Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-01-09
Washington Letter.
rFrOnSuf Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, D. G.
Inrn EIh lS21

WASHINGTON, d. G.
January 5th. 1884.
There has been no lack of political
gossip, comment and conference in
Washington during the long adlour =
nent for the holiday recess; nor has
time been wholly unlmproved. There
has been solid work in several of The
committees, and some of the regular
bills will be ready for presentation as
soou as Congress re-assembles. Then,
too, the committees have lad an op-
portunity 10 become acquainted with
themselves, individually and collec
lively, 10 pull themselves together, to
measure their caliber and take their
aim. l will not carry the metaphor
further for tear may say that they
will soon be ready to shoot off their
mouths" and 1 am aware that THE
would be a departure from the severe
and classic Language which you impose
upon oil your correspondents.
The majority in Congress is no doubt
better informed on at least one impor-
tant question than 1t was two weeks
ago, and will be all the better able 10
give just expression TO the needs OF
the country, than if it had hurled leg
slauon hsp-hazzard ss some Of the
committees were nsmed.
Tie new House committees have
been thoroughly discussed during the
holidays ard tLey seem 10 give prett,
general satisfaction. Mr.. Morrison
chairman of The committee of Ways
and Mespa 10 reported 10 have said
that "ihe tariff issue canpot be avoided
and that it Is welcomed. The Repub-
licaus have invited the contest in the
call oil their National Republican Com.
lnitiee and We cheerfully scceptit it. Ii
is The issue upon which We shall 60 to
the people in the Presidential CAM
2sien Of 1884, and upon which we ex-
pect 10 win. But If The protection
Democrats shall choose 10 unite with
the Rel ublicaps, it VIII not be posi-.
bic for Us 10 pass bill even through
the House. This programme it is
thought will he opposed by the high
tariff Democrats under the Leadership
Of Mr. Randall. and a serious split ip
The party in Cong ress is predicted.
The first day Of The year was cele-
brattd in the usual way in Washington
~ tie White Honse; at the residences
of cabiLet Ulcers; at the homes Of the
wealthy, the well TO do, and the hard
VI. Tie rain came down necessarily
hut The new years caller in carriage OF
on foo. piled bis vocation. The spec
tacle at the White House when the
East Room was filed with the diplo'
matte corps, IN their respondent rega.
liza, and our Amy ard Navy officers
in their uniforms heavy with epeulettes
sashes ard gold lace was one of un-
usual spleudor.
l: is known by every one WHO has
The least familiarity with history, aid
ctr relations with other countries that
odtrn diplomacy is farce and an
anschropi,m. The roles Of the Matter.
piehs ard Chesterields ola past age
have teen superseded, even IN Europe,
BY steam, electricity and international
progress. But, # there remains SEM
blabce of txcuie fer diplon attic rela.
lions between contiguous European
Tewers, il It's in possible 10 show the
slightest NE On Our part for such rela.
lions. The gorgeous ministers, char
ges de sffair, aid attaches who called
on tie President on The first day OF
JsLuaiy performed their sole diploma.
tic duty. They can now rOst until the
Grst Of January 1885. They are very
picturesque and we would have, per-
hsps, no right 10 complain that they
are here we're it not for the reminder
that we maintain al an immense ex-
psnse, . legation ut every foreign
court that 10 represt nted in Washing
tod. This government pays millions
sppually to support 20 called diploma
tic establishments abroad that are as
utterly useless as are the bedighted
dudes called diplomates in Washing
ton. Ali international negotiations
are now transacted by wire and steam,
and the American cit.ztn who takes a
paper may read what were once state
and court secrets, and he may feel as
sured that be gets bis information from
the same source from which the modern
diplomat gets bis.