The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-02-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our Regular Correspondent

(From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, 1855.
Crowds of people went to the Capitol on
Wednesday to see both Houses of Congress,
in joint session. to count the Electoral vote.
The formality was monotonous as usual, but
for reason that it occurs but once in four
years rather than for any other, it always
draws crowd. During the progress of
the proceeding several amusing mistakes
were made in the count, which were greeted
with laughter. When the result of New
York was read the democrats broke into
applause. Vice President Eimunds raped
with his gavel and called for order. Pres
emily there was another outburst, and
another. Mr.. Edmunds, who has long been
accustomed to the quiet, digni6sd, almost
sphinx-ike serenity of the Senate Chamber,
was disgusted with such demonstrations,
and declared that they could not be toler-
ated. He then requested the Sergeant-at-
arms to take into custody any person dis
turbing the proceedings in any way.
Although many distinguished people were
present, Justice Miller was the only men,
ber of the Supreme Court in the Hall, and
Secretary Teller was the only member of
the Cabinet in attendance.
An extra session of Congress is growing
more probable every day. The outlook for
important legislation during the past ses-
sion Is not promising and members who
feel interested in other than appropriation
bills, express determination to have some
thing done, even though the Forty ninth
Congress be called to do it. Those who
would gladly have averted an extra session
by hard work, could not work alone. MIR.
Randall, on being asked if the House could
not proceed with appropriation bills at
night sessions, replied, THAT would waste
gas, and gas costs money. Only those who
want to spend money came to night ses-
sions. The opponents of extravaganza stay
away, and as they are in the majority, the
House could not get quorum" He added
that it would not pay to light up the dome,
the corridors and Hall, whereby to meet
and adjourn.
The truth is there is much bitterness over
Mr.. Randalls antagonism to the River and
Harbor bill, among members from districts
bordering on the Mississippi river. There
are also many friends OF the bill who are not
reelected to the Forty.ninth Congress.
They are disposed to join in the tiibuster-
ing tactics against the regularsappropriation
bills. This feeling, coupled with the reso-
lutte decision of the Senate to eliminate
every species of new legislation from appro-
priation bills. points to snbarrassments
seldom surrounding the passage of necessary
bills, and makes the extra session almost
c5riain.
Interest in pnblic affairs, instead of de-
clining, as it often does, with tine close of a
session of Congress, will increase this year
after the fourth of March. 1t will be
greatly augmented too, by the call Of an
extra session. A new Congress, new ad-
a new political regime, will
combine to make the situa lion decidedly
interesting.
Cabinet talk is As confusing as ever.
The latest arrangement places Mcdonald a.
the head of the treasury. MIR. Whitney IN
the Department OF the Interior; and gives
the Post Master Generalship to MIR. Villas of
Wisconsin. There will be later Cabinet
and still later one next day.
Of the Democratic statesmen who re.
turned from their New York pilgrimage,
Senators Lamer, Jonas, Pugh and German
were much interviewed by those who did
not 60, though none of them could shed any
positive light on the Cabinet situation. 1t
is stated by the friends of Senator Pendle-
ton, that he wishes to 60 as Minister to
France instead of having a Cabinet port
foiio.
The sale of tickets to the inaugural ball
has begun. There were four thousand ap-
plications for tickets awaiting the opening
of the sale. They cost five dollars per
capita, and supper at the ball will be one
d,liar for each person. Add your carriage
hire to this and decide how many persons
you will take with you, and you will know
Just what it will cost to attend the inaugural
bail
The work of getting the pension building
ready for the occasion goes on night and
day, electric lights being used for the night
work. The public comfort committee is
kept busy providing accommodations for
people from all parts of the country. The
demand increases daily, but all can be fur
nishel with quarters. R.
Special Session Of the Senate.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-It is expected
fhot the senata will ho convopad in .poo;,J I