The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-12-17
wAsnrxGTox LETTER
By Our Special Correspondent.
WAsHrSeroS, Dec. 5, 1871

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 1879.
Not in the memory of the Oldest
| linhabitant has Congress made such q
mild beginning as it has made this
session. Correspondents and report
ers are at their wits end for sensa-
ton, but as yet nothing has been
found that will make hair-lifting
headlines. At frst il was thought
there would be internal division on
tie financial question, but even the
most sanguine lover of discord has
ceased to hope for excitement from
this source The first day was unu-
suslly quiet and common place, not
withstanding the perfection Of the
weather, (foF a week Washington has
beea ike summer, even 20 the extent
of az occasional mosquito) bat few
people attend tie opening session,
and, for the fret time in the memory,
the galleries were not full on the first
day. On Thursday Congress adjourn
ed until Monday. Many members
are asking leave to 60 home until af-
ter the holidays, and there seems to
be widespread disinclination for
real work. From past experience it
appears almost useless to have Con-
gress assemble before the lst cf Jan
uary To have the session open on
the first Monday in December, and
then adjourn two weeks for holidays,
without having accomplished any
thing beyond legislative diily-dally-
ing, is, to say the least, unpro6ta-
bic.
There is considerable talk in po-
litical circles about Presidential pros
poets and candidates, bat, when sif--
ed and divested Of the oraculsr hum
buggery''of interviews with prominent
men, nothing more has been develop
ed than has been known for the past
month. 1t is evidently too early to
discuss this question ROW. There
will be time before the conventions
assemble 10 nominate candidates for
more than one turn il the political
kaleidoscope. Republicans believe
they can elect either Grant, Sherman,
Blaine or Conkling. Democrats talk
mostly of Seymour, with Bayard for
second choice.
IL is expected that the committee on
elections win soon present their re-
ports oD the sixteen contested seats
in the House. Four are ready to be
heard now the briefs are all printed
and the contestants are in attendance.
The only contested seat in the Sen
ate is that Of Kellogg, of Louisiana.
He viii probably not be molested IN
til late il the session, but whenever
the subject shall come up. there will
be another long rehearsal of the famil-
iari Louisiana question. No previous
question rule can gag Gratory in the
Senate.
The postmaster general evidently
feels the vantage Of his position in
his fight with the lottery companies
Y esterday q formidable array Of law
yers, headed by Senator Matt Car
penter, appeared in the district court
to argue the service Of sn Injunction
upon Judge Kew TO prevent him from
OBTAINING letters addressed to lottery
companies. Chief Justice Cartier,
who, with Justice James, occupied
the bench, declined to interrupt the
regular order Of business 10 hear the
case, which was referred to the court
by Justice Macarthur, who also fixed
q day for argument They would
hear it on regular motion day, Mon
dag. Senator Carpenter said he
could not be present then, but could
on Saturday. The court then eB-
nounced the latter day for the hear
ing, and proceeded with the ease on
trial The postofice department was
not represented, nor had snv appear.
ance been entered or other notice ta-
ken Of the process which had been
served on the postmaster general It
is understood that the latter has de-
cided 70 leave the entire responsibility
with the court to determine whether
it will assume Jurisdiction in the mat
ter.
T. As