The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-23
Our Washington Letter.
WAsHINaroN, Dec. II. IS

Since ] wrote you the Forty-Ninth
Congress has begun its first session. It's
opening scenes did not differ widely
from those of past sessions. As usual
throngs of people rushed to the Capitol
and crowded the spectators galleries.
As usual, hundreds went away disap
pointed unable to get in.
On the floor of the House there were
one hundred and forty new faces and
one hundred and eighty-five familiar
ones. The desks of members were
loaded with floral gifts from a6miring
friends, and Mr.. Carlisle in the Speakers
chair, welded the gapel, and swore in
circle around the bar in groups of twenty
and thirty.
In the Senate, the old familiar faces
were for the most part at their accus-
toned desks. On the Democratic side
of the Chamber, however, some changes
were noted. Senator Voorhees,, of In
diana, was at the desk long occupied by
Secretary Bayard; Senator Walthall, of
Mississippi, sat in Secretary Lamar's
former seat, and Senator Jones, of
Arkansas, was in the possession of the
desk that Attorney General Garland
gave up for Cabinet portfolio. The
Chamber was draped in mourning for
Mr.. Hendricks, and Senator Sherman
sat in the late VicePresident's chair.
The first roll call revealed but five
absentees in the House-four from the
South and Que from the North. An un-
usually good showing for the new body.
The present Congress bids fair to be a
memorable one. 1t assembled under
circumstances fraught with significance
and expectation. For the first time i'll
twenty years there is a Democratic
House and Democratic President, and
the party is charged with the response
bility growing out of this conjunction.
There is much important work ahead
| for the session, such as revising the
tariff, suspending the coinage of silver,
making navy, providing for the coast
defence, regulating the counting of the
electoral vote, settling the Presidential
succession, and reducing Government
expenses.
President Clevelands first message
was listened to with unusual interest in
| both ends of the Capitol. 1t is still the
chief topic of discussion here. 1t is
| pronounced an able State paper by mahy
Senators and members who are antago'
nistic to its policy. During the reading
of the message, which occupied one hour
and three quarters, the sentiments OF
many Congressman on the various ques
tions could be determined by their ex
pressions of countenance. Those who
agreed with the President that the con-
| tinued coinage of silver is an evil, ex
changed mods of approval. while the
believers in silver scowled and otherwise
manifested their disapprobation. The
Presidents positive stand on silver
makes it almost certain now thai
this will be the first engrossing
subject to come before Congress. L
will doubtless provoke long debate fol
the advocates of silver coinage and it.
enemies are both determined.
The Senate has settled down to busi
ness with its providential promptness
AZ least two hundred measures hav,
been presented to it, nearly all of which
were presented at the last session by th
same Senators. Thus almost every ma
tional question before the last Senat
! will be revived.
The House is discussing how to worl
by amending its rules. 1t is SO hamper
ed by these rules that weeks AM
months are thrown away every year. Con
gress is an expensive necessity. Ever.
hour of session costs. what would be
small fortune to the average working
: man. To simplify its methods of pre-
cedure, to do away with needless intel
E ruptions, to bring the business of th
q House within business principles, is no
the subject of debate.
The Presidents first batch of re .e.
! nominations went to the Senate o
!. Thursday for confirmation. 1t con
! prised about tfHee hundred names,
!. number of fore:gn appointments heat
), ing the list. They are not of chara
!. ter that stand in danger of being opposes
= The President shows his usual wisdol
& in holding back for the present sue
!, nominations as may provoke contes
: and delay in the action of the Senate.
: OF the Cabinet officers annual report
: those of Attorney-General Garland al
I Secretary Lamar were the last sent
= the President. Rarely has Depar
: mental report received so msch fayo
= able coLament as that of Mr.. Lama
s $ Misgivings in regard to his fitness f
!. the large, complex and practical Depal
!, ment of the Interior, were freely e
= pressed at the time of his appointmen
= = They have given way to the convietit
= = that he is the right man for the place.
~ CAS-