The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-03-10
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
From our Regular Correspon dent.

From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON. d. c., Mar. 3, 1888.
The work done by the last session
of the Forty-seyenth Congress will
stand the test when compared with
the legislation of any previous ses-
sion. Converting as it did, on the
heels Of an unparalleled and never to
be forgotten upheayaI, in public opin-
ion it was natural to expect that the
members identified with party that
had been so signally rebuked would
act cautiously in view of the doubt
full prospect that seemed to have Ore-
cast it's future. Entering upon their
duties under such circumstances,
more careful consideration of meas
ures has been had by committees
that ever before. Every scheme that
has been brought forward has been
canvassed and discussed and If found
questionable or unworthy it has been
taboed and killed. Democrats were
put upon the defensive and forced to
show their hands in many ways that
will leave them at a disadvantage in
the campaign of 1884. The tariff
question was the most difficult of all
others to settle and determine. En-
terests widely at variance are found
in different parts of the country, and
it is not an easy matter to formulate
law that will bear equally upon all
sections and give protection to indus
tries so widely diverse. The situa-
ton was made the more difficult be-
cause of the expressed or understood
avowal of free trade doctrines by the
Democrats in both house and senate.
To them it little matters if factories
are closed, spindles silent, and men
are idle by thousand. they are par
tisans, rather than patriots; while
the Re- ublicans to their credit, be it
said, honestly set themselves to work
to secure such legislation as would
best subserve the interests of our va
ried industries. If they failed in Sc
curing all that the country demand
ed, it was not for any lack of an hon
est determination to do the best pos
sible thing in the face of the opposi-
ton that confronted them.
Presidential dinners have been a
feature at the White House this win
ter. Scarce week has passed but
some notable affair of this kind has
taken place. Spreads of this charac-
ter haye never been equaled I'm ele-
gance during any previous admins
tratin. From sixteen to twenty
four covers are spread at these din
ners for invited guests. The dining
room is richly decorated with ferns,
eXotics. and flowers. Gentlemen are
supplied with boutonniers, and cor
sage bouquets of lilies of the valley
and choicest roses for the ladies are
laid on the white folded napkins.
The menu, most elaborate, embraces
everything that can tickle the palate
ofan epicure. Whatever may be said
for or against the administration of
affairs at the White House under
President Arthur, his state and select
dinner parties will be noted as excel
ling In elegance those of any former
executive.
During the last week of the session
the galleries of the House and Senate
were filled each day with throngs of
visitors, while at evening sessions
galleries, halls, and corridors were
mass of persoiring humanity. Blacks,
whites, citizens and strangers, were
sandwiched together indiscriminate.
ly. The floating population of the