Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-12-11
WASHINGTON.
The Opening ofConRress--Changes Of
In the Membership Since the Last

Session.
Special to the N. o. Plcayune.
WASHINGTON, Dec. THE opening
DAY OF the session, and especially the
hrst session of new Congress, is al
ways the occasion of great throng
at the Capitol. The multitude, only
halt informed, have an idea that th9re
VIII be some special incident or dra-
matte situation which it would be "A
pity for them to miss. Every year it
is the same thing.
To-day the galleries were crowded
to OVERLOOKING, and though the pro-
ceedlng developed little or nothing out
OF the usual course Of things, the peo-
pie fingered to the close.
In the Senate the Republicans put
old John Sherman in as presiding off
Ger, all the Democrats voting for Mr..
Harris, of Tennessee.
The flower and boquet business,
which has been folly for years past,
to-day received large development,
many Of the senator's desks being
loaded with these tributes.
On the house side there was a very
full attendance. On the floor many
familiar faces were missed, though
there were some notable acces-
sion and some return of old members.
OHIO loses two valuable members in
Jordan and Follet. Maryland loses
McLane, the minister to France. New
York loses S. {. Cox and Dorsheimer,
two able men, appointed to Federal
Offices, the first remarkable off-hand
debater. Kentucky loses Phil Thomp-
son, Jr, very valuable representa-
tive, and Missouri loses Buckner and
Broadhead.
There is a large compensation, how
ever, in getting rid of such creatures
as John S. Wise, of Virginia, and ].
WarreA Keifer, of Ohio, and in the ac-
cession of Breckenridge, of Kentucky;
Gay, OF Louisiana; Scott, Of Pennsyl-
vania, and John w, Daniel, of Vir-
ginia.
The best Republican leaders-Read,
Hiscock, Phelps, Lond and Kelley-are
still in their places, and on the Dem
ocratic side one notices the familiar
faces of Randall, Morrison, Carlisle,
Willis, Hewett, Reagan, Curtin,
Tucker, Dunn, Herbert, Holman and
other strong men.
10 point Of talent and effectiveness
the two opposing sides of the house
are not badly matched, the Republi-
cans having some advantage in the
line of criticism and opposition to com
pensate them for the traditions of Job
bing and sectionalism on which their
party is based.
The work OF to-day was all routine,
but much was done. The house was
fully organized, the members sworn
In and the seats arranged by lot as
usual. All this consumed the day,
but 1t had to be done some time or
other, and no time was wasted in
squauUlln& anu QetalIs.
Mr.. Carlisle made a modest and
kindly address which tended to in
crease his present large popularity.
The message will probably come
along tomorrow. Its text cannot be
known in advance. The precautions
taken insure that much, but the lead
ing ideas of the message have prob
ably been well discounted by the
press, but Mr.. Cleveland is a man not
given to concealments.
That he will favor a moderate re-
1uction of duties and a simplihcation
Of the tariff, reduction or suspension
of the silver coinage, an adherence to
The civil service reform policy and
methods, Il moderate increase of the
navy, and an Indian policy looking to
the Indian tribes self-support-
ng, the relief Of the supreme court
locket and other reforms, including
economy in the public expenditures, is
Utmost certain.
Inc sketch OF foreign relations will
1--WE a peaceful exhibit, though the
Aeily incident will probably be lightly
ouched upon. The message will
'e scanned with deep interest.
The Republicans are preparing for a
rigorous onslaught on the administra-
ion. The course of the New York
Tribune, its virulent mendacity and
late inspired BY Blaine, the keen dis
appointment of the vultures and birds
II prey, all foreshadow a campaign of
unusual rancor and falsehood, in
which the bloody shirt will of course
'e made 10 figure largely.
The message and reports will be
watched by them very carefully in
rider to discern points of attack if
hey can.be found.
Meantime, we may expect long
ebate in the house over the rules.
Conversation with members to-day
ails to develop any considerable op-
tothe demand for change in |
he rules, which will restore to the
ouse its loss faculty of free action on
ublic questions. The appropriation
ills may be distributed or left where
hey now are, but nearly all members
nsist that they shall be promptly re-
orted, that there shall be a chance to
cad them, at least, before passing
hem, an opportunity also for debate,
nd methods adopted by which
nown majority Of the house can take
Ip and pass other public measures Of |