Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-01-24
WASHINGTON Letter
FROM ouR REeUlAn OoRaHsroNDssr.


prominently associated with Washing
ton politics of the next administration
as are the Hoffman or the Fifth avenue
with the political affairs of New York.
The old National no longer attracts
politicians save of the relic class, and
Wizards is only memory. The Nor
mandie, to the infinite gratitude Of the
proprietor, rises to the occasion.. When
Mr.. Blaine settled for the winter. the
new hotels future was likewise. settled.
On Thursday MIR. and Mrs. Morton
came here for few days and registered
at the Normandie. where they were
assigned rooms adjoining those Of Mr..
Blaine and near those Of William Wal
ter Phelps Of course Mr.. Mortons
visit here has nothing to do with poll
tics and he and the man from Maine
will have no conferences.
There still remain people in this
country who, despite the excellent ad.
vantages offered by our public schools
for the study of history and politics,
believe that James G. Blaine will not
to any considerable extent control the
next administration. There are people
nearly related to other con6ding indi.
viduals who assured each other Of his
political death after President Arthurs
accession and who treasured them.
selves of the same after the campaign
1884. 1t is said Of Wellington that he
never knew when he was beaten. So
with Blaine; he fights right through
defeat on to victory. Warmly hated
by majority of the politicians Of his
own party, Blaine is their superior in
two supreme qualifications. He has
first, brains, second, popularity with
the masses Of his party, the people who
do the work of life, who learn slowly
and forget never. Good or bad, Mr..
Blame is the principal factor in the
coming administration.
The passage Of Mr.. Springer's Terri
torlal bill by the House on Friday
cannot be viewed as an unqualified
Democratic victory. In fact the Re-
publicans are scarcely less jubilant ov-
err the course legislation has taken.
The delegations both North and South
Dakota, the latter including a large
number of leading Democrats, who
have been here urging the passage OF
the Senate bill to admit South Dakota
and enable North Dakota to qualify,
are mad all the way through. They
claim not only deliberate wrong to
North Dakota but also that South Da
kota is left no nearer statehood than it
was five years ago. The scene during
the concluslo Of the debate was re.
markable for noisy hilarity. The Re-
publicsns tried to drown the voice of
Mr.. Springer when he ATTEMPTED to de-
liver fowery conclusion and succeed.
ed.
The Presidents reception to the
diplomatic corps is always considered
the most brilliant levse Of the season.
and the one last week proved no excep
ton. The Judiciary, Congress, and the
Army aud Navy officials. were invited
to meet the diplomats. The display Of
tnsel and gold lace was dazzling. The
scene had one strange element. In the
corridors, listening to the Marine Bands
dreamy music and blinking at the
diamonds and bare shoulders OF the
fair women. WAS delegation Of Ute
Indians. whose native gravity and
ready.made clothes were alone sufficient
to attract atten ton. Do you wonder
at the IN oy ement to furnish the presi-
dent with private residence, to which
he can sometime retire? The White
House has the delightful exclusiyeness
of railway station.
Though General Swaid may be retir.
ed, ostensibly on account of kidney
affection, it is not likely that Commis-
sioner Black will be Judge Advocate
General. 1t appears that by decision
of the Supreme Court the Army regu.
lations have the force of law, and they
proyide that general officers shall be
selected from the Army. This being
so, General Black has been seeking the
position of Chief law officer of the Ar
my, without sufficient knowledge of its
government to know that he IS ineligi-
BILE to the appointment. A thirst tor
Office is an amusing passion.
Oscar Wilde, who could be clever as
we'll as cranky, said in 1883 that what
ever the Cityo Washington might need
in art it required no more bronze sol.
diers. Hence Oscar would be pleased
with the Carrara marble statue of Ben
Franklin unveiled and presented to the
Capital this week by Mr.. Stilson