The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1885-02-07

b0r-PresidentfAl Notes, Etc.
WASHINGTON. D. c., Feb. 8, 1885.
ED1ToR CHIEF:
The topic of the week has been the visit
If Mr.. Randall and Speaker Carlisle to Al
bany to confer with the President-elect.
The quid ,auncs have been kept busy dis
cussing and prophesying the cause and ef-
feet of the visit, but SO far they are all IN
the dark. As was to be expected. Mr.. Ran
dali declines to make public the nature of
his conference with Mr.. Cleveland, and Mr..
Carlisle will undoubtedly be equally ret
icent. 1t may be assumed, however, that !
the conversations related to political man
agement, especially with regard to those
matters with which the Speaker Of the |
House and the leader on the floor have so
much to do. The Democratic party is un-
doubtedfy IN position at this time which t
requires the incest judgment, and it is very
desirable, therefore, that all should be done
that can be done to make the transition on
the 4th of March as smooth as possible.
There will be considerable jolt in any
event, but by careful driving the danger OF
upset will be greatly lessened.
Congress can help or hinder the new adj
ministration by its record this winter, and
hence its transactions have personal in
terest for Mr.. Cleveland, and are of inn
portance to the party generally. The Pres
ident-elect would scarcely assume the role
of dictator. but he is in position to sug-
pest and advise If the belief is right, he
has already showed his influence i'll break
ing down the Nicaragua treaty, and in like
manner the journeys of Messrs. Carlisle
and Randall may bear fruit in the pro-
ceedings of the House. His desires on the
question of an extra session, for instance,
would naturally have great weight in de-
termining the Democratic policy in that
matter And his views on what, to use
newspaper phrase, are continuing topics
of politics, would receive careful attention;
such questions, for instance, as the tariff,
the reorganization Of the navy and the civil
service.
Apropos of an extra session, there seems
no real occasion forthe expense and tur-
moil inevitably res Hing from an extra
session of Congress- hinder the peculiar cir
cumstances which will exist after the 4th.
| proximo. It is true. only twenty-six work
ing days remain to The Forty-eighth Con-
gresa. Compared With the number of days
that have passed during the last and pres
ent session, and the amount Of work per-
formed and on hand, the time is extremely
short; but brief as it is, it will be found
sufficient, if industriously utilized and eked
out with evening sessions, for the proper
disposal of all Indispensable business. All tle
appropriation bills can be gotten out Of the
way before the end Of the session, il men,
bers will discourage dilatory proceedings
and give the cold shoulder to long-wlnded
orators; and there will be quite time enough
for the passage cf other important meas
ures now pending between the two houses
Congress could astonish itself and gra.if,
the country by few days of quiet, close
continuous application of business. Tht
majority in the house would then be able
to agree upon afsae of action and taking
the bit in its mouth could push right along
on that line.
The court-martial at the Ebbitt House
finished the consideration of the case o
General Swain yesterday, and Transmitted
its findings to the Secretary of War. d.
not understand that any member OF tn
court has divulged the proceedings, but
, get the impression from all sources that b.
considerable majority it has found Gen
eral Swain guilty of the charge laid agains
3 him, which finding, if approved by the Sec
o retary.of War, must lead to his dismissa
q from the army. The finding will unques
tionably be approved, and President Arthu
o will have an opportunity to appoint eithe
some officer of the Bureau of Military Jus
, tice or some civilian friend like Gen. Sharp
to this highly desirable position.
It is said to be definitely arranged tn,
President elect Cleveland when he arrive
:. in Washington Eill go at once to the A
l1ngton Hotel and occupy suite of room
:. until he moves across the way into the E;
ecutive Mansion. Three of the sisters {
the President-elect will come with him.
~ As soon as he gives up the White Hou
- to his successor on March 4, President A
thur will go to Secretary Frelinghuysen
. residence to remain until he leaves the cit
N' lust as General Grant went when he retire
to the residence of Secretary Fish.
:, There is larger number of guests in Il
y. ~ White House than at any time during Il
present administration. Besides Mr.. Cha
~ II. Miller and Gen. Sharpe of New Yor
~ both bosom friends of the President, the
~ are Mrs. McElroy, Miss Katie Sharpe, Mi
u Harding and Miss McElroy.
~ Yours truly, ALERT.
a Bible Work at the New Orleans Expositi'
,e The American Bible Society has secured
tn privilege of placing the Scriptures in vario
- languages on sale and for gratuitous dlstrit
ton in the main building OF the Cotton &
N,Io II bao he