The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-03-11
OUR WASHINGTON LETTRR.
WASHINGTON; D. G., March s, 1886.


Mr.. EDITOR: The Presidents mes.
sage, tothe Senate concerning the contro-
versy between himself and ::that body,
fell like bombshell intobhat quiet and
sdigniied body. The Democrats chuckled
over it and vengeance flashed fir m the
eyes Of the Republicans. Senator Ed
-munds WAS the first to condemn lin
open session, and after comparing the
President to the arrogant Charles the
First of England in presuming. as he
expressed it, to dictate to the Senate, the
message was ca motion Of the Senator,
referred to the judiciary Committee.
This committee, with Senator Edmunds
as its chairman, has lately fallen into the
habit of'pigeou-holing all matters not
meeting with the entire approval of the
Republican majority, but that course, as
pursued with Objectionable nominations,
will of course not be followed in the
message. In anticipation of the message
being discussed in open session on Tues
day, the galleries and corridors were
crowded.to overaowi99g, and many people
turned away because there was not even
standing room. a number of members
of the lower House even found it con.
venient on that day to step across the
1rotunda to the Senate wing ou public
business, but to the disappointment of
al, mo report was made and consequently
there was no discussion. The excitement
even now is high and everybody is on
che alert to learn when the message will
be referred back by the committee to the
Senate, and the volumes Of Senatorial
eloquence and invective roll forth.
The House devoted the whole of last
week, with the exception of Monday, to
the consideration of the general invalid
pension bill: The members availed
themselves of the opportunity to deliver
political speeches for use in the next
State campaigns. They all declared
themselves as notopposed to the bill, and
devoted the most part of every speech to
irrelevant matter-:matter good however
for campaign purposes. An unusually
large number of members Joined in the
debate, and at timesa majority of the
members were on their feet, and as each.
speaker warmed up to his subject and
made puDgent criticisms of the opposite
party and was met with 'bristling repartee
from the attacked, he was surrounded by
fellow members who applauded until the
spectatorsin the galleries joined in, and
the wild enthusiasm drowned the voices
of the members and .raps Of the speakers
gayel to order. Such an animated debate
to continue day after day for q week has
not occurred in many years. When a
vote was reached the bill passed by an
overwhelming majority.
On Monday, under a suspension of the
rules, the Mexican Pension Bill was dis
cussed but no vote reached. tits believ-.
ed that the bill will notpass this session
because it comes up in such bad form
that the southern members cannot vote
for it.
The Senate has been engaged all the
week;in the discussion ofthe Educational
Bill, and when q vote was reached on
Friday night, the bill was passed by
surprisingly large and unexpected major
ity, the vote being 36 TO II. The friends
of the bill were afraid tbatit would be
defeated because of:the numerous amend.
ments made to it. They now feel conf.
dent Of its passage by the House.
The whole Democratic populace of the
National Capital is up in arms against
the appointment of the colored lawyer,
James G. Mathews, of Albany, N. Y, as
Recorder of Deeds for the District of
Columbia. This Office, which yields the
occupant about $4,000 a year in the way
Of fees, was put down as sweet plum for
some local Democrat. Local men for
local Offices has been the motto Of the.
Democrats ever since the meeting of the
Democratic National Convention, and
plank to that effect was put in the
National platform.
d The Democrats have consequently felt
confident of getting the few District
Offices within the gift Of the President,
and although impatient at the delay felt
that ultimately their patience would be
rewarded. The nomination therefore on
Thursday was great surprise and caused
great indignation; but the President
doubtless had the good of his party in
mind, rather than the qualification of q
few, and SO appointed a colored man to
succeed a colored man. Fred Douglass
steps out and lawyer Matthews in, and
the snug little $4,000 goes to non.resi
dent. Col. Lamont, in an interview had
with him, has stated that all the other
Offices here will be given to local men.
So, applicants, take due notice and make
no applications, as mo vacancies exist"
Washington's Charity Ball is always q
notable event in society circles. A great
deal of money is realized out of it every
year for the Children's Hospital, and all
for "sweet cbarity'ssake." This last was
no less brilliant and successful than
previous ones. President Cleveland
attended it, and enjoyed himself beyond
expression. He felt that be was free
from all ofice-seeking bores for time,
and could sit in the presence of few
personal friends in the gallery especially
set apart for him and quietly look upon
scene of animated beauty such as he
never looked upon before in Washington.
This was the first time that the President
has appeared at an evening party since
the Inaugural Ball
Civil Service Examination.