The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-12-14
Our washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, ID. C., Dec. o, TO-

nal interest. Ordinarily the short g
session opens with few sensations n
beyond the general interest in leg n
islation. Senators and members 6
return from their constituencies, I
select their winter quarters, greet G
all their associates and spend sew ,
eral days ut least in bracing up for
the hard work of tho session with
out manifesting any great anxiety
or fear as to results. The present
session is in this respect q decided
| exception. The opening day found
every senator and member in his
seat, and it was not at all difficult
to discover that the "average" man
had something more than an inter-
est in the work Of the session a
feeling approaching apprehension.
This "avcrage" mans judgment
aid instinct tells him to be little
careful how he touches things this
wear. lie finds that his recent
campaign speeches are likely to be
, of no service to him, or at least
fears that the situation will not ad-
nit of their use, and you may now
see him surrounded by ancient doc
a uments, clawing the records OF the
n last hundred years in search OF pre-
ccdents, and taking allopathic dos
cs of constitutional law. Repub-
}. licans and Democrats alike seem to
C recognize that they have come to
2. serious times. On the part OF the
:. Democrats there is to much anx-
" iety manifested too put the Rcpub'
'p lican party on the defensive. In
to advance of the action of returning
% boards in the doubtful States, thu
n. Democrats have cried fraud, say
10 ing, "Of course we will be counted
NC out" and in this way hoped to ere
w. ate a public sentiment that woul'
aid them in the event OF their dc
, feat. Following upon this thcr
~ has been some threatening an
les bullying talk about an indignan
has people springing to arms in defens
he of the Constitution if these return
6 ing boards should deny the countr
=, "Tilden and Reform" 1t is signii
IN cant that all this belligerent tai
comes from northern Democrats.
vas The result of the contest for Il
.te. Speakcrship of the House was n
and so much q matter of surprise as Il
tender and lamb-like method
IT, which it was effected. 1t seems
be tho misfortune of the prcse
h,,. majority in the House to be sad
~" in want of material out OF which.
That select man wholly fitted for t
own spcakership. The same argumc'
ca n that were used against the can'
this dacy of Mr.. Randall at tho ept
ost ing of the Forty-fourth Congr
Wv can be uscd now with equal Tor
IONS At that time it was a fact wor,
d to of note that the lobby was united
more his support, and the lobby is
n to distinguished by its labors to b.
tain men up whose public lives
' above the breath Of suspicion.
your Randalrs ability and parliament
with skill has undoubtedly been gre;
pcrs, oyerestimated, and his distingu
ing characteristic, pig-headed
stinacy, has already foreshad
Hon. ed itself. 1t is not saying
,t of much to affirm that many am
If the pate trouble on account OF this
= s obstinacy, as illustrated by
La"u Randal's previous public life,
ndins no one expects much more tina
r of sort of steady and firm OPEN
uring shut administration Of parliar
which tary law in the present SEES
cor Don't look for anything brill
S-i' The House investigation
mount mittees have started South, a
is B. is not probable that much lee
t, L. tive work will be done until
n the the holiday recess. Meanwhile
from may expect much talk. Both
. .on ties are evidentally EXPIRE
F'+9V'' themselves with much cat
Each seem to be reprcssin
= undcrcurrtnt Of feeling whi'
'er the likely to find expression as
, have contest decpcns. The action
neople House in tabling the Presto
r, ono message transmitting the rep
: the Louisiana committee is
DC ." gcther unprecedented. 1t is
master. ton disfespect to the Executi
nocrat, much out of taste as out on al
min. a and clearly indicates the i'll
,ccivcd and high-handcd course whlc
Democratic House will undo
'o'e'. w pursue at this critical
tor the time. AS matter of Dem
,ificates ic policy it is doubtless short
i've the ed and sclf-dcstructivc.
Tbo The announcement Of the
iii. of the electoral vote created
~ thusiasm or excitement
II an Everyone recognizes the fac
Gates the contest is really to be
here in Washington, and tn
Electoral little disposition now on
ven the sue 70 snoI' ua .;.", ou. sa, ;
omdcmn On Tho manner in which the
toral vote shall be counted
ruary. If the President
Senate shall open and COZ
follows: vote, with the consent of boil
. State. es, Republicans may feel CO
South of the result. But if either
is not determines that it has a c,
Il e ~