The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1885-12-23
Washington Letter.
Editm Oh, onicle.

Editor CHI 0nicle.
WASHINGTON, Dec l3-Since l wrote
you the forty-nine congress has begur
its first session. It's opening scenes di,
not differ widely from those of past
sessions. As usual, Thongs of people
rushed to the capital and crowded the
spectators galleries. As usual, hundreds
went away disappointed unable to get
in.
/ On the floor of the house there were
I40 new faces and lS5 familiar ones.
The desks of members were loaded with
aoral gifts from admiring friends, and
Mr.. Carlisle in the speakers chair WELD
sd the gavel and swore in the members
as they stood in "a semi-circle around the
oar, in groups of twenty and thirty.
In the senate. the old familiar faces
were for the most pant at their accustom-
ed desks. On the democratic side of the
chamber, however, some changes were
acted. senator Voorhees,, of Indiana.
was at the desk long occupied by Sec
retary Bayald. Senator Walthall, of
Mississippi, sat in Secretary Lam ars
former seat, an Senator Jones, of Ar
kansas, was in possession OF the desk
that Attorney General Garland gave up
for the cabinet portfolio. The chamber
was draped in mourning for Mr.. Hend-
bricks, and Senator Sherman sat in the
late vice-P Presidents chair.
The first roll call revealed but five
absentees in the house-four from the
south and one from the north An un-
usually good showing for the new body.
The present congress bids fair to be
memorable one. 1t assembled under
circumstances fraught with signincance
and expectation. For the first time in
twenty-five years there is democratic
house and democratic president, and
the party is changed with the RESPONSE
bility growing out of this conjunction,
There is much important work ahead
for the session, such as revising the tar
if, suspending the coinage of silver,
making a navy, providing for the coast
defence, regulating the counting ofelec-
toral votes, settling the presidential
succession, and reducing government
expenses.
President Cleveland's first message
vas listened to with unusual interest in
poth ends of the capital, 1t is still the
chief topic of discussion here. 1t is pro-
nounced an able state paper 10y many
senators and members who are antagon-
istlc to its policy. During the reading
of the message, which occupied one
hour and three quarters, the sentiments
of many congressman on the various
questions could be determined by their
expressions of countenance, Those that
agreed with,the president that the con-
tinsged coinage. of silver is an evil, ex
changed mods, of, approval, while the
believersin silver scowled and in other
ways manifested their disapproval The
presidents positive sta1.d on silver
makes it almost certain now that this
will be the first engrossing subject to
come before congress. 1t will doubtless
provoke a long debate, for the Il ,yocates
Of silver coinage and its enemies are
both determined
The senate has settled down to busi-
ness with its proverbial promptnes'. At
least two hundred measures have been
presented to it, nearly all of which were
presented at the last session by the
same senator's. Thus almost every
natl NIL question before The last
senate will be revived.
The house is discussing how to work
by ammending its rules. 1t is so hampI
cred by these rules that weeks and
months are thrown away every year.
Congress is an expensive necessity.
Every hour of session costs what
would be small fortune to to the aver,
age workingman. To simplify itssmeth
DDS of procedure, to do away with
needless Interruptions, to bring the bus
mess of the house within business
principles, is now the subject of dictate.
The presidents first batch of recess
nominations went to the senate on
Thursday for confirmation. 1t comprised
about three hundred names, a number
of foreign appointments heading the
list. They are not Of character that
stand in danger of being opposed. The
president shows his usual wisdom in
holing back for the present such NOM
nations as may provoke contests end
delay in the action of the senate.
Ofthe cabinet officers annual reports,
those of Attorney General Garland and
Secretary Lamar were the last sent to
the president. Rarely has depart
mental report received so much favor.
able comment as that of Mr.. Lamar.
Misgivines in re lard to his fitness for
the large, complex and practical Depart
ment of the Interior were freely ex-
pressed at the time of his appointment
They have given away to the conviction
LnaI ne Is TIE right 4Dr tho 1alaoe
BUD BAKER.
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