Daily Republican., 1886-03-17

Erom cur hekuihf Oofft1pon0ent.
wAsHINcroN, March 1Seh, 1885 -
There u no abatement Of interest In the
debMts upon the controversy between
I the President ana Senate. The 6enats
galleries are crowded every day and
many members OF the lower House
leave their end Of the Capitol for the
unusual attractions now offered in the
north wing. Since Nc. Edmunds' mas
terly attack upon the Administration
Mr.. Wilson, the Senator from Iowa,
has also thrown his lance ct the
royal" prerogatives, and Senators
Pugh, Of Alabama, and Kenna, of WesI
Virginia. have made Democratic con-
tribution to the discussion.
Senator Wilson drew comparisons
between Darwin's protoplasm and the
Democratic doctrine Of reform and as-
serted that % deny information was te
accuse public character. He quoted
the Presidents promise that this I'D
miDistration was to "act behind glass
doors," and was to have ''no secrets. 81
This, Mr.. Wilson said, was courageous
and the country applsuded II; but Il
had not lasted long. The Administra
tion proved TO be loaded down with
secrets and the glass doors had been
abandoned.
Tots debate will afford the country 9
J fair opportunity TO Judge OF the intel
lectual strength Of the Two psrties In
the Senate. The Republicans have
advantage In mum bers and In speakers
On Saturday the debate gave way fol
An impressive funeral in the Senate
chamber. The Executive, Legislative
and Judicial branches of the Govern
ment and the representatives OF foreign
nations, united in paying q tribute Of
respect TO the late Senator Miller o
California. 1t was just twelve year
ago on that day that Congress and othel
public fuuctionaries assembled in the
Senate chamber TO participate In the
funeral rites Of the distinguished Sena
tor, Charles Sumner.
As on that day, the chamber wal
draped in black In honor of Mr.. Miller
and the ceremonies were strikingly ant
appropriately simple. No eulogiei
we're attempted, and the solemn servic'
for the dead Of the Episcopal Churct
was finished 10 less than half an hour
Then the Marine Band, playing /,
funeral dirge, headed q procession o
Senators to the depot, where a Pullman
hotel car and palace sleeping ca
awaited the family and Congressiona
Committee. IL is estimated that tn,
expense Of transporting the late Sena
tors remains to California on q specia
train, and sending with 1t q committe
which will return in the same way
will be S20, ,OC0.
The tendencies OF social life in Wash
Ing ton have long been Of q character {,
make the judiciouf, not 10 say pioul
grieve, aud suggest such antetypes q
Baby Ion and Paris. No one who ha
spent season az the Capital can hav
an adequate idea Of the recklessnes
and extravsRance that pervades officia
and social life. 1t was not thus in tn
earlier, simpler days Of the Republic
Wealth has brought display, and tn
prevalence OF an easy morality ha
made the National Capital o winter re
sort for ,species OF wealthy pleasure
seekers who bring in their wake hord
OF adventurers and resolutes, who,
they do not compose NJ least color VIVA
10 called soviety.
Moral worth and character are not ef
sental TO social advancement, nor ar
Intelligence and what are called til
minor vir;ues. Almost any one who ha
wealth sufficient for the maintenanc
OF outward appearances, can ente
society, and those who can give enter
tainments can become leaders.
The secular press throughout tn
country has here Correspondents by tn
hundred, who keep before the publ
rose-hued pictures of the insidioul
graceful dissipations of the seat of gov
ernment.
Since the beginning of the presen
Congressional session the Presidents
and Cabinet receptions have been dwel
upon with ecstatic rapture by the aver
age writer Of society gossip, and hav
presented a bewildering glamour Of dis
monds, lace, flowers, fashion, femal
beauty and feeble statesmen. II,