Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-12-10

the House there were over three hun
bred members, who occupied the hour
preceding noon in handshaking, ex-
changing congratulations and greet
ings, and introducing the new men,
bers. There were nearly 1875 new faces.
The House and Senate were called to
order at the same moment. The or
ganization of each had been settled by
the caucuses held on Saturday, and to-
day the formality of re electing the old
officers of the House was quickly ac-
complished by the Democratic major
ity. The republicans honored Mr.
Reed, of Maine, with a complimentary
vote for Speaker.
In the Senate, Senator John. Sher-
man, of Ohio, was elected presiding Of
fcer, to succeed the late Vice Presi.
dent. In accepting the nomination,
Senator Sherman said his duties hith-
erto had not given him the experience
necessary for good officer. In trying
to fairly and impartially observe and
enforce the rules of the Senate, he felt
that he would have to rely greatly
uDon the forbearance and courtesy of
the Senators.
The comment now is that Senator
Logan did wise thing in declining the
nomination for President protein Of the
Senate, unanimously rendered him on
Friday last, by the caucus Of Republi-
can Senators. He declined on the
ground that he could serve his constit.
uents better by remaining on the floor,
and that the position was not to his
taste
The session of the Senate to-day was
brief. 1t merely organized and then
adjourned through respect to the men,
ory of Mr.. Hendricks, whose char was
heavily draped in black.
President Cleveland's message will be
sent to both branches of Congress dur
ing to-morrow's session. 1t will be
read in both ends of the Capitol at the
same time. The message has been care
fully guarded, and none Of 1t has been
published before the time intended,
though much of its policy has been in.
dicated in advance. AS you will have
read it, probably, before this reaches
you, it is useless for me to forecast its
contents.
will mention, however, that If Con-
gress should not, after a reasonable
time, approve of the Presidents recon-
mendatiou to suspend the silver com
age it is probable the Treasury will
suspend it on its own authority, hold
ing that the Bland act, although it
provides ii permanent fund to purchase
bullion, yet provides no fund for the
expense of coinage.
The annual report of Secretary Whit
ney of the Navy, will probably attract
more attention than that of any other
! Cabinet officer. In his record of the
year he treats thoroughly and exhaust
lively the Question Of reorganlzing hi:
Department and placing it upon a
business basis which will guard it from
the notorious scandals of the past
The report of Indian Commissioner
! Atkins shows that there will be but
little change in the policy of the Gov.
ernment towald DIS the Indian under a
Democratic Administration The red
man is to be reclaimed as fast as pos
sible by the ordinary processes of civ
ilization, and is to be made to work
like other people.
Commissioner Colman, the chief Of
the farmers, gives years agricultural
results. He tells the needs and work
of his Department, what the various
Bureaus have done and what they hope
to do.
When Congress gets fairly to work
the indications are that it will pass the
Hoar succession bill, which provides
for giving the Presidential succession
to Cabinet off GERS in the line of their
rank. There Sc, ms to be no DISPOSE
ton to treat the matter from a party
standpoint. Senators and Members Of
both parties think this winter S session
will be one of the most interesting sine
the war. Ii is sure to be long one, and
will probably not end before next Au-
gust.
The President has made very easy
work of his first message to Congress
apparently. AT least he has been very
forehanded about it, and so far from
haino ,vaaria1 by I'll. pronaration Of II