The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-12-26
From Washington.
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec. %, 1SS

From Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec %, 1885.
Preparations for the holidays occupy the
attention of almost everybody in Washing
ton. Congress is taking recess, and society
Is forgotten for the time, in anticipation OF
The gatherings around each fireside.
On the day after Christmas the thirty days
Of mourning for the late Vice President will
expire, and the black draperes will be re.
moved from all the public buildings The
gay season will begin on New Years day,
and the social forces of the Capital are well
organized and equipped for it. The winter
Is expected to be an exceptionally gay one,
even outside of official circles 1t cannot be
otherwise. since each year adds to the num-
Der of distinguished and hospitable people
making their homes here
President Cleveland will inaugurate a
much needed reform at the White House by
making early hours fashionable His evees
are 20 begin at eight instead of nine o'clock
in the evening, AS heretofore. Statedinners
are to be served at seven p. NJ and New
Years day receptions are to begin at ten
o'clock in the morning, although eleven
would suit most Of those in official life much
eettor.
Ten o'clock was the hour during the last
Democratic administration, Buchanan's but
Mrs. Lincoln fixed one hour later Mr..
Cleveland takes the stand, that as the day is
Nj unusually busy one for both visitors and
visited. ii is better to begin early.
The President devoted considerable TINE
during the week TO signing his name to lists
al nominations TO be sent to the Senate. All
Of his recess nominations have been sent in
now, and they number about twelve hun
dred On going into his Office few morn
ings since, and seeing an avalanche Of papers
on his desk. he exclaimed "Great heavens
have made all those appointments?
The President went to a photograph gal
lery during the week and sat for his picture,
IN group with his Cabinet officers. He
also took time to dine with Secretary Bayard
On Wednesday evening. This is the first
time he has dined in Washington outside of
the White House since he has been here.
Oliver Wendell Holmes was Mr.. Bayard
guest on the same occasion, and also the
members Of the Cabinet.
The week was n busy one in Congress. !,
The Senate debated and passed the Presiden-
tial succession bill talked about prohibiting
She sale Of liquor in the Senate restaurant,
which il did not do; discussed Dakota's late
action in electing State Senator'S; received
bills, and acted upon some minor questions.
Both Houses passed the bill granting pen
sion Of So 900 year to Mrs. Grant In the
Senate il passed unanimously, in the House
there was one vote against it, that Of Repre-
sentative Pierce, of Wisconsin.
The House spent most of the week in dis
eussing change of rules, and decided by n
vote Of 226 TO 70 to adopt the new Morrison
eo'- il relation to distributing the appropri-
alton bills among the different committees
MIR Randall being so badly beaten. politi
clans are wondering now what he will do
viii he or not again accept the ChairmanshipI
Of the Appropriations Committee shorn of
so much of its authority which he fought
earnestly to retan'
The action of the House in revising the
rules has started fresh speculation concern
ing Committee Chairmanships. The makeup
of Committees will be greatly affected by the
new rules. and Speaker Carlisle has not been
able 10 consider the matter definitely on nc
count Of the uncertainty that has prevailed
in regard to the change. lie will arrange
this troublesome part of his duties during
the Holidays. and be able to announce the
standing Committees when the House meets
again on the fifth Of January. The Pres.
Dental succession bill, which the Senate
passed, will be taken up by the IIDuse imme
dialely after the recess. There will be op-
position to il from members of both parties,
and several substitutes will be offered,
among them plan by Mr.. Randall. and an.
other by Representative Dipple, Of South
Carolina.
Up 10 this time the Senate has not acted
on any Of the Presidents nominations sent
10 il since the present session opened.
Western Senators have been receiving large
numbers OF letters urging them to oppose
the confirmation Of Commissioner Sparks Of
the land Office, because of his recent rulings
aga inst the land thieves. Mr. Sparks was
con irmed during the extra session last
spring Senators Sherman and Logan both
made the blunder Of not knowing this in
writ ing to their constituents.