St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1885-12-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington, Dec. IA, 1885,

SOEItO pldCO VI aSSCAuUIaSc IOI lilo
great associations of the country.
During the week two important organi-
cations held conversations here. One
was the American health Association,
and the other was the Federation of
Labor Unions of the United States and
Canada. These, with the meeting of
the Forty Ninth Congress, made the
week one Of especial interest.
The Sanitary gathering was composed
largely of doctors from every quarter
OF the Republic, and among the many
important scientific subjects which
they treated exhaustively, was that of
dlisposing of the dead. From the ex
pressions used in their debates, it was
evident that they had very little rev' +
ence for mans remains after he dies.
They were almost unanimously in ia
gOrof cremation.
The Workingmen'sC Congress ordered
that the Eight-hour rule be enforced on
the irstef May, and gave expression to
many other of the laborer's wants in
no uncertain language. They held a
significant massmeeting and parade of
Thursday evening. 1t vas remarked
by politicians, religiOnists and social
philosophers who witnessed the scene,
that Of all the parades seen on Pensyl
yaniaavenue, Republican, Democratic,
military or inaugural, none have been
impelled by motives more positive than
81, 1hD1 So Ia
parade.
During this first week of the new
Congress, neither. the Senate nor the
House has done anything more than TO
prepare for work. As you know. de
bates on bills cannot begin until COM
mittees report the bills, and as yet only
one bill has been sanctioned by COM
mittee. This is the Hoar succession
bill, which reached the Senate to-day.
1t will be taken up ut once, and though
1t will give rise to considerable discus
sion, it is likely to be passed during the
week. In all important features it is
the same bill passed by the Senate last
session, and will put Cabinet officers in
the line of succession to the Presidency
in,case of the death of both the Presi-
dent and Viee.President.
In the House of Representatives the
important question now is revision of
therules, and as the Speaker will not
even announce the arrangement OF the
standing committee until the matter of
rules is settled no real work need be
expected from that body for some time.
Mr.. Carlisle is engaged with his
troublesome duty of committee making.
Much of the time he is closeted with
some of his trusted friends, and they
talk the matter over and over again.
Members write notes to him asking to
be placed on this or that committee,
where they think they will find the
most. congenial work.
tits probable, that a revolution in the
business methods of the House will be
adopted during this week, and that the
plan will be that proposed by Mr.. Morri-
son, the author of the Horizontal tariff
bill of last session. 1t provides for
distribution Of the work of the ApprO-
priatiOns committee. This object will
not be accomplishment after IL sharp
contest. The struggle will not be in
henature OF party conflict, however,
but between those who think that the
plan will facilitate business and those
who think it will result in increased ex-
penditures to make such changes at
this time.
The President naturally feels much
gEatifed at the almost universal praise
which his first message has evoked.
Nor did he find the first week OF Con-
gress SO harassing as many expected.
Senators and Members called rpon him,
but there were fewer appeals for Office
made to him than to any President at
the assembling of Congress for years.
About three hundred of theP Presidents
recess nominations have been sent TO
the Senate fer confirmation. Republi-
can Senators discussed in caucus the
policy to be adopted in regard to them.
There was an animated debate and
quite difference of opinion manifested.
Some favored general opposition. Others
admitted that good appointments SHOULD
not be opposed. Time only can prove
what course they will pursue.
The Republicans Of the House adop-
tad in caucus resolution which was q +
purely demagogical scheme to capture
the soldier vote. They declared Id "a
.vOr of unconditional repeal OF the liTni-
tatien of the payment on arrears of
pensions, and also in favor Of further
extensions of the pension system.