The Dawson journal., 1884-01-31
Washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON. Jan II

Many of the three thousand or
more bills which were introduced
prior to the holiday adjournment
were reported favorably from
Committee, notably Mr.. Dingly's
shipping bill, which does away
with many of the incidental bur
dens and annoyance which add to
the obstacles III the way Of reviy-
ing our marine. The virtues of
the American hog were ably de-
Tended in the House, and refalia-
tory legislation was proposed to
secure to him the right OF immi-
grafton. Senator Van Wyck rak-
ed over the Star Route expendi-
lures, and brought curious detec-
tive bills to light. The aggregate
expenditures in the Star Route
prosecution were about $107, ,286
and is becoming painfully evident
that one OF the attorneys had a
regular bonanza in the business.
Then the investigation mill was
set a-going again under MIR.
Springer's leadership, and this
time they are grinding at the De-
partment Of Justice. There is
much work to come, and the meas
ures that promise to demand the
attention OF Congress are Of prime
importance. Two OF the appro-
prlation bills are ready, and 9TH
ers viii quickly follow, SO that
there will be no lack OF routine
business. Outside Of these sup
ply bills the Legislation that will
excite the most discussion relates
to the revenues and currency.
There will also be determined
efforts to augment our military
establishment, encourage ship
ping, help the whiskey interest,
benefit the Mississippi river, per-
feet the machinery Of the electoral
college, relieve the Supreme
Court arrange an improved sys-
tenn Of dealing with private claims,
frame a satisfactory bankrupt law
and alter the postal laws ii some
particulars. The railroads are to
have no mercy, land grants viii be
strictly cons rued, tie diplomatic
and consular service is to be criti-
cally scanned, Fit2 John Porter is
to be restored to the Army, the
Chinese must not come, and the
Mormons must so. Thus it will
be seen that enough work is map
ped out to make a busy and a use
fQl session, though it may be cut
short by the anxiety Of the vari-
Gus members concerning their
campaign interests.
The question Of social prece-
dence in official life in Washing
ton is still favorite theme Of
conversation and a topic for re-
ception and newspaper para
graphs. The latest report is that
the President was a little annoy
ed by the comments made upon
his New Years reception, mainly
because he feared that they were
disagreeable to the lady, Mrs.
Carlisle, to whom he gave prece-
dence. Another fayorite topic
generally discussed by statesmen
and others at this time is the pro-
posed law which is to alter or ex-
tend the line Of Presidential src-
c .ssion. 1t seems a little curious
that those two questions Of social
precedence and constitutional law
should have become rife just at
the same time. But there is a de-
ciied affinity between the two sub
jects. How much the particular
question Of social precedence as
10 the proper place among the
highest officials Of the Speaker
and his wife depends upon the
other one Of the constitutional law
n regard to the succession to the
presidency, none who have not
given thought to the matter can
understand. So close, however, is
.he relation between them that
when the law regulating the pres
idantial succession is altered III
nv way from that now in force,
The social code OF etiquette in re-
gard to the four highest officers
must be changed also In fact a
change of the law known as sec
ton l46 Of the Revised Statutes,
which provides for the success
sion in the order named: first, Of
the President pro TEN. OF the Sen
ate and next OF thu Speaker Of
the House for the time being" in
case of a vacancy in the Offices Of
both President and Vice Presl-
dent, would bring about what the
French would call "bouleverse-
ment' in Washington society, SO
thoroughly mixed up are social
gossip and constitutional law here
| at the National Capital.
Strangers in the city and new
members of Congress have been
asking lately; Does the Preslo,
dent ever have any receptions?
Does anything ever 60 on at the
White House in the way Of gaye-
ty?" Those who remember that
during preceding administrations
four in a season has been the least
number of public receptions given
| hv night at the White House make