The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-12-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(FRoM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 80, 1885.

TEN. OF the senate has fallen to the re-
publicans. Naturally there has been
much discussion as to who it should
be. Thus the death of the vice presi
dent of the United States has awaken
ed an interest in republican circles
where Indifference prevailed "a few
weeks ago.
Senators Logan, Elmunds, and She:
man are the most prominent candidates
for the place. OF course none Of these
gentlemen are making canvass, nor
has any of them expressed any inclina
ton for the position, but the friends OF
each are working for them. A sharp
fight for the nomination is expected Ill
the caucus of republican senators to be
held this week
Some deluded democrats have ex-
pressed the hope that the republican
senators would elect democratic sena-
tor to preside over the senate. They
thought it would be more III accord
with the eternal fitness of things.
It would indeed be superhuman gen
erosity for the republican senators to
make up to their political opponents
t. loss susts ined in the event .ich
occurred at indianapolis last week.
But such magnanimity will not occur,
for the reason that it should not. Sen
sinental gush will have nothing to do
with the choice Of president of the
senate. Those who will make that
choice understand that it is as much
their duty to vote for republican as
it would be / they were making the
original selection.
The fashionable world of Washing
ton has been greatly interested to
know to what extent the death of the
vice president will affect social festivi-
ties here. OF course the administr.,-
ton is in mourning. The white house
will remain quiet, and there will be
no entertaining done i'll the cabinet fol
thirty days Then the black draperies
which now cover the columns Of the
white house, and are conspicuous on
the cabinet homes, the capitol, and all
government buildings, viii be removed.
The flags all over the city now floating
at half mast, the old older of things
resumed, and New Years day will, as
usual, inaugurate the social season.
President Arthur's first public recep-
ton at the white house WAS held on
the New Years day succeeding the
death President Garfield. 1t WAS OIL
that day that one Of the foreign minis
ters dropped dead at the whitehouse
and the reception was brought to :
close in consequence.
The death of Mr. Hendricks ais
changes the social situation here. Ii
wife would have Leen next to MIs;
Cleveland as leading lady, and she hat
made extensive preparation for socia
activity during the season. Mrs. hen
bricks is "a very ambitious woman, fond
of society and political power. She Il
understood to be as much Of a po!ltl
clan as her husband, and far more ener
eetic Her retirement gives her piac,
to the wife of the republican senate
who will be elected when the senat'
meets.
The president did not make known
his determination not to attend TIL
funeral of the lead vice president unit
Sunday afternoon. In his public state
ment for declining tc go, he said tha
in the first moment Of the shock c
Mr. Hendricks death he yielded t.
his inclination and declared his inten
ton to be present at the burial. After
wards he vas s,yistied that he was a
fault and that he dii not take as com
prehensive view Of duty he owet
to the public as he should. He WA
convinced that his strong personal de
, sire to be present bad clouded hi
iudgme1 t. He claimed to have looked
at the matter in all its phases, and t
have debated with his cabinet, hi
anxious callers, and in his own min'
the question to go, or not to go. Mes
sages from Indiana had much weigh
, in persuading him to stay at home
;, Secretaries Lamar, Whitney, Bayard
with the committees of senator an
representative went Oh special train
: r.