The National tribune., 1885-12-03

committee, and the majority report is adopted
without question, those who vote knowing lit
tie of the merits of the case, and caring less. If
the truth must be told the action in such ques-
tions is, oftener than otherwise, dictated by
party feeling rather than consuming desire
that Justice shall be done. 1t is not difficult
matter to overcome a slender majority, pro-
vided the contestant belongs to the party that
is "on top" This observation applies with as
much force to one party as to the other. 1t Is
human nature.
GETTING READY FOR CONGRESS.
At the Capitol there is great activity among
the scrubberS and the furnishers in putting
things in order for the coming session of Con-
gress. The walls of the big building, both ex-
terror and interior, have been cleaned, and
repainted where it was necessary. In the
House of Representatives the carpets have been
put down. and the desks of the memberS-333-
are being arranged. The Speakers and clerks
desks are being covered with new blue cloth,
and the gilt work of the walls retouched Some
repairs are in progress in the spectators gallery
and the telegraph and telephone lines have
been re-arranged.. The committee rooms are
also receiving attention, carpets, desks and new
furniture being put in, and not the least I'M
portant improvement is in the heating and
ventilating of the chamber.
In the Senate wing there was but little to do
The old carpet which adorned the floor OF the
Senate chamber has been relaid, although the
need of new one Is atteStcd by the frayed
edges and fading of the colors. Seventy six
desks are in place, the same that were used last
year.
Signs of the coming session of Congress are
already visi bic about the hotels and public re-
sorts of this city. Members of Congress are
coming in rapidly. The people who generally
come to see that the Nations lawmakers do
their work are beginning to arrive in sections
and are already mapping out program OF
schemes to be put through at the coming session.
The Members of Congress in the city are
chiefly occupied in perfecting arrangements
for housing their families and in discussing
the probable issues of the session. The proposed
change of the rules is receiving considerable
attention while the tariff silver and Civil
Service questions are being discussed. The can
didates for positions under the House and Sen
ate are working among the members now In
| the city.
THE NATIONAL BANKS.
The annual report of Hon. III. w. Cannon,
! Comptroller of the Currency, shows that dur
| ing the year ended Nov. ], 145 National banks
were organized, with a capital of $16,93S, 600,
and circulating notes were issued to these new
associations amounting to 81, 4,274,9l0. Since the
establishment of the National banking system,
OH Feb. %. 1868, there have been organized
3,406 National banks. OF these 432 have gone
into voluntary liquidation for the purpose of
winding up their affairs, 70 have gone into vol
untary liquidation for the purpose of reorgani-
zation 64 are in liquidation by expiration of
| their charter, of which number 3S have been
| reorganized, and f04 have been placed in the
hands of receivers for the purpose of closing up
| their affairs, leaving the total number in ex-
istence 2,727 on Nov. 1, 1885, which is the
| largest number that has been in operation at
any one time.
The business of the National banks has
largely increased during the past year, although
the items of United States bonds and circulat-
ing notes have decreased. Liabilities to de-
positors and correspondents have increased
more than $1S0,000,000. During the year the
banks have increased their specie resources
more than S46, 100000. This increase is made
up of $44 All ,714 Of gold coin and 1871, ,384 of
silver coin. The legal tender notes held by
the banks have, however, diminished about
$2,500,000.
FIRST AND LAST CHANCE.
Passing up Pennsylvania avenue, in Wash
ington, to the Capitol the last building, under
the very shadow of the great dome, is occupied
as a saloon. large sign projects six feet over
the sidewalk, on which the pilgrim sees the
words, Last Chance" This is evidently in
tended as hint to thirsty statesmen, who,
perhaps, have improved several chances on
the way that this is the last opportunity to
fortify themselves for the labors of the day.
Then, when the session is over, and Congress
comes trailing down the steps and into the
avenue, the same eyes are greeted with the
! legend on the other side of that board, 4" First
| Chance" 1t is great scheme to promote ac-
| tivity in the market for stimulating beverages.
A wELL-DEsERvEp PROMOTION.
The Commissioner of Pensions could not pos
sibly have made a wiser selection in filing the
| position of Chief Clerk of the Pension Office
than he did Last week in appointing Mr.. d. l.
Murphy. There is probably no man in the
Bureau who is better acquainted with all that
relates to pension matters than the new ap-
| pointee, and no one who has made more intel
| ligent use Of his long service in that Depart
ment Mr.. Murphy was appointed from Penn
sylvania in 1871, and has risen by Civil Service
promotion through subordinate grades. His
present promotion is from Chief of the Board
| of Review. Besides his peculiar qualifications
| for his Office, the new Chief Clerk combines q
flowing courtesy to all men," with rare ex-
ecutive ability.
| CoLMAN AND THE sPECULAToRs.
| 1t has been repeatedly charged that specu-
lators have obtained from the Department of
| Agriculture advance information respecting
| the monthly crop reports to enable them to
| take advantage of their effect upon the market.
| Those in charge of compiling and issuing these
reports say there is not the 81 ghtest foundation
| for the charge, and that such thing has never
been permitted, under severe penalties. The
eySteiu loI preventing leakage ID dS pcrleCl
as that which would instantly reveal the ex-
traction of bank-note or a sheet of paper from
the Bureau of Engraving and Printing Per-
| sons interested have often sought to get this
information i'm advance, but it is claimed at the
| Department that their efforts have in all cases
| been thwarted by the vigilance of those to
whom alone the facts are known. These per-
sons have sometimes Guessed at the nature of
| forthcoming reports, and have pretended to
| have absolute information, but often the pub
lished official statements have been directly the
reverse, showing the absurdity of their claims.
| GOOD APPOINTMENT.
Willard j. Davis, Co. G. 55th Ohio has been
appointed Postmaster at Youngsville, Pa. Com
rade Davis served through the entire war; was
| with Fremont in the Shenandoah campaign and
was in the second battle of Bull Run, Chancel-
| lorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain. Peach
Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta, and with Sherman
| on his march to the sea.
| The Markets.
| The wheat market closed in Chicago this week
strong and active. November brought S35c; De-
cember S5i; January S5f and May 80. Corn was