The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-11-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
[From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON ID. c., Nov. 0, 1886.

The Capitol has been set in order
for the Forty Ninth Congress. 1t has
been thoroughly cleaned inside and
outside, newly carpeted, and otherwise
made ready for the Representatives
of sixty millions of people.
Although the new Congress meets
in less than a month there is little
speculation about its organization.
Usually at this season an exciting con-
test over the speakershlp is in pro.
gress. This high office, third in rank
of the offices of the Government, and
second only to Presidency in point OF
power, is a prize justifying an earnest
canvass. This year, for 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 Demo
Gratis have clear majority of forty
two over the Republicans. Other old
officers are likely to be reelected,
Clark the clerk, and Leedman the
Sergeant-at- Arms There is vacan-
oy, caused by death, in the cflice of
doorkeeper, which is sought by three
c,ndidaies including Mr. Eugene Hig-
gins, the much abused Appointment
Clerk of the Treasury. The casting of
the committees will not take much
time, either, for most of the old men,
bers will get their old places, or be re-
gularly promoted to fill vacancies.
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 1873 new members. These will he
at disadvantage for some time. No
matter how able or how well informed
a man may be on general subjects, he
will be clumsy in Congress until he
learns something of its circuitous me-
thods of doing business. II has been
charged that the rules of the House
were made especially for the purpose
of retarding legislative work. The
majority rule was abolished long ago
and the present rules are SO constructed
that well led minority can defeat with
ease the most positive will of the ma
joriiy.
There continues to be much talk
about the result of the New York and
Virginia elections. One effect thus
far shown is encouraging to tho
Administration. The Republican Sen
ators who have been threatening tC
make war on some of the appointments
are much subdued, and not near sc
eager for a fight as they were.
Senator Logan says he did not max,
"bloody shirt" campaign at all. II
his opinion, Mugwumpian philosoph,
is delusion and snare, and Empire
State Republicans are slippery. Re
ferling to the insinuation of some of th'
mourners that he had damaged the
prospects of Mr., Davenport, by moi
keeping that soiled neither carmen
concealed in his valise, Senator Logar
said 'If some gentlemen in New
York want a scapegoat in order TO ge
from under the hay themselves. i sup
pose / can dee to the mountains a
we'll as anyone"
Governor-elect Fitzhugh Lee of Vir
ginia, and also Lieutehant governor
elect Massey, have been in the cit.
since their election. General Lee cam
with his two sons to make some pur
ohases, and only remained few hours
Everywhere he went on the street h
was followed by a congratulator,
crowd that insisted on shaking hand
with him.
Senator Malone is so broken poll
tically and socially, that some of hi
friends have been urging him to leay
Virginia and make his home in Wash
ington III the frture. There are those