The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1886-02-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.



Congress there have been several
acrimonious debates, a good deal
of substantial legislation and q
large expenditure of eloquence on
various subjects, besides an end
less stream of Pan-Electric and
Bell Telephone gossip in the lob
bies. The Senate voted 100000
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 Repub-
lican except that of Senator Vor-
hces Of Indiana. The vote for
Dakota's admission was preceded
by debate of five hours, which
occasionally grew warm. The
Democratic side twitted certain
Republican Senators for Presiden-
tial aspirations in their struggles
in behalf Of the Territory. Sena-
tor Butler of South Carolina, who
had strongly opposed admission,
remarked that he had no doubt
Dakota would be q lucious plum
for the ambitious statesmen who
were afflicted with the Presidential
fever. Logan said in the course
of speech that the buzzing of
the Presidential bee" constituted n
very poor argument on constitu-
tional question. An Alabama Sen
ator took occasion to predict that
Senator Harrison of Indiana, 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 a candidate and could
Justly claim the vote of Alabama,
he would not expect to have it
counted for him. While the usu
ally digniiied Senate was indulging
in this kind of badinage, one Sen
ator brought down the floor and
galleries by quoting King Henry's
exclamation, "Oh Lord, how this
world is given to lyingl"
The Congressional telephone
investigation will commence on
the 18th instant, though there is no
likelihood that any new revelations
will be forthcoming. The Govern
ment suit to test the validity of
the Bell patent will begin soon
under the management of Solicitor
General Goode. Ex-senator Thur
man of Ohio is one Of the eminent
lawyers who have been selected to
assist the Department of Justice.
The contest between the Presi
dent and Senate is at the same
stage that it was week ago, and
seems to be in danger of evaporat-
ing. 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 probably be discussed by them
in open session soon.
The President has had an unus-
nally quiet week for the mid-winter
season, the social programme of the !
Administration circle having been
by the death Of the |
wife of Secretary Bayard. The
White House will be opened again |
IN Thursday evening for dinner
o the Supreme Court, to which
will also be invited Senator Edmuds,
he President protein of the Senate,
md other members of the Senate
Judiciary Committee.
The lights and shadows of life !
lave been strangely mingled
ccently in the case of the Secretary
# State. While he occupies the
highest place in the Cabinet, Con-
,rcss has vested in him the success
ion to the Presidency, by chang
ne a law which has stood since the
irst years of the Republic. At the
anne time he has been made the
arget for much bitter personal
buse, and finally now he has been
ubiected to Tie most overwhelming
,ereavement in the death Of his
avorite child, who might have