The Mineral argus., 1886-02-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, Feb. l2th. Is

All over the city flags are at hal
mast again. They droop this time fo
General Hancock. Death has mad
havoc with official receptions of lat.
Three times within the last month til
social programme of the Administrator
circle has been thwarted, invitation
recalled, and entertainments post
poned IN consequence of death. Tn
Secretary of War had issued cards fo
a reception to the officers of the army
navy and marine corps for the even
ing that Gen. Hancock's death wa
announced. OF course the invitation,
were Immediately countermandeJ.
The House Of Representatives ad
Journed when notified of the General.
death, while the Senate very com
mendably proceeded as usual with
business. 1t must be conceded, there
is no sense or appropriateness in shut
ting down on such business under
such circumstances. 1t is a meaning
less, pernicious custom for Congress
to adjourn in consequence of any
death, and change of rules in this
respect will be welcomed by the whole
country. No real respect is shown
for the deceased in this way. Con.
gressmen enjoy each adjournment of
tins KIND as any other holiday, while
the time IS wasted and public affairs
neglected.
The Senate has continued the silver
debate during the week and has dis
cusSedpubllc education besides. Then
there has been open debate on the
vital question of the Presidential pre-
rosative. While Senator Edmunds
was detained at home with a sore
throat, President pro tenn. Sherman
walked down from the chair and quite
unexpectedly opened an attack upon
the White House, pleading absolute
power OF the Senate over all informa-
tlon as TO the character of appointees.
There have also been, during the week.
some important secret sessions of the
Senate In which certain combinations
were opposed by Republican Senators
The woman suilragsls are marshal
ling their forces preparatory to swoop
'ng Gown on Washington again hey,
Wednesday for the eighteenth annual
time Miss Susan b. Anthony has
been here for some weeks perfecting
arrangements for this convention.
which will be attended by distinguished
advocates OF female suffrage from all
parts OF the country. Miss Anthony
5 as energetic as ever in her work
md IS as sanguine of the final success
If tire cause as when she first BEGAN
o struggle for it fifty years ago.
The principal object of this asso-
iatlon from lis organization has been
o secure to the women OF the several
tates and territories. national protec.
ION IN the citizens right to vote
hropgh a sixteenth amendment to the
They say they do not
xpart to get the amendment this Con =
ress, but they will get the matter dis ,
usssd, and m few years they expect i
, get what they want.
" hat we are after now" said Miss +
nthony, ''lS simply a discussion of \
ie subject. The more it is discussed h
le more popular it will become. We ;.
row. continued she, ''who our enc e
les IN Congress are and how many. n
{ 10 not expect to convert them. q
It as they drop out they will be d
placed by men of more advanced \,
ew' on all the great issues of the
e, including woman suifrange."
She agrees with the opinion recently
prsscd by Senator Edmunds. that
( hllorlty OF women of the United
ats do not want to vote. She til
cdnts tor this on the ground that it a
something new and that many ta
'nen of conventional ideas are op- tn
sci to anything new until they have at
ld cd the question. ",
lie advocates of woman suffrage th
I'm TO have made great progress in vi
n&orial favor. They hold that I"
envy slx Senltors are in favor of '''
1rs women the ballot. They cite an a'
tnces to prove that this number m
ve declared themselves openly as tn
II supporters. while they say they IN,
lrot tell how many silent friends
y may have in the upper House.
\ Senator asked Miss Anthony how
women expected to do anything
h Congress until they had carried Ia
school districts. She told him vii
y could not reach the school dis mi
: except through the speeches SIR
le IN the Senate. "What We want"
/ she, rs to get vote in the rifI
;te. and 10 send The speeches ali Irb,
: the country" ohc thinks the bia
sch made in favor Of female en- qu'
rhls-ment last Congress by Sena- re-
Palmer, did i wonderful amount oi rn'
4 - tia