Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-12-18
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER,

dents chair, and the House OF
Representatives, with Mr.. Carlisle
as presiding officer, is discussing a
revising of it's rules.
The opening scenes of the Forty
Ninth Congress were similar 10
those of the Forth Eighth, Forth
Seventh FOrth-sixth, and many
others of the past. There was the
same rush to the Capitol. There
were crowded galleries and corrl-
doris, and the same turbulent scenes
on the floor of the House, to which
members old and new contributed.
I'm the Senate the old time dignity,
decorum and quietude prevailed
and the old familiar faces were at
their desks.
The opening proceedings OF this
Congress were necessarily unexcit-
ing. but the session promises to be
a lively one for business. The
Senate at least will be working
body, and it is likely to supply ma
terial for much excitement before
its close.
The Presidents message has OF
course been the chief subject OF
comment for several days. Opln-
ions expressed even by Democratic
Senators and Members have varied
40 much that it would be impossl-
bic to tell the drift Of their crIti-
cism. An almost unanimous com
ment and regret was that the pa
per was too long. Some OF the
more conservative Republican
Senators have said that the mess
age was more valuable for the in
formation contained in 1t than ior
any opinions expressed or policy
advocated. Senator Logan said be
would express his views on the
floor of the Senate. The aggress'
i've Senator from Kansas, Mr..
ingalls,, characterized the docu-
ment as an incoherent mass OF
dogmatic platitudes, unrelieved by
a single novel idea. The sugges-
tons about silver, he said. were
Old and shallow.
The financial chapter in the
message led to the most criticism.
The silver men Of the South and
West are in arms against the views
of the President and the Secretary
Of the Treasury on this question:
The position of the Administration
will have no effect in changing
Their policy.
1t being admitted that the tariff
aud silver questions will be dealt
with by this Congress, the wide
divergence Of opinion upon them,
even among men Of the same party
tends to increase the interest. The
advocates of silver coinage say the
President has simply repeated the
old worn out arguments of Wall
street. But Democrats, as a rule,
who differ from Mr.. Cleveland are
not inclined to express their antago-
nism publicly.
4 large list of President nomina-
tons made during the recess of the
Senate have been sent in for con-
firpation. Some OF them are like
~ to be revoked. Some Republi-
can Senators and Congressman
called on the President and told
him they could not vote to confirm
certain appointments he has made
OH account of charges against the
nominees.
The Senate has many interesting
debates in prospect, matter for
which has been furnished in bills
already introduced. Senator Ed
mnnds is preparing a bill to de-
stroy MOrmOnism altogether, by
depriving the Church Gifts temper
al power.
Senator Blair has again introdu-
ced bill comforting the right of sufi-
rage on women, and it is said there
is a desire to precipitate an ANNA
ted agitation of that question. Sena-
tor Blair is confident his education
al bill will pass promptly this SEES
sion, and Senator Beck is prepar-
ing for a vigorous reply to the
Presidents attack on the standard
dollar. Senator Hoar has again
introduced his Presidential sue
cession bill. 1t is thought the
House will not be afraid to pass
it now since, its effect if adopted,
will be to but Secretary Bayard in
the line of succession aud Senator
Sherman out.
Senator German is visited 10y a
larger number of persons than any
other Senator. His callers are not
confined to Mary land, but hail from
every quarter of the Union. Mr..
German is reputed to have great
infiiience with the Administration,
and his callers want his help to get
offices.
The spoilsmen are undaunted by
that clause in the Presidents mes
SAGE TO the effect that no offices
are to be given for partisan service.
They know that thousands of faitlr-
ful. competent officials have been
pul out to make place for The
henchmen of Democratic leaders
and that thousands more will 80
for the same purpose.