Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-12
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
MEMBERS KILLING TINE.

OF Rules and Caucus-v,rR,pia Commit
tee Personal Notes.
From our Regular Correspondcnt.l
WASHINGTON, ID. c., December IL.
The two days holiday has been i'm.
proved by congressman to get up their
correspondence, visit the executive de-
psrtments. in the interest Of constitu-
cnts, and to hunt up comfortable win
ter.quarters. Many members will re.
side at hotels until after the Christmas
recess, and then settle down for the ses-
sion.
The proximity Of Virginia to the
capital brings more oflice-seekers from
that State than almost any other ex-
cept Mar, land. Dozens Of Virginians,
men and boys, can he seen every day
ST the Capitol and at night in the hotel
corridors. The Virginia congressman
have their hands full, and their chances
for obtaining appointments are not very
encouraging.
To-day there were many people at
The Capitol, attracted by meeting of
Republican senator's and meeting Of
the House Committee on Rules. Be-
sides, the number of sightseers was I'M
usually large.
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.
A paper has been in circulation
among the Democrats for a call of a
conference on the rules, and enough
names have been obtained to authorize
the chairman to issue the call, but some
members are bitterly opposed to having
a caucus. They say we have enough
votes TO carry through the proposed
changes, and there is no use in talking
about it. On the other hand, it is pru-
IDENTIFY held that il would be best to Sc
cure harmony Of action on the Demo-
cratic side if possible, and not begin
the Congress with divided ranks. Be-
sides, il would not be advisable TO have
the proposed reforms in methods Of pro-
cedure adopted only by help of the
Republicans if it can be done by the
Democrats. If the project comes be-
fore the House with the endorsement Of
Democratic caucus it will be Demo
cratic measure, no matter how many
Republicans vote for it.
The committee on rules did not ac-
complish much this morning and will
have another meeting tonight. Every
body here is particularly interested in
this matter now, because nothing Of
consequence can be done until the rules
are agreed upon, and the success Of the
first Democratic Congress for twenty
five years under Democratic admins
tration depends in great degree upon
wise disposition Of the contention about
rules.
PERSONAL NOTICE.
Messrs. }. ID. Patton, A. d. Payne,
and G. 7. Smith, the committee APP
pointed TO wait upon General Lee and
notify him Of his election, were at the
Capitol this morning, in company with
Mr.. Daniel and other members Of the
Virginia delegation.
General Fitz Lee and wife arrived in
the city to-day.
4. F. Smith, formerly Superintendent
Of Education in Kentucky, has been
endorsed by the Senators and Represen-
tatives from that State for appointment
as United States Commissioner of Edu-
cation to succeed Mr.. Eaton.
Mr.. Barbour has secured a good
place under DOorkeeper DonelSon for
Captain John A. Jones, Of Alexandria,
formerly of Culpeper, who was con-
nected with the Virginia Midland rail-
way for long time. He is member
Of the Virginia Democratic Association
at Washington.
Captain Parater's son arrived in the
city last night, and was put on the roll
Of House pages this morning.
A son Of Congressman Dezendorf
was dropped from the roll of pages to-
day. lie was page for two years un-
der the Republicans and the Democrats
continued him on the roll during the
last two years.
A. l.. DeRopet and Charles NJ. Stead
man, of Wilmington, N. C.. j. A.
Griifths and Henry Charters, of Rich
mOnd A. C. Edmunds, d. b. Stead
man, b. Still, l.. l.. Bannon, and j. G.
Lamb, of Virginia; j. r. Johnson, of
Christiansburg; and Charles X. Payne,
Of Blacksburg, are in the city.
General Lee, Mr.. Daniel, Colonel
Trigg, and party of Virginians called
on the President this afternoon.