, 1884-01-19
WASHINGTON T


Il oPohihB Woeh VI Ine year WAS q
busy and fruitful n in congress.
Many Of the three thousand or more
bills which were introduced prior to
the holiday adjournment were reported
favorablY from committee, notably Mr..
Dingley's shipping bill, which does
away with many Of the incidental bur
dens and annoyances which add to the
obstacles In the way of reviving our
marine. The virtues Of the American
hog were ably defended in the house,
and retaliatory legislation was pro-
posed to secure to him the right of en-
migration. Senator Van Wyck raked
over the star route expenditures and
brought curious detective bills to light.
The aggregate expenditures in the star
route prosecution were about one hun
dred n seven thousand, two hundred
and elghty-six dollars, and it is becom.
ing painfully evident that one Of the
attorneys had a regular bonanza in the
business. Then the investigation mill
was set agoing again under Mr.. SPRING
er's leadership, and this time they are
grinding at the department of justice.
There is much work to come, and the
measures that promise to demand the
attention Of congress are of prime i'm
portance. Two Of the appropriation
bills are ready and others will quickly
follow, so that there will be no lack of
routine business. Outside of these sup
ply bills the legislation that will excite
the most discussion relates to til reye-
nues and currency. There will also be
determined efforts to augment our mil
itary establishment, encourage ship
ping, help the whisky interest,
benefit the Mississippi river,
perfect the machinery OF
the electoral college, relieve the gu
preme court, arrange an i~nprovised
system of dealing with private claims,
frame a satisfactory bankrupt law and
alter the postal laws in some particu-
lars. The railroads are to have no
mercy, land grants will be strictly ION
strued, the diplomatic and consular
service is to be critically scanned, Fitz
John Porter is to be restored to the
army, the Chinese must not come, and
the Mormons must go. Thus it will
be seen that enough work is mapped
out to make a busy and a useful ses-
sion, though it may be cut short by the
anxiety of the various members CON
corning their campaign interests.
The question of social precedence In
official life in Washington is still a
favorite theme of conversation aud a
topic for newspaper paragraphs. The
latest report is that the president was
a little annoyed by the comments made
upon his New Years reception, main
ly because he feared that they we're
disagreeable to the lady, Mrs. Carlisle,
TO whom he gave precedence. Another
favorite topic generally discussed by
statesmen and others at this time ID
the proposed law which is to alter OF
extend the line Of presidential success
sion. 1t GEMS a little curious that
these two questions of social prece-
dence and constitutional law should
have become rife just at the same time.
But there is a decided affinity between
the two subjects. How much the par
ticulsr question of social precedence
as to the proper place among the high
est officials of the speaker and his wife
depends upon the other one Of the con
stitutional law in regard to the success
sion to the presidency, none who
have not given thought to the matter
between them that when the law regu-
latiDg the presidential succession is
altered in any way from that now in
force, the social code Of etiquette in
regard to the four highest offices must
be changed also. In fact u change of
that law known as section 146 of the
revised statutes, which provides for the
succession IN the order named, first OF
the president pro ZEN. of the senate,
and next of the speaker of the house
for the time being, in case of vacancies
in the offices OF both president and vice
president, would bring about what the
French would call a 'bouleversement''
in Washington society, so thoroughly
mixed up are social gossip and consti-
tutional law here at the national cap.
ital.
Strangers in the city and new mem
bers OF congress have been asking
lately, docs the president ever have
any receptions? Does anything ever go
on at the White House in the way Of
gayety?" Those who remember that
during preceding administrations four
in a season has been the least number
of public receptions given by night at
the White House make inquiries as to
why the executive mansion is so quiet
this year, though the season is two
weeks gone. In fact, Mr.. Arthur has
held only four absolutely public recep-
tions siuce be became president. All
told, he has devoted just six hours TO
public Observation-Disclosures hours in
1882, two hours in 1888, and one up to
date in 1884. He manages to take a
good deal Of exercise on horseback this
cold weather, and Is paying careful at
tention to his health. LENox.
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