Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-19
GENERAL GOSSIP.
Items Picked Up at the Capital City by
Our Own Correspondent.

11alOr w IlildUl w aiAO1 "a AouooS SAsys
the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand
Army Of the Republic, said, recently: Il
shall never go to Congress again. am too
poor. No man can afford to be Congress
man unless he has large private income"
That is becoming the common belief OF the
country, and the salaries of Congressman
must be raised, yea, doubled, or we shall
soon have House full Of millionaires. The
Senate has already won the distinctive title
of the Millionaire's Club.
The Appointment Clerk Of the Treasury,
Colonel Tim Byrnes, is not an ogre, as many
vainly suppose. Neither was Eugene Big
gins The Appointment Clerk Of four
years ago who became so famous in the po-
litical world was one of the best men So
cially ever known IN the National capital.
Colonel Byrnes is like unto him. He is q
polished and cultured gentleman.
John Tweedale, the chief clerk Of the W ar
Department, has been Government en-
ploye ever since the close OF the civil war.
He went from the army to clerkship, and
worked his way up by virtue OF hard work
and merit he is, by the way, one OF the
best elocutionists in the country, and fire.
ouently contributes to the entertainment Of
the people for the benefit of charitable in
situations. His Rotations and readings
are artistically perfect, and 1t Is always a
pleasure to hear him.
Colonel Cecil Clay, the chief clerk Of the
Department of Justice, is one-armed vet
eran. He was formerly clerk in the Office
of the SUPERINTENDENT, and was trans
ferred to book-keeper's position in the
acknowledgements office. from which posi-
ton he was promoted to the chief clerkship
by Attorney-General Webster.
s'This department will grow, and keep
growing forever" says Chief Clerk Rock
wood, of the Department OF Agriculture.
Crooks, storms, soil, seeds, every thing
pertaining to the planting and growing OF
crops must come under this new executive
branch Of the Government. Therefore we
viii have the signal Office, the geological
survey, the coast survey, and other bu-
reaus of the various departments which are
intimately or approximately connected with
agriculture under this administrative
division. When storms will come, where
the stony soil is located, where reservoirs
shall be built, what seeds grow best In the
different latitudes of the Republic, and all
that sort Of thing must he manifestly ap-
portioned sooner or later to the Department
ct Agriculture. ! hope, however, that there
will never be any politics connected with
breadstuffs and the vegetable kingdom
generally"
Congressman Perkins, of Kansas, who
will probably be chairman Of the House
Committee on Indian Affairs, according to
the usual superintendent OF chairmanships,
by seniority of service on committees is a
pronounced friend Of the Indians. He is
radically opposed to all attempts to rob the
dying race of their heritage by the ava
ricious and grasping superior people.
He sat in Senator Spooner'S committee
room, and his eyes were soulful: that is,
they were red-edged, moist and slightly
wild. He pulled from his pocket full three
score type-written copies Of letters of en-
comium, the originals having been that day
fled in the Department Of State. After re-
curing the casual visitor to read all Of them,
he said: "What more can a man do who
wants Consulatef" He was earnest, but
the trembliness Of his tongue bespoke a
deep and severe twinge of hopelesspess.
The following uorning l met Senator Saw
yer in one OF the departments and he said:
81 have tried TO be fair with ell of these Of
fce-seekers. There is one here now who
wants Consulate, and have been telling
him for week past to go homo and go to
hs
man who wore the soulful eyes. Senator
SAWYER continued: '!Iadvised HIM by mail
that another man from his county had been
indorsed, and that two couldn't be favored.
l assured him that, having indorsed one
man, should not and would not recommend
another from the same county, as there are
not enough Offices to go around. l advised
him not TO waste either time or money in
1,,t l.,
came. ] told him again to-day that he
ought not to remain here, but still he
stays
That is a sample Of the persistent and
hopeful ofice-seeker, whose case is known
to be hopeless 10 all but himself. By dis
regarding the advice OF the honest, big
hearted, sincere senior Senator from v 81
consin, that gentleman has expended over
1900 needlessly. But for the slight salts
faction OF visit to Washington he might
as well have thrown his money into Lake
Michigan, or better, have given it to the
county poor fund. But the oftice-seeker
has no practical common sense until he
finds that disappointment and grief are his
portion. No one can get an office without
full State Endorsements.
Minister Thomas Ryan, although certain
to serve his country with credit in Mexico
will be missed from the House of Repre-
sentatves Ee is one of the most agrees
i've and honorable men ever known upon
the floor Of the House during q generation.
His knowledge Of Parliamentary law and
practice enabled him TO be easily one CT the
leading debaters, the most successful com
mittee workers, and the most popular Of
men among his fellow members. He will
probably be succeeded by Ex-Governor
Osborne, Of Topeka.
There hain't no politics in the Washing
ton force" said one Of the policemen of the
National capital the other day. ave can't
afford TO have politics. If man gets
drunk, Or steals, or swings a razor, or
drives on the wrong side o. the street, we
dent ask no questions bout his politics;
we lust runs him in. Our chief never had
no politics He was private secretary to
old Andy johnson, when be was President,
and then be was notary in bank so long
that we don't none Of Us believe he knows
how TO vote no more. Leastways, IL don't
take no political backin 10 get appointed here
if man can show good record for himself,
and convince Major Moore that he is good
goods when a vacancy occurs. Down on
the Hill 10 man can't set onto tie Capitol
uoics unless hes got politics and hackers.
He Must he Noble Man.
Observation-Disclosures Noble has
habit of making friends Of his enemies 4
Congressman recently tod nina that he
ought te dismiss q certain clerk, because,
as be sai6: Il heard him say that you were
cross, Ll-natured and given 10 invective,
and all that sort O. thing" Secretary Noble
thanked the Congressman, bade him good
day and then sent for the clerk. When that
worthy came tremblngiy into the presence
Of his superior, General Noble said: y
nsFerlaei ~, ra.errIx cfdnif II Pleasa telf