The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-12-13
Washington Correspondence.
The Meeting of Congress-Guiteau'i
Snow--The Committees.
wAsH1N oroN, D. G., Dec. 10.

WAsHN GToN, d. c., Dec. 10.
To the Editor Of the Press:
The gathering of the delegated Solons of the
government In the 47th Congress is Of course
the most noticeable event of the past week. /.
and already considerable activity is apparent
in both houses. Three hundred bills and fi We
joint resolutions have been introduced. One
Senator introduced thirty-three and another
one twenty. The undismayed army of offie'
seekers are here in full force and the White
House is overrun with them as though they
believed the Presidents twice declared opin-
ion expressed in his two messages that "the
tenure of Office should be stable" was mere
buncombe.
Who can envy the life Of Congressman?
Beside thousand and one things outside the
sessions and committee rooms that have to be
attended to by him, that some people know
not nor think Of, particularly at the commence
ment of the regular session, imagine him fol-
lowed by score Of applicants for some sub
ordinate position, then add to that the throng
who from habit or choice haunt the lobby, cor
ridors, or committee rooms and various al
coves of the capitol for the purpose OF way
laying their member and button-holing him in
the interest of some special bill, from which
three or more At ti6e ss one swo
Representative with familiarity indicating
that he is their debtor, enc buzzing him in
each ear, simultaneously, and he tearing him
self away only to be again seized by another
squad, then think of this from morning until
evening at the capitol and far into night at the
hotels and boarding houses and you have but
faint idea of the trials and besetments OF the
average member of Congress.
Among the increasing numbers OF such per-
sons here this year, may be found the female
office seekers who want post offices or clerk
ships in the departments None OF the latter
have so far applied for a United States mar
shalship though one of them wants to be regis-
ter of,the land Office in Kansas.
The number of post offices discontinued dur
ing tho past month is 135, the number estab-
lished IA, being the smallest increase in any
month for several years. f..f-
As yet the new Speaker OF the House has
appointed only two committees, one on mile
age and one on the death of President Gar
field, Maine being represented on the latter
committee by Representative Dingley. Rep
resentatlve Reed, who made SO gallant fight
for the Speakership, deserves and Will doubt
less receive important recognition on the COM
mittees soon to be appointed. Secretary Blaine
took an informal farewell OF the members OF
the Cabinet at the meeting to-day.
The crisp bright weather OF the past few
days indicats the near approach OF the holiday
season with us and the well-hlled promenades
and well-stocked stores OF our enterpr1sing
merchants show that we are nearly ready for
it. The social season may be considered as al
ready commenced also, the past week having
witnessed a succession of gayeties. One OF the
marked and pleasant features Of Washington
society is that political differences of opinion
are never allowed to interfere with its pleas
ures Among the inviteds guests who mingle
freely together in social reunion at the recep-
tions are those who differ widely in politics
and religion.
The motion to dissolve the government at
tachments Of the property OF Capt. Henry
Howgate was overruled by Judge Macarthur
in our Circuit Court to-day.
The great trial of Guiteau, the assassin, stiil
drags its disgusting length along in our Crimi.
nal Court, attracting as usual It's crowd OF
spectators to see and hear the miserable
wretch, and will probably continue two weeks
longer if the court and jury do not sicken and
die He still continues his outrageous invee-
tives and torrents of vulgar anathemas and
abuse of witnesses, and to exhibit bis low
cunning and disgusting egotism His last an
nouncemsnt is that when his trial is over he
will 90 into the lecture field, but the develop
ments of the last few days, exhibiting his life
in New York and Chicago indicate most GER
tainly, il Justice is done him, that the only
lecture he will deliver after this trial will be
on the scaffold platform. All the evidence
taken together, instead of indicating insanity,
proves the reverse beyond a reasonable doubt,
and that he has not one redeeming trait either
In his character or his defense. A. n.