The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-04-15
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent

United States Senate Business Obstya.ct-
ed By Democratic Minority - Cos
tunes Of americans and ForeiqnerS
at Presidential Receptions-The NesD
Church for President Garfield.
The deadlock in the United States
Senate may possibly be broken before
this letter Is received for publication.
It is proper at this time to give plain
statement of the situation which led to
this protracted struggle. The Senate
has been in session since the 4th of
March. During the first few days, the
Senate Committees were reorganized
and few Presidential appointments
confirmed.
The Issue in the Senate is whether
the Republicans, who have an undis-
puted majority, shall be allowed to
complete their organization by elect
ing the Senate officers and employees.
Two years ago. when the Democrats
obtained control of the Senate, the Re-
publican officers and employees of that
body, even the crippled soldiers, were
removed, and ex-Confederates put in
their places. The Democratic officers
then elected hold until the next ses.
sion, unless now displaced. Tue Re-
publicans insist on their right, as pro-
vided by the constitution, to elect the
officers to which they are entitled, The
Democrats do not deny that the Repub-
licans have the constitutional majority
to exercise such right: they, in fact,
have conceded it by allowing the Re.
publicans to re0rganiZe the Senate
Committees on Republican basis.
The Democratic Senator'S have from
day to day thrown obstacles in the
way of permitting Republicans to elect
officers; they talk of the hardship of
turning out the present incumbents.
That reasoning had no force with them
two years ago, when they turned out
the Republicans and put in men of
their own stripe in their places.
The question may be asked, if the
Republicans have clear majority in
the Senate, what binders them from
electing their officersP By the Senate
rules one-third of the members can
obstruct business in that body. The
rules of the House do not admit of
such obstruction. 1t is asked, why
should the Republicans waste so much
time by insisting on an election at this
time, and not wait until the session
next fallp If it were simply the cleo
ton of Senate officers, it would be of
no great Importance, but the question
presented is. shall the majority or the
minority ruler There is a vital prin-
ciple involved-a principle which I'M
derlies the peoples rights. If pre-
cedent be established that minorities
may rule in legislative bodies, then our
government Is failure. The princi-
pies for which our Republican Senators
are contending in the protracted strug-
gle are of SURPRISING Importance.
COSTUMES OF AMERICANS AND FOR
EIGEERs AT PRESIDENTIAL
RECEPTIONS.
1t is interesting to contrast the STYLES
of dress of Americans and foreigners
on State occasions. At Presidential
receptions, especially those where for
elgn Ministers and legations appear,
an observer would not fail to notice
the marked contrast between the
United States and the foreign official.
The q. S. dignitary appears in the
fashion of first-class dandy. He
wears a short-waisted swallow.ta
coat, rather tight pants, white neck
lie, etc. This style of dress does not
set off an ill-shaped man to advantage,
especially If he be lank, lean and slen-
der-legged. Nearly all foreigners of
rank wear styles of dress which dis
play a full-developed figure, with
rounded proportions. Even if q for
eign official be Invested of his SNOWY
badges of royalty, the style and fit of
his garments give him more substan-
tial and dignifed appearance than his
Republican, swallow-tailed neighbor.
Some months ago lady at Presiden-
tial reception was asked her opinion as
to the comparative comeliness of dress
of q. S. Senator and a Secretary of
Foreign Legation. She replied the Sem
ator forcibly reminded her of bird
with the feathers closely plucked, ex-
cept two long tail feathers.
There is no intention in what is here
said to indecently disparage the court
dress of our Republican officials. But
it does puzzle some people to under
stand why grave Senator's and digni- |
fed representatives, who, to equip |
themselves for Presidential leYee,