San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-12-03
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 1885.


WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 1885.
The week has probably been the
most quiet one at the White House
since the fourth Of March. The
President has been busily at work on
his message, and has had few inter
ruptions. He has seen Cabinet off
GERS, heads of Bureaus and divisions,
for whom he sent from time to time,
in order to consult thsn with regard
to subjects treated in his message.
He also saw Mr.. Corcoran in reference
to some local changes. Presidents
have long been in the habit Of con-
sulting this venerable citizen and
philanthropist on questions relating
to the District OF Columbia. Then
the President received General
Sheridan, and for several hours they
talked over again the Indian question.
President Cleveland does great
deal more writing himself than any
president of recent times. He says
he can think what he wants to say on
any important question better with
his pen in his hand than in any other
way. The message was originally
wholly in MI. Cleyeland's own hand
writing.
What will the President recon-
mend in his message? is the inquiry
of every thoughtful person who stud.
les the signs of the times, here and
throughout the country.
The message is completed, and the
manuscript is in the hands Of thepub-
lie printer. The latter cuts the copy
up in "takes," and as each part is
finished, the copy and the type are
returned to him, and the type is
dumped upon a galley on his desk.
Aa fast as galley is full, a proof is
taken, and the proof and type are
locked up in safe to which printer
Rounds alone has the combination.
Mr.. Rognds does all of the proof
reading himself, and there is no pro-
liability of the message being stolen
and published before it's time, as was
one the messages of each of the three
previous presidents. Arthur. Grant,
and Hayes.
President Cleveland's message, it
is said, will be short and terse, I'M
like the annual Presidential communi-
cations of the past.
Republican Senators have received
an invitation from the President which
is calculated to disarm those who
have been talking war on his pomina-
tions. He has asked those who in
tend to oppose the confirmation OF
anyone who has been appointed to
office during the recess of the Senate,
to call at the White House and OK,
plain their reasons to him, before he
sends nominations to the Senate.
Those who refuse to meet MIR.
Cleveland in this way, will have no ex-
cuse for making factious opposition
to his appointments. He says his
only desire is to serve the best inter
ests of the country. If any of his ap-
pointoes are unfit he wants to know
it, and if objections are we'll founded
he will not send their names to the
Senate. He will not recognize politi-
cal antagonisms, but will investigate
charges, and will withhold the names
of any who are proven to be incom-
potent or morally disqualified.
Since Speaker Carlisle has returned
to the city, there is marked increase
in the arrivals of members of Con
gress. They have come to talk with
him about their places on the COM
mittees. Mr.. Carlisle has already
begun to make up the committees,
which he has right to do, his re-
election as Speaker being a foregone
conclusion. He will devote his leis
ure until the meeting of Congress to
this, and time will be saved by COM
mittees being ready to work at the
beginning of the session.
Then il is to be hoped that the
three weeks of the session prior to the
Christmas vacation will be devoted to
revising the House rules so as to
facilitate legislation. There is a dis
position among members Of the House
of Representatives to hberate that
body from the letters that have bound
it for the past dozen years. These
restrictive conditions extend so far
that the last Congress wss only able
to act il two vsys,-by unanimous
consent and by consent Of the Com
mittee OF appropriations
In reforming the House rules an
amendment much needed IS this
that q motion to adjourn oct Of res
pect to the memory Of deceased
member. OF 10 appoint 6 day for the
delivery Of obituaries &c him, shall
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