The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-04-22
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsH1NGroN. D. C.. April IL, 1886.

OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. D. c., April II, 1886.
A good portion of the time of the
Senate this week has been taken up with
Executive Sessions. This is caused by
the large number of nominations sent in,
and no action made thereon during the
pendency of the question as to the right
of the Senate to call for papers. These
executive sessions are great protection
to the Senators from annoyance by
Callers" AS rule, when Member or
Senator is to be seen, either to enlist his
services in the worthy case of obtaining
an office or to importune him about some
bill referred to him by his Committee for
report, the call is made on him at the
Capitol after the body is convened at
noon each day except Saturday which is
holiday. The number of such callers
is 30 great that there is always crowd
around each door to the chamber and four
or FIVE men are kept busy at each door
taking cards into the Members.
Senators are more independent Of their
constituents than are members of the
House, and so the Senate has adopted
rule which is strictly enforced that no
card shall be taken to Senator between
the hours of II and 2. The result is
that theSenators have two hours in which
tointroduce bills or make reports and dis.
cuss subjects without fear of giving
oHense to any one by declining to leave
the chamber in answer to a call. But
they have more complete protection
during executive sessions which are
always held after 2 o'clock. Not only
can no card be taken in at such times but
the galleries and corridors are cleared of
all persons, and two policemen placed at
each palatial marble staircase to prevent
any person getting on the gallery floor
where the Senator'S voices can be heard
very distinctly during any animated de-
bate. On the first floor two door.keepers
are placed at each door aud additional
watchmen placed at the windows between
the doorways 80 that no newspaper man
or other eavesdropper can steal any Of the
secrets. All these safeguards are taken
to. prevent the people of this republic
from learning of the reasons advanced
by the Senators for the rejection of some
X.roads postmaster, while the Senators
insist on the Executive giving his reasons
for removal and appointment of these
postmasters. Consistency, thou art a
jewel
Public opinion is demanding that these
star chamber meetings shall be abolished.
Many Senators have already needed the
warning and this week some potent
speeches have been made in the Senate
in advocacy of the resolution to have
open sessions and no secret sessions.
A movement is also on foot to have
open on Sundays all the government
buildings that are maintained for the
pleasure and instruction of the people at
large-such as the Botanical Gardens,
National Museum, Smithsonian Institute,
and others. 1t is rumored about the Cap.
itol that when the appropriation bill is
reached an amendment will be tackled
on to it providing that the Congressional
Library shall be kept open on Sunday for
the benefit of those who cannot find an
opportunity during the week to avail
themselves of the rich store Of knowledge
to be obtained there. It is quite certain
that when the new library building is
finished and occupied it will be open at
night as we'll as on Sundays.
People here are in grave doubt whether
there is any truth in the rumor that the
President is to be married in June.
Diligent inquiry Of officials at the White
House failed to throw any light on the
subject. If they know anything they
are mum" on the subject. It will be
remembered that a similar rumor was
circulated about President Arthur, during
the last year of his term, that he would
marry Miss Frelinghuysen, and nothing
came Of it.
The story that Secretary Lamar is
matrimonially inclined is more generally
accepted as having some foundation.
The Secretary is very domestic in his
habits and possesses very afectionate
nature, and the fortunate woman who
gets him will get good husband. The
Secretary has had fiat at the Portland
ever since he has been in the Cabinet, but
if he marries ii is thought that he will
lease some one of the many handsome
residences to be had here, and with his
wife dispense true Southern hospitality
from his home next Winter. He has an
unmarried daughter who presides over
his home now, and who is great favorite
with all who know her. He has also
son married and living here with his
family. II.
DIR. Woodrow Wins,
augusta Chronicle, April 17th.