The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1885-12-19
OuR WASHINGTON LETTER
From our Regular Correspondent

WASHINGTON. D. c., Dec. TO- 1885.
The Forty-ninth Congress is now five days
old. LIS opening scenes were repetitions OF
those at other openings for years past. Eager
crowds rushed to the Capitol, undetermined
whether to lend their presence tot the Senate or
the House OF Representatives. There We're
many bandshakings among the old members,
and as usual, the new ones were conspicuous
for their sei-conscious attempts to appear
statesmanlike and at ease.
The session began with 800 Representatives
present, and ~ Senators. This is considered
excellent attendance for the first day Speaker
Carlisle took his seat as presiding officer nj
end of the Capitol and Senator Sherman at the
other. In the Senate the sombre drapery Of
| the Chamber, in memory OF Vice President
Hendricks. e0ntrasted markedly with the gay
floral gifts which covered the desks of many
Senators and the vari-colorsd costumes in thu
galleries.
The first day was taken up by the House in
orsanz!ng.swea in the members a d draw
ing seats. AS usual at tie lottery of seats, the
menbers retired behind the circle of desks and
waited impatlentiy, like 80 many school boys.
while a blindfoldod page drew from a box The
numbered marbles which correspond to the
numbers attached to their names.
Tbs second days 81 ssOn was devoted prin.
cipally to the reading Of the Presidents mes
sage IN both the Senate and House 1t occupied
one hour and forty minutes. 1t was a much
longer document than was expected. Senators
listened attentiYey to the message, and the
Presidents course in devoting more than one
firth OF 1t TO o review OF the silver question
was commented upon. The absence OF any
recommendation respecting the internal rove
nue. was criticised. Approval Of the Mexican
commercial treaty was received with surprise.
me absence Of any Argument for subsidies was
disappointment in the lobby The Indian
policy was approved by those Interested in the
fertilization OF the red man.
BfpsI1nuf'a trHa nf fba
question met with almost unanimous approval.
IL created some stir among the repreSentati es
OF the Mormon church in this city Assoun us
that part OF the message was read, Delegate
Game, OF Utah, ran out into the lobby and held
hurried consultation with the man who ia
understood here to be the Mormon lobby agent.
Then Mr.. Game hastily prepared Il dispatch to
the Mayor Of Salt Lake City, telling him that
tile President was infexible in support of the
| ant-polygamy laws.
During the reading of the message in the
House scarcely member lett his seat for the
iirst hsur. Most OF them paid close attention,
| but when ths reading went into the second
hour, seats began to be vacated on the Repub-
/ lican side of the Hall.
Comments upon the message from Repre-
sentatves were varied and Characteristic,
! When Mr. Randall was asked how he liked it,
he replled"Very muchVery much" Represen-
| tatlye Long. of Massachusetts said: Ofcuurse
like it, it's long The Republican Members
| generally sald;"Lt is sound and clear ON Silver
and Civil seryiee, but On the Tariff, vague aud
unsatisfactory" On the whole it may be said
that there is nothing in the document TO precip-
! itate conflict among the Democrats in
opposition to tile Executive
The Congress which began this week has an
opportunity TO make for itself great name
| How far it will improve its chances can be- told
better when it adjourns next summer
| Weighty subjects call for settlement Besides
/ those questions alluded 10 above in connection
with the message may be mentioned the pro
lection OF public domain, foreign immigration
the succession to the Presidency railroad legis.
lation, the treatnent OF the private claimant a
national bankrupt law, Strengthening theNuvy
/ aud dozen other important matters Tie
Senate has already set several Of these M sas
I fres IN motion. The House also has received
q FOOD OF bills, old and new, but no real work
must be expected Of that body until it can
revise its working rules. This may consume
all the tins prior to tho Holiday vacation.