Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1885-12-05

WASHINGTON LETTER.
IFEOm our Regular Corespoudent.l
aShin0tOn. Nov. 23d. b

From RcglIar CORRESPONDENT.
Washington Nov. Esd, 1885.
The members Of Congress already
here are occupied chiefly in perfecting
arrangements for locating their fami-
lies and in discussing the probable
issues Of the session. They agree upon
at least two subjects; LIST. That the
House rules must be changed early In
the session so as 10 facilitate legislation,
and I'd. That the silver question viii
come up promptly for consideration.
Just now there is an unusual demand
among congressman for books relating
10 financial subjects. Concerning thus
demand, a we'll known politician disre-
spectfully remarked, sIt is well. -
meaning, that it was q subject upon
which the average congressman needs
70 be informed. Le thqsght that a
''litue learning" vas never u more
dangerous thing than when applied
to legislation on finance.
Senator Allison has been numbered
among the friends of silver in congress,
and his opinion, 20 the effect that the
further coinage of the silver dollar
might be suspended, has special sig
nihcance. He will aCquiesCe in stop
ping coinage temporarily as an eXpe-
riment
The opening of the new congress Is
not likely to furnish an exciting contest
over The House officers. Their distri-
button is pretty well understood, only
the doorkeepership promising to afford
the sembience Of a struggle And if
indications are TO be trusted, a SEM
blence Is all there viii be Of is. Mr..
DOnelsOn, of Tennessee, Is as good as
elected. Besides being considered
courteous and qualified. Mr. DOnelson
is a relative of Andrew Jackson, and
with a democratic House, there is
something in a name
Assistant Postmaster, General Ste
VensOn, has become quite popular with
the lady pOstmasters throughout the
country by endeaVOring to retain them
in Office in spite of politicians. When
Mr.. Villas assumed charge of the post
Office department, he ordered that no
women were to be removed from these
positions except for good reasons. This
has greatly annoyed democratic mem
bers of congress with certain impatient
constituents. The Statesman were not
slow in devising plans to eva6e the
rule, however, and they used only the
initials OF names In asking for removals
In cases where the incumbents were
women. A number Of defenceless ones
were thrown out of Office by the au-
thOrities here not knowing their sex.
Mr.. Stevenson was much chagrined
when he discovered that ne had been
led unconsciOusly to violate a rule, and
at once ordered that the women be re-
instated where the commissions had
not been sent to their successors.
The President said 10 q Republican
Senator a few day ago, that he would
esteem it a great favor if Senators
knowing anything ObjectiOnal or detri-
mental TO public interests about persons
appointed by him, would appraise him
of the fact. The President expects an
attack viii be made on some of his APP
pOintments. He believes, however.
that the majority of Republican Sena-
tors Will be disposed to confirm them,
except where there are real grounds for
objection. If such cases exist, ne wants
TO nave his attention called to them be-
fore there is an organized opposition.
The Republican Senators viii hold a
caucus before Congress meets, and an
effort will then be made to define q
course to be pursued with regard TO the
Presidents nominations.
1t is said President Cleveland's mess
age will not occupy more than four
average newspaper columns. This viii
be considered quite an Improvement on
the eight column messages of the past.
II cannot be denied that prOlixity has
been q fault OF many Presidents In max
inc their annual commentators to con,
gress and the country. There are many
topics requiring only a brief generaliza-
ton. One Of President Arthur's ness
ages was stolen and published before it
was delivered to congress So was Gen.
Grants first message, and one of the
messages of Mr.. Hayes was bought for
81 600 of a printer by some newspaper
men and published before its time
President Cleveland is nothing if not
cautious, and d premature publication
of his first message is not probable,