The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-22
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
TIE LOBBY QUIEsCENT. but By NO
MEANS DEAD.
How IL Has Worked in tho Past-An Incl
dent Showing No Honor Among Thieves
The Postal Telegraph Bli-The speakcrship
of the Next House-Other Matters.

The Postal Telegraph Bili-The speakcrship
of the Next House-Other Matters.
Especial Correspondence of The Times1
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Mar. 20.--Wbile the
obby is not 50 demonstrative nj the National
Capital as formerly. it still exists Nor does 1t
sleep. II is wide-awake, active and vigilant,
and though not lavishng luxurious feasts and
making gorgeous display it is not the less
potent The first Democratic Congress elected
after the war disrupted the lobby and
rendered connection with II odlOus. Inc ne
publican party. in the mistaken assumption
that it owned the country. had occupied every
department of the public service. Pubic
men were bought and sold shamelossly and
LOBBYISTS boldly stalked through the Capitol
corridors Boosting of their power and lnhu-
ence. With the incoming of the Forty-fourth
Congress new era was inaugufated. Cor
ruption was attacked by the Democratic maj
ority Investigations were ordered, abuses
were exposed and the lobbyist kings and
oueens were driven out. Under continued
Democratic ascendency legislation was pun
fed Public expenditures were reduced ana a
most wholesome condition of affairs estab-
lshed. Any person who had Deeh TAINTED
with the designation Of lobbyist was stunned
by Congressman.
THE HARPIEs RETURN.
seventh Congress the birds OF prey recognizing
that their friends were again in power, once
more returned and resumed their vocation. but
ONLY for brief season. The restoration OF the
Democrats to power again retired the PROBES
slonal lobbyist The Flttleth Congress once
more revived the hopes of the lobby and on
the very day of the organization Of the House
the corridors were filled with its agents. Nor
were they disappointed The tax methods
pursued under the Reed regime. together
with the corrupt elements in control, offered
the promoter" Of legislation fruitful field.
The lobbyist Of the present does not seek to
capture votes by tickling the palates OF men,
beers with canvas-back ducks and terrapln.
He adopts q more direct cOurse-one less os-
tentious but more nsldiOus. As of old, he
does not confne himself TO promoting legisla-
ton. but is equally ready for a consideration
to impede and defeat pending measures.
THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH.
In the last Congress efficient agents were
employed to prevent the passage OF the Postal
Telegraph bin, which having the earnest sup
port Of the PostmastC~ General threatened 10
undermine the franchises and destroy the
profits of certain rich corporations. Since
the adjournment quarrel has occurred be,
tween the employers and the agents employed
NJ to compensation. and rlch developments
are threatened.
The contention involves not only the tele-
graphic interests, but also the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company. which, 1t appears, en-
ployed the same agents to facilitate the pas
sage Of the shipping bill.
CHARACTER OF THE QUARREL.
One incident Of the controversy will serve
% illustrate the character Of the quarrel.
When the time was near at hand for test
vote on the Postal Telegraph bill, its OppO-
nents set to work TO muster in full force. As
is commonly known, very many men,
bers opposed postal telegraphy as a mat
ter of principle, holding that the pol
icy of our Government was antason-
istic thereto. However. in order 10
make sure of the result the managers of the
telegraph interests deemed II important to
have every member friendly TO their cause
present In examining the roll 1t was ascer
famed that one member residing less than a
thousand miles from Washington, was I'll at
home. His presence was deemed important,
and to obtain it an agent, who had been en-
ployed in prostrating the designs of the Postal
Telegraph people, was dispatched to see the
absent member III person. He was instructed
10 bring him to Washington If within
the bounds of possibility; TO this end no eN-
pense was TO be spared. In due time the
agent arrived at the home of the member,
and found him really i'll, under the regular
care of n physician. With the tact and
shrewdness which renders him n gatherer Of
Doodle about the Capitol, the agent opened
negotiations with the sick members wife, eX-
Washington. He asserted that the
political future of the member de-
pended upon his being at the Capitol TO
vote upon the mOmentous question
soon TO be determined. The wife listened
with impotence, and replied that she would
not endanger her husbands life for all the
telegraph companies and congresses III ex-
stence The agent offered TO provide "a spe-
cial car TO convey the invalid to Washington,
TO engage the physician to attend him. and 70
pay all the expenses of the wife, who should
90 along IA nurse. She still demuued, saying
that aside from the question of her husbands
health, her absence from home and domestic
affairs would entail loss. The agent met
this by guaranteeing the wife $1,000 in cash
10 cover any and all loss and Inconvenience
she or her husbands affairs might suffer.
This was clincher. Arrangements We're all
perfected and the sick member transported to
Washington. tie did not die. On the con-
trary, the trip benefited him.
NO HONOR AMONG THIEVES.
After adjournment the member, about re-
stored TO health returned home, accompanied
by his wife, who was assured that IN due time
the promised II 900 would he forthcoming;
but that is now a bone of contention. Ii is
charged that the employing corporations have
arbitrarily scaled down the bills and charges
of the agents who served them during the SEES
sion, and in the case described the agents
compensation was reduced 10 1900 and the
SlOOO promise absolutely repuuldted. 1nere
is verltable wOrdy tempest going on. and IT
may break bounds at any time. In fact the
disappointed employees threaten. 10y way of
retaliation. TO make damaging disclosures
sPEAKER OF THE NEXT HOUSE.
Interviews with Democratic leaders pub
Gshed in different sections show that the Sc
lection of Speaker Of the next House is en-
gaging serious thought. though the time for
action is yet months of. 1t is fortunate that
the men who give shape and policy to De-
mOcracy are carefully considering this matter
for II lsamOst important one. TheneXt Presi-
dental election might depend upon hechoice
OF Speaker This IS not an eXaggeratiOn: II
Is a fact which Is admitted by the ablest Dem
ocratic leaders They generally agree that
must pursue conservative course. Natural
" with majority almost unprecedented the
House Will be harder to control. and hence
the demand is for man who can curb and
restrain the unruly and thOughtleSs and give
wise direction TO affairs.
Another gratifying fact in connection with
the speakership discussion is that as a rule
members are not hastily committing them
selves 10 any candidate IL is generally re-
cognized that the selection must he "A question
of time, and that calm deliberatiOn must gov
ern II. The Republicans are boastfully shout
ing that they can safely rely upon the Demo-
Gratis of the next House TO commit blunders
which will disgust the people.
GUARDING AGAINST PLUMBERS.
IL ~ evident that the Democratic leaders