Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1886-01-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our special correspondents.

| Washington has come to be the fav-
orite place of assemblage for the great
associations of the country. During
the week two important organizations
held conventions here. One was the
American Health Association, and the
other was the Federation of Labor
Unions of the United States and Cam
ada. These, with the meeting of the
Forty y-ninth Congress, mnde the week
one Of especial interest.
The sanitary gathering was composed
largely of doctors from every quarter
OF the Republic, and among the many
important scientific subjects which
they treated exhaustiycly, was that If
disposing of the dead. From the ex-
pressions used in their debates, it was
evident that they had very little rev.
erence for a mans remains after be
dies. They were almost unanimously
In favor of cremation.
The Workingman's Congress ordered
that the eight-hour rule be enforced on
the first of May, and gave expression
to many other of the laborer's wants
IN no uncertain language. They held
significant mass-meeting and parade
Of Thursday evening. Il was re-
marked by politicians, religionists and
social philosophers who witnessed the
scene, that of all the parades seen on
Pennsylvaniaaseaue, Republican, Dem.
ocratic, military or inaugural, none
have been impelled by notives more
positive than the men who marched in
this labor parade.
During this first week of the new
Congress, neither the Senate nor the
House has done anything more than
to prepare for work. As you know.
debates on bills cannot begin until
committees report the bills, and as yet
only one bill has been sanctioned by
committee. This Is the Hoar success
sion bill, which reached the Senate to-
day. II win be taken up at once, md
though it will give rise ts conf fderable
discussion, it is likely ts6 b passed
y
during the week. I'm all important
features it is thsS same bill passed by
the Senate lasa session, and viii pas
Cabinet ofj,6rs il the line Of suecsa-
sion 70 yde Presidency IN case Of the
death sOf both the President ana vice
President.
I'm the House Of Representatives the
igdportant question now is a revision
oOf the rules, and as the spesker win
not even announce the arrangement Of
ltho standing committee until the mat.
ter of rules is settled no real work need
De expected from that body for son,e
time.
Mr. Carlisle is engaged with his
troublesome duty of committee max
ing. Much Of the time he is closeted
with soi1e of his trusted friends, and
they talk the matter over and over
again. Members write notes to him
asking. TO be placed on this or that
committee, where they think they will
fini the most congenial work.
It is probable that revolution in
the business methods of the House win
be adopted during this week, and that
the plan will be that proposed by Mr.
Morrison, tho author of the horizou-
tai tarifbill Of last session. The House
began to discuss his proposition to-day.
It provides for a distribution of the
work Of the Appropriations committee.
This object will not be accomplished
until after sharp contest The strng-
gle will not be In the nature of a party
conflict, however, but between those
who think that the plan VIII facilitate
business and those who think il will
result in increased expenditures to
make such changes at this time
The President naturally feeIs much
grati6cd at the almost universal praise
which his first message has evoked.
Nor did he find the first week of Con-
gress so harassing as many expected.
Senator's and Members called upon him
but there were fewer appeals for Office
made to him than to any President at
the assembling of Congress FOR years.
About three hundred Of the Presi.
dents recess Donlinations have been
sent to the SenaEes for confirmation.
Republican Senators discussed IN eau
Gus the policy 70 lie adopted n regard
to them. There was an animated do
bate and quite difference Of opinion
manifested. Some favored general OPP
position, others admitted that good ap.
pointnents should not bs opposed.
Time only can prove what course they
viii pursue,
The Republicans Of the House
adopted in-caucus resolution which
was q purely derDagogical scheme %
capture the soldier vote. They do-
clared in favor of unconditional reped
of tho. limitation Of the payment on Al.
rears Of pensions, and also in favor Of
further extensions Of the pension eys.
tenn. Many Republican oongressmsn
viii be fonnd supporting extravaga,.t