San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-11-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.


From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Nov 10, 1885.
The Capitol has been set in order
for the Forty-Ninth Congress-. 1t
has been thoroughly cleaned inside
and outside, newly carpeted, and
otherwise made ready for the Repre-
sentatives of sixty millions Of people,
Although the new Congress meets
in less than month there is little
speculation about its organization
Usually at this season an exciting con-
test over the Speakership is in pro-
gress. This high Office, third in rank
of the offices of the Government, and
second only to the Presidency in
point of power, is a prize justifying
an earnest canvass. This year, for
the first time almost in the history OF
Congress, no contest is indicated. MIR.
Randall has said that he would not
be q candidate for the Speakership,
and Mr. Carlisle is sure to be re-elec-
ted, rs the Democrats have o clear
majority of.forty-two over the Repub-
licans. Other old officers are likely
to be reelected, Clark the clerk, and
Leedom the Sergeant-at-arms. There
is a vacancy, caused by death, in the
Office of doorkeeper, which is being
sought by three candidates, including
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 regularly 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 138new members.
These will be at a disadvantage for
some time. No matter how able or
how we'll informed man may be on
general subjects, be will be clumsy in
Congress until he learns something of
it's circuitous methods of doing bust
ness. It has been charged that the
rules of the House were made espe-
cially for the purpose of retarding
Legislative work. The majority rule
was abolished long ago, and the
present rules are 80 constructed that
well led minority can defeat with
ease the most positive will Of the ma
jority.
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 Ad-
ministration. The Republican Sena-
tors who have been threatening to
make war on some of the appoint
ments are much subdued, ard not
near so eager for fight as they were.
Senator Logan says he did not
make "bloody shirt campaign at
all. In his opinion, Mugwumpian
philosophy is delusion and snare,
and Empire State Republicans are
slippery. Referring to the insinua-
ton of some of the mourners that he
had damaged the prospects of Mr..
Davenport, by not keeping that soiled
neither garment concealed in his va
lise, Senator Logan said: off some
gentlemen in New York want O
scapegoat in order to get from under
the hay themselves, I suppose can
flee to the mountains as well as any
one"
Governor elect Fitzhugh Lee OF
Virginia, and also the Lieutenant
governor-elect Massey, have been in
the city since their election. General
Lee came with his two sons to make
some purchases, and only remained
a few hours. Everywhere he went
on the streets he was followed by a
congratulatory crowd that insisted on
shaking hands with him.
Senator Malone is 80 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 when he emigrates from his ma
tive state he will not stop short OF
Alaska. There are others who wish
for him hotter climate. Ithas been
suggested that he will rise from the
depth Of his gloom and run for Con-
gress next year. Il
Everything that the President in
tends TO recommend in his message,
will, it is thought, receive the sup
port of his party. The Adninistra-
ton is in high spirits and great har-
mony among Democrats is looked for
now. The party feels united and {
strengthened by recent victories, and {
that It has been given new vigor and
a long lease of political ascendency. q
Among a large number Of adver-