Weston weekly leader. [volume] (Weston, Umatilla County, Or.) 1878-189?, 1885-02-20
oUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


bably De uuii uulii Wv
February, when the monument
will be dedicated, and then for two
weeks or until the fourth Of March,
the city will be ss lively as crowds
and great expectations can make 1T.
Congress has resolved not to do
much more than pass appropriation
bills. The executive departments
move along in o despairins way
with their routine work. The sad
eyed government clerk awaits with
fear and trembling the day OF po-
litical judgment, hoping that
Cleveland may overlook all his sins
Of omission and commission and
retain him in the trust he has so
long abused. Democratic polite
ians have gone in large numbers to
meet the President-elect in New
York. Republican politicians with
out leader or q cause are doing
nothing.
Society, dear, simpering, pealy
mouthed society continues to smile,
and smile and bs william. Indeed
it must be ehronicled that society
has smiled too much and tho often
this winter. The punch has been
too hsady, and there have been
some rows and orgies in high life.
These things do not get into the
papers, they are personal matters,
and net of sufficient Importance to
be spread before the world, but tho
result Of certain disgraceful episodes
at dancing parties and receptions
is that the punch will be brewed
milder in certain West End houses
in the future.
Mr.. Beecher was here during
the week az lecturer and there is
no doubt that he was cut by his old
Republican admirers. 1t is true
that the Democrats helped to I'LL
the breach, but the Democrats are
not numerous or rich yet. The
hall was not much more than half
full, and for the first time in years
the great orator saw many vacant
seats before him. If he will come
again next year he will have a bet
ter house; he is an entertaining
lecturer, and, as q prophet, is su-
psrior to the Editor of the New
York San.
Mr.. Cleveland has invited
. llrge number Of prominent
Democrats to meet him in New
York, and so far as heard from
none have sent their regrets. There
was almost quorum of Congress
men in New York on Friday. A
Virginia delegation has gone tt
urge the appointment of Mr.. Bar
bour as Postmaster General. Mr.
Barbour is we'll fitted for the place
and his appointment would NEAR
the utter extinction Of the pestileni
little Malone.
The Democratic statesmen who
have returned from New York seem
to be one and all impressed with th.
honesty Of purpose, and good com
mon sense Of Mr.. Cleveland. It
observed also that they have caugh
FROM Mr.. Cleveland the contagiol
Of holding their tongues. The,
perslstently refuse to disclose sn,
private conversations held between
President, Cleveland, and hi
pHrty associates. Tne Republican
are looking and praying for fac
tlonal fights and political blunder
an the new administration. Nan,
Democratic leaders have been to se
Mr.. Cleveland in the last six week.
and they have all cone away pleas
ed with the coming President an
determined to do all in their powe
to make his administration sut
cessful.
There is prospect of still furthe
reduction of postage, by increasin
the weight of 6rst.class matter tbs
may be carried for two cents, fro,
a'half ounce to two ounces tn
Committee appointed by the pul
fishers OF the West and North We.
TO urge upon Congress the prophet
and justice of reducing the postae
on newspapers, report progre,
which is encouraging. The Hou,
committee on Pest Offices is in f
vOr of reducing postage from tu
cents a pound to one cent. I'll
present tax of postage on newsp
psrs is very heavy one, amour
ing to little less than two millic
dollars per annum. The posta,
was put on about ten years ago
certain men in Congress who to,
this method of revenge for har
criticism received from the pre,