Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-12-12

Just Before tho Conventne Of Con-
grom-The Nsrshatshtp.

Just Betoreths oonyenfn9 Of Con-
groa-The Nsrshakshzp.
Special oonsspoAdsneso Of ths IxrsaocEAx.
WAsHINarsS, Dec. Are this COM
munication reaches you congress will
have convened. The senate and house
Representatives will be called to order
simultaneously. After the formal Or
ganization. the house and probably tho
senate will open with adiscussion ofthe
rules. The contest will be between
those who want TO make this . working
session and those who, it is alleged,
would squander it in idleness and talk.
Many of the arriving congressman say
ifany business,stob be accomplished dur
ing the session there must first be a re-
vision of the rules. The popular plan is
to take some of the power away from
the committee on appropriations. by
placing a part of their work in the hands
of other committees.
1t was q standing joke during the last
session that the United States congress
consisted of the senate and Sam Ran
dali. Underneath the joke there was
much deep felt jealousy of the fifteen
members who compose Mr.. Randall's
potent committee. Any plan to cur.
tail prerogatives it is thought will meet
with favor from the remaining 80 mem.
bers of the house, who belong to the less
important committees.
The Democratic majority in the house
of representatives has a useful if not o
brilliant part to perform in national pol
itics this session. The senate being Re-
publican by a small majority, the house
will be without the power Of positive leg
islation. while 1t the same time its re.
sponsibility will be great. 1t will be
practically on its good behavior. 1t will
be required to show to the country that
it is no inclined TO do anything radical
and extreme and that it is ready to pro-
pose everything thati is conservative and
good.
Its first work probably will be to pro-
vide for N rational u OF the electoral
votes and for HI orderly succession To
the presidency in case Of VACANCY. After
thes.. matters are disposed of. three.
questions of grea: Importance will have
to be- dealt Wit!i-;he reform OF the cur
rency, the reform uf the tariff aud the
reform vi the cWils-rvice. O:.h- latte,
no affirm tive legislation will h- requ,r-
I'D beyond the passage If tue necessary
appropriation. But efforts will b.mad.
10 prevent the appropriation, TO relra
the law, and to cripple the system.
The question ri II successor to the late
Vice.Pr-slcenl Hendricks Continues to
b. an absorbing topic here. The caucus
OF Republican senators to he held al
the capitol tonight will decide who
it shall be. You will know the result OF
the caucus before this letter reaches o
Consequently it is usless to forecast its
action. The Democrats would greatly
prefer Senator Edmunds for presiding
ofhcerrof the senate, and look upon the
selection of either Senators Logan or
Sherman as a kind of a
Having completed his message the
president has begun upon the District Of
Columbia appointments. The marshal.
ship being first in order, the long strug'
gle for that Office has ended BY Col. VIII.
son, u we'll known citizen OF Washington
securing the coveted prize. As usual,
the contestants were all left in the race.
Mr.. Wilson was not an applicant for the
Office. The president summoned him
to the white house, consulted with him
for q short time and in about two hour,
issued his appointment. The compen
sation of the Office is $1,000 q year Dis.
trict Democrats are delighted with the
appointment of a district man. 1.-THE
president has kept faith U.s." they say
land We are satisfied" Unlike his pre-
decessors, the new appointee will be OK
cused from SOCIAL duties at the white
house. He will be required to give hi
attention to the more weighty business
Of the Office prescribed in the statutes
Some one else will make introduction,
at the presidents receptions, and be
master Of ceremonies at his state din
ners.
As usual, just before the meeting o
oongr, IS, official departmental reportl
are coming out with quantities of infor
nation. The postnlastmaster genera
led of with a voiuminous document
He tells that the of the posta
department are steadily falling OF
while the expenditures are just as stead
ily increasing. Owing to large pensiol
payments, there was no reduction las
month of the national debt. The sur
plus was used to pay debts to the sol
diers instead Of the bond holders.
A mattor Of conScnuapca IN cvnrv nor