New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Washington, Dec. 10. 1885
Last Monday at atprecisely ~ o'clock the
gavals fell simultaneously in both ends
of the Capitol. They called to order
more than quorum of Representatives
in the House, and nearly the full num-
ber of Senators. As usually, there were
crowds of people at the Capitol long be-
fore the appointed hour, and every inch
Of standing room in the visitors gal
leries was taken an hour before the
opening.
The Capitol was in complete readi-
ness for Congress, and all of the officials
were at their posts. The Senate Cham.
ber looked very sombre, draped with the
Arthur mourning but otherwise the
Senate wing inside and out looked
bright and fresh. The Presidents and
Vice Presidents rooms, the reception
and marble rooms, have all had n reno.
vation during the recess, and look bet
ter than ever before.
Two new Senators were sworn in,
ex-Gov. Cheney of New Hampshire
and Mr.. Williams of California, and in
the House, three new members took the
oath of office, namely: Mr.. Cox in place
of Mr.. Pulitzer, Mr.. Bacon in place of
Mr.. Beach and Mr.. Rusk in place of
Mr.. Cole. AS to what legislative busi-
ness either the Senate or House will
first give its attention, it is impossible
to indicate. The Senate is a body which
follows the judgment of the hour in
such matters despite special orders for
fixed dates, and as for the House, its
vagaries are proverbial.
Affairs ut the White House have been
quiet during the week with Mrs. Cleve-
land in New York city buying Christ
mas presents. and the President con-
fined indoors with rheumatism. The
Hungarian artist Mr.. Mumkacsy was
the lion of the week in the social world,
and Consul Stewart of Antwerp, one of
the oldest and most popular consuls in
service, was treated with marked kind
ness at the Executive Mansion during
his sojourn in the city. He dined sew
eral times with the President, was his
guest ut the theatre, and at "Oak
View and finally accompanied Mrs.
Cleveland to New York.
The Presidents rheumatic pangs did
not prevent his making some important
changes in the Treasury department,
during the week, amounting to almost
clean sweep of the Republican Off
cials. Speaker Carlisle assisted the pre-
sident upon that part of his message re-
lating to the Tariff reduction, and
while so engaged the White House was
besleged by members of Congress who
were anxious to get to the President in
order to influence him in the prepara-
tion of the document.
Some Democratic anti Civil Service
reformers are much disgusted that Sec
retarv Lamar should have Republi-
can for his private secretary. They
complain that he thus gives comfort to
the opponents of the Administration by
confirming the campaign declaration
that the Democrats are incapable of
controlling this country. So delicate
and confidential are the relations be-
TWEEN a private secretary and his chief
that the choice would seem to be Mr..
Lamar's affair exclusively, but it proves
a source of great humiliation to the par
ty which voted for change Of Admin
stration. Is Doubtless if the whole truth
were known, it would be that the Secre.
tary carefully looked over the whole
| field and failed to find q Democrat tit.
ted to the position.
There is no doubt but that there
would be a great decrease in the fashion
of Senators and Representatives living
in hotels and boarding houses here
/ while they leave their families at home,
were it not that political capital is like.
ly to be made out of their purchase Of
property in Washington. Many Of then
find it more economical to buy than te
rent house for the term OF residence
here, but no sooner does a Senator o.
Member purchase house, than politi
cal opponents circulate among his con
stituents the popular report that ne is
living at the Capital in princely style
1t was good reply that Congressman
Butterworth made during the recen1
campaign to an attack upon his modes
Washington home. Substantially HI
said, I'll more members Of Congress liv
ed under the restraining influences Q
amily life in Washington, it would b
better for them. for their families ant
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