Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-12-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WAsHINGToN,De y, 1885.

The Forty-Ninth Congress is nov
five days old. Its opening scene:
were repetions of those at other open
ings for years past. Eager crowds
rushed to the Capitol, undetermined
whether to lend their presence to the
Senate or the House Of Represent
atives. There were many handshak-
ings among the old Members, and as
usual, the new ones were conspicuous
for their self-conscious attempts tc
appear statesmanlike and at ease.
The session began with 800 Repre-
s~entatives present and 81 Senators.
This is considered excellent attend
ance for the first day. Speaker
Carlisle took his seat as presiding
officer at one end of the Capitol, and
Senator Sherman at the other.
In the Senate, the sombre drapery
around the Chamber, in memory of
Vice-President Hendricks, contrasted
markedly with the gay floral gifts
which covered the desks of many
Senators, and the yari-colored costum-
es in the galleries.
The first day vas taken up by the
House in organizing, swearing in the
Members, and drawing seats. As
usual at the lottery of seats, the
Members retired behind the circle Of
desks and waited impatiently, like SO
many school boys, while a b~lindfolded
page drew from a box the numbered
marbles which correspondent to the
numbers attached to their anne
The second days session was de-
voted principally to the reading OF
the Presidents message in both the
Senate and the House. It occupied
one hour aud forty minutes. It was
a much longer document than was
expected. Senators listened attentive
ly to the message, and the Presidents
| course in devoting more than n
fifth Of it to the review. of the silver
question was commented upon. The
absence of any recommendation re-
specting the internal revenue was
criticised. Approval Of the Mexican
commercial treaty was received with
surprise. The absence Of any argu-
ment for subsidies was a disappoint-
ment in the lobby. The Indian policy
was approved by these interested in
the civilization of the red man.
The Presidents treatment of the
Mormon question met with almost
unanimous approval. 1t created
some stir among the representatives
of the Mormon church in this city.
As soon as that part of the message
was read, Delegate Game of Utah,
ran out into the lobby and held a
hurried consultation with the man
who is understood here to be the
Mormon lobby agent. Then Mr..
Game hastily prepared a dispatch to
the Mayor Of Salt Lake City, telling
him that the President was infexible
in support Of the anti-polygamy laws.
During the reading Of the message
in the House, scarcely a Member left
his seat for the first hour, but when
the reading went into the second
hour, seats began to be vacated on
the Republican side Of the Hall.
Comments upon the message were
varied and characteristic. When
Mr.. Randall was asked how he liked
it, he replied very much. Very
much" Representative Long of
Massachusetts,, said: "Of course like
it, it's long" The Republican Mem
bers generally said; 1T is sound
and clear on Silver and Civil Service,
but on the Tariff, vague and unsatis-
factory" On the whole it may be
said that there is nothing in the docu-
ment to precipitate a conflict among
the Democrats in opposition to the
Executive.
The Congress which began this
week has an opportunity to make for
,4ea1f n rranf nor,a How, f,, ~ rr:3I
improve its chances can be told better
when it adjourns next summer.
Weighty subjects call for settlement.
Beside those questions alluded to
above in connection with the message
may be mentioned the protection of
the public domain, foreign immi
grafton, the succession to the Presi-
dency, railroad legislation, the treat
ment of the private claimant, a
national bankrupt law, strengthening
the Navy, and a dozen other import
ant matters. The Senate has already
set several Of these measures in
motion. The House also has received
a food of bills, old and new, but no
real work must be expected of that
body until it can revise its working
rules. This may consume all the
time prior to the Holiday vacation.
THE N0RTHWESTERN Raj PEI