, 1879-04-05
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, March Is, 1879.

EpIToR SrArRsMaN:-Yesterday saw
the opening of democratic congress, the
first III more than half generation.
Boys who We're learning their A. b. Cs,
when we last had congress OF democrats,
are now old enough to take seats in such
a body. Since then We have had the
bloodiest and costliest of modern wars,
unparalleled depression Of business, and
charges IN legislation which amount
almost TO an overthrow of our former
government The congress which now
comes into power will have 30 duty to
perform except to restore the eeantry, as
far as possible, to the condition IN which
it vas when democracy was before IN
power To do this will require the sur
render of many individual and sectional
interests and prcjudiccs, but doubt not
the surrender will be okeerfully made.
Everything so far indicates it.
The organizing of the house yesterday
was an exceedingly quiet affair. Just
enough men voted for Mr.. Randall, to
give him ma jority Of the elected msm-
bers. Every man who entered the demo
cratic caucus voted for him Ii may not
have needed NJ. Blackbusn's eloquent
words OF example to have insured this,
but his highly honorable course, after be-
ing beaten in the contest for the nomina
ton is not the less to be commended.
Mr.. Blackburn is IN every respect Il capt.
tol man. He would beas popular in Maine
or Ohio or Minnesota, rs he Is III Ken
lucky; he has no enemy in the house; |
do no. think his defeat this time has in
jured him. by and by We shall hear from
INN in wider field than he now occupies
of Mr.. Randall it is hardly necessary to
say anything; he is an admirable speaker,
and perhaps, next to Senator Blaine, the
best informed nan il the country III gen
eral politics.
The first question in all n,inds is that
rais, d By Senator Beck, whether or not
congress shall proceed with general legis-
lation or only pass the two defeated appro-
pratiun bills, and the reform measure
attached to them 1t is noticed that the
| two propositions so far, formally made
among democratic members to thus re-
strict legislation have not been acted on.
The republicans, on the contrary, unani
mously, and enthusiastically voted, at
their house caGcus, against going into
| General legislation. Evidently it will
crafty that party if rigid inquiry into the
/ past, and thorough reformation can be
. lut oil for aSasnn.
Speaker Randall was serenadcd last
night by a large number of his partisan
| friends, and he made a speech in which
| he claimed that the repeal of the federal
| election laws was i'll the interest OF ma
! tional peace. He was greeted with en-
| thusiasm. should not fail to mention
that his triumph las given a new impetus
to the Tildcn presidential stock, and to
presidential speculation in particular
| The case ot breach of promise of mar
! riagc, the Widow Oliver" against Simon
Cameron, has teen on trial for several
days, and is tie sensation. General But
| Ter represents Mr. Cameron, and he cross
examined the plaintiff yesterday in a way
which would have made modest woman
wish to withdraw from the suit. The
ease is developing, some f:th, and proba
bly, good deal of untruth. Mr.. Oliver
the late husband Of the ''Wi0Ow,"
appeared in court to astonish his wife
yesterday, and she Was made to identify
him This was rather damper and it is
said the Widow would be willing to set
tie the case now for small consideration.
1t is worthy Of note that the immigra-
ton to this country is on the increase very
largely. The figures at the bureau Of
Statistics show that lbs, ,440 persons land
cd in New York alone during February,
as against NJ goo fpr the same month a
year ago. Those who are posted say thai
the figures for the sI.ring months will
show still create: increase. The hard
times in England, and the social d;scon-
teat in Germany are having their effect
upon tie volume of inflow to this country.
| REX.