The Press., 1884-01-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.


 Business continues to crowd upon con- gress. Many important measures have been introduced during the week, as well as many of purely local and personal na- ture, that may be called petitions rather than legislative propositions. Relief ap- peals have been so numerous since the opening of the session, and take up so much of the time of congress by the read ing of their title, and reference, that complaint has been made of the nuisance, and in the future such documents are like ly to be relegated without hearing to the box provided for them.
 Senator Edmunds of Vermont. who has been acting ce-president since the open ing of the session, having signified his preference to be on the floor of the cham Der, the first action of the senate this week, was to elect Senator Anthony of Rhode Island, president pro tenn, of the senate. On account of the precarious condition of his health, MT. Anthony, with voice full of emotion, gratefully declined the prof. fered place, in few well chosen words to which the entire body listened with mark- ed attention. Senator Sherman then moved to re-elect MT. Edmunds to the pc sition, and there followed an exchange of differing opinions as to wheather the dec
 
 vacant. The majority favored new elec- tion, and Senator Bayard of Delaware moved to amend, by substituting the name # the ssfather of civil service reform" Geo. H. Pendleton of Ohio. A vote of thirty swo to twenty-four re-ele cted the senator from Vermont MT. Edmunds at once ad- vanced to the stand unified his hand, and took the oath of office, administered by Senator Garland of Arkansas, who was then in the chair. Though younger than Mr. Anthony, the prt tsident of the senate is the most elderly looking man in the chamber.
 Both branches of congress have been discussing the Mississippi river improve nent. A bill appropriating one million lollars has been passed and will become law when signed by the president. There have been lively discussions in the senate on the right of the American hog which will utter another determined grunt for dmittance into the ports of the effete mon- archies across the water. The half dozen or more bills that have already been intro luced in congress for the vindlcation of log in Europe, mainly contemplate retal- iatory measures, such as the prohibition ,f wines and other articles of commerce l that are largely sold to American buyers l oy countries that refuse to allow American meats to be sold in their markets, on the )retense that they are unwholesome. Now, the agricultural committees of the senate and house are preparing bill for | the creation of a board of expert inspectors, | yho shall examine all meats that are to be shipped to foreign markets, placing upon | -ach package government stamp, certify | ing to the condition of the contents. It IS claimed that refusal on the part of for eign governments to admit to their ports meat, bearing the official stamp, will con- 5titute violation of treaty obligations, ,and that the American government can then ldopt stringent measures to protect it's commerce. Senator Logan made strong ,peech in favor of an immediate retaliatory policy and Messrs. Vest and Ingalls, advo- cated rigid governmental inspection. Among other senators who took part in the discussion were Senators McPherson, Maxey, Van Wyck. Miller, and Anthony.
 The senator also listened to along speech from Senator Hill of Colorado on his bill iavoring 8 government postal telegraph. If the possibilities of the scheme, as sketch. ed by the speaker, are ever realized the sub. feet will become an urgent and practical one. He thought it probable that. further improvements in telegraphy will provide for the transmission of messages by wire as cheaply as is now done by steam, and in that case, the post office will be stripped of its most important business. Every let ter not requiring secresy can be sent by telegraph. It is not expected any legisla. tion bearing on the matter will be had this winter, but debates on the merits oi the proposition will be of service ill edu. eating public sentiment. Apropos of pos Sal matters, it is yet too early to see the full effect of the reduction in postal rates, but fronlpthe returns thus far made the falling off in revenue is inconsiderable. If after thorough test, the reduction still leaves the post office department sef-sus- taining the movement for one cent local postage, and increased allowance of weight for letter rate, will be strengthened.
 With closed doors, the senate has given much time this week to the Mexican re- ciprocity treaty, which will most likely fail of ratification. It is chiefly opposed by the sugar producers of Louisiana who fear the competition of Mexico, under the provisions of treaty for free sugar.