The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1886-12-25
LAKE CHARLES CALCASEU DECEMBER
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsnrNeroN, Dec. N, les6.
From Onr Regular Correspondent,

Congress, in less than week
from its Te-opening, has settled down
to the serious consideration of busi-
ness. The re-assembling of both the
Senate and House were accompanied
by scenes customary on such occasions.
There were the usual crowds of
spectators in the galleries who looked
down upon the same tumultuous dis
orderly crowd on the floor of the
House, all talking at once and at the
top of their voices, and upon the
quiet, slow moving 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 be.decked desks, the Demo-
cratic side being the most favored
dorally, which caused some Republi-
cans 10 remark that the change of
flowers showed the change of the Ad-
mipistration. To the victors belong
the flowers.
Representatives S. s. Cox and
Abram Hewitt were the lions of open
ing day. When they entered the
Hall arm in arm, they we're greeted
by round of applause. Mr., Hewitt
received congratulations upon his
election to the Mayoralty, and ex-
pressions of regret upon his retire.
ment from Congress. Those who had
served in former Congresses with Mr..
Cox gathered round him cordially, and
those who did not know him sought
introductions. Representative Sayers
of Texas, who. occupied, last session,
the seat so long used by Mr.. Cox,
gracefully y surrendered it TO its former
occupant and took the one vacated by
Mr.. Pulitzer.
Mr.. Cox has already added to his
record by introducing a bill to pre-
vent Representatives from receiving
two salaries at the same time. He
thus manifests his intention to de-
cline the Congressional salary which
has accrued since Mr., PulitSer's
resignation, Republican papers glee-
fully distorted d recent statement to
make it appear that Mr., Cox had ap-
piled for aud was trying to get two
salaries-one as Minister to Constan-
tinople, 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 intelligeutly con-
cerRing it. Comptroller Durham told
him he was entitled to back pay since
Mr.. Pulitzer resigned, and 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 |
Antilles, to Mexico, over South |
America, and into Canada aud Alaska,
the five topics which excite the
strongest interest here are the Tariff,
the currency, the labor question, civil
service, and District of Columbia
affairs. The tariff reformers are all
pleased and some of them are en-
thusiastic. The protectionists say
the message is conservative enough |
for them, the ultra silver men make
complaints as was expected, and the
Republicans criticise the document as
a whole, and from fierce of habit.
Some of the more sluggish mem
bers 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 short than a
long session, and they expect to be
very active from now until the fourth
of March, In fact, there is little
to demagoguism, 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
elected or defeated for the Fiftieth
Congress, and mere partisan man
euvers will not affect them. Then by
the committee work having been done
last session bills are ready for action,
and legislation ia in excellent position
to be pushed to completion
Congressman Anderson, of Kansas,
comes back this winter pronounced
enemy of railroads, and gives de-
seription of how public men are
and owned in his section by
Jay Gould's purse. Gould is trying
to control the legislatures and the
in Congress from the
States through which his roads pass.
Mr.. Anderson says in bis own district
not less than one hundred thousand |
dollars were distributed to defeat him.
He estimates that the Missouri Pacific
Railroad alone spent $s,ooo,ooo in
attempting TO send the friends of
railroads to Congress from the State
Of Kansas. Mr., Anderson was for
merly q straight out Republican, but
he Tenounces his old faith and calls
himself member Of the new Re-
publican party, having been reelected |
as an anti-monopoly Independent.
Two years ago Republican prophets
we're positive the country would 60 10
ruin in consequences Of q restoration
Of the Democrats to power. Now
they are compelled to see a steady
and general return Of industrial and
commercial prosperity. The facts and
figures Of all the Government reports
show this result, and indicate q
largely increased volume Of business
throughout the country. There is
nothing so convincing as truth, bnt
the enemies Of the Administration say
"It Is GleFelaad's lnek.R
at.. ..s xan,a,,v y,,r Jf;anav and