Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-12-16
From our Regular ,orrr-ponhetH-
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. u. C., Dec. 6. 1885

Io-da, at precisely twelve O'clock the
gaseis fell simultaneously IN both ends Of
the Capitol. They cellrd to order more
than quorum Of representatives IN the
House. and nearly the full number OF Sena-
tors. As usual. there wete oTosds 81 pee
pie at The Capitol lorg before the appointed
hour. and every inch Of standing room he
visitor, eailrrir. was taken an hour before
the opening.
The Capitol was IN complete readiness for
Congress. and a. Of tie officials were q;
their pos's The Senate Chamber looked
very >omhrr craped with the Arthur mourn
ing. but otherwise the Senate wing inside
and out looked bright and fresh. The
Presidents and Vice President, rooms. HE
reception and marble rooms. have all had
renovation during the recess, and look bet
tel than ever before.
Two rev Senators were sworn in. * Gov
Cheney Of New Hampshire and Mr. VII
hans Of California. and IN the House. three
new members took the oath Of Office. name
IL Nh Cox in rlAce IF Mr. PuHrz~r. Mr..
Bacon ~ place Of Mr.. Bleach and Mr. Rock
IN place # Nj Cole. As To what l-gis alive
business either The Senate or House viii
first give is attention. II i, impossible TO in
dloate The Senate j. body ~hich follows
,he jYdsutu, Of tn, hour 10 .uoA ma'le's
despite special orders for tx-d dates. and as
FOR the House. IT, yagarie, are provrrbial.
There i, vast amount Of work that
o4eni 10 be performed thu, session. but most
Of i, mus, inevitably fal 10 receive eonsd-
ration. Waste Of Time during The long
SESSION is the chief cause Of thi> d,credua-
Ole situation. Still thi. is no, the frs, Con-
sre>s that la, wasted time and neg .ecltd
dui!e> ror i. 1t likely 10 be- the last that vii
call for >ieh censure.
Affairs ii, The White House have been
qulet during Tie week with Mr.. Cleveland
in New York city buying Christmas pres
rnt-. and the President confined ind1o
with rheumatism. The Hungarian artist.
Nj. Numkaosy. Wa the lion Of the week in
the social world. and Consul Stewart Of
Antwerp. one Of the Oldest and most popu-
ar consuls in service, was treated with
marked Kindness at the Executive Mansion
during HI. sojourn in the city. He dned
several tines with The President. was his
guest al tie theatre, and at "Oak View"
and finally accompanied Mrs. Cleveland to
New York
The President, rheumatic psngs did not
prevent bis making some important changes
IN the Treasury Department.. during the
week. amounting to almost a clean sweep
Of the Republican officials. Speaker Carlisle
assisted the President upon that part Of his
message relating TO the Tariff reduction, and
whie engaged the White House va, be-
,ieged by members Of Congress who we've
ANXIOUS to get to the President in order 10
influence hum IN the preparation Of tie doe
ument
Some Democratic anii-civi service re-
formers are much discusted that Secretary
Lamar should have Republican for his
private secretary. They complain tina, he
thus gives comfort to the opponents OF the
administration by confirming the campaign
declaration that the Democrats are incapable
Of controlling his country. So delicate and
confidential are The relations between pri-
Vate secretary and his chief that the choice
would seem 10 be Mr.. Lamars affair ex-
ciuslyeil, but 1t proves source Of great
humiliation to the party which voted for a
change Of administration. Doubtless if the
whole truth were known, it would be that
the Secretary carefully looked over the
whole field and failed to find a Democrat
fitted TO the position.
There is no doubt but that there would be
great decrease in the fashion of senators
and representatives. living in hotels and
boarding houses here while they leave their
families al home, were it not tina, political
capita is likely to be made out Of their pur-
chase OF property IN W Washington. Many Of
hem find it more economical to buy than 10
rent a house for the term of residence here
I but no sooner does senator or member
( purchase house, than political opponent.
| circulate among his constituents the pop.
ular report that he is living at the Capita
in princrly style. 1t was good reply that
/ Congressman Batterworth made during the
recent campaign to an attack upon hi,
/ modest Washington home. Substantial,
! he said. ''If more members of Congress lived
| under the restraining influences of fsmil,
/ life in Washington, it would be better fol