The Press., 1884-12-25
WASHINGTON. LETTER.
Washington, D. C., Dec. 2

The third week Tn congress has been the busiest and most interesting of the pres- ent session. The senate first said, by a majority of ten, thct Dakota should be re- ceiyed into the union of states then it listened to some speeches on the silver question from Senators Beck and Sher- man discussed naval appropriations i; touched on Indian land leases gave hur- ried a attention to a number of minor mat ters, read and referred new bills, and held secret sessions over the Spanish treaty, which is before it for ratification. It is most likely the public will have an oppor- tunity to hear this treaty discussed. Sen ator Van Wyck has asked that the senate throw open its doors and refrain from the solemn farce of executive sessions over commercial treaties, about which the whole country is interested and informed, and his request is being considered by the committee on foreign relations.
 Senator Beck, in his silver speech, indi- cated what the incoming administration would do, when, as he said, the enemies of the silver bill were out of the way. In reply, Senator Sherman told him, if MT. fBaYafd should be tho next secretary of the treasury, 1t would have no less trouble in solving this question than others had found.
 During part of each daily session sine . congress opened the house of representa- tives has been debating the interstate commerce bill. Members have differed as to the details of the bill, but it was just ready to be passed, when To, color line dilemma arose. Dismay was depicted on many faces whensa colored congressman from the old north state moved an amend ment providing for the freedom of the cars to negroes who have paid their fare. A bitter debate has followed, and the dem ocrats have held several conferences. -
 MT. O'Hara insisted that while dumb brutes were being protected in transit and every other interest shielded, it was time
 to protect the rights of the colored citizen. He disavowed the allegation that his mo- tion had been made for a political pur- pose. He said he did not care to raise political issue two years before a campaign begins, but he thought that while public sentiment and the healthy influences of the nineteenth century stared Jus in the face, it was too late for the American con- gress to legis1ate oR the color question. Amid applause on the republican side of the chamber, he closed his speech by say- ing, "Whether man was white or black. humble or exalted, plebeian or aristocrat. if he pays his fare and decently behaves himself, he is entitled to the rights that his money and desire prompt" The bill will probably pass, but so loaded with amendments as to need much revision in the senate. s-- -,
 The house approved the. bill for de- partment of agriculture, and when it be- comes law, the commissioner of agricul- ture will be cabinet officer, and will be called the secretary of agriculture
 Tie silence of the funny men in con- gress this session has caused remark. None of them take the trouble to fulfil the duties imposed by their talents and raise laugh. MT. Ochiltree of Texas, though he smiles at grief, says nothing. Even Belford, the irrepressible, became solemn after his defeat, and has never smiled again. The house has. missed hls red locks, and the jack-in-th the-box agility with which he was wont to bob up last session and demand that the treasury vaults be opened and the surplus revenue" pourt d out to suffering people. Nor has Mr. Cox, of New York, this session made his usual labored effort to be funny.
 Still there are other kinds of fame, and Culher,son, ,ef Texas, has just himself as man of candor He is the only member of the house who has acknowledged that he is dependent on the arts of the toilet for his beauty. The other day, gentleman introduced to him, expressed surprise at his youthful appear anee. "Qh, I look younger than I am," said he, because I dye my hair and