Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-02

Washington. and equal thar of all the
other daily paper. here added together.
Underlying the transactions of Congress dur
ing the session now about opening will be at
tempts by the leaders of both parties to sketch
out the campaign Of SSS. The candidates and
The watch-woras for that campaign will now be
anxiously considered. We must remember
that IN less tisen year n new House OF Repre-
sentatives is TO be chosen and that the nomi.
mating conventions for 1SSS are but two years
and a half distant. IL will be OF the greatest
Importance, therefore, TO come to an under
standing this winter as to men and policies for
the coming struggle
For the moment great uncertainty reigns on
these matters in both parties. Many in each
camp would like to be led forth to battle under
the old captains and on the same lines The
issue in 1881 hung by n hair, and many repub-
licans are quite willing TO try their luck q Sec
Ond time with Blaine, believing that he was de-
feated more by chance than from any signih-
cant expression of preference by the nation.
Mr.. Blaine himself is represented to be taking
no interest in politics, but ii Will be remembered
that his attitude was such for the two years
preceding his nomination in 1854. II is certain
that now, as then, his friends do not regard him
out of the fight, and his name will be freely
mentioned through the winter in all conferences
among republican leaders. Senator Logan has
declared positively that he will not run again
as the tail of the ticket, and 1t might happen
that his persistent refusal to do would upset
the hopes of the Blaine men just as Hendricks
refusal 10 run q second time disturbed Tilden's
plans in 1850.
Apart from the "old ticket" there does not
seem, as yet, to be set OF opinion towards any
one man. At the proper time a demonstration
viii doubtless be made in favor of Senator
Evarts, on the ground that he is the most avail
able candidate in New York state. But while
Mr.. Evarts is greatly admired throughout the
state, his political strength on a popular vote
can only be guessed at, for all his many honors
have sprung from his professional standing and
his appreciation by individuals who had the
control Of appointments. 1t remains to be seen
how he would run before the people.
Mr. Sherman and Mr.. Edmunds stand about
where they did when candidates began to be
mentioned and measured before the last con-
vention. Their strong and their weak points
are well known, and their claims will be dis
eussed without the excitement OF novelty.
Either would make representative candidate
and would bring out the party vote. Neither
would supply the campaign with new blood.
The democrats are fully as much at sea as the
republicans In the natural order of things,
they would be expected TO regard the opening
administration favorably and be inclined to
ratify their own choice In 1854 by renomi-
mating their old ticket. Probably the senti-
ment OF the party In this mattRr will crystalize
during the coming winter. 1t would be unwise
TO lay too much stress on the present disaffec-
ton over the Offices. III the administration
commends itself to the party during the winter
by its action with reference to public questions.
this class OF murmurings will die out of hear
Ing. Even now 1t may be noticed that there is
much less angry talk ON this subject than few
months ago. A little friction and consequent
irritation was inevitable, whatever policy the
President had adopted. Very possibly Mr..
Cleveland has really made fewer enemies by
pursuing negative and conservative course
than by trying to balance the claims of the
jealous local factions of the party.
The nrst TO appear OF the reports OF heads of
departments is that of the postmaster-genera
With some of its features the public are already
familiar through the medium of bureau reports
issued earlier in the season and through news
paper interviews bearing on the management
of the department.. This familiarity with the
subjeet-matter of the report on the part of the
public only renders them, however, better quail
lied TO give 1t intelligent attention.
Tne postmaster-general notices the decrease
in receipts owing 10 the lower rate of letter
postage, but is not inclined to be anxious over
deficit which springs from a judicious reduc-
ton OF taxation. The gap, he believes also, vii,
be only temporary. The deficiency in the
money order and registered letter offices was
caused, he thinks, by the dizziness OF trade, and
is already promising to disappear with the re.
turn of better times
A leading topic in the report is the manage
ment of the foreign mail service. On this poi nj
MI: Villas argues forcibly in support of the pol
Icy OF the department towards the steamship
companies which claimed the 100000 dis
eretionary fund for subsidy voted by Congress
With the main features OF this controversy the
public have been abundanfly enlightened by
the parties in interest, and doubtless we shall
hear much more upon this topic during the
winter.
The posfmaster-generai pays q deserved trib
ute TO the fidelity and efficiency of the letter
carriers, who, IL is shown, distributed on an ave.
rage over 100000 pieces Of mail matter each
during the year.