Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1885-12-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
[From Our Regular Correspondent

From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec 8.
Thanksgiving Day was celebrated by
the people of Washington in the usual
way. Secular business was suspended,
| departments and schools were closed,
special services were held IN the churches,
there were family reunions, and fcastlng
and pleasure at domestic boards.
On the Capitol, White House and other
government buildings flags dropped at
half-mast, while preparations were in
progress for draping those buildings in
| mourning for Vice-President Hendricks
The President was very much startled
at the news of his death, and exclaimed
"What do you mean?' to the messenger
who made the announcement. The cabi-
| net officers were at once summoned to the
White House, and continued in consulta-
ton for two and half hours. They de-
cided to attend the funeral in body, ac-
companied by the President
The death of the Vice President leaves
| the United States Senate without IL pre-
siding officer. Who will be elected his
| successor is Il question about which spec
| ulation is now rife. OF course his sue
ccssor will be Il Republican, as the party
has Il majority in the Senate Senator
| Edmunds, who was President of the last
Senate, could have the place again but
| he is in poor health, and does not desire
| it. Senator Shcrman's chances arc spo-
ken Of, and those of Senator Logan 1t
would be singular if General Logan
should he elected to the position he so
narrowly missed getting, and it would be
fitting tribute to the Republican candi-
date for the Vice Presidency.
A great deal of important work awaits
the Forty ninth Congress. Most of this
work will, in all probability, be waiting
still when it adjourns. This will surely
be the case if it follow the example Of its
years past it has apparently been the OBJ
ject Of the Democratic majority in the
House to impede legislation; and, de-
spite promises of u busy, hard. working
session, there is no good reason for hop
ing that the party will be dsloyal to its
traditlons.
The absence of any contest over the
Speakership, as we'll as Of any serious
question in relation to the cast of import
ant committees, presents a situation un-
usually favorable for getting to work
promptly. There will be no excuse for
such a long and costly delay as there was
when the Forty eighth Congress attempt
ed to commence business
One of the duties devolving on the
coming Congress will be to admit Dakota
to the sisterhood of States. 1t should
have been done by the last Congress but
the majority kept Dakota out iu the cold
because, forsooth, she would increase the
Republican majority in the upper House
by sending to it two Republican Senator's
There is no precedent for denying admis-
sion to Dakota, and the duty cannot be
Ip l.. we'd Inn damn
wrong to more than half million of
people. 1t is impossible to read the his
Tory or study the statistics of Dakota
without surprise. Her progress and set
tlement have been a marvel of activity
and enterprise, even in this country Of
rapid settlement, and her pee pie arc one
OF the most intelligent and moral COM
munties in the United States.
The House, at which Dakota will again
knock for admittance this winter, will
consist of 141 Republicans, one Green
back Democrat, and 1873 regular Demo
Gratis. The Democratic majority will be
very much smaller than in the last
House. OF the Democrats 40 were in
the last Congress, and of the Republicans
"a are old members.
Several Republican Senators who have
recently arrived in Washington have ex-
pressed the opinion that the President
ueed not expect the fight against his nom
| nations to be made on political grounds.
There are some Democrats who would be
glad if the Republican Senators should
decide, iu the caucus to be held before
| Congress meets, to make determined
and solid opposition. They are of that
class who regret that the party is divided
in allegiance to the President in conse-
quence of his failure to meet the expecta-
tion of the spoilsmcn in making appoint.
ments. They believe Il strong Republican
opposition might have the effect of unit
ing the Democrats, and also of making
pie who are not concerned about the
offices. VERITAs.