The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-12-15
Our Washington Letter.
IFRoM OUR SPECIAL CoEREsPoSpENT.l
WAsH1NGToN. d. c., Dec. 10, 'S3

WASHINGTON. d. c.. Dec. 10, '93
The opening of Congress this yea
brought to Washington an unusually
large crowd. AT the Capitol ON Monday
when the two Houses assembled there
was such a rush as is only seen on rare
occasions. All the galleries and avail
able spaces in and around the House
size were filed to oveIfowIng with an
eager pushing, scrambling mass of hui
manitY. Upon the floor below was an
animated scene, The new upholsteripg
of the desks Of Members, the bright
eolors of the carpeting of the chambe
and the baskets of flowers which were
distributed here aud there throughout
the hall, served TO enliven the scene,
while on the floor, political feelings lie.
ing laid aside for the time, friendly
greetings aud merry conversation were
the order of the day. Now and then a
prediction might be heard as to the re
suit of the battle in 1884, and a few
Speculations were INDUCED in as to the
probable chairmanships of the more i'm
portant committees Of the House, but
aside from this the conversations were
of social and non.political character.
Floral tributes were profuse. Two Ken
lucky ladies sent to the Speakers desk
for Mr.. Carlisle an original and UNIQUE
design in flowers and painted satin,
which attracted much attention. It is a
gavel in the shape Of George Washing
ton Ratchet which rests upon the mossy
stump of tree in suchwise as TO |, ave
both sides of blade and handle entirely
exposed. One side is OF exquisite flow
ers and the other of satin, finely painted
IN oils by an artist of talent, who origin
ated the design for the decoration, the
inscription being composed by one of
the donols. Through the ceutre of the
blade appears in illuminated letters, in
old English text, on white satin
"Mav eye be keen as blade Of hatchet.
When worthy Members rise to catch 1t,
And rulings true as steel TO match H.
All lawful business TO dispatchit."
There are varying views as TO the aus.
pices under which the Democrats return
to the control OF the lower House ard as
to the practical result of the stand taken
by them in the selection of Carlisle for
81, aktrship. but the prepouderance OF
opinion seems to be that they have start
ed WE'LL 1t is new departure aud the
announcement Of II positive policy and
the effect OF it upon the prospects of Il e
party oan only be told after trial. AN
the utterances Of the new Speaker are re.
assuring. He enters upon the discharge
of his duties absolutely untrammeled
with pledges Of any sort and will have
no personal fayors of grudges to pay of
in the organization Of the committees
Mr.. Randall will no doubt lake his ola
place at the head of appropriations. Bat
speculation as TO the makeup would be
idle. Among the things said about town
now l herr that Don Cameron il mot 10
return 10 his seat in the Senate. aud ON
the other hand that he is living low and
playing a shrewd game for reelection.
You can take your choice. Also, that
Blaine is not yet out Of politics; that
Grant will shortly lcom up again for
President; that Sabin, of Minnesota. i
the handsomest of the new Senators and
Cullom, Of Illinois, the homeliest; that
the table at WIllaTds Is superior 10 apy-
thing ever seen in Washington. that
Sam Randall is going to have a boom for
The Democratic nomination for Presl-
dent, and that Mr. Hatton will shortly
leave the Post Office Department
The Minnesota pine land frauds are
again attracting attention. Commission.
er Mcfarland has been making Efforts TO
ferret out these frauds and have them
stopped, and for nearly two years ex-
Governor Marshall, of that State, las
been acting as q special agent under the
direction OF the Commissioner, aud his
official report makes rather interesting
reading. Some time ago, when the ex.
posnres first began. the land Office nt
Duluth was cleaned out aud new agents
appointed, but now the old ring is max
ing desperate efforts to get in again by
haYlng r. @. Mitchell appointed Reeeiv-
er, In his official report to the Land
Olhce Governor Marshall says: "The
lack of permanent civil service based
on merit left these offices open as the re-
ward Of personal services to the man WHO
haPPened te be Aeastsr Of Congress.