Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-08
Congress-.

The Forty ninth Congress commenced
its labors Monday. As was expected Mr..
Carlisle was reelected Speaker. The
Senate elected Mr.. Sherman President
pro tenn OF that body. The duties and
RESPONSIBILITIES of the Office could not be
placed in better hands. There was a
strong public sentiment in favor of Logan
for the place, but his peremptOry decina-
ton to accept the nomination obliged the
republican senators to select another can
didate. and the choice of Sherman fol-
lowed.
Among the first business that will come
before the Senate will be the consideration
of the appointments to office made by the
President since the last Congress ad-
journed. These must be sent in for &C
ton before the expiration of thirty days.
While the republican senators will make
no factious opposition to the incumbents
of offices appointed by the President, it
will be their duty to oppose appointees
unfit and unworthy to hold places Of pub
lie trust under the government. Unless
senators oppose such appointments they
will be held responsible with the Presi-
dent for them There is a great deal of
interest felt among the people in regard to
this matter. by republicans as well as
democrats, which will not abate until the
Senate has acted. Most of the objection
able appointments of the President have
been mentioned and discussed in the
columns of the newspapers, so that sena-
tors cannot be ignorant who the persons
are and the objections to them.
The first subject before the House after
the completion of its organization will
be that of revising the rules. This
originates in party quarrels aud differences
among democrats, and is due chiefly to a
desire to humble MIR. Randall. The Pres
ident It is said Is actively interested against
the changes in the rules proposed.
In regard TO business to come before
Congress affecting vital interests of the
country. very little seems to be known.
Subjects Of the deepest Importance need
attention, such as the restoration of our
shipbuilding and shipowning interests,
fisheries questions, the carrying trade up
on the ocean, the silver question, increase
Of the efficiency of the navy, interstate
commerce, national banks and the cur.
rcncy the succession to the Presidency the
securing of fair ballot and honest count
at national elections. these and all others
appear to have been forgotten by the ad-
ministration party in the fierce struggle
over the division of the spoils, which is
all that has employed the President and
his advisers since this reform admins.
tration" was inaugurated, albeit we were
told during the canvass of 1884 that il
Cleveland were elected there would be nc
unseemly wrangles about the offices, only
pure and upright men would be appointed
and no republican would be asked to give
up office and no democrat would be install.
ed in Office for partizan considerations. Mr.
Tilden's letter to Speakea Carlisle was per.
haps intended to arouse the democracy to g
sense OF the necessity of stopping their
disgusting wrangling about offices and at
tend to public business, but in their eager
search for offensive partizans' and official
plumber they are likely to forget thst Con
gressmen have other duties to perform.