Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-11-14
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. Nov. s. 1873,

WASHINGTON, Nov. B. 1885.
In less than a month the Forty
Ninth Congress will be in session on
Capitol Hill. Quite q number Of its
members are now in the city, busy
ing themselves about their winter
quarters, and matters relating to the
reorganization OF the next House.
As no contest is expected over the
S~peakership, the excitement of q
contest is avoided this year. Mr.
Randall is not a candidate for the
office, and the majority in the House
will at once re-elect Mr.. Carlisle and
most of the other old officers. Mr..
Carlisle is expected to arrive daily
As usual no important legislation
is expected until after the Christmas
holidays, but there will be many
matters of interest to demand the at
tention of the law makers up to that
time. After that there Will be a sui
%ficient numbered important questions
presented to keep both branches Of
Congress actively employed until
late in the summer. The chances
are, however, that seven or eight
months will be given to civil service
talk, silver talk, and tariff talk, and
that the session will end, leaving all
these questions just where they are
to-day.
There is much braggadocio among
Democratic Congressman to the eff.
feet that there will be perfect har-
mony in their ranks in support of
the President. That will depend en-.
tirely upon the position Mr.. Cleve.
land takes upon several leading
questions. 1t is not possible that a
majority Of his party in Congress
will stand by his silver policy, as
formulated in the letter that created
so much connection in the House
last spring. Then there are several
other issues upon which the Demo
cratic party is sure to clash.
The elections of the past week in
New York and Virginia are destined
to form an important factor in shap.
ing the policy ofthe Administration,
and the action of political parties.
The Administration did much in
both states to win a Democratic vic
tory. The wholesale removals made
of Republican officials in Virginia
and the appointment Of Democrats,
dictated by bosses of the state, gave
the Democracy a power it had not
enjoyed since the war. The Presi-
dent left the highplane Of his inaugur-
al address and descended to practical
party politics. By his example he
said; if you want to win a political
victory, you must vote and put up
your money voluntarily, without as
sessment.n He taught Government
clerks everywhere that it was neither
a violation of civil service, nor was
it offensive part;sanship to leave
their public duties, go home to vote,
and back up their choice with their
money.
The President is having a quiet
time at the White House now, since
his order excluding Office holders
went into.effect. No Senators or
Members call, and the messenger at
the door states to each caller that he
is compelled to ask everys visitor
to state his business. None but
Cabinet officers are permitted to pass
in without first declaring that their
business is not place hunting.
Secretary Evarts has taken a hand
some house here for the season. He
intends to entertain extensively, and
to make his home the Republican
head quarters for the winter.
The most important social events
of the week were the dinners given
by the Japanese Minister. AT the
one given to the Cabinet, only two
Cabinet officers were present, Secre-
taries Bayard and Lamar. Each
member Of the Cabinet accepted the
invitation, except Attorney General
Garland. Early in his political ca.
reer he made a solemn VOW that he
would never attend state dinners, or
wear a swallow-tailed coat. Secre-
taries Manning, Whitney, and En-
dicott sent regrets at the seventh
hour, and went home to vote.
Secretary Bayrd estranged the
two South Carolina Senators some
time ago by showing them rudeness
in regard to some foreign appoint
ments they wanted him to make.
He regained the friendship of Sena-
tor Wade Hampton by apologizing,
and the two gentlemen dined to-
gether recently. Amicable rela.
tons between the Secretary ofState
and Senator Butler, it is said, can
never be restored by apologies.