The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-12-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
[From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON. d. c., Dec. 2, 1886.

On next Monday, at exactly II
o'clock NJ, the FortyNinth Congress
will be called to order. The fact has
been almost lost sight of here during
the past few days, owing to the death
of Vice-President Hendricks. The
question OF the Presidential succession
Eas interested everybody to the neg
iect of all speculation concerning the
organization of the House of Repre-
sentatives, the revision of the rules,
the fate of Mr. Randall, the Presidents
message, and other matters that have
been the staples of discussion for
several weeks.
The work of draping all the Gov
ernment buildings in black has been
going on since the death of Mr.. Hen
bricks was announced. The White
House is draped as it was at the death
of ex-President Garfield. Its great
white pillars are covered with solid
black cloth, with large rosettes in
front, and black streamers festooned
from one pillar TO another. The pill
lars at the White House gates are
also covered with black. The Cap
itol is draped up 10 the balcony above
the dome, with very striking effect.
The Senators in the city are contin-
ually questioned to learn what they
think should be done to fill the place
of President of the Senate. The i'm
preston strengthens that the Repub
lican majority will offer it to Senator
Logan. Quite number of politicians
in Washington are 5usily engaged in
urging his election. And yet he is
the only man in the Senate of whom
it can be said that he was candidate
before the people for the Vice-Presi.
dency and was rejected.
The friends of the Illinois Senator
point to the fact that he was a long
time in securing his reelection to the
Senate, and that he lost the chairman
ship of one committee and positions on
two others by the new Administration,
which cut off some of the perquisites
that belong to the Older Senators.
snake him President pro tenn of
the Senate" they say, "aud thus
give him a nice private room and a
little patronage as recompense for
what he lost last March"
The "Loganites" assert that Senator
Edmunds does not want the honor
again, and they talk of his dictatorial
manner in the Forty-Eighth Congress,
when he was accused OF lecturing his
fellow Senators a' if they were school
boys. Every little episode in which
sharp words were uttered in the Senate
last winter is used against Mr.. Ed
munls by the friends of Logan.
Democratic Senators freely express
their preference for Sera;or f lmunds
They think it would be very unwise to
put 80 strong partisan as Gen. Logan
80 near the President. 1t might arouse
too great expectations among Gen.
Logan's followers, who are of the most
radical class.
Great pressure was brought to bear
upon the President for the purpose of
dissuading him from attending the
funeral of Mr. Hendricks at Indian
apolis. A number of Senators, Mem
bers of the House, prominent Demo
Gratis and personal friends visited him
for the purpose of urging upon him
the Importance of remaining in Wash
ingtoD. A large number of kilograms
to the same effect were received.
Their argument was that the public
mind is somewhat excited, and that
the press is commenting upon the fact
that the death of President Ceve-
land would restore the Republican
party to power. This they feared
might tempt another Guiteau to take
the Presidents life. Mr.. Cievelands
visitors said they did not like to dis
cuss the question of his death, but they
thought it their duty to advise him 10
guard his life carefully, as il was now
of more importance than ever.
At first the President said he did not
feel called upon TO consider the ques.
tion OF personal risk in the discharge
OF what he considered his duty. After
repeated protests against the trip, how
ever, he intimated willingness to be
guided by the judgment of men who
were influenced only by desire to do
everything to insure order.
There is much talk of legislation to
provide for the Presidential succession.
The Democrats feel much annoyed at
the idea of the Republicans having it
in their power to elect possible sue
cessor to President Cleveland. If the
latter should die, the law now govern
ing the succession would at once be
questioned. 1t is believed by some of
tho best lawers in Congress that no
Senator or Member is eligible for sue
oession to the Presidency. Early in
the new Congress steps will be taken
to pass bill keeping the succession
with the Cabinet officers.