The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-12-18
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.


WASHINGTON, Dec. II, 1885.
Washington has come to be the favorite place
of assemblage for the great associations OF the
country. One was the American Health As
sociatinn and the other was the Federation of
These with the meeting of the Forty Ninth
Congress, made the week one of especial inter-
est.
The sanitary gathering was composed largely of
doctors from every quarter of the Republic. and
among the many important scientific subjects
which they treated exclusively, was that of dis
posing of the dead. From the expression used
in their debates, it was evident that they had
very little reverence for mans remains after he
dies. They were almost unanimously in favor of
cremation
The Workngmen's Congress ordered that the
eight-hour rule be enforced on the first of May,
and gave expression to many other of the labor
crs wants in no uncertain language They held
a significant mass-meeting and parade on Thurs
day evening 1t was remarked by politicians, re-
lgionists and social philosophers who witnessed
the scene, that of ell the parades seen on Penn
sylvania avenue, Republican, Democratic, mill
tary or inaugural none have been impelled by
motives more positive than the men who march
ed in this labor parade.
neither the Senate nor the House has done any
thing more than to prepare for work. AS you
know, debates on bills cannot begin until COM
mittees report the bills, and as yet only one bill
has been sanctioned by committee. This is the
Hoar succession bill, which reached the Senate
to-day. 1t will be taken up at once, and though
it will give rise to considerable discussion, it is
likely to be passed during the week In all i'm
portant features it is the same bill passed by the
Senate last session, and will put Cabinet officers
in the line of succession to the Presdency in case
of the death of both the President and Vice-Presi-
dent.
In the House of Representatives the important
question now is a revision Of the rules, and as
the Speaker will not even announce the arrange
ment of the standing committees until the matter
of rules is settled, real work need be expected
from that body for some time.
Mr. Carlisle is engaged with his troublesome
duty of committee making. Much of the time he
is coseted with some of his trusted friends. and
they talk the matter over and over again. Mem
bers write notes to him asking to be placed on
this or that committee, where they think they
will find the most Congenial work.
1t is probable that a revolution in the business
methods of the House will be adopted during
this week, and that the plan will be that proposed
tariff bill of last session. The House began to
discuss his proposition to-day. 1t provides for a
committee. This object will not be- accomplish9
ed until after sharp contest. The struggle will
not be in the nature of party conflict, however
but between those who think that the plan will
facilitate business and those who think it will
suit in increased expenditures to make such
changes at this time.
The President naturally feels much gratified
at the almost universal praise which his first mes
sage has evoked, Nor did he find the first week
of Congress so harassing as many expected
Senators and members called upon him, but there
were fewer appeals for office made to him than
to any President at the assembling of Congress
for years.
About three hundred of the Presidents recess
nominations have been sent to the Senate for
confirmation. Republican Senators discussed in
caucus the policy to be adopted in regard to them.
There was an animated debate and quite differ
ence of opinion manifested. Some favored
general opposition, others admitted that good ap-
pointments should not be opposed. Time only
can prove what course they will pursue.
The Republicans of the House adopted in
caucus a resolution which was a purely dema-
gogical scheme to capture the soldier vote. They
declared in favor of unconditional repeal of the
limitation of the payment on arrears of pensions,
and also in favor of further extensions of the
pension system. Many Republican Congress
men will be found supporting extravagant
measures this winter. The discredit they pro-
pose to shift upon the majority. when these
meaaures prove UNPOPULAR.