Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-11-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 1885.
EDITOR INTELLIGENCER:-T capi-
tol has been set in order for the forty
ninth congress. 1t has been thorough
lycleaned inside and outside, newly
carpeted, and otherwise made ready
for the representatives of sixty millions
ofpeople.
Although the new congress meets In
less than month there is little specu-
lation about its organization. Usually
at this season an exciting contest over
the speakership is in progress. This
high office, third i'm rank of the offices
of the government, and second only TO
the presidency in point of power, is a
prize justitying an earnest canvass.
This year, tor the first time almost in
the history of congress, no contest is
indicated. Mr.. Randall has said that
he would not be candidate for the
speakership, and Mr.. Carlisle is sure to
be reelected, as the democrats have a
clear majority Of tOrty-twO over the re-
publicams. Other old officers are like
ly to be reelected, Clark The clerk, and
Leedom the sergeant-at-arihs. There
is vacancy, caused by death, in the
office of door-keeper, which is being
sought by three candidates, including
Mr.. Eugene Higgins, the much abused
appointment clerk of the treasury.
The castingsof the committees will not
| take much time, either, for most of the
old members will get their old places.
or be regularly promoted to fill vacan-
cies.
Nearly one half of the new congress
| will consist OF Inexperienced men
The total number of members in the
house of representatives is 325. There
will be 13S new members. These will
be at disadvantage for some time.
No matter how able or how we'll in
formed man may be on general sub
jects, he will be clumsy i'll congress
until he learns something of its circui
tOus methods of doing business. 1t has
been charged that the rules of the
house were made especially for the
purpose Ol retarding legislative work.
The majority rule was abolished long
ago, and the present rules are so coal
structed that a we'll led minority can
defeat with ease the most positive vii!
of the majority. 80
There continues to be much talk
about the result of New York and
Virginia elections One effect thus ia,
shown is encouraging to the adininis
tration. The republican senators VIII
have been threatening TO make war OF
some of the appointments are mucl
subdued, and not near so eager for 4
fight as they were.
Senator Logan says he did not make
bloody shirt campaign at all. In hi
opinion, mugwumpian philosophy is ;
delusion and snare, and the empire
state republicans are slippery. Refer
ring to the insinuation of some of th'
mourners that he had damaged TIT
prospects of Mr.. Davenport, by no
keeping that soiled neither carmen
concealed in his valise, Senator Logal
, said: eff some gentlemen in New
I York want scapegoat in order to ge
I from under the hay themselves, | sup
pose can flee to the mountains d
. well as anyone" .
= Governor-elect Fitzhugh Lee, Q
+ Virginia, aud also the Lieutenant
governor-elect, Massey, have been i
the city since their election. Geners
Lee came with his two sons to max
some purchases, and only RENAME
, a few hours. Everywhere he went o
the streets he was followed by Col
gratulatory crowd that insisted o
Y shaking hands with him.
Senator Malone is so broken polite
ally and socially, that some of hi
friends have been urging him to leav
Virginia and make his home in Wash
7 ington in the future There are those
. however, who express the hope tina
= when he emf CRATES from his nativ
state he will not stop short of Aask,
!, There are others who wish him a hot
, ter climate. 1t has been suggeste
/, that he will rise from the depth of hi
:. gloom and run for congress mex
year.
! Everything that the president intend
to recommend in his message, WILL lit
G thought, receive the support of his pal
!, ty. The administration is in hig
spirits and harmony among democrat
; is looked for now. The party feel
: united and strengthened by recel
= victories, and that it has been give
new vigor and a long lease of politics
n ascendancy. . -.