Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-12-26

From our Regular Correspondent

From our Regular Correspondent
| WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1883.
/ Republican Senators feel better no "
since they have cleared the Senate
offices of thsir faithful tfficient Demo
cratic incumbents, and filed the places
with inexperienced Republicans. Yes,
they had lieht 10 do it. Might has
ever been right according 10 their re.
cord. But let US hear nothing more
about civil service reform from Repub.
| licsn headquarters. Less than year
ago that side OF The Senate chamber
was resonant with the eloQuence of civil
service reform PRINCIPLES, and the first
opportunity afforded too show treason
for the faith that was in it," 1t sue
cumb bed to the pressure Of party greed.
AS is proven, it was TO much to expect
that The Republican majority 10 the
Senate would have hesitated 10 seize
upon the few remaining salaried liices,
within such tempting reach, but for
consisteDcy's sake, at least, something
better of them, was hoped. They hold
that the Democrats will do likewise
when they get control of the govern
mept in the next Administration.
They baye not hesiatOd to set de-
6ant, pernicious example, and In The
light of Republican precedent, and OF
their boosted adherence TO civil service
reform pllociples, few concessions to
the system they so warmly espoused
few months since, would have given
them more erediIable place upon the
record.
During the election Of the new Senate
officers the caucus programmes of both
parties were carried out. The division
was upon strict party lines, Messrs.
Malone and Riddleberger voling with
the Republicans. 1t had been noised
abroad there wonld be an acrimonious
debate ever the Wholesale displace-
ment OF the old efficient officers, and 10
anticipation OF such a discussion the
galleries were filled, the floor OF The
Senate enlivened by mem bers of the
House, ex.Senators and distinguished
visitors, among the latter Governor
Butler of Massachusetts. The only
Democrats who commented upon the
acton OF the majority, however, were
Senators Pendleton, Beck, aud Sauls-
bury, and Senator Sherman was the
only Republican spokesman. Senators
Beck and Salisbury tainted the Re-
publcans with repudiation Of their civil
service reform eloquence, and as the
election proceC ded, Senator Pendleton
moved 10 strike out the names eucces.
sively Of each Republican nominee,
and insert those Of the present ncum.
bents, as an expression Of opposition
10 change, and confidence 10 the old
officers.
Congress will adjourn early and long
for the holiday vacation, most probably
from Monday, Dec. 4h, 10 Monday
Jan. 7th, though an attempt was made
in the House to defeat so long an adj
iournment as an unwarranted DELAY IN
the transaction Of public business.
Little else will be done IN the House
on Monday, but the appointment OF the
committees, which speaker Carlisle
expects to baye ready for announce
ment by noon OF that day.
Turning from politics l will tell
something about two distinguished En-
glishmen Washington has had within
her gates this week. Matthew Arnold,
the lecturer, poet, aud critic, aud
Langtry, who lived, while here in her
private palace car, shun ted on eide
track near the railroad station. The
Lille has rather improved in acting
sine her previous engagement here,
anlis ST, elipg sedateness and quiet
tastes by her exclusive mode of life.
One day, however, che appeared in the
Senator's gallery Of the Senate CT am
Der, where Senator BaYard Of Della
ware Joined her and escorted her
through The Capitol. Several hundred
gazers followed her movements and
Langiry was evidently pleased with
her distinguished escort, and the al
tenuon she attracted.
Mathew Arnold. lectured in the
Congressional church, on the subject of
literature aud ciences 10 an audience
OF statesmen, Supreme Court Justices,
journalists, politicians, dlltanti and
women. Rev. Edward Everett Hale,
Commissioner Of Agriculture Loring
and Congressman William Walter
Phelps Of New Jersey, occupied seats
on the lecturers stand, and speaker
Carlisle was 20 have introduced the
stranger but stress of work on tee
House committees compelled him 10
write a note Of excuse at The last
moment, and the formality devolved
on Secretary Chandler who discharged
The part 10 an awkward and lnielicitous
manner. Mr.. Arnold, in full evening
dress, came forward bowlng, and sml-
lng and SAID bis theme was more cult
ed TO an scedemIc or scholastic audi
ence than one gathered IN great polili-
cal ceuter. The lecture was an answer
from 8 man OF letters 10 the charge
that ancient and me- dern literature en-
tiers 100 largely into modern education,
TO the exclusion of modern sciences.
Tie lecture was profound in thought
and simple ard forcble in expression,