The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-12-05
Washington Letter.
Special Correspondence to The Bulletin.
WASHINGTON, Dec. /, 1884.


that possibly Mr.. Cleveland may have
voice in the selecting Of his cabinet.
Members who have arrived In the city
express the opinion that congress will not
find time this session te attempt any very
important legislation. Besides the appro-
priation bills, the land grant forfeiture
question will probably be taken up, and it
promises TO be q long and bitter fight.
Some of the members however have not
given up the idea of tackling the tariff, and
say that something should be done this SEES
sion. Mr.. Morrison, 1t is understood, is
primed for another fight. He looks upon
the success of the democratic party as an
endorsement of tariff reform, and has eI-
pressed the opioion that something should
be done this winter to reduce the revenue
If congress is disposed however to make
busy and eveutfu session Of it, there is no
| LEGISLATION. There is for instance the sill
yer coinage question, which urgently calls
| for attention. A very respectable element
is calling for bankruptcy law; there is a
great desire 10 legal and business circles
for action which shall expedite the work If
the supreme court; much remains to be set
tied respecting the relations of railroads
and land corporations to the government;
and there are various private canal and
railroad schemes to which congress vii
be asked to give a helping hand; the pen
sion laws are not yet satisfactory to some
| influential classes; and the friends of the
shipping Interests look upon last winters
legislation as merely preliminary, and are
anxious to follow it up by broader meas
ures the education bill presents its claims
| to the house; and two or three territories
which have now large and ambitious pop
ulation are clsmoring for the rights and
dignities of states. It will be seen readily
therefore that even if congress prefers to
ignore the tariff and follow precedents pref
ty closely in the appropriations, there is an
abundance of important subjects on which
it can pro6tably spend the winter.
Among the first questions presented at
the capitol day will be a resolution in
the house calling for a diplomatic iDvesti-
CATION of the actions of the French in pros
ecuting work on the Panama canal, and de-
clanng in favor Of the American policy of
performance on this continent. Several
leading democrats have the matter in
charge, and 1t is indeed gratifying to see
Soma inclination towards enforcement OF
the Monroe doctrine. The Representatives
of the three great isihmian inter-oceanic
transit project are gathered here in antici-
patton of some action by Congress on this
important question. The Panama people
are simply anxious to be let alone. The
Nicaragusn people want substantial recog
niuon. The Tehauntepic people are will
ing to take anything they Can get. james
B. Esds, the father of the Tehauntepic
scheme, went to London last summer to get
some money. don't understand that be
got any there, but he has apparently gotten
some on the way home, for he is exhibiting
quietly to New York capitalists working
model of his inter-ocesnic ship railway
which cost him $4,000 and occupies TWEEN.
ty feet OF space. He is now arranging tc
exhibit it at New Orleans.
The Washington monument is coming
along towards completion The cap stone
will be set this week. The tip of the cap
stone will be composed Of alumni, and il
the largest device ever made Of tina, metal
1t is about four feet high, and as sharp rs
a moderately dull needle at its apex. There
are several reasons why this particular
metal was used. To begin with, it is {
good lightning conductor and will serve al
the top of the lightning rod; then 1t doet
not tarnish, but will always remain bright
1t has much the same appearance as silver
The most distinguished military ,ribuna
that has assembled IN this country since ttt
close of the war is now in session in asma
upper room in the Corcoran building On,
maior-general and Fix bngadier-generals o
the regular army, nanked by three colonel'
of the line on either hand, occupy the long
table. Scho6eld, Terry and Miles ii
would be hard to find three more dis,in
gushed looking men. The staff genersl
Rochester, Holabrd, Murray and New'or
are men Of dignity and power. l believe
| is the first time in the history of the coun
try that u man holding the rank of briga
dier.general has been on trial in time o
peace and the court is making short wofl
OF General Swain. LEMON
-
Alphonso had hs Spain. He'd bette
| .,.a /, ,.;,h O. Jonnhp MI Surp curp