San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-12-24
WASHINGTON LETTER,
fTom oar Regular Cor FssPondshi,
WASHINGTON, Dec. Ia, 1885,

1 'ahAA@fNANsst $3.50 -
Washington has come 10 be the
fayorite place Of assomblago for the
great associations OF tho country
During the week two important
organizations held conventions hero
Ono was tho American Health As
ociation, and the other was the
Federation Of Labor Unions OF the
United States and Canada. These
with tho meeting Of tho Forty Ninth
Congress, made the week ono oil
especial interest
The ganitary gathering was compo'
sod largely Of doctors from every
quarter OF tho Republic, and among
tho many important scientific subjects
which they treated oxhaustively, was
that Of disposing Of the dead. From
tho expressions used in thoir debates,
il was evident that they had very
littlo reverence for n mans remains
after no dies. They wero almost
unanimously in favor of cremation.
The Workingmen's Congress order
cd that the Eight hour rule be enfor-
ced on tho first Of May, and gave ex-
preston TO many other Of tho labor
er's wants in no uncertain language.
They held significant mass-meeting
and parade on Thursday evening.
1t was remarked by politicians,
religionists and social philosophers
who witnessed the scene, that Of oil
tho parades seen on Pennsylvania
avenue, Republican, Democratic, mill,
tary or inaugural, none have been
more positive than the mon who
marched in this labor parade.
During this first week Of the new
Congress, neither the Senate nor the
House has done anything more than
to prepare for work. As you know,
debates on bills cannot begin until
committees report the bills, and as
yot only ono bill has been sanctioned
by committee. This is the Hoar
succession bill, which reached the
Senate to-day. 1t will be taken up
at once, and though it will give rise
to considerable discussion, it is likely
to be passed during the week. In
all important features it is the same
bill passed by the Senate last session,
and will put Cabinet officers in the
line of succession to the Presidency
in case of the death Of both the
President and Vice-Presi-dent.
In the House of Representatives
the important question now is revi-
son of the rules, and as tho Speaker
will not even announce the arrange
ment of the standing committees until
the matter of rulos is settled, no real
work noed be expected from that
body for some time.
MIR. Carlisle is engaged with his
troublesome duty of committee max
ing. Much of the time he ID closeted
with some of his trusted friends, and
they talk the matter over and over
again. Members write notes to him
asking to be placed on this or that
committee, where they think they
will find the most congenial work.
It is probable that q revolution in
the business methods of the House
will DO adopted during this week,
and that tho plan will be that propo-
sed by Mr.. Morrison, the author OF
tho Horizontal tariff bill of last ses
sion. The House began to discuss
his proposition to-day. 1t provides
for distribution of the work of the
Appropriations committee. This OBJ
iect will not be accomplished until
after sharp contest. The struggle
will not be in the nature OF q party
conflict, however, but between those
who think that the plan will facilitate
business and those who think it will
result in increased expenditures to
make such changes at this time.
The President naturally feels much
gratifed at the almost universal
praise which his first message has
evoked. Nor did he fud the first
week OF Congress so harassing as
many expected. Senator'S and Mem
bers called upon him, but there were
fewer appeals for office made to him
than to any President at the ASSEMBLE
ing of Congress for years.
About three hundred of the Presi-
dents recess nominations have been
sent to the Senate for confirmation.
Republican Senators discussed in
caucus the policy to be adopted in
regard to them. There was nm
animated debate and quite a differ
ence of opinion manifested. Some
favored general opposition, others
admitted that good appointments
should not be opposed. Time only
can prove what course they will
pursue.
The Republicans Of the House
adopted in caucus a resolution which
was a purely demagogical scheme to
capture the soldier vote. They
declared in favor OF unconditional
repeal of the limitation of the pay
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