St. Landry democrat., 1885-12-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent

Inc event IN washington to-day was
the beginning of Congress. The SEES
sion opened in the usual way. There
were crowds in the spectators galleries
and in the corridors of the Capitol,
while on the floor of the House there
was the old time confusion, hustle,
noise, handshaking, exchange of CON
gratulations and introductions. The
old officers were reelected from the
Speaker down. The Republicans gave
a complimentary vote for Speaker 20
Mr.. Reed Of Maine.
There were more, than hundred
new faces among the Representatives,
and the hall looked much improved by
its new carpet and freshly vanished
furniture. The seat drawing presented
the usual amusing scene of expectation,
suspense, and disappointment on the
countenances of the fortunate and less
fortunate Members.
The Senate chamber looked but little
changed since the last adjournment'
except for the Grape draping and floral
decorations around the chair OF the
late Vice-President. The Senate
opened as quietly as if its vacation had
been only nine hours instead of nine
months.
Senator John Sherman was elected to
succeed Mr.. Hendricks as President
pro TEN, Senator Logan having de-
clined the first caucus nomination for
the place. Nothing could have been
more repugnant to the Democrats than
the selection of Sherman. They would
have preferred Logan, as the lesser
evil. While Senator Logan is narrow,
positive partisan, his discreet action
after the last Presidential election was
in marked contrast to the undignified
conduct of Mr.. Blaine. And then it
must be admitted that while he has
been in Congress during q period of
unparalleled extravaganza and cOrrup-
ton, his personal honesty has not been
questioned.
Sherman is an accomplished hypo-
erite. While protesting patriotism, he
would at any moment be willing to
plunge the country in war, if he could
thereby promote his own selfish inter-
ests. During his public life, in Wash
ington, while engaged in no other
business ostensibly, and while receiv-
ing the limited pay of Congressman or
Secretary of the Treasury he has accu-
mulated fortune estimated at several
millions. He is known to have been
the brains in the Presidential theft of
1876, and to have been always an I'M
scrupulous, plausible, ambitious, avari-
cious demagogue.
The Presidents message is ready for
Congress and will probably be sent in
at to-morroW's session. OF the Cabi-
net reports sent to the President, that
of Secretary Whitney may be mem
toned as one of the ablest. He has
found during his incumbency, decaying
dock-yards, sQuandered millions, bad
management, and no ships. He scatch-
ingly reviews past methods, and holds
that the only remedy is in complete re-
organization of the Navy Department.
While he wastes no time in dragging to
light past rascalities or in making accn-
. Stations against former Secretaries, the
plain manner in which he exposes the
mismanagement, evasions and viola
tions of law that existed when he as
sumed control, is the most effective in
dictment he could make against his
predecessors.
In regard to prospective legislation
it may be asserted that the House will |
first give attention to a change of its
rules. Then a bill will be presented
for giving the Presidential succession
to the Cabinet. 1t is urged that the
temporary President, provided BY such
q bill, would not be the peoples choice.
but neither would an officer elected by
the Senate. Such bill would meet the
emergency better than any other plan
that has been proposed, for it would
secure the continuance in power of the
party and the Administration elected
by the people.
Then there viii be debates on the
Silver question, and hard fight over it
and the tariff. There are many theo-
ries among the silver men. The West
will be for silver. the East against it,
Ind the Sout h will be divided.
The session has opened very quietly
nut sensations wiz come later. Among