The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1879-01-18
THE PACIFIC
Commercials
SATURDAY Y. JANUARY Is.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsnNGToS. d. c, Dec. 1878.

The second session of the FoFly-Ehh Congress,
il accordance with law aud precedent, opened on
the Erst Monday IN December which oceured on
[ the second day Of The month. An extra session,
called before thai date. l. unusual, though /! has
occurred. Il was a matter that attention was given
20 very early in th- history Of our country. I
read a few day siace an autograph letter Of
George Washington 70 James Madison, written in
the autumn OF 1898, IN regard TO e called session
Of Congress 81 another point than Philadelphia,
because of the % serious malady' Of yellow fever
prevailing ia that city. The writer presents to us
an almost impossible state Of affairs 10 stating that
be had written 20 the attorney general (then Ed
mund Randolph, OF Va for . legal opinion upon
the matter, bus had hot received al answer, at
which he was not surprised, as be had learned
that, that gentleman =" had 10 communication with
the post Office However. We may become pain
fully aware Of the possibility OF such q condition
OF Affairs If this congress does not take up, aud
pass an appropriation bill for the annual expenses
Of the Post Office Department, and that too, be
tore Il individually goes home 10 eat Christmas
Turkey. Post Master Gen. Key does not propose
10 keep up the Postal Service on promises, aud
SAYS he will abolish he whole Railway Mail Ser
vice. that 1t has taken ten years TO bring to a state
OF perfection, which challenges the admiration Of
the whole world, If suitable Legislation is delayed.
This sturdy official has good honest Scotch blood
that viii not allow him 10 run a paper bureau. He
is a conscientious man and growing in popularity.
II is esrnestly hoped that congress will think the
AAAEN 80 A@AAN- N8BAOgttS ~ ~ AlADAf
TO be suddenly thrown out OF employment, and
the luxury, IL you please. we have so long en-
joyed in Postal privileges Of more Importance
than any number Of '-cypher dispatches or any
demagogueism in other directions.
To return to the opening day Though it can
never be devoid Of interest entirely, Of course il
is not comparable with the beginning of a newly
elected congress) itcame and went without excite
ment. Ii may have been because the day had al
most summer heat. or that the months following
adjournment have been fraught with such a fearful
- a 1..aL =. - - -
aud doubtless in a large degree consequent upon
the fact that many of the ineumbents were not re-
turned, but certainly an almost unprecedented list
less and careless air seemed to peryade on this day
usually so crisp, and so busting. "The boys
were glad TO see each other of course, and the
greeting and the hearty hand shaking as genuine
and heart felt as though they were not in a very
few minutes to be arrayed as recognised belliger-
ants. The line of color, speaking artistically, is
almost perceptable dividing those who have been
reelected and those who by the unmistakable
voice Of the ballot box. have been requested to
stay at home. 1t is said that the wise of that class
termed the Third House"-i. e., the lobby-fnd
easy prey and move pliable minds among the
members who were disappointed in being chosen
to continue to represent IAN Intelligent constituent
cy, sir!' A congressional phrase disseminating
the most ignorant and the refined cultivated sup
porter alike-for do not each count-a vote, or
more?
MR.. RANDALL.
AT twelve the handsome speaker took the chair
and one fall Of the gavel brought each member
silently to his seat. The chaplain of the house ask
ed divine blessing upon the peoples representa-
tives. and prayed for the forgiveness of the sins of
omission and commission that had been added to
the list of each individual. Mr.. Speaker Randall
does not show any of the scars of the conflict in
his own and adjoining cities into which the new
element of "greenbackism'' has entered and caus-
ed the 6ght to be hand to hand. The desk OF Mr..
Randall was burdened with elegant Z" floral offer
as any gift of the kind is in this day very
appropriately called, "A bunch of flowers" is a
thing of the past. The basket, the crown, the
wreath, the heart. the key or any of the devices in
to which the sweetest, simplest flowers are toItur-
ed is offensive 10 the real flower lover, but there
il for this innovation no help. Many of the mem
bers desks were also adorned with friendly greet
in way of rare flowers until the air of the Hall
sweet as the spicy breezes from Ceylon's
shore.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The motion that formally announced to The Pres
ident that the house was IN order and awaiting his
recognition, was made by Mr.. Fernando Wood.
OF New York, who did this as he does every thing
in the elegant iciness of manner peculiar to him.
Has that man got a heart?'-'Yes, if a dolphin
has;'' was the reply of the Cicerone, who appear
ed to be showing his visitor the lions of the Capitol.
Ii seemed not AN Inapt summary OF the distinguish
ed members persOnel. The comments of the crowd.
which on this occasion is generally composed of
are very amusing and not without that
wisdom which it would be we'll the sub
should not only hear but profit therefrom.
In a few minutes the message was brought by the
private secretary, and the clerk proceeded to
read in the monotone so free from all magnetic
IOrce, that is without doubt characteristic to the
salaried reader. | often wonder why the Presi-
Tents do not read their own mess yes TO Congress:
{ would greatly enhance the interest OF the occa-
sion: i may be mistaken, but l believe Washing
on was the only President that read his messages.
was a man eminently approaching the eternal
fitness Of things The message of President Hayes
listened to in the Senate with dignifed respect
al silence. In the House it was diferent-ihere
vas soon a stir, then a buzz, and halt the people .
n the galleries were moving and half the members
N tho floor urara fMflSpn NJ Wnn1 o,,,..I 81 ]
)nly sensation of the hour, by iIterrupting the
-eader when he read a few paragraphs of a subject
ipOn which the writer dwells at length e. cleo
frauds in the South. This was thought to be yery
Questionable taste in Mr.. Wood, and has not i'm
ruth many precedents. Mr.. Hayes, Of Maine.
md Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio. replied promptly and
bitterly, until at one time there seemed danger of
luite a spirited debate, but at slight reproof for
his breach Of etiquette the cOmbatants were uuieted
growing to await a more favorable opportunity
giving utterance, as our Quaker friends would
ERIN 1t, "to the concern on their minds"
OF COL YOUNG AND COL. HEATING, OF
MEMPHIS.
We have a life here separate and far above
,olitical aud official interest. though there is a
vide spread opinion to the contrary. This life is
{ social and benevolent accord and was illus
rated beautifully by the heartiness with which all
'arties united in giving a heartfelt welcome to
wo distinguished gentlemen OF Memphis, who.
With a heroism that ommands admiration. had
with the insidious yellow fever. Col.
,asey Young Is the representative from the CITY
[ Memphis and reelected to the Forty-sixth
He is a man of nervous. delicate ply
ique, and one can readily see would shrink from
ny sight of suffering which be could escape.
With such an organism he deserves all the greater
raise that be has during the plague by which his
eople were stricken, remained in their midst sus-
aiming them by his own courage, assisting them in
eed and sympathizing with them in their mani
Did Affections. Col. James N. Heating. the editor
I the Memphis appeal: is in physical endowment
Ist the opposite of Col. Young. He is stalwart
nd s%anguine. Many OF the citizens of Memphis
away when the fever appeared. and very
lany wisely left. Mr.. Heating stood by his work,
nd to his uEtiriug energy and devotion thou
lnds are grateful for the daily paper which told
{ the safety or death of their friends in the city.