The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-12-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Epm on Reqular oarespoadent.
WAsuINeroN. Dec. 20, 1884

WASHINGTON, Dec. ~, 1854.
The third week in Congress has
been the busiest and most interest
ing of the present session. The
Senate first said, by a majority OF
ten. that Dakota should be received
into the Union of States; then they
listened to some speeches on the
silver question from Senators Beck
and Sherman; discussed naval ap-
preparations; touched on Indian
land leases; gave hurried attention
TO a number of minor matters, read
and referred new bills, and held Sc
cret sessions over the Spanish treaty,
which is before it for ratification. 1t
is most likely the public will have
an opportunity to hear this bill dis
cussed. Senator Van Wyck has
asked that the Senate throw open It's
doors and refrain from the solemn
farce of Executive Sessions over
Commercial treaties, about which
TIE whole country is interested and
informed, and his request is being
considered by the Committee on
Foreign Relations.
Senator Beck, in his silver speech,
indicated what the incoming ad-
ministration would do, when, as ne
said, the enemies of the Silver bill
were out of the way. In reply,
Senator Sherman told him, II Mr.
Bavard should be The next Secre'
airy of the Treasury. he would have
no less trouble in solving this ques-
ton than others had found.
During a part of each daily ses-
sion since Congress opened, the
House of Representatives has been
discussing the Interstate Com
merce bill. Members have differed
as to the details of the bill, but 1t
was Just about to be passed, when
10, a color line dilemma arose
Dismay was depicted on the face OF
every Democrat in the House when
a colored Congressman fiom the old
North State moved an amendment
providing for the freedom OF the
cars to negroes who have paid their
fare. A bitter debate has followed
and the Democrats have held sever
al conferences without deciding how
to escape unless they place the De
mocracy on record against their re-
cent declarations in favor of equal
rights.
Mr.. O'Hara insisted that while
dumb brutes were protected In tran
sit and every other interest shielded
it was time to protect the rights OF
the colored citizen. He disavowed
the allegation that his motion had
been made for a political purpose.
He said he did not care to raise q
political issue two years before a
campaign began, but he thought
that while public sentiment and
the healthy influences of the nine
teen,h century stared US in the face
ii was too late for the American
Congress to legislate on the color
question. Amid applause on the
Republican side of the chamber, he
closed his speech by saying; "Wheth
er a man was white or black, hum
BILE or exalted, plebeian or aristocrat
if he pays his fare and decently
behaves himself, he is entitled to th'
rights that his money and desire
prompt" The bill will probably pass
but so loaded with amendments as
to need much revision in the Sen.
ate.
The House approved the bill fol
a Department of Agriculture, ano
when it becomes law, the Com.
missioner of Agriculture will be a
Cabinet Officer, and will be called
the Secretary of Agriculture.
The silence of the funny men il
Congress this session, has caused
remark. None of them take the
trouble to fulfill the duties
imposed by their talents and rais'
a laugh. Mr.. Ochiltree, though hi
smiles at grief, says nothing. Even
Belford, the irrepressible, became
solemn after his defeat, and has
never smiled again. The House
has missed his red locks. and the
iack-in-the-box agility with which
be was wont to bob up last session
and demand that the Treasury
vaults be opened and the surplus
revenue be poured out to suffer.
ing people. Nor has MIR. Cox, o
New York, made his usual labored
effort to be funny.
Still there are other kinds ol
fame. and Representative Culhert
son, of Texas, has distinguished
himself as a man of candor. He is
the only Member of the House who
has acknowledged that he is depend
ent on the art of the toilette for his
beauty. The other day, a gentle
man introduced to him, expressed
surprise at his youthful appearance
"Oh. j look younger than l am,
said he because | dye my hair and
beard"