The Press., 1884-01-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington. D. C.. Jan. 18th 1s

Washington, D. C., Jan. 18th, 1884. The forty eighth congress entered Mon day upon it's perilous career. Organiza- ton was completed, committees were form ed, machinery was all in order for legisla- tion in both branches.
 Now for the working out of the issues of the approaching presidential campaign. Not only are the measures that promise to demand the attention of congress impor- tant in themselves, but every one is inter- ested to see what will be the attitude of parties, and of men. A formal split in the democratic ranks is. threatened, and it is confessed by all, that the differences in the party, on radical questions are serious and open. Republicans have nothing to fear so long as the democrats hold the present tanor of their way. No doubt an effort will be made, in the name of harmony and policy, to stop controversy which is so ominous of democratic defeat.
 There is discord just now between the house judiciary committee and the public lands committee concerning the Pacific railroads land grant question. Messers. Tucker of Virginia and Cobb of Indiana are the rival chairmen, each insisting that the matters be referred to his committee, and each greatly incensed at the others opposition. could cite number of such family rows.
 Considerable work was done in con- nnittee during the recess, but most of the committees met for the first time this week, and agreed upon the hours for their priation bills are ready for the action of congress, and others will quickly follow. Outside of these supply bills, the legisla- tion that will excite the most discussion relates to the revenues and currency. There will also be determined effort to augment the military and naval establish ment to encourage shipping to help the whisky interests i; improve the Mississippi river perfect the machinery of the elect oral college; relieve the supreme court arrange an improved system of dealing with private claims frame satisfactory bankrupt law alter the postal laws in some particulars and preserve the un- squandersd remnant of the public domain from the rapacity of railroads. So you sec enough work has been mapped out to make busy and useful session, but the fact that the two houses are at variance politically will be serious embarrassment to legislation.
 During the week over thirteen hundred bills have been presented in the house. The session so far has been marked by an unusual number of proposed amendments to the constitution. One of the latest was by MT. Sumner of Wisconsin for limiting the veto power of the president, by pro- viding that measure may be passed over his veto by majority vote. A bill was offered by MT. Robinson, of New York, calling on the secretary of state for infor- nation as to whether our ministers obey the the law, which foEtids United States ministers to foreign countries to appear in public, in court dress,sand requires them to wear the ordinary apparel of American citizens.
 A bill was presented for the immediate appropriation of million dollars in &C., cordance with the urgent request of the Mississippi river commission. In the presidents message to congress this week, he reviews and comments favorably upon the work of this river commission, invites the attention of congress to the importance of the enterprise and recommends the early passage of 8 separate bill on the sub- Ject. The extensive arrangements that have been, for some time, in progress throughout the Mississippi valley states the fifth day of February, indicate that it will be the largest gathering of western citizens ever held in Washington. Its chief object will be to discuss the subject of the Mississippi river improvement in all its bearings; to determine what the neces- sities of the situation require at the hands of the government, and to formulate for pre- sentatlon to congress the representative sentiment of the states most deeply inter- ested in the work. The convention will have thousand or more delegates. Ev- cry state along the Mississippi river, and every state and territory ramifed by its tributaries, will be represented.