The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-12-16
Ws shi . gtOn I Iettor.

NOuSItfei III i@SS L tdE "eSh III III
il, re opening, las settled down to the
st rious consideration of business. The
reassembling Of both the Senate and
House were accom- panied by sceres
customary on such occasions. There
were the usual crowds of spectators in
the galleries, who looked down upon
the same tumujtuOus, ,disOrderly crowd
on the floor of the t,ouse, all talking
at the sam time anG at the top oftheir
voices, anG upon the quiet, slow NOV
ing men on the floor of the Senate
Chamber, who began the new session
with as little furry as on any day of
the old one.
There were the usual handshakings
and exchange of greetings, and flower
bedecked desks, the Democratic side
being most favored floraliy, which
caused some Republicans to remark
that the change of flowers showed the
change of the Administration. To the
victOrs belong the flowers. Repre-
sentatives S, s. Cox and Abram Hew-
lit We're the lions of the opening day.
When they enter ed the Hall arm in
arm, they were greeted by round of
applause. Mr. Hewitt received hearty
congratulations upon his election to
the Mayoralty, and expressions of re.
gret upon his retirement from Con-
gress. Those who had served in former
Congresses with Mr.. Cox gathered
around him cordially, and those who
did not know him sought introduce
tions. Representative Sayers of Texas,
who occupied, last session, the seat so
long used by Mr.. Cox, gracefully sur
rendered it to its former occupant and
took the one vacated by Mr.. Pulitzer
Mr.. Cox has already added to his
record by Introducing bill to prevent
Representatives from receiving two
salaries at the same time. He thus
manifests bis intention to decline the
Congressional salary which has ac-
crued since MIR. PulItZer's resignation.
Republican papers gleefulIy distorted
a recent statement to make it appear
that Mr.. Cox had applied for and was
trying to get two salaries-one as min
lister to ConstantinOple, and one as
Congressman. AS matter of fact he
inquired of the Comptroller of the
Treasury as to the exact money due
him under the law so that he could
act tintelligently concerning it. Comp
Nm 4-l, Ia L.
tied to back pay since Mr.. Pulitzer
resigned, aud this bill just introduced
shows what Mr., Cox intended at the
time to do about it.
While the Presidents message takes
one all over Europe. to the Samoan
Islands, Siberia, the Spanish ADtelles
to Mexico, over South America, and
into Canada and Alaska, the five top
les which excite the strongest interest
here are the tariff, the currency, the
labor question, civil seavice and Dis
reformers are all pleased and some of
them are enthusiastic. The protec-
tionists say the message is cOnserva.
tive enough for them, the ultra silver
men make complaints, as was expect
ed, and the Republicans criticise the
document as a whole, and from force
of habit.
Some of the more sluggish members
of Congress predict that little can be
done during the session beyond the
passage of the Appropriation bills.
Others equally wise say there is more
chance for work during a short than a
long session, and they expect to be
very active between now and the
fourth of March. In fact, there is lit.
tie temptation to demagogueism and
talking for votes now, and there is no
reason why this Congress should not
do more in January and February
than in all the previous months of its
life. The members are all either elect
ed or defeated for the Fiftieth Con-
gress. and mere partisan maneuvers
| will not affect them. Then by the
committee work having been done last
session. bills are ready for action, and
legislation is in excellent position to
be pushed to completion.
Congressman Anderson, of Kansas,
comes back this winter a pronounced
enemy of railroads. and gives a des.
cription of how public men are Gre
ated and owned In his section by Jay
Gould's purse. Gould is trying to con-
troll the legislatures and the represent
atives in Congress from the states
through which his roads pass. Mr..
Anderson says that in his own district
not less than one hundred thousand
dollars were distributed to defeat him.
He estimates that the Missouri Pacific
Railroad alone spent 500, 900 in at
tempting to send the friends of rail
roads to Congress from the State of
Kansas. MIR. Anderson was formerly
u straight out Republican, but he re-
nounces his old faith and calls himself
member of the new Republican
party, having been reelected as AL
anti-monopoly Independent.
Two years ago Republican prophets
were positive the country will go to
ruin in consequence of a restoration of
the Democrats to power. Now they
are compelled to see steady and gen.
eral return TO industrial and CONNER.
cial prosperity. The facts and figures
of all tile Government reports show
this result, and indicate largely in
creased volume of business through
out the country. There is nothing so
as truth. but the enemies
of the Administration say ut is
Cleveland's luck"
Al. -