The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-12-09
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, ID. G., Dec. 4, 1Ss

ent in the clutches of rheumatis is Y
ooking over his completed message q
md everywhere there is a fiutter OF \
for the Congressional ses t
ion which will open on Monday next ,
It precisely twelve o'clock. {
The largest days work ever accom- ,
,lished in the Pension Bureau was ,
lone on Wednesday, when forty of
he lady clerks were employed until :
midnight and then sent home in her :
lies at Government expense. An
unusual amount of pension business
was finished up during the month of
the number of certificates
granted being 1884. The public debt
statement for November shows de
crease in the debt of only little over
81 ,0OO, 900, but this small reduction is
due to the fact that nearly
$l4 900, 600 were paid out during the
month for pensions alone.
Secretary Lsmar's annual report,
which is ready and will be before the
public by the time this reaches you,
treats of questions in which the coun-
try has a vital interest. His Indian
policy as well as that with regard to
public lands and railroads, is well
known, but the treatment of the red
man forms the chief feature of the
report. He recommends again great
clemency and liberality to the wards
of the nation and his views and those
of the bureau having imm ediate
charge, coincide IA to the desirability
of the savages abandoning tribal rela-
tions, and settling down TO industry.
The report is written in that forcible
and charming style which has char
acterizsd each official document pen
ned by the Secretary of the Interior.
When Secretary Whitney's annual
report came from the public printer
on Wednesday, some distributions of
it were made, but strict injunctiOns
were given that it should not be pub
lished until Saturday morning. The
document, which has as yet only been
seen in confidence, is instructive. and
renews many recommendations made
in his first report. The Secretary
points with pride to the present con
dition of Department affairs, asks for
five more millions for the new navy,
and thinks there should be no delay
of the legislation necessary for re
organization of the Navy Department..
The return of Speaker Carlisle and
Col. Morrison has revived discussion
as to the probability of tariff legisla
tiOu this winter. AS usual, much in
terest is felt in learning the Admins
tration's views of the Tariff question
1t is ascertained the President will
treat the question as one demanding
fearless consideration, and that he
will be specific and emphatic in advo
cacy of tariff reduction. He will also
speak boldly and approvingly of the
civil service law and the results of its
} enforcement under his Administra
ton.
, Speaker Carlisle has been beset by
callers since his arrival and he alludes
, to the prospect of q renewal of the
tariff fight with freedom and hope
fulness. Col. Morrison refuses to out
line his program for the session. H,
: is not detected over bis defeat, how
ever, aud expects his friends to men
tiOn it when they meet him.
Much of the sensational matte
which is distributed throughout tn
country from Washington relative t.
> the Presidents country-seat purchase
the avenue extensions in particular
and real estate syndicates in general
is politically inspired. 1t is fabricate
for purpose. 1t is not concocted ou
I of any real regard for the interests @
: the District or in any spirit of zeal fo
Il the public welfare but with the iii
J. rect, cold blooded intent to bring tn
Administration into contempt an
. disrepute before the country.
So far as the late Investigation G
: the police department is concerned
u and unsatisfactory as its results ma
be in not fully disclosing the cause
= and course of events which led to tn
. resignation of Major Walker, there
not the faintest scintilla of evidenc
to complicate the President with an
phase of the affair, Whatever pre-,
sure may have been exerted in thi
/ matter, there ie no trace of Executiv
y influence in it.
The seasons first ripple of socit
J. exchange was seen on the streets
the city last Wednesdays beginnin
II of the tidal wave of society whic
follows the opening of Congress. Th
ladies of the Cabinet all greeted the
>. old friends and the new corners, AL
s. while there was not q long line {
/ waiting carriages, as there will b
IL when the season is further advanced
d there was sufficient recognition {
|, the day,
It Official etiquette and social conver
It fence together long ago decided ths
10 the reception days of families of
= higher grade of officials in Washing
n ton should be as follows: Monday
j. the wiv of the Judges of the 81
" preme Court; Tuesday, the wives ,
= Representatives i'll Congress Wed
nesday, the wives of the Cabinet on
y GERS; Thursday, the wives of Sens
70 tors Friday, the wives of Army All
l. Navy Officers, and Saturday the Lad
of the White House The ladies ma
begin to observe these days at home
1. as early rs they please, but it il Gus
n tomary for all 10 do so after Congres
assemblies.
WERE congressman in Ohio divide
II between the two parties according
h the total vote of both, there would b
t. IL Republican Congressman and ]
v Democratic. This is the result of
l. i6,s,l