The daily gazette., 1879-12-08
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WASHINGTO TON LETTER.
A MILD CONGRESS CONTESTED ELEC-
TIoNs-JUDGE KEY AND THE LOT
TERIEs-PREsIDEN GOSSIP.
(From our Regular Correspondent.)

TIONS-JC DOE KEY AND 1hE LUZ
TERIEs-PREsIDENTIA GOSSIP.
(From our Regular Correspondent.)
WAsIIISGToN, ID. c., Dec. OH.
Not within the memory of the Oldest
Inhabitant has Congress made such
mild beginning as il has made this ses-
sion. Correspondents and reporters are
at their wits end for a sensation, but as |
vet nothing has been found that will |
m AXE hair-lifting headlines. AT first 1t
was thought there would be internal di-
vision ON the financial question, bu even
the mos: sanguine lover Of discord has
ceased to hope for excitement from this
source. The first day was unusually
quiet and common place. Notwithstand-
ing the perfection of the weather, Gor
eek Washington has been like sum
mer, even to The extent Of an occasional
mosquito) bu; few people attended the
opening ession, and, for the first time
in memory, the galleries were not full on
the first day. On Thursday Congress
adjourned until Monday. Many mem
| bers are asking leave 10 go home until
after the holidays, and there seems to be
a wide spread disinclinaiion for real
work. Flom past experience 1t appears
almost useless TO have Congress assem-
Bile before the lst of January. To have
the session open on the first Monday In
December, and then adjourn two weeks
for holidays, without having acc ,mplisl
ed anything beJ ond legislative dilly-dal-
lying, is, to say the least, Improbable.
There IS considerable talk in pc itical
| circles about presidential prospects and
candidates, but, VIII n sifted and divested
of the oraculsr humbugry of interviews
with prominent men, nothi more has
been developed than has been known
for The last month. 1t is evidently too
early TO discuss this que stion now. There
will be time befo. the conventl ons as
semble to nominate candidates for more
than one tuln in the political kaledo-
scope. Republicans believe they can
elect either Grant, Blaine, Sherman, OF
onxling. Democrats talk mostly oi
Seymour, wi h Bayard for second choice
1t is expected that the committee OF
elections will soon present thei
repors on the sixteen conteste,
seals in the House. Four are ready t,
be heard now ; The briefs are all printed
, and the contestants are in attendance
The only con;es ed seat In the Senate i
that OF kellogg, OF Louisiana. He will
probably not be mole sted until late ii
/ the session, but, whenever the subjec
, shA, cone up, there will be another Ion
-, rehearsal OF the familiar Louisiana ques
ton. No previous question rule can ga
e oratory in the Senate.
d The Post Master General evidentl
. feels the vantage Of his position in h
. fight " 18th the LOTTERY companies. Ye
. terday a formidable array of lawyer
II headed by Senator Matt Carpenter, a
lie peared in the District court to argue Il
q service of an injunction upon Judge h
-, to pre-, ent him from detsining letters a
III dressed to lottery companies. Chief Ju
I'd tice Carter, who, with Ju tice James, c
ty cupied the bench declined TO interru
al the regular order Of business to hear /
case, which was referred to the court
ak Justice Macarthur, who also fixed d
N for argument. They would hear it
a regular motion da,, Monday. Senat
Carpenter said he could not be prese
then, but could OH Saturday. The col
OF then announced the latter day for
no hearing, and proceeded with the case
en tlial. The post-c flee department v
not represented, nor had any appearar
been entered or other notice taken
the process which had been served on
" Postmaster General. IL is understt
EN- that the latter hes decided to leave
.be emit responsibility with the court
determine whether it will assume ju
hu diction in the matter.