South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-12-09
Letter from Washington.
(Ftom our Regular Correspondent
wAsnrseros, D. G., Dec. 6.

" hSbANpiS-sy ~. VI, DNt. Os
AT no time since the war has Con.
gress assembled under such favorable
auspices as the present. We have no
foreign troubles toarnoy US and are
confronted by nothing but peace and
prosperity Mt home The financial
condition of our country is better than
ever before and there are no great
disturbing questions of any sort to be
considered. All branches OF the Co
vernment are under control of the
came party, yet the lines of deniarca-
ton between the two great parties are
so faint, and the majorities in each
branch so weak, that political legisla-
ton IN Its narrow sense will not form
q potent factor in the proceedings of
Congress. Barring the new apportion-
ment for members of the House, in
accordance with the late census, there
does not seem to be any political is-
sue worthy of note and the one great
Object of congressional action must
be the canvass and determination of
the best methods Of maintaining the
country's prosperity and strengthen.
ing the foundations Of our business
vigor.
The opening day was compara-
lively quiet one. though on the House
side all the galleries were crowded.
For one day that body proved an at
traction able to compete with the
Guiteau trial but it could not keep it
up. There were no especially sensa-
tional scenes to reward the curiosity
seekers. No little interest is
conferred around the Virginia read
justers, Paul and Faulkerson. The
former is on the brunette style of ar
chitecture, well built and ornamented
with black moustache. Both voted
with the Republicans.
The Speaker-elect. Gen. Keifer, is
like Garfield, self.made man. He
fitted himself for the higher duties of
life while working on farm and &C.
CURED al, education by dint of hard
labor and hard study. Gen.
Keifer undoubtedly had the support
of what is termed the 'stalwarts,' but
as his nomination was finally accom-
plished by votes outside of the stall
wart combination, he will occupy an
independent position, & probably his eff
orts will be to heal the breach in the Re-
publican ranks rather than to head n
faction. The committees will not be
announced for two weeks but is gen.
orally believed that the two most i'm.
portant chairmanships, Ways and
Means and Appropriations, will be
given to Judge Kelly, of Pennsylvan-
ia, and Hiscock, of New York, res.
pectively.
One of the first things to be done
in Congress will be the taking of some
action with reference to the payment
of the very heavy expenses incurred
by the illness of the late President.
1t seems to be accepted that if Con.
gress assumes the payment the three
civilian physicians, Drs. Bliss, A grew
and Hamilton, will not expect less
than $25, 900 each for their services.
They consider, it is said, that the di-
rect loss to them from inattention to
their regular practice, expenses, &C.,
will amount to one-halfs of this sum.
No bills, it is said, growing out of the
care of the President during his ILL.,
ness have been rendered, although
Mrs. Garfield has in several instan-
ces requested that they be sent to her.
OF course if Congress is to pay the
bills, every one concerned will render
much larger accounts than if Mrs.
Garfield was to settle, and DIR. Bliss
has intimated that he and his associa
ties would not take anything from
Mrs. Garfield if the Government
should not pay. The proposition
which appears to meet the most favor
is that Congress shall designate, or
authorize the President to designate,
one or more persons to act as COM
mission to audit all bills, which, on
their report, shall be paid by the Sec
rotary of the Treasury.
DOM-PEpRo.