Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-11-21
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
lFrom Our Regular Correspondents,

The Capitol has been set in order
for the forty-ninth Congress. It has
been thoroughly cleaned inside and
outside, newly carpeted, and otherwise
made ready for the representatives of
sixty millions of people.
Although the new Congress meets
in less than month there is little
speculation about its organization over
the Speakership is in progress. This
high Office, third in rank of the offices
of the Government, and second only
to the Presidency in point OF power, is
prize justifying an earnest canvass.
This year, for the first time almost in
the history of Congress, no contest is
indicated. Mr.. Randall has said that
he would not be a candidate for the
Speakership, and Mr.. Carlisle is sure
to be reelected, as the democrats have
a clear majority of forty-two over the
Republicans. Other old officers are
likely to be reelected, Clark the clerk,
and Leedom the Sergeant-at-Arms.
There is vacancy, caused by death,
in the Office of doorkeeper, which is
being sought by three candidates, in
Guiding Mr.. Eugene Higgins, the
much abused Appointment Clerk of
the Treasury. The casting OF the
COMMITTEES will not take much time,
either, for most of the old members
will get their old places, or be regu-
'arly promoted to fill vacancies.
Nearly one half of the new Con-
gress will consist of inexperienced
men. The total number OF members
IN the House of Representatives is
325. There will be 13S new members.
These will be at a disadvantage for
some time. No matter how able or
how we'll informed a man Imay be on
general subjects,.he will be clumsy in
Congress until he learns something Of
its circuitous methods of doing bust
ness. 1t has been charged that the
rules of the House were made espec-
tally for the purpose of retarding legis-
lative work. The majority rule was
abolished long ago, and the present
rules are so constructed that we'll led
minority can defeat with ease the
most positive will of the majority.
There continues to be much talk
about the result OF the New York and
Virginia elections. One effect thus
far shown is encouraging to the admin
istration. The Republican Senators
who have been threatening to make
war on some of the appointments
are much subdued, and not near so
eager for a fight as they were.
Senator Logan says he did not make
"bloody shirt" campaign at all. In
his opinion, Mugwump philosophy is
a delusion and a snare, and Empire
State Republicans are slippery. Re-
ferring to the insinuation of some OF
the mourners that he had damaged
the prospects of Mr.. Davenport, by
not keeping that soiled neither gar
ment concealed in his valise, Senator
Logan said. aft some gentlemen in
New York want a scapegoat in order
to get from under the hay themselves,
l suppose can flee to the noun
tains as we'll as anyone"
Governor-elect Fitzhugh Lee of Vir-
ginia, and also the Lieutenant-gov-
ernor-elect Massey, have been in the
city since their election. General Lee
came with his sons to make some pur-
chases, and only remained few hours
Everywhere he went on the streets he
was followed by acongratulatory crowd
that insisted on shaking hands with
him.
Senator Malone is so broken politi-
cally and socially, that some of his
friends have been urging him to leave
Virginia and make his home in Wash
ington in the future. There are those,
however who express the hope that
he emigrates from his native state, he
will not stop short of Alaska. There
are others who wish for him a hotter
climate. 1t has been suggested that he
will rise from the depth of his gloom
and run for Congress next year.
Everything that the President in
tends to recommend in his message,
will, it is thought, receive the support
of his party. The administration is in
high spirits and great harmony among
Democrats is looked for now. The
party feels united and strengthened by
recent victories, and that it has been
given new vigor and long lease of
political ascendancy.
Washington, Nov. 9, 1886.