News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-12-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c..

AT noon to-day both houses of Con-
gress were called to order by their re-
spective presiding officers, and the
work of the second session of the
%forty-eighth Congress was at once en-
tered upon. Thousands filled the gal
l%eries, while other thousands, unable
to obtain entrance, filled the halls and
Hobbies. For an hour or more be-
fore the houses were called to or
der, the scene on the floors was of a
most lively and interesting character.
As Senators or Representatives came
in they were greeted most cordially
by their brother members, and one
could hardly imagine that for more
than five months many of those en-
gagged in earnest, hearty greeting, and
the interchange of earnest, honest
civilities, had been charging each 9TH
er with every conceivable crime or sin
of omission and that in a few days
again, even on these very floors where
so much honest, hearty, w~hole-souled
welcomes are being extended, they
would be indulging in like charges of
wrong.
1t is certainly a cause of congratu-
lation to know that while political diff
ferences are so great, and the discus
sions of these questions are so bitter
at times, our lawmakers do not per-
init these differences to interfere with
their personal relations, and that
there is a generous admiration for
each other existing between many, if
not all of them. .
There are but few changes in either
Youse. In the Senate, the saddest Isl
that caused By the death of the ven
cradle and venerated Senator An
thonv, of Rhode Island, and on the
House side, the man who will be most
| missed will be Hon. w. HI. Calkins,
of Indiana, who resigned to accept
the Republican nomination for Gov
ernor. He was a conspicuous figure,
embodying not only a perfect ideal of
a man physically, but intellectually
and socially.
After the calling of the roll COM
mittees were appointed to wait upon
the President, who, at 1880, sent in
his message, the reading of which
was at once entered upon, and upon
its conclusion both Houses adjourned.
The reception rendered Gen. John
A. Logan and his most estimable
wife on Saturday evening last, was
one of the handsomest testimonials
TO sterling worth, pure patriotism and
lofty public and private character,
ever rendered in this city. 1t was a
grand ovation paid by their personal
friends, regardless of political opiH-
ions or ~prejudices, on their return 10
the city. The spacious parlors of the
Generals residence on Iowa Circle,
was crowded for two hours or more
by the thousands of those who admire
the General and his wife in all the
walks of life. They have a warm
place in the hearts of all who have
and womanly worth.
Some penny-a-liners here have start
ed the word that the Republican Sen
ate will resist Cleveland's appoint
ments outside of his immediate adyis-
ers-the Cabinet Ministers. This is
the sheerest fol-de-rol in the world.
The Senate will give the new admins
a fair trial, and oppose no
reasonable changes. The right of the
President to put men at the heads Of
bureaus and in the chief offices who
are in sympathy with him politically
is recognized. A determined stand
will, however, be taken by Republi-
against any attempt to repeal
the civil service law, or to make it of
no effect, unless a better measur is
offered to take its place.
For the first time since July, 1879,
the monthly public debt statement
shows an increase. This is occa-
stoned by the amounts advanced to
pension agents for the December pay
ment, which amounts to Is 1000, 900,
the December 1st interest amount5
which amounts to S2,23O,S64 and al
decrease in the receipts for the month
of S4, 000, 900. The treasury surplus
is Sal, OOO, 300. Il
Maj. Ben. Perley Poore. the veter-
an Washington correspondent, is
writing a book entitled "Sixty Years
at the Capital" A portion of the
work, which is to be published by a
Philadelphia subscription-book pub
fishing house, is already in press.
Now, if ex-senator Tabor, of Colo
RADIO, could be induced to put his four
weeks experience in the Senate into
print, with Maj. Poore's book, and
Mr.. Blaine's Twenty Years in Con-
gress," the public would be we'll able
to judge how different lengths of SER
vice in Washington politics effects a
man.
Last winter Congress appropriated
twenty-five thousand dollars to assist
in defraying the expenses of the cere-
monies attending the dedication of the
Washington Monument, and fixed
the 22d of February, 1885, as the
time for the event. 1t appears that
none of our wise legislators have con-
suited the almanac, as Washington's
birth day next year falls on Sunday.
1t will be necessary for Congress dur
ing its present session to correct the
matter by fixing another date. The
cap-stone of the monument will be
set some time during the present week,
which will be a substantial completion
of the structure.
The House Appropriations Commit
tee was in session good deal of the
time last week, and as a consequence
it has its work pretty well advanced.
Several bills will be ready, before the
holiday recess, and the remainder wilt
be presented soc thereafter.
A bin will soonAbe introduced in the
House, BY Representative Follett,
providing for the abolition of thepres-
emit system of deputy marshals and
supervisors of election. Mr., Follett
.II