The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-10-16
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Oct. IA, 1885.

Congress will assemble in six weeks
and the election of speaker and the
organization of the Committees will
probably be accomplished with less
trouble than at any previous congress
for thirty years. Mr.. Carlisle will be
elected without opposition, and, have
no doubt, has already on paper the ar
rang cement of the principal committees.
There is no reason why congress
should not transact considerable bust
ness before Christmas. If it shall sue
ceed in getting good start it will have
time for more deliberation and debate
on the appropriation bills. The ap-
preparations to be asked for by the
different Cabinet officers will be con-
siderably less than has been asked by
previous Republican administrations.
Much has been accomplished in the
direction of economy useless employ
es have been discharged, leaks have
been stopped, and thousands of dollars
have been saved in every Department.
There is no reason why the debates on
the appropriation bills should consume
more than two or three days each.
Heretofore they have been protracted
for week or more aud then hurried
through half made up in the closing
days Of the session. The delay in the
passage of the bills has been on ac-
count of democratic opposition to their
extravagance and the jobs with which
they were loaded. But the Republi-
can minority in the lower house can.
not, without stultifying themselves,
oppose the coming appropriations, for
they will be Tor smaller amounts than
they have often advocated and voted
for.
All signs point TO smooth, business
like session, as far as the lower house
is concerned. There is probability of con.
siderable agitation of the tariff ques-
ton, aud possibility of surprises in the
springing of new issues. The Chinese
question is still unsettled, and the labor
question in its different phases is sure
to come up for discussion.
The Senate will, in all probability,
be centre of greater interest at the
Capitol than the House. Several Bour-
bon Senators have recently shown their
incapacity to learn or forget. The
delirium Shermans has alss firm hold
on Logan and Hoar. They will doubt
less rave and rumble in the Senate
this winter. Not even time eau
teach old Senators new tricks
The Republican party is absolutely
without an issue. Sherman and his
imitators know that the old sectional
bloody shirt romance is more easily re.
hashed and is more convenient for
their party than the hopeless task of
defending its long record of official
rottenness and corruption.
The even and conservative policy of
the President has left the Republicans
without even the semblance of ground
for objection and has absolutely forced
them to take up again the bloody
shirt.
The President and his Cabinet afford
bu, little material now for newspaper
gossip. They are ceaseless in their
application to their special duties, and
are giving all their spare time to the
preparation of their annual reports.
President Cleveland's candor is re.
markable to say the least, and it is new
at the White House. Hayes was sniff
ling and insincere Garfield was a
gusher, proiuse in promises Arthur
was dignifed and exclusive, but Cleve-
land ia What soma have called 0brut,
ally candid" During the last week
several delegations have been told that
it was useless for them TO visit the
White House as their wishes could not
be complied with, and committee oI
Dakota democrats were very bluntly
informed that a man whom they came
to oppose would receive the appoint
ment he sought But the most remark
able illustration of the Presidents can
dor is found in the correspondence
that has just been published, regarding