Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1885-12-25
NO. 80.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our special correspondent.
Washinston, Dec. Z, lS6.


The event in Washington to-day va
the beginning of Congress The session
opened in the usual way, There were
crowds in the spectators galleries and
in the corridors of the Capitol, while
on the floor of the House there Was
the old time confusion, hustle, noise,
handshaking, exchange of congratula.
tions and inhpdnctions. The Fofd
officers were reelected from the speak
er down. The Republicans gave a
complimentary vote for speaker to Mr.
Reed of Maine.
There were more thar q hundred new
faces among the Representatives, and
the hall looked much improved by its
new carpet and freshly vanished fur
niture. The seat drawing presented
the usual amusing scene of expectation
suspense and disappointment of the
countenances of the fortunate and less
fortunate members.
The Senate chamber looked bnt little
changed since the last adjournment,
except for the Grape draping Vice
President. The Senate opened as qrliet
" as if its vacation had been only nine
hours instead of nine months
Senator John Sherman was elected
to succeed Mr. Hendricks as President
pro tenn. Senator Logan having de-
clined the first caucus nomination for
the place. Nothing could have been
more repugnant to the Democrats than
the selection of Sherman. Theywould
have preferred Logan, as the lesser evil
While Senator Logan Is a narrow, pos
tive partisan, his discreet action after
the last Presidential election was in
marked contrast to the undignihed CON
duet Of Mr.. Blaine. And then it must
be admitted that while he has been IN
Congress during period Of unparalled
extravaganza and corruption, his per-
sonal honesty has not been questioned
Sherman is an accomplished hypo
critic. While protesting patriotism he
would at any moment be willing t.
plunge the country in war, if he coulc
thereby promote his own selfish inter
ests. During his public life in wash
lngton, while engaged in no other busi
ness ostensibly, and while receiving th'
limited pay of Congressman or Secre
tary of the Treasury he has accumula
ted fortune estimated at several mill
ions. He is known to have been th'
brains in the Presidential theft Of SIG
and to have been always an unscrupu
lous plausible, ambitious, ayaricious
deinagogue.
The Presidents message ig read,
for Congress, and will probably be sen
in at to-morrow's session. OF ih,
Cabinet reports sent to the President
that of Secretary Whitney may b
mentioned as one of the ablests Hs
has found duringfhis incumbelicy de
caying dock-yards, squandered millions,
bad management and no ships. I'll,
scathingly reviews past methods, ane
holds that the only remedies in com
plete reorganization of the Navy De
partment. While he wastes no time IL
dragging to light past rasealities or il
making accusations against former Sec
retaries, the plain manner in which h'
exposes the management, evasions ant
violations Of law that existed when h,
assumed control, in the most efectiv
indictment he cou ID make against hi
predecessors.
| In regard to prospective legislatioi
it may be asserted that the House vii
first give attention to change Of it
rules Thep a bill will be presented
for giving the Presidential succession
to the Cabinet. It is urged that tn
temporary President, provided by suc
a bill, would not be the peoples choice
but neither would an officer elected b
the Senate Such bill would NEE
| the emergency better than any othe
| plan that has been proposed, for
would secure the continuance in powe
of the party and the administratio
elected by the people.
Then there will be debates on til
Silver question, and hard fight ovt
it and the tariff. There are many th
ories among the silver men. The we
will be for silver, the east against j
and the south will be divided
The session has opened very quietl
but sensations will come later. Amor
them will probably be scheme
Republican Senators to impeach Il
Attorney General in connection wi
the great telephone case.