New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-12-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, Dec. 4th, 1873;


Washington, Dec. 4th, 1885.
Since the memorable morning in
July, 1881, when the news of the assas-
sination of President Garfield was flash
ed over the wires, causing the very
heart of the Nation to intermit in it's
pulsation, the country has not expert
enced such shock as was occasioned
by the news of the sudden and unex-
pected death Of Vice President Hen
bricks, which occurred on 'Thanksgiv-
ing eve. The leaders of both political
parties were startled by the announce.
ment. Although several Vice Presi-
dents have died while in Office, the Vice
President succeeding has always been
of the same political opinion as the
President. In the present case, how
ever, the Senate having Republican
majority will choose a Republican as
it's presiding officer. 1t was quiet
and sad Thanksgiving Day at the White
House. There were no callers, and no
public business was transacted. ALI of
the Government buildings have again
been shrouded in Grape and bunting,
which will remain until the day after
Christmas.
The President did not make known
his determination not to attend the fun
eral of the dead Vice President until
Sunday afternoon. In his public state
ment for declining to 60, he said that
in the first moment of the shock of Mr..
Hendricks death he yielded to his in
clination and declared his intention to
be present at the burial. Afterwards
he was satisfied that he was at fault in
that he did not take Us comprehensive
q view of the duty he owed to the pub
lie as he should. He was convinced
that his strong personal desire to be
present had clouded his Judgment.
He claimed to have looked at the mat
ter in all its phases, and to have debat-
ed with his Cabinet, his anxious callers,
and in his own mind the question togo,
or not to- go. Messages from Indiana
had much weight in pursuading him to
stay at home. Secretaries Lamar.
Whitney, Bayard, and Postmaster
General Villas, with the committees of
Senators and Representatives went on
a special train.
Congress will convene next Monday
at precisely twelve o'clock. The con.
test for the election of President pro
tenlpoye of the Senate has fallen to the
Republicans. Naturally there has been
much discussion as to who it should be.
Thus the death of the Vice President
of the United States has awakened an
interest in Republican circles where in
difference prevailed few weeks ago.
Senators Logan, Edmunds, and Sher-
man are the most prominent candi-
dates for the place. Of course none Of
these gentlemen is making a canvass,
nor has any of them expressed any in
clination for the position, but the
friends of each are working for them.
A sharp fight for the nomination is ex-
pected in the caucus of Republican
Senators to be held this week.
Some deluded Democrats have ex-
pressed the hope that the Republican
Senators would elect a Democratic
Senator TO preside over the Senate.
They thought it would be more in &C.
cord with the eternal fitness of things.
It.would indeed be superhuman gen.
crosby for the Republican Senators to
make up to their political opponents
the loss they sustained in the event
which occurred at Indianapolis last
week. But such magnanimity will not
occur, for the reason that it should not.
Sentimental gush will have nothing to
do with the choice of u President Of the
Senate. Those who will make that
CHOICE understand that it is as much
their duty to vote for Republican as
it would be if they were making the
original selection.
A committee representing the Ameri-
can Medical Association have been in
the city during the week, engaged in
making the preliminary arrangements
for the International Medical Congress,
which is to be held here in 1887. The
committee waited upon the President
and requested him to bring the matter
to the attention of Congress, with the
view Of having Congress make some
provision towards defraying the ex-
pense Of entertaining delegates from
foreign countries.
In the treatement of rheumatism,
/