Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-03-15
WILL STAND THE TEST.
The Work Of the Forty Seventh Congress Daring
Its Last Session.

WILL S1AND HE lESls
The Work Of the Forty Seventh Congress Daring
Its Last Session.
Special Correspondence,
WASHINGTON. ID. c., March, Sth, 1888
The work done by the last session of
the Forty-Seventh Congress will stand
the test when compared with the legis-
lation of any previous session. Con-
yening as it did, on the heels of an I'M
paralleled and never to be forgotten
upheaval in public opinion, it was nat
ural to expect that the members identi-
fled with party that had been so sig
nally rebuked would. act cautiously in
view of the doubtful pre- spect that
seemed to have forecast its future. En-
tering upon their duties under such cir
cumstances, more careful consideration
of measures has been had by commit
tees than 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 disadvantage in the campaign
of 1884. The tariff question was the
most difficult of all others to settle and
determine. Interests widely at vari-
ance 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 pro-
lection to industries SO widely diverse.
The situation was made more difficult
because of the expressed or understood
ayowal 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 idle by
thousands. They are partisans, rather
than patriots, while the Republicans, to
their credit, be said. honestly set them
selves to work to secure such legislation
as would best subserve the interests of
our varied industries. If they failed in
securing all the country demanded, it
was not for any lack of an honest deter
mination to do the best possible thing
in face of the opposition that confronted
them.
Presidential dinners have been fea-
ture at the White House this winter.
Scarce Il week has passed but some nota-
BILE affair of this kind has taken place.
Spreads of this character have never been
equalled in elegance during any previous
ty-four covers are spread at these dim
ners for invited guests. The dining
room is richly decorated with ferns,
exotics and flowers. Gentlemen are sup
piled with boutonniers, and corsage bou-
quets of lilies of the valley and choicest
roses for the ladies are laid on the white
folded napkins. The menu, most elab-
crate, embraces everything that can
tickle the palate of an epicure. What
ever may be said for or against the adj
ministration of affairs at the White
House under President Arthur, his state
and select dinner parties will be noted
as excelling 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 Wis
itors, while at evening sessions galleries,
halls and corridors were a mass of per-
spring humanity. Blacks, whites. cit
liens and strangers, were sandwiched
together indiscriminately. The float
ing population of the Capitol during
the entire winter has taxed the utmost
capacity of our hotels and boarding
houses. The short sessions usually pass
without attracting large gatherings, but
this year has been notable exception.
Indeed the city is growing to be a great
WtitcI lCSOIb, WDtiC lUOSt WHO Scth W
escape the rigors of the frigid regions of
the north may find an atmosphere mild
and healthful.
The animosities, hates and disappoint-
ments of the Forty-Seventh Congress
are over. The largest portion of those
who were active participants were bur-
led in the tidal wave last November.
Some had not an opportunity to make a
maiden speech, ere they were called to
drop their honers at the very threshold
of Congressional career they had rea-
son to believe was to be long and hon
orable. Others who had served their
constituents long and faithfully, whose
names had become household words
among the masses, have been left with
stranded hopes and bitter disappoint-
ments. The popular will is as inexora-
BILE as death. JUNIUs