Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-12-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Prom our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Nov. %, 1885.

The Administration is now mourn
ing for Vico-President Hendricks.
Thanksgiving day was a sad and
quiet one atthe White House. There
were no callers, no business was trans
acted, and decorators were busy out
side putting I'D the Grape and bunting
that will shroud the columns Of the
Executive mansion until the day after
Christmas. The Capitol and Govern
ment buildings are also draped IN
black, the same designs being followed
that were used 10 nemory Of General
Grant.
Mr. Hendricks' death gives the
Presidency OF the Senate to the
Republicans, as they are the majority
in that body. 1t is customary at the
close of a session of the Senate for the
Vice-President to leave the chair for
a time and permit the election Of a
President Of the Senate pro tempo1e:
in order that there might be a sue
cession to the Presidency II case Of
the death Of both the President and
Weep resident. III. Hendricks III
teudaj Tile sessions Of The extra session
80 closely last spring, that nc pro
tenlpoIa o5ie2r was elected. Now, II
III. Cleveland shoald also die before
Congress meets, the country would
be without 4 head, and a difficult
problem might be offered for solution
The country is now in the sans
condition that it wa during the first
month Of Mr.. Arthur's presidency
He also LETT the Senate without having
it name q pro tempore presiding
officer. The situation naturally gives
rise to discussion OF proper laws to
regulate the Presidential succession,
and it is probable that the incoming
Congress will be urged to make some
enactment to meet such contingencies.
The last Nice-President who died
in Office was Nr. Wilson of~tIassachu-
setts. His death was as sudden as
that Of Mr. Hendricks, occurring, it
will be remembered, while he was
presiding over the Senate.
When the death Of Mr.. Hendricks
was announced at tie White House,
Ri. Cleveland Immediately called a
special session Of the Cabinet. Act
ion was taken in regard to the funeral,
which the President and Cabinet viii
attend.
The Senators and Representatives
| in the city also held meetings for the
: purpose OF deciding upon COMMITTEES
to attend the burial services.
The people OF Washington obeyed
the terms OF The Presidents procla-
/. nation in celebrating Thanksgiving
) day. Government business was sus-
pended, Department clerks and
school children were set free, there
were family reunions and Teasing
| and pleasure making. In the church
| es sermons were preached from
< appropriate texts. Secretary Whit
, ney offered to give every officer and
3 employe Of the Navy Department q
Thanksgiving turkey. Many Of them
) ayailed themselves Of his courtesy.
Congress will convene in Il week
. from next Monday. There is a hustle
e of preparation at the Capitol. It is
e true the work of cleaning up, repair
e ing, and making improvements has
t been going on there during heenire
e recess. Still everything, is getting
0 another touch in readiness for tht
8 event.
G The President has nearly finished
his message to Congress, and tht
4 Cabinet officers have about completed
their reports. The majority of then
S will be published before Congress:
e meets. Only that Of the Secretary o
the Treasury will be withheld to gote
Congress with the President's mes
sage.
AS to the points in the message j
may be mentioned that the policy 0
the Administration will be very clea
and direct in advocating increased
q economy in Governmental expendit
ures and cutting down tariff taxation
in such a way as will not hurt indus
tries which have been built up unde
existing laws. The policy outlines
to Congress will be conservative.
j One Of the newly appointed CIV
! Service Commissioners says that an,
expectations that the reorganize4
Commission will be governed b
~ partisan considerations will be doom
~ ed to disappointment. He furthe
said in all his consultations with tn
- President, he was impressed with th
r sincere purpose Mr.. Cleveland show
i ed to enforce the law strictly an
impartially. The majority Of tn
Senators Of both parties favor a moo
! crate Civil Service reform. They al