The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-12-10
Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 4, 1874


XLIIIrd Congress, there are scarcely sutl-
cient number Of members in the city to form
quorum. The arrival, however, of every train
ADDS to the number, so that Monday noon will
doubtless find the House ready for the work OF
the session. The absence of so many members
so nesr the time for the convening Of Congress
is quite unusual: Lobbyists are here in large
force ready to organize the third House, ar
ranging for vigorous campaign this winter
their movements indicating that they DO not
intend to let their jobs fail for want of zeal.
The first order of business on the calendar
of the House, is the Civil Rights Bill, on
which it is expected Gen. Butler will make
himself prominently conspicuous. What the
House will do with the measure, is byno means
certain, but the influence which will be brought
to bear against the passage of the Bill, and the
exertions of the friends Of the measure Tor It's
success will make the contest in the House a
hotly contested one.
The President has finished his message, and
the document was read before the Cabinet at
its last meeting, prior to being transmitted to
the two Houses of Congress on Monday.
The position taken by the President on every
question which he discusses, is sustained by
every member of his Cabinet, but will scarcely
unite his party in Congress with the same
unanimity; for upon the Civil Rights Bill,
which he treats with little favor, the political
troubles in Louisiana aud Arkansas, and the
question of finance, there will be found in the
House serious differences among republicans.
Senator Morton, of Indiana, who is strongly
suspected of being an aspirant for the Presl'
dency, will, according to latest advices, be in
his seat in the Senate this winter, notwith-
standing the statement heretofore made that,
owing to his impaired health, he would spend
the winter in California, which was construed
by many to mean that his committal to several
measures, which the late election results have
made quite untenable, prompted him to absent
himself from the Senate, to evade taking part
in the discussion of the measures.
Preparations are in progress here for the re-
ception of Kalakama, King of the Sandwich
Islands, who leaves San Francisco for this city
this week, and will arrive here as soon as steam
will bear him hence. The display which the
Government will make on his arrival will be
on grand scale, and in utter disregard of the
simplicity of Republican form of Govern
ment. The disposition of the American peo'
pie to make display in honor of position in
stead of virtue, is to be very much regretted,
particularly when we consider the tendency of
many of our high officials towards imperialism.
We trust however, that for the honor of
American institutions, and the true democratic
character of our people, that our Government
will receive His Royal Highness in manner
that he may at once be impressed with the
democratic plainness of our political institu-
tions.
Fashionable society here will lose one of the
brightest ornaments this winter in the depar-
ture of Mrs. Senator Stewart, for Europe,
where she intends remaining several years.
During her absence from Washington, the
grand palace recently built by the Senator as
his portion of the Real Estate pool, which
Shepherd inaugurated in his District under his
comprehensive system of Public Improve
ments," will be closed.
There seems to be no longer room for doubt
as to the Presidents purpose to re-arrange his
Cabinet, and soon after the meeting of Con-
gress, Secretary Fish will retire from the State
Department, and his successors name be sent
by the President to the Senate, and before the
close of the session, marked change in the
Cabinet will have taken place, fer the better, it
is to be hoped.
Another change is most likely to take place
on the bench of the Supreme Court of the
United States, in the contemplated resignation
of Justice Swayne. In retiring from the bench
he will still, however, receive his salary during
the remainder of his life. This will give Pres
ident Grant the appointment Of the fifth men,
Der of the Court-a majority in itself-an oc-
currence without precedent.
Strong efforts will be made this winter in
Congress to wipe from the Statute book the
Civil Service Reform Laws, which are regarded
BY many Republicans as serious draw. back
to the party. 1t is claimed that as President
Grant was elected in 1868 without pledge or
promise, and reelected in 1872 upon the same
principles, he has endeavored to administer
the Government pretty much on his own hook,
until the leading Republicans have, in great
measure become dissatisfied with him. 1t was
through the President that the Civil Service
Bill was passed by Congress-members little
suspecting, at the time, that their patronage
was being cut of, and avenues opened for the
appointment of men to Office who were not
even in sympathy with the party in power, and
the constituency of members left out in the
cold. The reorganization of the Republican
party upon the principle ''to the victor belong
the spoils" will form large portion of the
work of Congress this winter.
The arrival of Speaker Blaine is hourly ex-
pected. Republican members now here seem
to think caucus necessary before the meeting
of Congress, for the purpose of comparing
notes upon the late election results, but lead
er for the undertaking is needed. As soon AS
Mr.. Blaine reaches Washington, Republican