The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-01-17

Col. "Tom " Ochlltree
avs that he is the first native Texan
,ver elected to Congress, and as the
Colonel is bachelor he omitted to say
when he was born, bat gives his age
.way when he states that at the age OF
ixteen he engaged in the Indian cam
,aign of lS54-5; he is, therefore, forty
TX or thereobouts.
NATIVITY OF THE MEMBERS.
The only native of Washington In
Congress is Gilbert M. Woodward, of
Wisconsin, whose birth in this city
Vas accidental. New York leads in
he House with 35 native sons; Penn
,ylvania, SO Ohio, 81; Kentucky and
Virginia, II each l.; Massachusetts, and
l3 each; North Carolina,
u. Of the entire Arkkansas delega-
ion (7) in both Houses, but single
was born in the State. Only
Two of the Mississippi delegation ~
are natives of the State, but she gets
even by having sons in the Arkansas,
and California delegations.
Of the 4Ol SeDators and Congressman,
267 are lawyers, while the remaining
represent over forty different
trades aud professions.
AGAIN AT WORK.
Nine-tenths of the senators and con-
gressmen have returned from their
holiday vacation, and once more Con- |
gress is in session. During the recess
Randall's committee on appropriations
remained in the city aud accomplished |
a great deal of business, while none of
the other committees had sufficient
quorums to formulate any measures
tor Introduction in the House this
week.
RANDALL's POLICY
is to get the appropriation bills in shape
as soon as possible and push them
through in order that Congress may
adjourn at an early date. He believes
that this ought to be short and busy
session, and many members seem to
coincide with that view.
The House ways and means and
commerce committees will meet today
and they expect in a short time to SUBJ
NIT a number of measures for action.
On the whole this month will record
some lively times in both branches.
THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION
question will probably be settled this
Winter by the passage of a bill pro-
viding that the line of succession from
Vice-Presidency shall be the President
of the Senate pro tom, next the Speaker
of the House, and finally the Chief
Justice of the U. S Supreme Court,
with one to fill the office until another
election has been ordered and taken
place. Ex-senator Eaton, now a rep
resentative in the House, from Con-
necticut, will champion such bill,
and it has large number of advocates.
THE HUNTINGTON LETTERS
are st1II the great theme OF conversa-
tion among politicians. One benefit
Will accrue to the country from their
publicity, and that is, they ale an in
superable obstacle to the Huntin gton-
Mills-Crocker scheme to grab the Tex
as Pacific land grant. Fourteen mil
lions acres of land are involved in this
grant. and the committee ON public
lands have prepared a mum ber of bills
declaring it forfeited, together with
about $4,000, coo acles in the north
west. Very few members, in the light
of these letters and the Newell diary
duplicating several Western Senators
and Representatives rs having receiv-
ed over $500, 900 to aid in securing the
passage of the grants, will dare to op-
pose the forfeiture of these public gifls
to the railway monopOlies, gifts that
were secured by the shameless lobby
of l870-72.
BRIEF NOTES.
It is now settled that Mrs. Carlisle is
the official head of society in Wash
ington. The Presidents recognition
of this fact New Years day cOmpels
the wives of the Cabinet dignitaries to
submit to the ruling, though few of
them acquiesce very upgracefully.
The Presidents health is declining
very rapidly. So say those who have
enjoyed his personal acquaintance for
years. He is troubled with insomnia.
The Greeley Relief Board have COM
pleted their inquiries from ex- Arctic
explorers as to the best and most prac-
tical plan for relief expedition, and
VIII soon recommend some definite
action.
Mr.. Blaine's late conference with
President Arthur Is gradually leaking
out, and causing considerable specula-
ton as to its final result. Further
developments may he expected
District Attorney Cork bill said to
me- the other day that he had no doubt
of his reappointment by the President.
He exhibited to me telegram from
Mr. Crowley, of New York, pledging
Mr.. Corkhill his Influence, and saying
that he had written the President urg-
ing COrkhill,s retention whose term