Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-12-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.

1.-THE members Of the 49th Congress
are arriving in the city daily. They
are talking about the SpeakershiT
contest, about revising the rules O
the Lower House. about the Senato's
oppoition to Presidential appoint.
ments, and about the questions to be
presented this winter to the new Con
gress.
While it is understood that the
Democratic majority will re-elect Mr.
Carlisle Speaker, the Republicans will
give the complimentary nomination
to n Of their brethren. AS the
Member thus selected becomes the
virtual leader of the minority, certain
interest centres in the coming action
Of the House Repuclidan caucus.
Several names are mentioned for
this honor. They are Messrs. Reed
Of Maine, Hiscock Of New York. Long
of Massachusetts, and Mckinley of
Ohio. The two former are really the
only candidates, and it is thought
that Mr.Reed will get the nomination.
Being moro aggressive and more
courageous in the expression of his
opinions than.Mr. Hiscock, he is the
natural leader Of the Republican
minority.
Mr.. Reed is a ready, ~irrepressible
talkec, and spends a large part Of his
time in Congress on his feet, either in
speaking or in button holing his
confreres. He knows well how to
utilize his own information, and he
has a sarcastic style hal is heighten-
ed by an exasperating GOODNESS. Both
he and Mr.. Hiseock are men Of
experience, each having served several
terms in the House. Mr.. Hiscock is
slow IN his movements and methods.
He does not speak often, and has no
gift for shining fire Of an acrimonious
debate. He is a rich man, and during
the winter givest fine dinners
The Republican leaders are all
h~igh-tariff advocates. All Of the
leaders on the Democratic side, with
the exception Of Mr.. Randall, are pro-
nounced revenue reformers. There
fore the battle in the House between
protection and reform Of the tariff.
promises to be fought on strict party
lines.
There is SO much complaint against
the rules Of the House Of Represent
%atives, that efforts will be made early
il the session to improve them.
Congressman Springer says he has
spent months in divising a set Of rules
that will facilitate legislation. Through
the present rules the most positive
will Of the majority can be defeated
by the minority, and the interests Of
the many subordinated to the schemes
Of a few. The average day in the
House is devoted to the question
"Nhat shall we do today?" The
gentleman from Illinois says his plan
OF revision opens the way for the
prompt transaction Of business which
meets the approval of a majority.
He is willing to trust a majority Of
the representatives Of the people.
The extent to which the Republi-
can Senators will oppose the Admins
tration IN the matter Of appointments
will be determined by the caucus to
be held III about q week. A Repub-
lican Senator remarked. I do not
believe in opposing the President
because he is a Democrat. There are
two things to be considered in an
appointee whose name comes before
the Senate for confirmation: Is he
able man, and will he honestly and
efficiently administer the affairs of
his office. He did mot think the
question Of politics should be consi-
Still" continued the Senator.
president Cleveland has introduced
a new element IN stating that he
would remove no one except for
partisanship. To remove an
Republican and appoint an
offensive Democrat in his place, is, to
my mind, inconsistent, and [ shall
take that question into consideration
when appointments come up for con
fiirmatlon. [ will agree with the
Administration when I can, and differ
it when I must"
The President is working hard day
and night on his message to Congress-,
and annual reports are coming in
various branches Of the Govern
ment. General Sheridan's report
will be read with special interest,
especially his treatment Of the Indian
question. He puts himself in accord
with those who have contended for a
humane policy. He advocates giving
the Indians land in s~evera1ty as soon
as possible, and takes the ground