The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-02-12
Washington Letter,
ashIhgtNH EttteF1
fFrmm our regular correspondent

WASHINGTON, Feb. S, 1886.
The week has been markedly interest
ing one at the Capital. In Congress there
have been several acrimonious debates.
good deal of substantial legislation, and
large expenditure of eloquence on various
subjects. besides an endless stream of
Pan Electric and Bell Telephone gossip in
the lobbies. The Senate voted 5000, 000
900 for National militia purposes. and the
| Republican majority invited Dakota to the
Union. Every vote against Dakota was
| Democratic and every vote for her was Re
publican except that of Senator Voorhees,
of Indiana. The vote for Dakota's admis-
sion was preceded by debate of five
hours. which occasionally grew warm.
The Democratic side twitted certain Re-
publican Senators for Presidential aspira-
lions in their struggles in behalf of the
Territory Senator Butler, of South Caro-
| lima, who had strongly opposed admission,
remarked that lie had no doubt Dakota
would be luscious plum for the ambitious
statesmen who were afflicted with the
| Presidential fever. General Logan said in
the course of a speech that the ''buzzing OF
| the Presidential bee constituted very
poor argument on a constitutional ques-
| ton. An Alabama Senator took occasion
to predict that Senator Harrison, of 1ndi-
ana. who is alleged to be a candidate for
the presidency, would not get chance at
the votes of Dakota He did not think
Mr. Harrison would ripen in four years.
The Indiana Senator retorted that if ever
he should be candidate and could justly
claim the vote of Alabama, he would not
expect to have it counted for him. While
the usually dignfied Senate was indulging
in this kind of badinage, one Senator
brought down the floor and galleries by
quoting King Henrys exclamation, ooh
Lord, how this world is given to lying
The Congressional Telephone invcstiga-
ton will commence on the 18th inst,
though there is no likelihood that any new
revelations will be forthcoming. The Gov
eminent suit to test the validity Of the Bell
patent will begin soon under the manage
ment of Solicitor General Goode. Ex-Sen-
ator Thurman, of Ohio, is one of the emf
ncnt lawyers who have been selected to as
sist the Department of Justice.
The contest between the President and
Senate is at the same stage that it was
week ago, and seems to be i'll danger of
cooperating. The Republican majority
cannot compel the President to furnish
reasons for removals, and all that remains
for them to do is to endeavor to show the
country that they have right to the infor
nation called for. The subject will prob
ably be discussed by them in open session
soon.
| The President has had an unusually
quiet week for the mid winter season. the
social programme of the Administration
circle having been interrupted by the death
of the wife of Secretary Bayard. The
White House will be opened again on
Thursday evening for dinner to the SUI
preme Court, to which will also be invited
Senator Edmunds, the President pro TEN
! of the Senate, and other members of the
Senate Judiciary committee.
! The light and shadows of life have been
strangely mingled recently in the case OF
| the Secretary of Stale. While he occupies
the highest place in the Cabinet, Congress
has vested in him the succession to the
Presidency, by changing law which has
stood since the first years Of the Republic.
At the same time he has been made the
target for much bitter personal abuse, and
finally now he has been subjected to the
death of his wife, following in just two
weeks, that of his faYorite child, who
might have taken her mothers place in
the household. Mr.. Bayard has borne his
Affections with a simple dignity and manli-
ness, which have become him more if
possible, than his public honors. When
the undcrtakcrs carried the flower conceal
ed coffin of his wife to the hcarsc, the
Secretary followed it slowly to the gate
There he stood with bowed head until it was
safely placed His face was outwardly
calm, but upon it had settled the gloom OF
a sorrow and a desolation that can never
be lifted from him. His figure and pose
as he stood there would have fifty served
an artist as a model for resigned, refined,
and absolute grief WESTON.
Salem Sfnings.