Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-12-07
WASHING TON LETTER.
The First PerfOFmNnee-A View
from the Reporters Gallery.


WAsHISeToX, D. O., December l.
A first performance" be it theat.
rical or parliamentary, always forms
great attraction for the spectacle low
ing WashiDgtonians. and especially
for the large number of transient
visitors always in the city. 1t was,
therefore, not surprising on this first
day to find the galleries of the House
crowded within, and its portals sur
rounded by a throng of eager sight
seers. The opening scenes in the
House and Senate were such az have
often been described. There was
great confusion on the floor of the
House, both before and after the
opening of the session. Members
greeted one another with great effu-
siyeness, and joked an6 laughed loud
or talked seriously in pairs or groups.
The Senate. on the other hand, main
tanned that dignity for which it is re
noWned.
BY half past eleven o'clock both
houses had answered to the roll call,
aud then members and Senators made
themselves as comfortable as possible,
while they listened to the monOtOnous
drawl of the clerk reading the Presi
dents message.
There is much talk aud speculation
in official and political circles in rela-
tion to the course of legislation during
the present session. Neither party
has as yet held a caucus or mapped
out its programme. From converse
tions with different members and
Senators, one is convinced Of wide
and apparently irreconcilable differ
ences OF opiniOn. especially on tho
subject Of the reduction Of taxation
all agree that there must be reduc
tion, but howp that's the question
Individual Democratic members and
Senators have expressed the opinion
hat the better policy for them 10 to
oppose LEGISLATION on this question, so
that the Democratic House can have
a clear Said. But others among the
most experienced. aud practical Of
heir party, express the opinion that
.uch a oourae will be dangerous They
say that the Democratic party in Con.
gress will commit serious mistake ii
it undertakes to atop blindly any re
iuction oil t'xatiOn; that if nothing in
this line is accomplished at this session
Of Congress, the House Democrats,
when he next Congress mrAts, will
6nd themselves confronted with a
grave problem, the difficulties Of
which they will surely 6nd themselves
unable to surmount, as the RepubIi
cans, with their splendid leadership
and organisation In the Senate will
harass and embarrass them at every
turn. The result will be that the
Republicans will have an effective
rallyiug cry TO 40 to the country with
in 1884, and the Democrats will again
be put on the defensive, than which
there can be nothing more fatal 10
politics. If the reduction 10 taxation
which tile country demands aud do
mands speedily, b. accomplished this
winter, the responsibility will, in a
great measass, be divided and both
parties will share the praise. These
views will be impressed upon Senators
and members OF the Democratic party,
and will have much weight. Tho
stron probability is, therefore, that
there will be a material reduction in
taxation before the adjournment OF
Congress on the 4th Of March.
On account OF the repairs that are
being made in the White House, the
Presidents receptions will not begin
until after the holidays.