The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1884-12-06

Tbs Dopaldsoplle Cllef
Two Dollars Year.
OUR WAsrHNGToN LETTER.
Eabinet-Makers-yT for Congress-The
Monroe Observation-Disclosures Monu-
ment almost Comp7eted-The SVaim
Reports about Blaine and
gonk,lnr-Preparafion for this Inaugu-
ration. ~.
WAsmreror, D. G., December I, 1884,
IsprroB CHIEF: =
The newspaper prophet in Washington
after he fashions Cabinet for the Presl-
dent-elect TO his own intense satisfactioIs is
fully prepared for more arduocs labor; and
is now busy in planning the work OF Con-
gress with great zest. It eeems to have
struck him that possibly Mr.. Cleveland
may have voice in the selection OF his
own cabinet.
Members who have arrived in the city
express the opinion that Congress will not
find time this session TO attempt any very
important legislation. Besides the appro-
priahon bills, the land grant forfeiture
question viii probably be taken up, and it
promises to bring about long and bitter
fight. Some Of the members, however,
have not given up the idea of tacLling the
tariff, and say chat something. should be
done this session. Mr.. Morrison, it is
understood, 10 PINNED for another fight.
He looks upon the success of the Demo-
cratic party az an Endorsement Of tariff re-
form, and has expressed the opinion that
something should be done this winter to
reduce the revenue. f Congress is dis
posed, however, to make q busy and event
fui session, there is no lack of material
in the shape of pending legislation. There
ia, for instance, the silver coinage question,
which urgently calls fer attention. very
respectable element is calling for bank
raptey law; there isa greatdesire in legal
and business circles for action which shall
expedite the work Of the Supreme Court;
nauch remains lobe settled respecting the
F1lHE70u6 0I Td1kEQdAS cA4A 1oAse SsSl FIJI q
tions to'the government; and there are var
ious priyate cnnefand raiIroed schemes to
which Congress viii be asked to give 8
helping hand; the pension laws are net yet
satisfactory to some Influential classes; and
tho friends Of the shipping interests regard
Inst winters Legislation as merely preIimi-
nary, and are anxious to follow it up by
broader measurses; the education bill pre-
SCENTS its claims to the House; and two or
three territories which have now a large
and ambitious population are clamoring
for the rights and dignities of States. It
will be seen readily therefore that even if
Congress prefersto ignore the tariff and
follow precedents pretty closely in the ap-
preparations there is an abundance of
important subjects on which. it can profit
ably spend the winter.
Among the first questions presented at
the Capitol to-day will be a resolution in
the House calling for diplomatic inves-
tigation of the action of the French in pros
declaring in favor of the American policy
of predominance on this continent. Sew
eral leading Democrats have the matter
in charge, and it Is indeed gratifying to see
some inclination towards enforcement of
the Monroe doctrine. The representatives
of the three great 1sthmian inter-oeeanic
transit projects are gathered here in an
ticipation Of some action by Congress on
this important question. The Panama peo-
pis are simply anxious to be let alone. The
Nicaraguan people want substantial rec
ignition. The Tehuantepie people are
willing TO take anything they can get.
James B. Eads, the father Of the Tehuan-
tepie scheme, went to London last summer
to get some money. I don't understand
that he got any there. But he has appar-
entity gotten some on the way home, for
he is exhibiting quietly to New York CAPT
talists working model Of his inter oceanic
ship railway which cost him $4,000 and
occupies twenty feet of space. He is now
arranging to exhibit it at New Orleans.
The Washington monument is booming
along toward completion. The cap-stone
sill be set this week. The tip of the cap
stone will be composed of aluminium, and
is the largest device ever made of that
metal. It's about four feet high, and is as
sharp as moderately dull needle at its
apex. There are several reasons why this
particular metal was used. To begin with,
it is good lightning conductor and will
serve as the top of the lightning rod; then
it does not tarnish Int vii. always remain
bright. It has much the same appearance
as silver. - ~
The most distinguished military tribunal
that has assembled in this country since
The close OF the war is now in session in a
small upper room in the Corcoran build
ing. One Major General and six Brigadier
Aenerals of the regular army, Hanked by
three Colonies on each hand, occupy the
long table. schofeld, Terry and Miles-it
would be hard to find three more distin-
gIished looking men. The staff Generals,
Rochester, Holabird, Murray and Newton,
are men of dignity and power. believe 1t
is the first time in the history of the coun-
try that man holding the rank of Briga-
uler GENERAL has been on trial in time of
peace, and the court is making short work
of General Swain.
The report that Roscoe Conkiing might
possibly be elected Senator from New
York by a coalition of Democrats and
stalwarts was received with good deal of
interest in Washington, where he has many
friends and also many enemies. The PROS
pect of this occurring has, however, faded
very considerably during the last few days
end II ia now considered e long ways from