Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-12-04
WASHINGTON Letter.

Dec. l, 1884.
The National flag was run up to-day
at noon on both the House and Senate
ends of the Capitol. There was tie
usual opening day crowd at the Capt.
tol, and fair attendance Of Senators
and Representatives. Many however,
failed to answer to their names at roll
call, but each arriving train is bring
ing them in.
Long before the noon hour members
and Senators gathered in their respect
i've halls, exchanged greetings and con:
gratulations until the gavel called them
to order. All could not be congratu-
lated, however, for al! were not Of the
re-elsct.
Visitors crowded the galleries, and
looked down with much interest on the
familiar faces Of legislators, and tried
to read in them the triumphs or de-
feats of the summer campaign. The
gallery gods are critical. if not pro
found, and they observed the speaker
of the House had healthier glow in
his impurturable tariff for revenue
face; that Mr.. Dorsheimers enormous
shadow had not grown less; that the
waggish Mr.. Horn had a "life-ls-not-
worth-living" expression that Mr..
Randall had a far off cabinet. portfolio
gaze and that the senior Senator from
Kansas was as faultlessly clothed as
usual.
The members and Senators from the
solid sunny South have complacency
and happiness of expression that pass
eth understanding. Northern and
Western Democrats are cheerful but
the Southern wing is beatic. On
the Republican side Of the House de
preston is plainlI visible, and some
faces tell that "Their star has gone
down in the darkness of night, And
hope from their bosom has fed"
Barring Sundays and the usual holi-
day recess, but seventy days of work
ing life remain to the forty-eighth
Congress-a brief period, indeed, when
it is remembered that most of the work
begun last session remains unfinished,
and that many important measures
which have been mature y considered
in one of the two houses await the &C
ton of the coordinate branch
Situated as Congress is, there can be
no partisan legislation, nor can there
be any very sweeping reforms effected
in the appropriation bills; but there
will be long debates over numerous
provisions in most of these bills, and ii
is probable that they will occupy much
more than half the days of the session
A vigorous effort will also be made
by the friends of the Congressional Lii
brary bill to secure its passage by the
House in substantially the same shape
in which it came from the Senate. 1t is
legislation of the most mertorious
character and in the interest not only
of valuable property, which is rapid.
ly augmentng in value, but of the ma
tional honor and sound public policy
the wants Of the Library should be
promptly and permanently provided
for.
The Hotel corridors are filled with
members of Congress and prominent
gentlemen from all parts of the coun-
try. Many distinguished persons not
in active political or official life will be
here this winter There will be mark
ed increase in the better Southern ele-
nent. Mr.. Blaine will live in ex-Sec-
rotary WINDOWS house on Scott Circle
It is conjectured by some, that the fam
lily will open social headquarters
there, and entertain largely. Thus
there will be three factions in Wash
ington society this winter-the powers
that be, the powers that are going to
be, and the powers that only failed to
be by an almost inappreciable plural
ity. Between the first two, the most
friendly relations may exist, but be-
tween the friends of President Arthur
and Mr.. Blaine there can be no more
than ceremonious interchange Of CT
Whites, if that
The Washington Monument is loom
ing along toward completion. The cap
stone will be set this week. The tip of