The times., 1899-12-08
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.

POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.
John G. Carlisle.-Former Secretary of
the Treasury John c. Carlisle was on view
at the Capitol yesterday. He masle an
argument before the Supreme Court, and.
after it was concluded. he appeared in the
House restaurant and renewed acquaint-
anceship with many of his former col
leagues of the House OF Representatives.
Mr.. Carlisle has changed materially since
he left the Speakers chair He IS better
dressed than he ever was during his so
journ in Washington. sHe is now resi-
dent of Gotham, and he has perhaps, un-
consciously absorbed the New York at
mosphere. This was remarked by the
former friends of the Kentucky statesman
who came in contact with him at the
Capitol yesterday. Mr.. Carlisle has every
outward sign of prosperity. 1t IS said
that since his retirement from politics
he has prospered in financial way
to a marked degree His income since
he transferred his residence to New YORK
and became identified with law firm
in that city. has, It is said been more
than double the amount he received as
member of Mr.. Cleyeland's Cabinet. A
good many of Mr.. CarlisIe's friends think
that it was a fortunate day for him when
he quit the political arena,
Mr.. Carlisle has been retained rs one
of the leading counsel in the Roberts case.
He refused yesterday, however, TO discuss
the matter for publication.
Il am going to New York this after
noon" he said. "and I do not expect to
return for several days. l have made 1t
9 rule never to talk about my cases for
the newspapers. l have no opinion TO eX-
press about Mr., Roberts or his case.
Did Roberts BIunder:-"Mr. Rob-
erts,' said Representative JOY of Missouri
yesterday. lin my humble opinion, had
great opportunity on Tuesday and failed to
take advantage of it. Notwithstanding the
fact that my wife has taken prominent
part in the movement against Roberts, l
had no prejudice against him and listened
to his argument impartially. 1t seemed to
me that he failed to meet squarely or
frankly any of the accusations that were
made against him. He was neither frank
nor explicit in any of his statements. II
Roberts had entered a specific denial of
the charges made against him and had
confined himself to describing the part he
had taken as a member of the constitu-
tiOnal convention of Utah to suppress
polygamy in that State he certainly would
have received my vote and those of a good
many others which he did not get. Whether
it would have made any difference in the
ultimate result, of course, no one can say;
but | think that he made q fatal error IN
his speech in his own defence in dealing in
generalities and matters that really had no
connection with his case. When Roberts
began his remarks I was impressed very
strongly in his favor A man with one
quarter Of Roberts eloquence in a similar
position could have made q much better
and stronger impression on the House and
the country than did Roberts. The fact
that public sentiment was against him
should have only stimulated him to max
ing a greater effort! As a matter OF fact.
his defiant speech in hisSown behalf in
jured his cause and lost him votes"
Length of the Session.-There has
been a, great deal Of talk of late in Re
publican circles about the probable length
of the present session OF Congress. The
opinion obtains amcng the Republican
leaders that Congress will adjourn by June
I, before the opening OF. the Presidential
campaign. 1t Is apparent to the most
superficial observer that the Republican
managers are working with that object in
view. IL has been decided ii is understood,
to rush all matters Of legislation that may
arise through to a vote with the least
possible delay. Mr. McKinley's friends are
hopeful it is said, that the present session
will terminate before the Presidential cam
paign gets fairly under way. Can the
Presidents supporters carry their point
and bring about an early adjournment Of
Congress is the important question. In
the judgment of a good many people it viii
be next to impossible, The minority will
be very strong in the House, and under
Mr. Richardson's leadership it can throw
a great many stumbling blocks in the way
Of the majority, and delay their progress
materially. Leading Democrats believe
that Congress will be In session until late
in the summer next year, and possibly un-
til some time in the fall.
The Civil Pension RolI.-Mr. Brosfus
of Pennsylvania has introduced into the
House a bill providing for the creation of a
civi1 pension list This is a matter that
has been agitated for some time among en-
pIoyes OF the Government 1t is not pro-
posed by the intrOducer Of the bill to tax
the people at large to provide for the civil
pension roll According TO his scheme. a
certain per cent of the pay OF the clerks
will be deducted and used as fund to pay
the pensions. Mr. Brosius' bill provides
that clerks, after a certain length OF serv-
ice. can be retired upon their own appli-
cation Il is estimated that If the pending
bill becomes law more than 80 per cent OF
the employees OF the Government will be
eligible for Immediate retirement. The new
men who would take their places would,
in fact be paying the pensions OF the old
clerks To get around this point 1t Is pro-
posed TO place all of the clerks in the Gov
ernment service at the time Of the passage
of the law on an equal footing. The length
of service for pension purposes Will be
dated, it is said from the time Of the pas
sage of the civil pension law. 1t is un-
doubtedIy fact that the adoption of such
an amendment would dampen the ador OF
a good many veteran clerks who are today
strenuously working for the passage of the
Brosius civil pension bill.
The City of Brotherly Love.
OFrom the Philadelphia Record.}
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