Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-11-06
NOV. 6, 1886.
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Congress and marked the END OIL
which has disturbed the
residents of this city very slightly
the contest has been high
ly interesting in many parts of the
country. Washington is at this
moment a unique city, the only one
in the United States which does not
echo the shouts of contending fac
lions. There was quite number
of racing men here during the
week, who cursed the weather that
spoiled their business, but few pol
iticians could be seen. All the can
didateS too were in the field. A
glance at the register in the House
post Office at the Capitol shows that
there are only two Congressman in
Washington today election day.
They happen to be Singleton of Miss,
aud Welborn of Tex, who failed Of
nomination.
After this week the procession
back to Washington will begin.
Statesmen, demagogues, the men of
ideas and the men of schemes, the
makers Of history, Senators, Repre-
sentatives, Judges, Generals, Pres
idential aspirants. lobbyists and Of
fee seekers big and little will all be
here in less than month.
The shortness of what is known
as the "short session. of Congress,
which must end by the fourth Of
March, is already bewailed in adj
vance, from the prospect of hasty
legislation and the neglect of many
useful and important measures. AS
Senator Morrill, remarked few days
ago. "There are always grave and
serious questions before Congress-"
AS to the probability of ANYTHING
being accomplished this winter, he
seemed doubtful. He said further
that the Democratic party did not
seem to have a definite policy ex-
cept on one subject and even on
that, the Tariff, it did not seem to
care whether it had a following or
not.
As 1t seems impossible to get Con.
gress to meet earlier, it is to be hop
ed that it will at least vote this win.
ter on tae proposed amendment to
the Constitution prolonging the Sec
Ond session until April Both. That
would place Inauguration day on
the same date, besides the biennial
benefits in prolonging the ridicul-
ously brief period of Congressional
labor, which is really only about two
months after the holiday recess. An
even later date than the 30th of
April would be desirable, but as that
day has historical association with
the Inauguration of the first Presi-
dent, to strengthen its chances, it
will doubtless be safer to make the
fight upon it.
Secretary Manning had as well
cease to be an object of public So
licitude. He has at last assumed
the discharge of all the duties of
the Secretary of the Treasury in.
Guiding that Of signing the daily
mail, the warrants. etc. He signs
warrants, however, by the use of an
autograph stamp, in order to spare
himself exertion. 1t seems he has
just received an opinion from the
Attorney General to the effect that
there is no legal obstacle to his sig.
nature by means of q stamp, initials
or mark, or by signature made by
another person in his presence and
by his direction.
The President has performed an
unusual amount of handshaking dur
ing the week inasmuch as each of
his tri-weekly receptions were at
tended by several hundred people.
There is always some one present on
these occasions who is waiting to
do something a little out of order,
and make himself or herself con.
spicuous, hoping thus to get some
special attention or to call forth a
few special words from the Presi-
dent. One gentlemen, for instance.
who wanted to pose as Growers old
friend, thrust out his hand impul-
sively, remarkiDg, ibid you ever
see me before ?" expecting of course
to be greeted with the fervor of an
old acquaintance. "Why how d. do 4?
How d. do" exclaimed the President
in great JOY, for no one knows bet
ter than he the importance of meet
ing an old acquaintance half way. l
thought you would remember me
said the man. "Oh, yes" SAID Mr..
Cleveland, &c remember you very
distinctly, but l can't quite place
you. WHAT'S the nameg o, yes.
of course" When he heard the
name he remembered him very dis.
timely.
The Mexican government is go.
ing to do as England did and erect
handsome building for her repre-
sentatives here. The foreign
ers, | mean the whole Diplomatic
corps, are displeased with the man.
agement of the State Department
under the present Administration
They complain of great delays in
having their business attended to.
Secretary Bayard is careless aad
leaves everything to his assistant
secretary. The latter, Mr.. Porter,
is ny no means the accomplished
gentleman the position needs. He
is unfamiliar with European topics,
and speaks no language but his
Tenn. dialect. Very few of the for
eigners speak English at all.