The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-01-07
Our Washinuton Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 2, 1870.

The city has been almost entirely deserted
by Senators and Representatives since the ao-
journment of Congress, most of whom having
gone to spend the holidays at home or with
some friends. The lobby, which is here III
large force, made up the principal crowd OF
strangers left in the city during the recess.
The country has no conception of the real
evil of this "third house," beyond what is oc-
casionally disclosed by the many Investigations
annually authorized by Congress. 1t is the
lobby which inaugurates the schemes of brlbe-
KY and corruption, in which so many public
officials are entrapped, and we're our represen-
tatives more watchful of this "third house"
they mi ght readily find remedy for this evil.
1t is the unjust and useless system of "red
tape," used to delay the settlement of just
claims against the government, that opens the
avenue for the lobbyist to ply his trade. Let
Congress legislate against this system of "red
tape," and provide in its stead means for the
prompt settlement of all just claims, and the
lobby will have lost it's occupation in o great
measure.
Among the prominent men said to be impli-
Gated in the Pacific Mail subsidy affair, is Gen.
Schenck, our Minister to England, and the
names of several heads of important House
committees are also mentioned as among those
who know what becomes of Twins S75O,OOO,
but it is probable that they have covered up
their tracks, so that no definite charges can be
brought against them.
Yesterday was gala day at the White
House, the usual New Years reception given
by the President having drawn thither thou
sands of callers. The day was bracing and
cold, with clear sky. At II o'clock q. m. the
President entered the Blue Room, the Marine
Band playing "Hail to the Chief" where he
received the ladies of the Cabinet, who had
been in waiting. Mrs. Grant was ably assisted
during the day by severafladies of the Cabinet,
and by no one in more attractive manner
than Mrs. Williams. The Foreign Ministers
came in Immediately after the Cabinet officials,
all in their Court attire, and most Of them with
ladies in magnificent dress. 1t is safe to say
that never heretofore were such rich and mag
ni6cent outfits displayed on any public occa-
sion at the Presidents Mansion. Sir Edward
Thornton, the British ambassador, took the
van in the presentation, and appeared as stately
as king, and Mrs. Thornton was as queenly
in appearance, and yet as modest in demeanor
as could we'll be conceived. The foreign lega-
tons were all we'll represented, even to the jolly
Japs. After receiving all the public officials,
which lasted until the hour of one p. M, the
gates of the enclosure were thrown open to the
public and citizens and strangers passed in in
untold numbers, and paid their respects to the
President, the line being an unbroken one for
more than all hour Nearly all officials, Sena-
tors, Representatives, Bureau officers, and near
ly all prominent citizens had open house, and
we're exchanging calls until late hour in the
evening.
There has been great deal of business pre-
pared for Congress during the recess, and upon
the e-assembling on Tuesday there will be a
rush of work as we'll as great political activity.
The Arkansas investigating committees report
will then be forthcoming, to be followed soon
by the reports of several select committees
now in various sections of the South. The
Civil Rights Bill must be acted upon shortly,
as it is at the top of the file on the Speakers 8
table, and the new financial bill comes up by
special order on the 9TH inst. The committee
on Appropriations expect to have the remain
ing appropriation bills completed by Monday,
and their consideration will be pressed upon
the House forthwith. Indeed, all the impor-
tant subjects of legislation which involve ques-
tous of public policy Of vital moment to the
Republican party, are in such shape as to pre-
sent themselves almost simultaneously for ac-
ton.
1t is understood to be the purpose of Senator
Morton to call up, on the meeting of the Senate,
his resolution recognizing the validity of the
Kellogg Government upon which very exclt-
ed discussion may be looked for. Two years
ago seventeen Republican Senators declared
by their votes that Kellogg was not the legal
Governor of louisiana it will be interesting
to hear how they can now vote that he ID the
legal Governor Senator Thurman, who has
remained in the city during the holidays, Is
very outspoken in denouncing the countenance
which the President is giving to the acts OF
the returning board, and he is preparing, a
speech which he intends to deliver when the
question comes up. 49,,
Another large reduction in the force OF the
Treasury Printing Bureau was made last Sat
urday to the number of near two hundred fe-
males, upon whom iti is bringing painful dis
tress. The government having given the
printing of the Treasury notes to some New
York firm, the services of these employees are
no longer needed. The great mistake of our
lawmakers is their theory of stopping up the
spigot while wasting at the bung-hole."
OBSERVER.