Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-11-26
WASHINGTON Letter.
IRON Our REGULAR CORRESPONDENCE
Washington, Nov. %, 1885.

(FROM Our REGULAR CORRESPONDENCE
Washington, Nov. %, 1885.
People are rapidly drifting back to
the Capital. Senators, Members Of the
House, and sections of that large non
Official winter population of Washing
ton are arriving daily.
The members OF Congress already
here are occupied chiefly in perfrcting
arrangements for locating their famll-
les and in discussing tie probable is
sues of the session. They agree upon
at least two subjects, first, that the
House rules must be changed early in
the session so as to facilitate legislation,
and secondly; that the silver question
will come up promptly for considera-
! ton.
Just now there is an unusual demand
among Congressman for books relating
to financial subjects. Concerning this
demand, we'll known politician disre-
spectiui y remarked ut Is we'll, , mean
ing that it was IL subject upon which
the average Congressman needs to be
informed. He thought "a little learn
ing was never a more dangerous
thing than when applied to leglsla
ton on finance.
Senator Allison has been numbered
among the friends of silver in Congress,
and his opinion, to the effect that the
further coinage Of the silver dollar
might be suspended, has special signd-
ca1ct. lie Will acquiesce in stopping
coinage teporarily as an experiment,
The opening Of the new Congress is
not likely to furnish an exciting con
test over the House Offices Their dis
trbutlon is pretty well understood, only
the doorkeepcrshlp promising to afford
the semblance Of a struggle. And if
indications are to be trusted, a SEM
blance is all there will be of it. Mr.
Donelson of Tennessee is AS good as
elected Besides being considered cour-
teous and qualified, Mr.. DonelSon is a
relative of Andrew jackson, and with
Democratic House there is something
in name.
Assistant Postmaster General Steven
son has become quite popular with the
lady postmasters throughout the coun-
try by endeavoring to retain them in
office in spite Of politicians. When Mr.
Villas assumed charge Of the Post Office
Department, he ordered that no women
were to be removed from these positions
except for good reasons. This has great
" annoyed Democratic members of
Congress with certain impatient Con-
stituents. The Statesmen were not
slow in devis!ng plans to evade the
rule, however, and they used onl y the
initials of names ir asking for remov.
ais, in cases where the incumbents We're
women. A number of detenseless ones
were thrown out of office by the au-
thorities here not knowing their sex. =
Mr.. Stevenson was much chagrined
when he discovered that he had been
led unconscousy to violate a rule, and
at once ordered that the women be re-
instated where the commissions had not
been sent to their successors.
1t is said President Clevelands mes
sage will not occupy more than four
average newspaper columns. This will
be considered quite an improvement on
the eight column messages of the past.
1t cannot be denied that prolixity has
been a fault of many Presidents in
making their annual communications
to Congress and the country. There
are many topics requiring only brief
generalization. One of President Ar
thurs messages was stolen and publish
ed before it was delivered to Congress.
So was Gen. Grants first message. and
one of the messages of Mr.: Hayes was
bought for 81 900 of printer by some
newspaper men and published before
it's time. President Cleveland is moth
ing If not cautious, and a premature
publication of his first message is not
probable.