The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-12-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON. ID. c., Dec. Z, 1S

The event in Washington to-day
was the beginning of Congress. The
session opened in the usual way
There were crowds in the spectat ors
galleries and in the corridors of the
Capitol, while on the floor of tn,
House there was the old lime confus
ion, hustle, noise, hand shaking, ex.
change of congratulations and intro
ductions. The old officers were re-
elected from the speaker down. The
Republicans gave complimentary
vote for Speaker to Mr.. Reed Of
Maine.
There were mora than a hundred
new faces among the Representatives,
and the hall looked much improved by
its new carpet and freshly vanished
furniture. The seat drawing present
ed the usual amusing scene OF expecta-
ton, suspense and disappointment on
the countenances of the fortunate and
less fortunate Members.
The Senate chamber looked but
little changed since the last adjourn
ment, except for the Grape draping
and floral decorations around the chair
of the late Vice President. The Sen
ate opened as quietly as if its vacation
had been only nine hours instead of
nine months.
Senator John Sherman was elected
to succeed Mr.. Hendricks as Presi-
dent pro tenn, Senator Logan having
declined the first caucus nomination
for the place. Nothing could have
been more repugnant to the Democrats
than the selection of Sherman. They
would have preferred Logan as the
lesser evil While Senator Logan is
a narrow, positive partisan, his dis
Greet action after the last Presidential
election was in marked contrast to the
undignified conduct of Mr.. Blaine.
And then it must be admitted that
while he has been in congress during
a period of unparalleled extravaganza
and corruption, his persoal honesty has
not been questioned
Sherman is an accomplished hypo-
crite. While protesting patriotism he
would at any moment be willing to
plunge the country in war, if he could
hereby promote his own selfish inter-
ests. during his public life at Wash
ington while engaged in no other busi-
ness ostensibly, and while receiving
the limited pay of Congressman OF
Secretary of the Treasury he has ac
cumulated a fortune estimated at sew
eral millions. He is known to have
been the brains in the Presidential
theft of 1876, and TO have been always
an INSCRIPTIONS, plausible, ambitious,
avaricious demagogue.
The Presidents message sent
in at Tuesdays session. Secretary
Whitney may be mentioned as one OF
the ablest. He has found during his
incumbency, decaying dock yards,
squandered millions, bad management
and no ships. He scathingly reviews
past methods, and holds thai the only
remedy is in complete reorganization
of the Navy Department While he
wastes no time in dragging to ligh,
past rascalities or in making accusa-
tions against former Secretaries; tht
plain manner in which he exposes thu
misnanagement, evasions and viola
tions of law that existed when ht
assumed control, is the most effective
indictment he could make against his
predecessors.
In regard to prospective Legislation
it may be asserted that the House vii
first give attention to change of it
rules. Then bill will be presented
for giving the Presidential succession
to the cabinet. 1t is urged that th,
temporary President, provided by sucl
a bill, would not be the peoples choice
but neither would an officer elected b,
the Senate. Such bill would NEE
the emergency better than any othe
plan that has been proposed, for il
would secure the continuance in powe
Of the party and the Administration
elected by the people.
Then there will be debates on tn
Silver question and hard fight owe
it and the tariff. There are man
theories among the silver men Tn
West will be for silver, the Eas
against it, and the South will be divid
ed.
The session has opened very quietly
but sensations will come later. Anon
them will probably be scheme q
Republican Senators to inpeach tn
Attorney General in connection wit
the telephone case.