The Press., 1884-12-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Congress has now been at work in qul- ct way for week. The session began without special incident or promise. The visitors galleries were we'll filed with spectators many desks of senators and representatives were covered with floral gifts pages darted hither and thither at call, and there was the familiar confusion incident to the first day of session. Be- yond this there was little to distinguish inc opening of the new term from one of the sittings of the sess1on which closed be- fore the presidential campaign.
 In the house of representatives the first roll call showed 223 members to De pres ent. Those who had expected and pre- dicted that the republican side of the chamber would present an appearance of dejection, were disappointed. Members wore their usual countenances and chatted cheerfully with each other as they met.
 In the senate there is one new face, that of Mr. Sheffield, who succeeds the late Senator Anthony, of R. I. The new sen ator leans heayAy on a cane and walks with limp. He is sixty years old, bald headed, has fine countenance, and wears a swallow tailed coat, the cut of gener- ation or two cack. Senator Logan sits in his old place, between Senators Frye and Hale of Maine, and looks, in every way, himself. On opening day the democrtic senators and members, as well as his re- publican friends, seemed anxious to take him by the hand
 The presidents valedictory annual ad- dress was read to congress as usual, and although members of congress are slow in forming and expressing their opinions in regard to the details of 1t, their ready con- ment was that, as whole, 1t was digni- fled and businesslike.
 The suggestions concerning the tariff made by the new secretary of tho treasury in his report to congress, will, undoubted- ly, attract wide attention. While giving to the protective tariff the credit of having fostered and encouraged manufacturing enterprises, MT. McCulloch deems it ques- tionable whether further continuance of this tariff is advisable.
 There is wide difference of opinion among democratic representatives on the advisability of reporting tariff bill this winter. When questioned on the subject MT. Curtin, of Pa., said, of course no tar if would come up this winter. "Had we not struck out the enacting clause of the Morrison bill last session." continued he, Governor Cleveland would not now be the president-elect." Still some prominent members of the ways and means committee are restless for another tariff fight, and it may come. s.,-
 Mr. Mitchell of Conn. insists there will be no time this session for anything but the appropriation bills and routine work. MT. Cobb, however, is determined to push the land grant forfeiture bills, and MT. Req gan is trying to get his interstate commerce measure through. Representative Willis expects to urge the educational bill to pas- sage, and others have their favorite meas ures ready to bring forward. Gen. Grants pension will again be discussed, bill hav- ing been offered this week to allow him $5, 900 year for life, beginning with date of his retirement from the presidency,
 It seems that the October election at Cincinnati is to be investigated next, res olutions to that effect having been adopted by the democrats .?of the house. Repre- sentative Follett produced 8 sensation at the capitol the other day, when he arose and presented a preamble and resolution, beginning: I do impeach Lat Wright, United States marshal for the southern dis trict of Ohio, of high crimes and misde- meanors. charge him with usurpation of power and violation of law, etc. A sharp discussion followed the motion, Congress men Reed, Hiscock, and others being de- termined to extend the range of inyestiga- tion if begun.
 In democratic circles, there is feeling of anxiety as to the probable course of the republican majority in the next senate If the republicans unite to protect federal of fice-holders under the tenure of office act, the appointments of democratic presi- dent would be limited to the number of commissioned officials whose terms expire under his administration, and to the filing of vacancies as they occur from death, res ignation, and other causes. He will only be able to make removals with the assent of the senate. So there is cold comfort to democratic aspirants in the prospect of run ming the gauntlet of republican senate, even after securing a nomination.