Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-01-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.

! WASHINGTON LETTER.
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MONITOR T.
- aE Washington, Jan. 18th
Congress, which began last week
with aepromise of steady work, end
ed it by an indulgence in recess,
having adjourned over from Friday
until to-day. While in session, how
ever, some industry marked its pro-
ceedings. The house even held a
night session for the purpose of con-
sidering minor measures, and also
discussed and voted for the success
sion Till, which makes cabinet Off
GERS, one after the other, succeed to
the presidency in case of an emer-
gency.
The senate listened to a number
of long speeches on silver coinage
and other subjects, and confirmed
several hundred of the president S
nominations in its daily secret ses-
sions.
There has been great deal of
talk about the friction between the
president and senate in regard to
removals and appointments TO office.
But, so far, the republican senators
have not become very much excited
| in their search for reasons for the
suspension of federal officials, and
some of them hold that the president
has the right to suspend arbitrarily,
if he pleases, and give no reasons.
There will be no open rupture with
out further developments.
The republicans in the house of
| representatives are, as a rule, kindly
disposed toward President Cleveland,
and are in favor of giving him a fair
chance. They expect to vote for
liberal appropriations, particularly
for the navy, and for coast defences.
They say they will favor giving Sec
rotary Whitney all the money he
needs TO carry out his plans for
building up the navy
The recent action of the senate in
bordering that all nominations, con-
tirmations, reflections and withdraw
ais be published in the Congressional
Record. is regarded by some members
of that body as: the first step to a
| final abolition of secret sessions. A
short while ago the senate would
been shocked at the mere suggestion
of publishing the proceedings of its
executive sessions. But. some sena-
tors now believe that the system of
secrecy with regard to nominations
tends to encourage vicious attacks
upon men named for office, and
think, if nominations were consider
ed openly, malicious persons would
be deprived of opportunities they
have for secretly making charges and
insinuations against nominees.
On the other hand, many senators
are fond of the freedom of their Sc
cret sessions and would never agree
to give them up. They say the pub
lie sessions of such a decorous and
dignified body as the senate heavily
tax the physical powers of senators,
most of whom are elderly men, OIL
men who have passed the meridian
period of their strength. When the
doors are closed and the world shut
out, they can, without neeIectine
their duties, smoke a cigar, lounge
on the sofas, or in other ways enjoy
a restful change.
On Saturday afternoon there was
q melancholy interruption of social
festivity at the white house, through
the death of Miss Kate Bayard, eld-
est daughter of the secretary of
state. Miss Bayard had seemed
well and Extremely gay at the recep,
tion In her mothers parlors the
evening before. But when she retir-
eel at l.30 a. M, she complained OF
great fatigue, and having been asked
to assist at Miss Cleveland's weekly
reception at three O'Clock on Satur-
day, asked that she might not be
disturbed until one hour before the
time for the white house reception
| Her sister Mamie went to awaken
her at the appointed time, and found
her lying in her bed. dead. She was
the favOrite child of the secretary
and the main reliance of her invalid
mother in all social affairs. The fact
that the Rayard household will re,
main IN mourning for q long time
will detract from the round of enter.
taininents ut the white house. as bott
Mrs Bayard and her daughter were
expected TO take prominent part Ii
them. Secretary Bayard was at the
state department when he received
the announcement of his daughter
death. Fora moment lie seemed toe
much stunned To realize the fact
Then he gt~ped for breath and be
came deadly pale. Reco, ering hi:
self-possession, he walked to his car
Rage trembling in every limb, aI(
was driven To ms home. Miss BAY
ards death was from physical ex
haustion and heart disease. FASTENED
by the active part she has recently
taken in the social life of the capital
STATE NEWS ITEMS.
All the slate quarries in Bennington
county save one, are being worked hare
at present for Australia and Texas ship
ments.