The Press., 1883-11-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.

The political problems casting their shad- ows over the country suggesting coming events big with importance, begin to focalize so to speak, at Washington. The struggle for the control of the administration in 1884 is to be a tremendous one. It is to begin at the open ing of the session of congress on December second, next, and to continue until new president takes his seat in the white house, though, by the way, it is not impossible that MT. Arthur will himself resume the comforta- ble place. Both parties have larger tasks be- fore them. The republicans realize that their recent defeats call for stronger organization, and more ardent devotion, and on the other hand, the democrats are determined to act with such caution, and to work so hard in or der not to lose the ground they now hold, but to secure more. Of the two, the democrats are pushing things most vigorously, but the republicans have the advantage in position. The responsibility for the acts of the next congress is a heavy burden for the democrats to carry. The republicans hope to see the democratic donkey again in the arena. They count on democratic mistakes and blunders to come to their help.
 Your correspondent is informed that the talk of nominating Blaine and Grant for & presidential ticket is by no means barren ideality. Both gentlemen are conceded to be so devoted to republican principles as to be willing to yield their personal preferences for the success of the ticket. Some, however, say that it would be good ticket, if reversed. think it good ticket to think about. There is no awful hurry about deciding.
 Civil rights is not a new question, by any
 means, but it seems that in this free and en- frightened country, and in this age of advanced ideas, we have not yet settled all the problems
 which grow out of the first principles of the
 republic. The proposition of the declaration
 of independence that all men are born free and equal and enjoy the inaienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,
 etc., which our Fourth of July orators keep fresh in our memories, seems to be true with
 certain notifications. The colored people, the Chinese, the Indians, and the Mormons take exceptions to our interpretation of their
 rights. The recent decision of the supreme court, which amounts to this, that there is no
 redress except under the common law for dis I functions excluding colored people from com mon privileges, is accepted by the colored race generally as inimfcal to their interests, and they propose to hold the republican party responsible for it. Another interesting ques-
 tion in civil rights is revealed this week in the report of the Utah commission, which has
 returned from its campaign against polygamy.
 The commission was authorized by congress, | under Senator Edmonds' bill, to oversee the elections in Utah, and to exclude persons hav- ] ing two or more wives from the right to hold office or to vote. In this territory the women
 vote also, but are excluded where they are
 united to polygamist, so that three or more
 votes are lost for each male polygamist. It is hoped that the effect of this law will be to re- strain the young men and women, the rising generation, from practicing the vice. It ex- cludes them from citizenship and office, and it is assumed that this civil restriction will be
 enough to gradually induce them to abandon polygamy. The commission report that IF, l 12, 900 voters were excluded in the last cleo ton. This would represent about 500 men, who were restrained from voting privileges | because of practicing polygamy. Not very large number, it must be confessed. In fact,
 some people laugh at the idea, and call this a
 mere rose water policy which the Mormons | chuckle over. But it is at least step in the right direction. It is a vexing problem.
 Surely it's best solution lies in defeating the idea by peaceable methods rather than by the
 loss of human life, which must follow violent
 means Senator Edmunds is long headed
 statesman. It is by no means sure that he has
 not devised way to overcome this shameless | system. dropped in at the capitol the other day
 and found the work of preparation for the coming congressional session proceeding rap- idly New furniture and carpets and addi-
 tional seats are being put in place. Once in a | while new member drops in and fits himself in one of the chairs. He sits there and thinks of the sensation his speeches will make this winter. knew a congressman once who tried for seven long months to catch the speakers eye, and never succeeded. Wait til the new member tries it. He will find that his dream of holding listening senates spell bound has passed.