Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-12-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.


Ses. From v O'Clock In the morning
until that hour In the evening, there
Is ceaseless jostling between those
who are engaged in buying, and the
thousands of promenaders who are
merely gazing at the beautiful holiday
goods.
Congress. too, is out holiday making
IL adjourned to-day, Just two weeks
since il convened. 10 rest from its la
bors until the fifth OF January. Mr..
Beach. a representative from New
York opposed the idea, which he call
ed a childish one, of taking holiday
recess. At this time, he held, it was
attended with danger, and he appeal
ed to u democratic house TO go as for
as a. republican senate had gone in TAX
ing some action upon the presidential
succession bill before INDUCING in a va
cation. Representative Findlay. of
Maryland, was also anxious to have
the bill passed, saying 1t was infinitely
more important than any sneech thai
could be made upon IL. A member
from West Virginia, Mr. Golf, asked If
it was any more Important now than
when, under republican president,
the democratic side Of the house OPP
posed it. DIR. Findley then asked how
long the republican side OF the house
wanted to discuss the bill before vote
could be reached. Avol e replied -four
years" Mr.. Reed, of Maine. the cho-
sen leader of the minority. who Is al.
ways ready and sarcastic when need
be, responded that he was not supply
ing programmes for the house. He
said in the same connection there was
nothing before the house demanding
SO vociferous n display of patriotism
az that of the gentlemen from New
York and Maryland.
Before adjourning for the holidays,
however, both branches of congress
did creditable weeks work. The
senate discussed and passed the sue
cession bill, and granted n pension OF
IS, 600 year to the widow of General
Grant, talked over the Dakota ques
ton; removed the disabilities of Gen
Lawton, and INDUCED in little TEN
perance debate about excluding liquor.
from the capitol restaurants. Senator
Ingalls, made a happy picture of sena
tors trying to put themselves in har
mony with the temperance movement
Of the country upon the surface,
while they were so well provided
with whisky underneath.
1t was upon the presidential success
ion bill that Senator Evarts made hi,
first set speech in the senate. Al
though he is well known in Washing
ton .ho VIM hae9...hese, .fsiu Astseeay
tary OF State under Hayes, the New
York senator is holding the first Office
to which ha has been elected. He took
his seat in the senate last spring when
President Cleveland called an extra
session. During that session of a
month he scarcely uttered word ax
cept to vote. From the traditions oil
the senate, newcomers are listener.
rather than takers. 1t il unusual fol
new senators to claim recognition from
the Chair so early In the session as did
Mr.. Evarts. He naturally falls into
the position IF an old member, howev
er, his experience in national affair.
entities him to the first rank. ii,
made n strong and elaborate argument
in favor of succession within the dom
inant party and In the executive
branch Of the government. A larg,
audience in the galleries nnd senator,
on the floor paid him the tribute oil
close attention.
The House spent the week in dis
cussion of new code of rules. By
the overwhelming vote of 226 to 70. il
declared its emancipation from the
shackels of the committee on appro
priations, and distributed the power Of
making appropriations among five 9th
err committees. Of course this change
opens the way for extravaganza und
Increased expenditure. 1t is therefore
hailed with delight by the lobbyist. Ii
makes fine opportunity for every
kind of lobby plan
Some rather remarkable bills and
resolutions have been presented in the
senate during the week, A smile was
created by n memorial from a citizen
In Kansas, to remove the causes OF
taxation and prevent poverty. Sena-
tor Hampton of South Carolina, III
troduced n bill making it unlawful for
"a senator or representative to recon-
mend or solicit appointments 10 Office,
and FURNISHING the offender by fining
him. Senator Hawley, of Conn rails
ed ripple of laughter by inquiring of
the Chair whether this bill was retro
active In its operation.