Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-04-11
CAPITAL GOSSIP.
Isnerial Corfp-pon,lence. |
WAsIIINGrON, ID. C., /.

WASHINGTON, ID. e., April D, W.
Certain advantages congressman at
the capitol enjoys which ordinary peo-
pie do not share. For example. let 1t
be supposed that q senator feels fatigued
nj the close of an afternoon session. lie
lescends tn the basement OF the capitol
and has warm bath drawn for himself
In a superb tub of white marble. IL ne
prefers, he can make II Turkish bath,
for which all the appurtenances are at
hand. There are attendants skilled In
massage who will thump and slap. him
tn his hearts content. For all this he
Il not required to pay cent. Perchancc
fayorite corn has annoyed him during
the day. lie summons the official CHR
opodist, q salaried expert In govern
ment employ, who operates free OF
charge. IL he expects to spend the
evening out, he may want shave ana
haircut, which are readily obtained Mt
the hands of deft-hngered BARRIERS, like
wise In the service Of Uncle Sam. The
hair tonic applied to his locks, the "bril-
liantine" for his moustache, and the
cologne bestowed upon his counte-
nance through an atomlzer, are all .pur-
chased out OF the contingent fund OF
the senate. Finally gratuitous "shlne''
Il put on his boots by stipendiary
boOtblack.
Among other things which this .con-
tigent fund" pays for are castor oil, OF
which any senator can get a dose Tor
nothing, qulnine pills, "pond lily wash
and court plaster. These are but Few
of hundreds of such queer things which
are enumerated In the accounts OF the
secretary Of the senate, together Win
ginger ale by the case and lemons by
the box, as being required at govern
ment expense for the comfort OF that
august body. The Representatives at
the other end of the capitol have their
barber shop also, but they pay for their
shayes and haircuts. For some reason
which has never been clearly explained.
senator Il supposed to have need OF
many more luxuries than are granted To
member of the house. lie is allowed
a clerk at $1,000 year, while only late
ly, for the first time, has IL been decided
that q representative may be granted
clerk, so long as the salary OF such an
assistant does not exceed 600 month,
The ofiice-seekers continue to hang on
here with great persistency. IL not pa
tience, and the few who become dis
heartened and 20 home are followed by
as many or more who are constantly ar
irving on the scene. The president does
not quicken his pace In making appoint
ments, however, and there Is deep-seat-
ed but suppressed disgust among. the
Democrats In consequence. IL Is
special cause of complaint among them
that he IL giving but slight attention to
local appointments In the several states,
but Il devoting his attention largely to
the filling OF positions OF national I'M
portance-missions abroad, consulships,
etc. OF course the "small fry" who
make up the bulk of the visitors here,
cannot aspire to these places, but are
after more modest berths nearer home.
As to the departments here, they are
pretty effectuslly protected by the civil
service laws, and only the chiefs OF divi-
slous and others In charge OF bureaus
can well he displaced for political con-
siderations. The greatest number OF APP
polntmeuts being made are among
fourth-class postmasters. Of these
many Republicans are being removed
aud Democrats appointed In their
places. Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General Maxwell Of New York is In
charge of this work, and he seems to be
sufficiently partisan TO suit the most ex-
treme of his political friends.
Already two of Mr.. Cleveland's APP
polntments have caused much adverse
critism I'm the ranks OF his own party,
and. strangely enough. they are both
Indiana men. One WAS Frank L. burke,
whom he appointed United States Attor-
ney for the district Of Indiana. A great
howl at once went up from faction OF
the Indiana Democracy, and Il was de-
clare,i that Burke Was q "mschine''
politician OF the most Objectionable
kind, was representative Of the most
corrupt wing Of the party In Hoosler-
dom. and altogether WAS repuguant to
the so-called .reform element" of the
party. The other Objectionable was John
y. Risley, who was named ne minister to
Denmark. Risley Was appointed from
New York, but he IL an Indiana man,
and brother-ln-law Of Senator Voor-
hees, Of that state. IL IL now charged
against him that he WAS dlsl0yal TO the
Union throughout the war, and that
suits are pending against him In Indiana
for money belonging to an estate
misspproprlated by him before he
removed to New York. These "klcks"
have not had thu effect, how
ever. Of causing the president to recall
either nomination.
The senate committee on privileges
and elections has divided on the ques-
ton Of admitting the senators appointed
by the governors Of Montana, washing
ton aud Wyoming In tho fAilure Of the
legislatures Of thOse states 70 elect. The
majority report Of the COMMITTEES OPP
posea their sdmissi,n, while the minor
lty report favors h. Tho decision OF the
question will not alter the political
complexion Of thu senate, - tho Demo-
Gratis win control that body even with
a a.