dealt kindly with him in leaving him
all his physical vigor unimpaired. Had he retired
to private life when he left the Senate his reputa-
tion would have been higher than 1t is now. 1 well
remember what imprecations ascended TO high
heaven when Carroll carried OF the nomination for
Governor, and how Hamilton and his friends loudly
proclaimed that he had been cheated out ofthe nom
nation. Well, perhaps he was. But the clear head
that directed Maryland politics knew Hamilton's
want Of executive capacity better than the good
pie Of Maryland. There is NO doubt that had he not
been nominated subsequently there might have been
serious split In the Democratic party. Seeing this
Mr.. German not only consented but aided In his
nomination for Governor. The Senator is said to
have remarked, "The best way to get rid OF Hamil-
ton Ii to let him be elected Governor. Give him
rope enough and he will be sure to hang himself be-
yond hope OF resuscitation." The prediction proved
true. Hamilton made himself so unpopular all over
Maryland as Governor that he could not be nomi-
mated for any State once now. And what Is true OF
Hamilton is equally true Of every man In Maryland
who has made light against German. OF all the ex.
Governors since the war, not one Except McLane,
who sat horses with aorman) has any but localin-
nuence In Maryland politics. and not enough Of that
to be dangerous. Bowie. Whyte, Carroll, Haml-
ton-great names once were these to conjure with
are to-day as poweress in State affairs as the verest
tyro in politics.
1t Ia whispered about the Capitol that Representa-
tive Bragg's onslaught upon every one connected
with the Fitz-John Porter trial lost the bill for the
latters relief seven Republican votes The line OF
argument that the court was venal, and its verdict
corrupted by the hope or promise Of prefernent was
not judicious one, TO say the least. "The real
strength Of Porters case, said Republican member
to me on Wednesday last. "arises out OF the new
testimony In the case that was no, before the court
martial. Upon the evidence before that court Porter
should have been shot, not merely dismissed. But
new light Is thrown upon the case by the testimony
OF Confederate of1cers as to the position OF their
troops on the memorable day when Porter failed
to attack what Pope supposed TO be the hank OF the
enemy. Braggs philippe against the members Of
the court as injudicious as It was unwarranted
by the facts"
Senator Voorhees,, chairman Of the special Com
mlttee on Accommodations for the Congressional
Library, says the bill for the condemnation Of the
site east Of the Capitol grounds will pass the Senate
with scarcely any opposition. The Senator ia also
hopeful that the House will pass the bill. The House
committee has already reported favorably a similar
bill, but for some unknown reason has not pressed
Its considerations. The real danger lies In It's being
antagonized by combination who want TO spend all
the money that 10 allotted to public buildings In their
own dstrcts. The Library bill, however, has strong
a. lnt th.H hn ria at.n gni
sIderations, and the friends OF the bill think they
have strength enough to pass II.
The most feasible proposition In connection with
the new city post once Is that which contemplatss
the construction OF large building, something In
the style OF the present general post-ofce building
and adjoining H. TO be used Jointly by the city post
once and the Post once Department Under this
plan II ia ultimately contemplated TO surrender
these buildings TO the Interior Department and pro-
vide building for the Post once Department In
the vicinity OF the Executive Mansion, and a sep
arate building for the city post Ofiice. There Ia
good reason for the belief that this Will be done.
prominent Ohio gentlella who was In the city
yesterday told me that the real reason for the feel
Ing Of antagonism between the Payne and Pendle-
ton factions Of the Democratic party In that state
had not been brought out as yet. He said that the
Payne people began by taking all the bets that could
be had that Pendleton would not be elected They
nrst took bets even and then al odds running up TO
ten TO one. They then began 10 bet that Payus
would be elected, and took all the bets they coala
get On this. The next move was TO get the Pendle-
ton men into a lot Of bets that Gen. DurblD Ward
would get more votes In caucus than Pendeton.
The PeRdleton fellows thought these bets would
be good means OF hedging. Well the Payne fsl-
lows 80 managed affairs that they won all the bets
and completely bankrupted the Pendlelon boomers.
1t Is asserted that, Notwithstanding tho enormous
expenses. Oliver Payne and John X. Mclean sctu-
ally carried away more money than they spent This,
Of course made the Pendlelon fellows so sore that
they will never forget IT, 1t is said that Jss Hughes,
who was afterwards appointed Consul at Dirnina-
ham, was one Of the heavy losers in beta on Pen
dleton.