Daily Republican., 1885-12-29

ttVm out 8oBuier OohfssPonuenssj
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1885. -
Christmas came here In its old fashion
ed way. There were services in many
of the churches, dinner for the poor,
Christmas trees that grew up in o
night, strengthening the belief Of scep-
teal youth in Santa Claus, and pro-
fusion of those indispensable accom-
paniments of the season, turkey, cram
berry sauce, plum pudding, and fruit
cake.
The machinery of the Government
stopped for the day, the Departments
were closed, and the. clerks had holt
day.
Congress will take the world easy
until the fifth of January, when it re-
convenes. Senators and Representa-
tives scattered far and wide for the
holidays. Some went to their homes.
others ran down to New Orleans tor
few days, and many remained here.
Some were kept by anxiety to know
where they would be assigned by
Speaker Carlisle on the House Commit
tees which he is busy arranging.
As to holiday politics, may say
Senator Beck's attack upon the finan-
cial policy OF the administration just
before the Christmas recess has been
more discussed than any other subject.
The Democratic friends of the standard
silver dollar were unwilling to wait
until after the holidays without taking
issue with the President on this ques-
ton. Senator Beck fired the first gun,
significant ofan impending battle that
is likely to have powerful influence
over the fortunes of the Administra-
ton and the future of parties. The
Democratic party is badly divided on
the silver question, and there is nc
telling what the outcome may be.
Representative Reagan, of Texas, a
Democrat of long service In the House,
says he fears his party will go to
pieces. Congress is expected to become
involved in this contest soon after it
re-assembles.
The Democrats are badly in reed OF
leader in the Senate. Senator b. & Z
was supposed to be the man, hut his
last performance haa bewildered his
political brethren. Senator Voorhe. 9 il
said to be sulking because he has no,
been given all the patronage he wants
Senator Harris, of Tennessee. cannot
speak for the President on the silver
question, because he comes from that
part of the country favorable to sill yer.
In Their dilemma Senator Vest has
come to the front a. the mau best fitted
to be the mouthpiece of the Admins.
tration. He has little to show, however,
against such an array Of talent as may
be found on the Republican side Of the
aisle, where are such men as Logan,
Edmunds, Sherman, Hoar, Ingalls,,
Frye, Evsrts, Teller, Hawley, Dawes,
Allison, Morrill, and others.
IL is q significant fact that Demo.
cratic Senators are fighting their Presi-
dent, when Congress 10 yet only two
weeks old. Senator Eustis of Louis.
lana declared against him lorg ago, az
will be remembered, and others are
~aiting to oppose some of his nominA.
tions In secxet session.
A ridiculous Hunder was recently
made by the appointment to an Office In
the Treasury Department of q young
North Carolina lawyer. He had never
studied book keeping, but he readily
secured the support OF his State delega.
ton, and was appointed by the Score
tary Chief of the division of receipts
and expenditures. The duties of this
Office deal entirely with bookkeeping
and finding himself entirely at sea IL
his business, he resigned. Instances Of
such inadequacy on the part of new
| anpointees are common enough hui
thsy do not have the honesty or moral
courage to acknowledge their untitnesl
by offering their resignation. r.